RANK #115 / 996 · POP 74,138 · WI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.7%
Wood County, Wisconsin, is defined by its diverse landscapes, from the flat, marshy Central Plain in the south, known for cranberry production, to the rich cropland of the Northern Highlands. Wisconsin Rapids serves as the county seat, and Marshfield is another notable city. The county is centrally located within Wisconsin, with the geographic center of the state found southeast of Marshfield. Commutes within the county are generally short, averaging around 20.7 minutes. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with numerous parks, three rivers, and many lakes offering year-round activities like hiking, biking, fishing, and ATV trails. Powers Bluff County Park, a worn-down peak of an ancient mountain range, provides mountain biking and winter sports opportunities.
Life in Wood County offers a blend of community living and access to nature. The public school systems in the county are rated above average. While Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids offer local amenities and job opportunities, many residents own their homes. The economy is driven by sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture, particularly cranberry farming. Efforts are underway to diversify the economic base and attract new businesses, alongside initiatives to ensure robust technology infrastructure and address housing needs.
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.8x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Wood County Solar Project
Alliant Energy, Savion, Wisconsin Power and Light
|
$150M | Operating |
|
Wood County Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Alliant Energy, FlexGen, J.P. Cullen
|
$75M | Operating |
|
DPO WI Data Center
Digital Power Optimization
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Wood County has a Boom Town Index score of 88/100, ranking #115 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.2% and a median household income of $63,273, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Wood County is $156,600 with median rent at $830/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.404, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.0% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.2%. Home values changed +8.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.54% of Wood County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.