Brown County, Wisconsin
Among the top 10% of US counties for lifestyle & connectivity.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 22% of US counties
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 42% of US counties
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 33% of US counties
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 86% of US counties
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade A, better than 90% of US counties
- top 7% for sales tax
- top 7% for amenities nearby
- bottom 8% for monthly owner costs
Brown County is a county in Wisconsin with about 268,000 residents. It grades A for lifestyle & connectivity and D for affordability. Standout strengths include sales tax, amenities nearby, and commute time. It rates lower on annual snowfall and monthly owner costs.
- The median home value in Brown County is $227k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Brown County is $74k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Brown County is $935 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Brown County has a violent crime rate of 741/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Brown County is 19 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Heavy snow
freezing
v.cold
cold
comf.
warm
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cool
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74%46%clearovercast
Precipitation 3.7 in1.4 in
humid 77%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$74k81st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$46kbetter than 45% of US counties
Home Value$227k75th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$935better than 30% of US counties
Monthly Owner Costs$71kbetter than 8% of US counties
Property Tax Rate1.54%better than 13% of US counties
Income Tax7.60%better than 11% of US counties
Sales Tax5.70%better than 93% of US counties
Estimated total tax burden14.21%better than 10% of US counties
Unemployment2.9%better than 84% of US counties
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)18°F10th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)71°F14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation32.1 in27th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall56.3 inbetter than 9% of US counties
Sunny Days219 daysbetter than 32% of US counties
Summer Humidity61°Fbetter than 73% of US counties
Comfortable Days89 daysbetter than 76% of US counties
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk90.0better than 10% of US counties
Air Quality44 AQIbetter than 41% of US counties
School Quality59.7better than 60% of US counties
Violent Crime741/100kbetter than 53% of US counties
Property Crime1170/100kbetter than 37% of US counties
Community
Population268,39392nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age37.820th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3257th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0051st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven21st percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)78.9%47th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)2.6%54th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)9.4%71st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)3.1%90th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)6.0%85th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time19 minbetter than 87% of US counties
Walkability7.1/20better than 76% of US counties
Airport Distance105 mibetter than 46% of US counties
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access89.6%better than 86% of US counties
Amenities Nearby15.16better than 93% of US counties
Park & Nature AccessModeratebetter than 41% of US counties
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Frequently asked questions
- Is Brown County an affordable place to live?
- Brown County is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $46k, better than 45% of comparable areas. Median rent is $935.
- Is Brown County safe?
- Brown County is about average for safety comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 741/100k (better than 53%). Property crime is 1170/100k.
- What is the weather like in Brown County?
- Brown County averages 71°F in July and 18°F in January, with 32.1 in of annual precipitation and about 219 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Brown County?
- Public-school quality in Brown County is about average, scoring better than 60% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Brown County?
- The average one-way commute in Brown County is 19 min.