Wisconsin Rapids
RANK #109 / 996 NAT · #12 / 29 WI · POP 74,138
1YR FORECAST: +4.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +36%
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.
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 →
| 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 ranks #109 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 89/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 1.2% year-over-year). Median household income here is $63,273.
By national standards, Wood County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $156,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.40 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $830/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Wood County's job market is contracting (-1.2% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.0% change). Home values are +8.2% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.54% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Wood County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +8.2% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Wood County is now valued at $156,600. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.