Waupaca County
WI · Pop. 51,714 · Suburban County
Waupaca County is a suburban county in Wisconsin, spanning 748 square miles with 51,714 residents at a density of 69.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, haylage, hay. A median home price of $193,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.49% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.5°F and average winter lows of 9.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 33.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Thedacare Medical Center - Waupaca Inc is 10.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 84% 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
- A median home price of $193,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Thedacare Medical Center - Waupaca Inc, with an emergency room, is just 10.6 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.
- A low poverty rate of 10.1% 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 144-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.49% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 9.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Waupaca County, WI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 47/100
- Median home price
- $193k
- Property tax
- 1.49%
- Growing season
- 144 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 33.5"
- Broadband
- 84%
- Nearest hospital
- Thedacare Medical Center - Waupaca Inc, 10.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Waupaca County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Waupaca County?
- Waupaca County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.5°F, and average winter lows of 9.8°F. The established crops are corn, haylage, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $193,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.49%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 84% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Thedacare Medical Center - Waupaca Inc is 10.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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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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