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Waushara County

WI · Pop. 24,752 · Suburban County

44/100Homestead Score

Waushara County, Wisconsin covers 626 square miles with a population of 24,752 and a density of 39.5 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $186,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.32%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.1°F and average winter lows of 9.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 32.8 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Thedacare Medical Center - Wild Rose Inc is 4.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 65.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.32%
Growing Season: 144 days
Broadband: 65.6%
Density: 39.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $186,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Thedacare Medical Center - Wild Rose Inc, with an emergency room, is just 4.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low unemployment rate of 3.8% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 11.1% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • A 144-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.32% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • Broadband reaches only 65.6% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
  • Average winter lows of 9.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.

At a glance

Waushara County, WI is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
44/100
Median home price
$186k
Property tax
1.32%
Growing season
144 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
32.8"
Broadband
65.6%
Nearest hospital
Thedacare Medical Center - Wild Rose Inc, 4.9 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.32%
Median Household Income$64,968
Poverty Rate11.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$186K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season144 days
Annual Rainfall32.8 inches
Avg Summer High79.1°F
Avg Winter Low9.2°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Hay

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire6/10
Tornado7/10
Flood5/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalThedacare Medical Center - Wild Rose Inc (4.9 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage65.6%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate3.8%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Waushara County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Waushara County?
Waushara County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 79.1°F, and average winter lows of 9.2°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $186,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.32%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 65.6% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Thedacare Medical Center - Wild Rose Inc is 4.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Waushara 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.