1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Price County is $786 a month against a median household income of $60,546, about 16% of income (ACS 2020-24). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Price County
- Employment and commuting in Price County
- How Price County ranks in Wisconsin
- Earnings across Price County households
- What it costs to live in Price County
- Places inside Price County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Age, degrees and coverage in Price County
- What the numbers mean for Price County borrowers
- What a median Price County budget can carry
- Wisconsin rules that apply in Price County
- Four steps for Price County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Price County
Roughly 14,092 residents live in Price County, Wisconsin, 66th by population among the state's 72 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 1,254 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 11 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Price County is not part of any metropolitan area. Park Falls (2,318 people) heads the county's list of 6 Census places, 5 incorporated and 1 census-designated.
Employment and commuting in Price County
The biggest employer of Price County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 30% of workers, followed by education and health care (18%). Compared with Wisconsin, the county leans toward manufacturing (30% against 18%). 2.9% of Price County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. About 78% drive to work alone and 16% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Price County | Compared with Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 29.8% | +11.9 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.1% | -5.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.2% | -1.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.4% | +1.5 pts |
| Construction | 5.9% | -0.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 5.9% | +3.8 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Price County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
How Price County ranks in Wisconsin
Ranked against the other 71 county-level areas in Wisconsin, these are the Price County figures furthest from the middle.
- Few Wisconsin counties match Price County on the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 23% here, 38% for the state, ranking the lowest of 72. Most budgets here are modest, so keep payments small.
- Price County ranks 4th lowest of 72 Wisconsin counties for median home value: $162,500, against $266,500 statewide. With modest home values, equity borrowing is rarely large.
- Median household income: $60,546 in Price County. Only 3 of 72 Wisconsin counties are lower. A lean local median makes the size of the loan the most important choice.
Earnings across Price County households
Median household income in Price County: $60,546 (22% below Wisconsin, $77,485). In the state ranking that is 69th of 72.
| Household income | Price County | vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.9% | +7.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.7% | +6.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.5% | -8.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.9% | -5.3 pts |
Six-figure households (23%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (28%) in Price County. The poverty rate is 11.9%, 1 point higher than the state's 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 Price County median.
What it costs to live in Price County
A typical Price County rental runs $786 a month including utilities, which is 28% below Wisconsin. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 36% of renter households here. Price County homes are worth $162,500 at the median, a 2.7-to-1 ratio to income. The ownership rate is 82%. Median construction year: 1976.
| Price County | Wisconsin | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $786/mo | $1,087/mo | 28% lower |
| Median home value | $162,500 | $266,500 | 39% lower |
| Owners | 82% | 68% | +14.1 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 44% | -7.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 22% | +3.5 pts |
| Mobile homes | 8.5% | 3.1% | +5.5 pts |
Because most Price 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.
Places inside Price County
Here are the 6 most populous of the county's 6 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 36% of Price County residents live in one of the 6. Gap between richest and poorest larger place: $7,584, Park Falls over Phillips. This guide covers each of the 6 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Falls | city | 2,318 | $54,643 | $832 | 18 mi |
| Phillips | city | 1,602 | $47,059 | $793 | 2 mi |
| Prentice | village | 521 | $50,833 | $741 | 10 mi |
| Ogema | CDP | 293 | $58,641 | $543 | 16 mi |
| Catawba | village | 170 | $67,955 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Kennan | village | 112 | $69,375 | n/a | 15 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (33 to 45 miles). Richest neighbor: Oneida County, $69,371. Poorest: Rusk County, $59,944. Price County: $60,546.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price County | - | $60,546 | $786/mo | 82% |
| Taylor County, WI | 33 mi | $69,350 | $823/mo | 80% |
| Lincoln County, WI | 39 mi | $68,164 | $755/mo | 80% |
| Oneida County, WI | 40 mi | $69,371 | $885/mo | 82% |
| Sawyer County, WI | 40 mi | $60,801 | $712/mo | 77% |
| Rusk County, WI | 40 mi | $59,944 | $874/mo | 78% |
| Iron County, WI | 45 mi | $60,625 | $662/mo | 89% |
Age, degrees and coverage in Price County
College graduates make up 18% of the adult population. Uninsured, Price County: 5.8%; Wisconsin: 5.2%.
| Price County | vs Wisconsin | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.9% | -15.5 pts | -4.3 pts |
| Median age | 52.6 | +12.4 yrs | +11.1 yrs |
| Work from home | 7.9% | -5.1 pts | -0.7 pts |
| Poverty rate | 11.9% | +1.3 pts | -1.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.3% | -1.1 pts | -0.1 pts |
| No health insurance | 5.8% | +0.5 pts | -2.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.9% | -0.4 pts | -1.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.1% | -0.3 pts | n/a |
| One-way commute | Share of Price County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.3% |
| 60+ min | 10.3% |
What the numbers mean for Price County borrowers
Price County-specific points to check:
- Fixed incomes. Price County's median age is 52.6. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Price County borrower sees (free reports).
What a median Price County budget can carry
Price County's $60,546 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Monthly gross at the median, Price County: $5,046
- Less median rent of $786, which is 16% of it
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,232 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Price County's.
Wisconsin rules that apply in Price County
Price County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Nationally, Price County residents can file with the CFPB. More on Wisconsin: Wisconsin personal loans.
Four steps for Price County borrowers
A short checklist for Price County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Price County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Wisconsin license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Nearby and statewide guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
Where does Price County rank on income in Wisconsin?
69th of 72, with a median of $60,546. The state median is $77,485.
Is Price County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $786 against $1,087 statewide, and 36% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Price County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 82% of Price 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 Price County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 6 Census places: Park Falls, Phillips, Prentice, Ogema, Catawba.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Price County or elsewhere in Wisconsin, the same rules apply.