Vernon County
WI · Pop. 30,915 · Suburban County
Vernon County is a suburban county in Wisconsin, spanning 792 square miles with 30,915 residents at a density of 39 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on hay, corn, haylage. A median home price of $211,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.37% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 141-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.9°F and average winter lows of 9.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.5 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Vernon Memorial Hospital is 4.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Vernon Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on hay, corn, haylage 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.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 141-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.37% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 9.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Vernon County, WI is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 61/100
- Median home price
- $211k
- Property tax
- 1.37%
- Growing season
- 141 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 34.5"
- Broadband
- 97.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Vernon Memorial Hospital, 4.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Vernon County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Vernon County?
- Vernon County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 141-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.9°F, and average winter lows of 9.2°F. The established crops are hay, corn, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $211,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.37%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Vernon Memorial Hospital is 4.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Wisconsin Resources
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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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