1st Advantage MortgageMarquette County households have a median income of $65,681 and median rent of $800 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Marquette County
- Housing costs in Marquette County
- Income in Marquette County compared with Wisconsin
- Work, industries and travel time in Marquette County
- Marquette County next to its neighbors
- The communities that make up Marquette County
- Debt-to-income at Marquette County's medians
- Borrowing situations common in Marquette County
- Who lives in Marquette County, in numbers
- Before you sign
- Who licenses lenders for Marquette County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Marquette County
Marquette County is home to about 15,746 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 64th most populous of 72 county-level areas in Wisconsin. It covers 456 square miles of land, or about 35 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Marquette County is not part of any metropolitan area. Montello is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 1,404 people (9% of the county total).
Housing costs in Marquette County
Renters in Marquette County pay a median of $800 a month, 26% below the Wisconsin figure of $1,087. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 39% of renter households here. With a median value of $210,400, a typical Marquette County house costs 3.2 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 81%. The median home was built in 1977, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Marquette County | Wisconsin | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $800/mo | $1,087/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $210,400 | $266,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 29% | 11% | n/a |
Because most Marquette County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Income in Marquette County compared with Wisconsin
At $65,681, the typical Marquette County household income sits near the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | Marquette County | vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.9% | +3.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.4% | +6.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.8% | -4.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.9% | -5.4 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 28% clear $100,000. Census counts 13.1% of Marquette County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Wisconsin. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.414 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Marquette County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Work, industries and travel time in Marquette County
The biggest employer of Marquette County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 21% of workers, followed by education and health care (17%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 6% of workers here, versus 2% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.7% in Marquette County. Long commutes are common here: 23% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Where residents work | Marquette County | Difference from Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 20.6% | +2.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.3% | -6.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.6% | -0.5 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +2.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.9% | -0.4 pts |
| Public administration | 6.4% | +2.7 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Marquette County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Marquette County's, from 21 to 38 miles away. Columbia County leads the group on income ($85,351), Adams County trails ($59,442), and Marquette County out-earns 1 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette County | - | $65,681 | $800/mo | 81% |
| Adams County, WI | 21 mi | $59,442 | $828/mo | 86% |
| Waushara County, WI | 22 mi | $67,107 | $796/mo | 84% |
| Green Lake County, WI | 22 mi | $68,196 | $818/mo | 74% |
| Columbia County, WI | 25 mi | $85,351 | $978/mo | 77% |
| Juneau County, WI | 36 mi | $67,270 | $879/mo | 78% |
| Sauk County, WI | 38 mi | $79,541 | $1,018/mo | 72% |
The communities that make up Marquette County
8 Census places fall mainly inside Marquette County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 4,810 residents, leaving about 69% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Westfield has the highest median household income on the list ($59,145) and Oxford the lowest ($55,000), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $638 in Montello to $797 in Westfield. Live in one of these Marquette County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montello | city | 1,404 | $55,758 | $638 | 4 mi |
| Westfield | village | 1,231 | $59,145 | $797 | 6 mi |
| Oxford | village | 527 | $55,000 | $690 | 8 mi |
| Neshkoro | village | 470 | $32,446 | $800 | 14 mi |
| Endeavor | village | 458 | $55,313 | $620 | 8 mi |
| Briggsville | CDP | 320 | $67,344 | $900 | 15 mi |
| Packwaukee | CDP | 244 | $50,000 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Harrisville | CDP | 156 | $44,306 | $945 | 4 mi |
Debt-to-income at Marquette County's medians
How much room does a median Marquette County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $65,681 a year is $5,473 of gross monthly income
- 15% goes to median rent ($800)
- Under a 36% cap, $1,970 total minus rent leaves $1,170
- Under a 43% cap, $2,354 total minus rent leaves $1,554
If your rent is above $800, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Borrowing situations common in Marquette County
What the Marquette County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Commuter costs. 23% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Older households. A 50.7 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Marquette County borrower sees (free reports).
Who lives in Marquette County, in numbers
College graduates make up 16% of the adult population. About 6% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Marquette County | Wisconsin | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.7 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.2% | 33.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.8% | 6.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | 5.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.6% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.7% | 13.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.1% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.7% | 3.2% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Marquette County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.9% |
| 60+ min | 12.4% |
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Marquette County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Who licenses lenders for Marquette County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Marquette County resident can confirm its license with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Wisconsin state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Wisconsin guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Marquette County earn?
The median is $65,681; 28% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Marquette County rent compare with Wisconsin?
$800 locally versus $1,087 for the state, 26% below.
I live in a small Marquette County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Montello, Westfield, Oxford, Neshkoro, Endeavor and 3 more.
Can Marquette County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Wisconsin county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who regulates personal lenders for Marquette County residents?
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Wisconsin; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.