RANK #153 / 996 · POP 51,842 · WI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.4%
Grant County, Wisconsin, stands out for its distinctive Driftless Area landscape, a region untouched by glaciers, resulting in rolling hills, deep valleys, and scenic river bluffs. Located in the southwestern corner of the state, it borders the Mississippi and Lower Wisconsin Rivers, offering extensive outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, fishing, and boating. Platteville, the largest city, is home to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and the Mining & Rollo Jamison Museum, reflecting the county's rich history. The community feel is generally rural and welcoming, with towns like Lancaster offering a slower pace of life. Life in Grant County offers a blend of rural tranquility and community engagement. Public schools in the county are rated above average, with several districts serving the area. The economy is supported by a diverse range of sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and education, with institutions like the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Southwest Wisconsin Technical College contributing to a skilled workforce. Recent economic developments include investments in data centers and energy, which are expected to contribute to the local tax base. The county also sees ongoing activity in manufacturing, and while the job market is not as large as urban centers, the cost of living, particularly rent in towns like Lancaster, is notably affordable.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Cassville Data Center
Undisclosed (one of the big five or six tech companies)
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
A.Y. McDonald Brass Foundry and Expansion
A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co.
|
$340M | Under Construction |
|
Grant County Solar Project
Alliant Energy (constructed by NextEra Energy Resources, LLC)
|
$300M | Completed |
|
Red Barn Wind Farm
WPS and MGE (WEC Energy Group)
|
$162M | Operating |
|
Grant County Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Alliant Energy
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Whitetail Wind Energy Center
Invenergy (WEC Energy Group, MGE)
|
$67M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Grant County has a Boom Town Index score of 85/100, ranking #153 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.9% and a median household income of $63,497, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Grant County is $173,400 with median rent at $795/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3662, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.9%. Home values changed +6.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.01% of Grant County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.