Best counties to raise a family in Wisconsin
Written by:
March 5, 2021
realtor.com
Best counties to raise a family in Wisconsin
Known in other parts of the world as shires, provinces, or territories, the United States’ counties (also known in certain states as boroughs or parishes) date back to the 1600s, when settlers first came to find freedom from British rule. Today, those counties remain, with the 50 states divided into several, each with its own unique makeup.
For people looking to find a home to raise a family in, choosing a county is an important decision. Most families place affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, a quality school system, and family-friendly activities at the top of their wishlists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Wisconsin using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, healthcare, recreation and weather. Listings and images are from realtor.com.
The list features counties that boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you’ll find one that suits your brood.
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#10. Outagamie County
- Population: 185,700
- Median home value: $169,400 (71% own)
- Median rent: $807 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $65,572
- Top public schools: Sunrise Elementary School (A), J.R. Gerritts Middle School (A), Woodland Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Xavier High School (A), Fox Valley Lutheran High School (A-), St. Xavier Middle School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Kimberly (A), Appleton (A), Little Chute (A-)
- Pictured: 1365 Martingale Ln, Neenah ($274,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $169,400 (71% own)
- Median rent: $807 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $65,572
- Top public schools: Sunrise Elementary School (A), J.R. Gerritts Middle School (A), Woodland Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Xavier High School (A), Fox Valley Lutheran High School (A-), St. Xavier Middle School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Kimberly (A), Appleton (A), Little Chute (A-)
- Pictured: 1365 Martingale Ln, Neenah ($274,900, 4 bedrooms)
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#9. Eau Claire County
- Population: 103,514
- Median home value: $169,400 (64% own)
- Median rent: $823 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $59,476
- Top public schools: Memorial High School (A), Meadowview Elementary School (A-), Robbins Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Regis High School (A-), Immanuel Lutheran High School (B+), Immaculate Conception Elementary School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Eau Claire (A), Altoona (A-), Washington (A)
- Pictured: 5715 N Shore Dr, Eau Claire ($1.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $169,400 (64% own)
- Median rent: $823 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $59,476
- Top public schools: Memorial High School (A), Meadowview Elementary School (A-), Robbins Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Regis High School (A-), Immanuel Lutheran High School (B+), Immaculate Conception Elementary School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Eau Claire (A), Altoona (A-), Washington (A)
- Pictured: 5715 N Shore Dr, Eau Claire ($1.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#8. Calumet County
- Population: 49,928
- Median home value: $178,900 (81% own)
- Median rent: $779 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $75,814
- Top public schools: Brillion Middle School (A), Hilbert Middle School (B+), Stockbridge Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School (unavailable), Mt. Cavalry Lutheran School (unavailable), St. John Sacred Heart School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Sherwood (A-), Brillion (B+), Chilton (B)
- Pictured: N7773 Windswept Ln, Sherwood ($1.1 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $178,900 (81% own)
- Median rent: $779 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $75,814
- Top public schools: Brillion Middle School (A), Hilbert Middle School (B+), Stockbridge Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School (unavailable), Mt. Cavalry Lutheran School (unavailable), St. John Sacred Heart School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Sherwood (A-), Brillion (B+), Chilton (B)
- Pictured: N7773 Windswept Ln, Sherwood ($1.1 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#7. Washington County
- Population: 134,925
- Median home value: $236,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $908 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $77,663
- Top public schools: Addison Elementary School (A), Slinger Middle School (A), Germantown High School (A)
- Top private schools: Living Word Lutheran High School (A-), Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School (A-), St. Augustine School (A-)
- Top places to live: Germantown (A), Slinger (A), Richfield (A-)
- Pictured: W149N9947 Rimrock Rd, Germantown ($799,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $236,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $908 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $77,663
- Top public schools: Addison Elementary School (A), Slinger Middle School (A), Germantown High School (A)
- Top private schools: Living Word Lutheran High School (A-), Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School (A-), St. Augustine School (A-)
- Top places to live: Germantown (A), Slinger (A), Richfield (A-)
- Pictured: W149N9947 Rimrock Rd, Germantown ($799,900, 4 bedrooms)
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#6. Kenosha County
- Population: 168,524
- Median home value: $177,400 (66% own)
- Median rent: $919 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $63,733
- Top public schools: Lakeview Technology Academy (A+), Brighton Elementary School (A), Riverview Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Shoreland Lutheran High School (A-), Christian Life School (A-), St. Joseph Catholic Academy (A-)
- Top places to live: Pleasant Prairie (A-), Somers (A-), Kenosha (B+)
- Pictured: 2218 128th St, Pleasant Prairie ($4.0 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $177,400 (66% own)
- Median rent: $919 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $63,733
- Top public schools: Lakeview Technology Academy (A+), Brighton Elementary School (A), Riverview Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Shoreland Lutheran High School (A-), Christian Life School (A-), St. Joseph Catholic Academy (A-)
- Top places to live: Pleasant Prairie (A-), Somers (A-), Kenosha (B+)
- Pictured: 2218 128th St, Pleasant Prairie ($4.0 million, 3 bedrooms)
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#5. St. Croix County
- Population: 88,732
- Median home value: $244,500 (77% own)
- Median rent: $962 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $84,756
- Top public schools: Hudson Prairie Elementary School (A), Houlton Elementary School (A), River Crest Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Trinity Academy (unavailable), St. Patrick School (unavailable), St. Bridget Parish School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: North Hudson (A), Hudson (A), River Falls (A)
- Pictured: 1307 Riverside Dr N, Hudson ($1.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $244,500 (77% own)
- Median rent: $962 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $84,756
- Top public schools: Hudson Prairie Elementary School (A), Houlton Elementary School (A), River Crest Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Trinity Academy (unavailable), St. Patrick School (unavailable), St. Bridget Parish School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: North Hudson (A), Hudson (A), River Falls (A)
- Pictured: 1307 Riverside Dr N, Hudson ($1.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#4. Brown County
- Population: 261,368
- Median home value: $173,900 (65% own)
- Median rent: $795 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $62,340
- Top public schools: West De Pere High School (A), Wrightstown Middle School (A), Hemlock Creek Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Notre Dame de la Baie Academy (A), Northeastern Wisconsin Lutheran High School (A-), Bay City Baptist School (B+)
- Top places to live: De Pere (A), Allouez (A), Ashwaubenon (A)
- Pictured: 1902 Little Rapids Rd, De Pere ($2.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $173,900 (65% own)
- Median rent: $795 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $62,340
- Top public schools: West De Pere High School (A), Wrightstown Middle School (A), Hemlock Creek Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Notre Dame de la Baie Academy (A), Northeastern Wisconsin Lutheran High School (A-), Bay City Baptist School (B+)
- Top places to live: De Pere (A), Allouez (A), Ashwaubenon (A)
- Pictured: 1902 Little Rapids Rd, De Pere ($2.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#3. Dane County
- Population: 536,078
- Median home value: $265,600 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,083 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $73,893
- Top public schools: Middleton High School (A+), West High School (A+), Sunset Ridge Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Madison Country Day School (A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (A+), St. Ambrose Academy (A-)
- Top places to live: Middleton (A+), Madison (A+), Shorewood Hills (A+)
- Pictured: 4881 Enchanted Valley Rd, Middleton ($1.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $265,600 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,083 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $73,893
- Top public schools: Middleton High School (A+), West High School (A+), Sunset Ridge Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Madison Country Day School (A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (A+), St. Ambrose Academy (A-)
- Top places to live: Middleton (A+), Madison (A+), Shorewood Hills (A+)
- Pictured: 4881 Enchanted Valley Rd, Middleton ($1.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#2. Ozaukee County
- Population: 88,597
- Median home value: $282,500 (76% own)
- Median rent: $927 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $85,215
- Top public schools: Homestead High School (A+), Cedarburg High School (A+), Steffen Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: First Immanuel Lutheran School (unavailable), Lumen Christi Catholic School (unavailable), St. Francis Borgia School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Cedarburg (A+), Mequon (A+), Thiensville (A+)
- Pictured: 10303 Ann Marie Dr, Cedarburg ($859,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $282,500 (76% own)
- Median rent: $927 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $85,215
- Top public schools: Homestead High School (A+), Cedarburg High School (A+), Steffen Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: First Immanuel Lutheran School (unavailable), Lumen Christi Catholic School (unavailable), St. Francis Borgia School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Cedarburg (A+), Mequon (A+), Thiensville (A+)
- Pictured: 10303 Ann Marie Dr, Cedarburg ($859,000, 4 bedrooms)
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#1. Waukesha County
- Population: 400,475
- Median home value: $282,300 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,046 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $87,277
- Top public schools: Brookfield East High School (A+), Arrowhead High School (A+), Pilgrim Park Middle School (A+)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (A+), University Lake School (A+), Catholic Memorial High School (A+)
- Top places to live: Elm Grove (A+), Brookfield (A+), Nashotah (A+)
- Pictured: 14225 Juneau Blvd, Elm Grove ($2.8 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $282,300 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,046 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $87,277
- Top public schools: Brookfield East High School (A+), Arrowhead High School (A+), Pilgrim Park Middle School (A+)
- Top private schools: Brookfield Academy (A+), University Lake School (A+), Catholic Memorial High School (A+)
- Top places to live: Elm Grove (A+), Brookfield (A+), Nashotah (A+)
- Pictured: 14225 Juneau Blvd, Elm Grove ($2.8 million, 6 bedrooms)
