Shawano County
WI · Pop. 40,927 · Suburban County
Shawano County sits in Wisconsin across 893 square miles, home to 40,927 people at 45.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, haylage, hay. The median home price is $179,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.45%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 137-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.1°F and average winter lows of 8.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 31.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Thedacare Medical Center - Shawano Inc is 7.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $179,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 92.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Thedacare Medical Center - Shawano Inc, with an emergency room, is just 7.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, haylage, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.1% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- A 137-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.45% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 8.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Shawano County, WI is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $179k
- Property tax
- 1.45%
- Growing season
- 137 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 31.3"
- Broadband
- 92.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Thedacare Medical Center - Shawano Inc, 7.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Shawano County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Shawano County?
- Shawano County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 137-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.1°F, and average winter lows of 8.4°F. The established crops are corn, haylage, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $179,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.45%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Thedacare Medical Center - Shawano Inc is 7.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Wisconsin Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Wisconsin
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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