Wausau
RANK #26 / 996 NAT · #2 / 29 WI · POP 137,820
1YR FORECAST: +6.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +42%
Rib Mountain State Park, home to one of the oldest geological formations on Earth and Granite Peak Ski Area, is a prominent feature of Marathon County, Wisconsin. Located in north-central Wisconsin, Marathon County is the state's largest county by area. Wausau, the county seat, is about a three-hour drive from Milwaukee and Minneapolis. The community offers a blend of urban amenities and small-town atmosphere. Commuting within Wausau is facilitated by Metro Ride, the city's bus system. The county also boasts over 100 miles of bike and pedestrian routes, including the 83-mile Mountain-Bay State Trail. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with 17 county parks, numerous lakes and rivers, and extensive trails for hiking, biking, and winter sports.
Life in Marathon County is characterized by a strong sense of community and access to outdoor activities. Public schools in Marathon County generally perform above the state average in math and reading proficiency. The economy is largely driven by manufacturing and agriculture, with Marathon County ranking highly in dairy production and total agricultural sales. While the county has seen an increase in households struggling with basic needs, efforts are underway to address these challenges and improve the quality of life for all residents.
Below national median
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Marathon County ranks #26 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 98/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.9% and a median household income of $73,248 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Marathon County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $194,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $898/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Marathon County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs +0.9%. Home values shifted +9.0% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.17% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Marathon County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +9.0% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Marathon County is now valued at $194,500. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.