Washington County
WI · Pop. 137,320 · Mixed County
Washington County, Wisconsin covers 431 square miles with a population of 137,320 and a density of 318.6 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, haylage. The median home price is $316,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.2%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 142-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.7°F and average winter lows of 14.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 34.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Froedtert West Bend Hospital is 3.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Froedtert West Bend Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 3.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.8% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 5.3% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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 142-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 14.3°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
- At 318.6 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Washington County, WI is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 38/100
- Median home price
- $316k
- Property tax
- 1.2%
- Growing season
- 142 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 34.3"
- Broadband
- 99.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Froedtert West Bend Hospital, 3.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Washington County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Washington County?
- Washington County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 142-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.7°F, and average winter lows of 14.3°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $316,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.2%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Froedtert West Bend Hospital is 3.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Wisconsin Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Wisconsin
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The closest counties to Washington County by distance, including across state lines.
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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