1st Advantage MortgageLafayette County households have a median income of $76,462 and median rent of $830 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Wisconsin license first.
On this page
- Lafayette County, WI: the basics
- Income in Lafayette County compared with Wisconsin
- Work, industries and travel time in Lafayette County
- Lafayette County housing compared with Wisconsin
- Lafayette County next to its neighbors
- Lafayette County towns compared
- Lafayette County households compared
- Before borrowing in Lafayette County
- Budget math at the Lafayette County median
- Checking a lender's license in Wisconsin
- Checklist for Lafayette County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Lafayette County, WI: the basics
With an estimated 16,942 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Lafayette County ranks 58th of 72 in Wisconsin for population. It covers 634 square miles of land, or about 27 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Lafayette County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 12 places in the county (10 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Darlington, with about 2,409 residents, or 14% of the county.
Income in Lafayette County compared with Wisconsin
Half of Lafayette County households take in less than $76,462 a year and half take in more, about the same as the Wisconsin median of $77,485. Only 20 Wisconsin counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Lafayette County | vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.0% | +1.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.7% | +0.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.5% | +1.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.9% | -3.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 35% of Lafayette County households make $100,000 or more, and 22% make less than $35,000. 11.9% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Lafayette County median.
Work, industries and travel time in Lafayette County
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 18%. Compared with Wisconsin, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (12% against 2%). Averaged over the five survey years, 2.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 16% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 5.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Lafayette County workers | vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.7% | -3.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.9% | 0.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 12.2% | +10.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.5% | +0.4 pts |
| Construction | 9.8% | +3.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 4.8% | -4.7 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Lafayette County housing compared with Wisconsin
A typical Lafayette County rental runs $830 a month including utilities, which is 24% below Wisconsin. By the Census definition, 38% of Lafayette County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $194,500, about 2.5 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 80%.
| Housing | Lafayette County | Wisconsin statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $830/mo | $1,087/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $194,500 | $266,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.5% | 3.1% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Lafayette County next to its neighbors
Six nearby counties, 21 to 40 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Lafayette County; Green County is highest at $82,852 and Stephenson County lowest at $64,043. Some neighbors are in Iowa and Illinois. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Lafayette County resident follows Wisconsin rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette County | - | $76,462 | $830/mo | 80% |
| Jo Daviess County, IL | 21 mi | $73,993 | $825/mo | 80% |
| Iowa County, WI | 24 mi | $82,182 | $954/mo | 77% |
| Green County, WI | 27 mi | $82,852 | $867/mo | 76% |
| Stephenson County, IL | 32 mi | $64,043 | $798/mo | 71% |
| Grant County, WI | 32 mi | $66,858 | $813/mo | 70% |
| Dubuque County, IA | 40 mi | $77,630 | $959/mo | 73% |
Lafayette County towns compared
Here are the 12 most populous of the county's 12 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 67% of Lafayette County residents live in one of the 12. Incomes vary by place: $80,938 at the median in Benton, $56,641 in Darlington. Median rent ranges from $608 in Argyle to $914 in Shullsburg. None of the 12 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darlington | city | 2,409 | $56,641 | $873 | 2 mi |
| Cuba City | city | 2,007 | $74,571 | $758 | 16 mi |
| Hazel Green | village | 1,204 | $64,688 | $784 | 18 mi |
| Shullsburg | city | 1,184 | $64,028 | $914 | 8 mi |
| Benton | village | 1,054 | $80,938 | $889 | 14 mi |
| Belmont | village | 949 | $61,875 | $733 | 12 mi |
| Argyle | village | 877 | $59,702 | $608 | 14 mi |
| Blanchardville | village | 734 | $64,531 | $634 | 17 mi |
| South Wayne | village | 441 | $75,139 | $788 | 14 mi |
| Gratiot | village | 305 | $42,344 | $688 | 8 mi |
| Woodford | CDP | 75 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| Wiota | CDP | 50 | $90,417 | n/a | 9 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Lafayette County households compared
Degree holders: 23% of adults over 25. 10.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Lafayette County | All of Wisconsin | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.8 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.6% | 33.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.5% | 6.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.5% | 5.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.0% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.6% | 13.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.9% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.9% | 3.2% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 34.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.6% |
| 60+ min | 7.8% |
Before borrowing in Lafayette County
Based on the Lafayette County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 10% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
Budget math at the Lafayette County median
Here is the Lafayette County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $6,372 a month: gross income for a household at the Lafayette County median
- Housing at the median rent of $830 uses 13%
- Under a 43% cap, $2,740 total minus rent leaves $1,910
If your rent is above $830, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checking a lender's license in Wisconsin
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Lafayette County borrowers answers to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Wisconsin guide.
Checklist for Lafayette County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Lafayette County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Ask a Lafayette County credit union about member loans.
Related local guides
The Wisconsin guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lafayette County a high-income county?
Its $76,462 median ranks 21st of 72 Wisconsin counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Lafayette County?
$830 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
Should Lafayette County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 80% of Lafayette County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Lafayette County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 12 Census places: Darlington, Cuba City, Hazel Green, Shullsburg, Benton.
Is the fit check different in Lafayette County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.