Best counties to live in Wisconsin

Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock

Best counties to live in Wisconsin

What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Wisconsin using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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Emistuemke // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Dunn County

- Population: 44,759
- Median home value: $165,200 (68% own)
- Median rent: $796 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $58,783

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Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Manitowoc County

- Population: 79,185
- Median home value: $130,100 (75% own)
- Median rent: $672 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $56,612

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Scott Catron // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Jefferson County

- Population: 84,701
- Median home value: $190,400 (70% own)
- Median rent: $857 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $66,291

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Dls4832 // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Bayfield County

- Population: 14,993
- Median home value: $170,200 (83% own)
- Median rent: $653 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $56,096

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Visit Beloit // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Rock County

- Population: 162,152
- Median home value: $146,200 (68% own)
- Median rent: $838 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $57,875

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Iulus Ascanius // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Pierce County

- Population: 41,977
- Median home value: $208,700 (72% own)
- Median rent: $874 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $72,323

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Yinan Chen // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Walworth County

- Population: 103,074
- Median home value: $203,400 (69% own)
- Median rent: $880 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $63,776

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gillfoto // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Racine County

- Population: 195,602
- Median home value: $176,000 (68% own)
- Median rent: $857 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $61,336

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Bobak Ha'Eri // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Marathon County

- Population: 135,396
- Median home value: $156,300 (72% own)
- Median rent: $758 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $62,633

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compujeramey // Flickr

#16. Milwaukee County

- Population: 951,226
- Median home value: $158,300 (49% own)
- Median rent: $880 (51% rent)
- Median household income: $50,606

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Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources // Flickr

#15. Sheboygan County

- Population: 115,178
- Median home value: $159,700 (70% own)
- Median rent: $727 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $60,696

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self // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Calumet County

- Population: 49,928
- Median home value: $178,900 (81% own)
- Median rent: $779 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $75,814

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Mjrichter // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Washington County

- Population: 134,925
- Median home value: $236,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $908 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $77,663

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Keith Cooper // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Kenosha County

- Population: 168,524
- Median home value: $177,400 (66% own)
- Median rent: $919 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $63,733

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Creative Commons

#11. Winnebago County

- Population: 170,411
- Median home value: $152,500 (65% own)
- Median rent: $766 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $58,543

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Wtimmers // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Door County

- Population: 27,472
- Median home value: $214,100 (80% own)
- Median rent: $795 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $61,560

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Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Outagamie County

- Population: 185,700
- Median home value: $169,400 (71% own)
- Median rent: $807 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $65,572

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Thomson200 // Wikimedia Commons

#8. St. Croix County

- Population: 88,732
- Median home value: $244,500 (77% own)
- Median rent: $962 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $84,756

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TheCatalyst31 // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Portage County

- Population: 70,632
- Median home value: $168,100 (69% own)
- Median rent: $776 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $58,853

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Itrytohelp32 // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Eau Claire County

- Population: 103,514
- Median home value: $169,400 (64% own)
- Median rent: $823 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $59,476

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Alan Froegel // Wikimedia Commons

#5. La Crosse County

- Population: 117,894
- Median home value: $173,300 (63% own)
- Median rent: $835 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $57,882

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Chris Rand//Wikicommons

#4. Brown County

- Population: 261,368
- Median home value: $173,900 (65% own)
- Median rent: $795 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $62,340

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pasa47 // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Waukesha County

- Population: 400,475
- Median home value: $282,300 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,046 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $87,277

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Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock

#2. Dane County

- Population: 536,078
- Median home value: $265,600 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,083 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $73,893

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James Meyer // Shutterstock

#1. Ozaukee County

- Population: 88,597
- Median home value: $282,500 (76% own)
- Median rent: $927 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $85,215

Best counties to live in Wisconsin