RANK #254 / 1001 NAT · #15 / 29 WI · POP 66,009
1YR FORECAST: +2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
Sauk County, Wisconsin, is often recognized for the dramatic bluffs of Devil's Lake State Park, a major draw for outdoor enthusiasts. Located approximately 25 miles northwest of Madison, the county offers a blend of natural beauty and small-town charm. Commuting to Madison is feasible via major highways like I-90, I-94, and U.S. Route 12. The community feel is shaped by its "Land Made" identity, emphasizing a connection to the natural landscape, which provides extensive opportunities for hiking, biking on trails like the Great Sauk State Trail, boating on Lake Wisconsin, and exploring numerous nature preserves.
Life in Sauk County offers a balance of rural appeal and access to amenities. The public schools maintain a good reputation. The economy, while impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen a rebound, with particular growth in financial activities. Tourism, centered around attractions like Wisconsin Dells, remains a significant industry, drawing a seasonal workforce. Agriculture, including dairy, hogs, and cattle, also plays a role, with local farms and agri-businesses contributing to the economy and offering agritourism experiences. The county is also investing in broadband infrastructure to support remote work and local businesses.
Sauk County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +4.9% YoY, population +0.4%, wages +4.4%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.9x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Baraboo Sauk County Campus Redevelopment Plan
Sauk County / City of Baraboo
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Sauk Prairie Residential Development
Undisclosed Developers
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Great Sauk State Trail Bridge Build
Sauk County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Broadband Infrastructure Expansion
Reedsburg Utility Commission (RUC) / Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 74/100, Sauk County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $79,541 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in WI.
Housing in Sauk County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $258,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $1,018/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Sauk County are both close to flat — population +0.4% YoY and jobs -0.2%. Home values shifted +4.9% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.44% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Sauk County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.