Whitewater
RANK #74 / 996 NAT · #10 / 29 WI · POP 105,127
1YR FORECAST: +4.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +37%
Walworth County, Wisconsin, is often recognized for Lake Geneva, a prominent resort community that has attracted visitors since the late 1800s. Located in southeastern Wisconsin, bordering Illinois, the county is approximately an hour's drive from Milwaukee and Madison, and about 90 minutes from Chicago, making it accessible for commuters. The area maintains a semi-rural atmosphere with rolling hills and numerous lakes, including Delavan Lake and Whitewater Lake, offering extensive outdoor recreation like boating, fishing, and hiking. The community feel varies from the active resort town of Lake Geneva to quieter lakeside villages and agricultural areas.
Life in Walworth County balances small-town living with access to larger urban amenities. The county's public schools are generally well-regarded, with several districts exceeding state and national averages. Transportation within the county is primarily by car, though a shared-ride taxi service, Walworth County Connect, is available. The economy, historically rooted in agriculture and tourism, has diversified to include manufacturing, healthcare, and construction. Recent economic activity includes investments in infrastructure and manufacturing, alongside ongoing efforts to address housing availability and childcare, which support the local workforce.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.5x 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Foundry Ridge Energy Center (Natural Gas Peaker Plant)
Invenergy
|
$324M | Proposed |
|
Darien Solar Energy Center
Invenergy (developed), We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, Madison Gas and Electric (owners)
|
$250M | Operating |
|
Bluff Creek Liquefied Natural Gas Storage Facility
We Energies
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Darien Solar Energy Center Battery Storage
Invenergy (developed), We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, Madison Gas and Electric (owners)
|
$75M | Planned |
|
Millennium Headquarters and Warehouse
Millennium (Scherrer Construction)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Walworth County ranks #74 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 93/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +3.9% and a median household income of $75,172 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Walworth County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $254,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,034/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
It's a mixed picture in Walworth County. The population is declining (-0.8% YoY), but employers are actually hiring — job growth is at +3.9%. Home values moved +3.9% in the last year. That tension between shrinking population and expanding employment often signals a county in transition.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.81% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Walworth County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.