RANK #554 / 1001 NAT · #25 / 29 WI · POP 74,004
1YR FORECAST: +2.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
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.
Wood County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +8.5% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.2x 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 →
| 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 1001 counties.
Wood County scores 44/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#554). Median household income is $67,989 and job growth is running at -2.2%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Wood County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $175,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.39 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $856/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Wood County's job market is contracting (-2.2% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.1% change). Home values are +8.5% 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 3.27% 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 +8.5% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Wood County is now valued at $175,600. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.