Your life in Marathon County, Wisconsin

What stands out

Three things set Marathon County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the average temperature is in the bottom 6% of American counties (44°F), the property tax rate is in the top 11% of American counties (1.59%), and the average commute is in the bottom 13% of American counties (17 minutes). Within Wisconsin it ranks 20th of 72 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Marathon County, Wisconsin. 137,820 people live here with you. The population grew 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +338).

Wisconsin has a graduated income tax reaching 7.65%, does not tax Social Security, and exempts some retirement income for residents 65 and over. Property taxes are high, largely for schools and local services, with a state lottery credit offsetting part of the bill. Milwaukee and Madison drive most job growth; the northern half of the state is lakes, forests and second homes.

Money

The typical household here brings in $73,248 a year, higher than 80% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $57,976. Unemployment runs 2.5%, lower than 83% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 17 minutes each way.

Wisconsin takes 4.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,279 a year.

Home

The median home costs $281K, pricier than 65% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $915 a month. Property tax is 1.59% of home value, roughly $3,098 a year on that median home, higher than 89% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 85% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 12 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.1 years, longer than 85% of American counties. There are 477 active physicians in the county, about 34.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.5 of 5 stars. 6.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.12 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 65% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 17 points. 75% of eligible voters turned out. Under Wisconsin law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 44°F, highs near 54 and lows near 33, colder than 94% of American counties. About 33 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 62 out of 100, riskier than 62% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 198 Mbps down, slower than 51% of American counties. There are 11 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries, 5 museums.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Wisconsin tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.