1st Advantage MortgageTaylor County households have a median income of $69,350 and median rent of $823 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Wisconsin before sharing details.
On this page
- Taylor County by the numbers
- Paychecks and income spread in Taylor County
- The Taylor County job picture
- Taylor County housing compared with Wisconsin
- Regional comparison for Taylor County
- The communities that make up Taylor County
- Debt-to-income at Taylor County's medians
- Borrowing situations common in Taylor County
- More Taylor County figures
- Licensing and complaints for Taylor County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Taylor County
- Frequently asked questions
Taylor County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Taylor County's population at 20,024; only 52 of Wisconsin's 72 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 975 square miles, that works out to roughly 20.5 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Taylor County is not part of any metropolitan area. Medford is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 4,431 people (22% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Taylor County
Half of Taylor County households take in less than $69,350 a year and half take in more, 10% below the Wisconsin median of $77,485. That places it 43rd among Wisconsin's 72 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Taylor County | +/- vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.1% | +0.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.9% | +5.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.3% | -2.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.7% | -4.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 31% of Taylor County households make $100,000 or more, and 21% make less than $35,000. 9.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.402 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $69,350 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Taylor County job picture
Manufacturing employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 20%. Compared with Wisconsin, the county leans toward manufacturing (25% against 18%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.6% in Taylor County. About 75% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Taylor County share | +/- vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 24.7% | +6.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.3% | -3.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | 0.0 pts |
| Construction | 8.6% | +2.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.7% | +2.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.2% | +4.2 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Taylor County housing compared with Wisconsin
Renters in Taylor County pay a median of $823 a month, 24% below the Wisconsin figure of $1,087. By the Census definition, 35% of Taylor County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $197,100, or 2.8 years of median income. 80% of Taylor County households own their home and 20% rent. The median home was built in 1978, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Taylor County | Wisconsin figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $823/mo | $1,087/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $197,100 | $266,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 11% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Taylor County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Regional comparison for Taylor County
Six nearby counties, 33 to 42 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $59,944 in Rusk County to $77,884 in Marathon County; 2 of these neighbors top Taylor County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor County | - | $69,350 | $823/mo | 80% |
| Clark County, WI | 33 mi | $67,400 | $823/mo | 79% |
| Price County, WI | 33 mi | $60,546 | $786/mo | 82% |
| Rusk County, WI | 36 mi | $59,944 | $874/mo | 78% |
| Lincoln County, WI | 38 mi | $68,164 | $755/mo | 80% |
| Chippewa County, WI | 39 mi | $74,680 | $963/mo | 74% |
| Marathon County, WI | 42 mi | $77,884 | $999/mo | 73% |
The communities that make up Taylor County
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in Taylor County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 6,814 people, so roughly 66% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $54,756 in Stetsonville to $59,842 in Medford. Median rent ranges from $446 in Stetsonville to $846 in Medford. No Taylor County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medford | city | 4,431 | $59,842 | $846 | 9 mi |
| Rib Lake | village | 888 | $57,632 | $732 | 16 mi |
| Stetsonville | village | 575 | $54,756 | $446 | 13 mi |
| Gilman | village | 388 | $53,929 | $498 | 15 mi |
| Westboro | CDP | 227 | $58,750 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Lublin | village | 110 | $63,750 | $783 | 14 mi |
| Whittlesey | CDP | 77 | $54,583 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Chelsea | CDP | 75 | $40,625 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Jump River | CDP | 43 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
Debt-to-income at Taylor County's medians
Here is the Taylor County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,779 a month: gross income for a household at the Taylor County median
- Less median rent of $823, which is 14% of it
- $1,662: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Taylor County's.
Borrowing situations common in Taylor County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Taylor County borrowers.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
More Taylor County figures
17% of Taylor County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Taylor County | Wisconsin | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.2 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.0% | 33.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.6% | 6.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.4% | 5.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.1% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.2% | 13.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.6% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | 3.2% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 46.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.5% |
| 60+ min | 7.6% |
Licensing and complaints for Taylor County
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Wisconsin license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Wisconsin state guide for the statewide picture.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Taylor County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Wisconsin license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Taylor County
For statewide rules and data, see the Wisconsin guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Taylor County earn?
The median is $69,350; 31% earn $100,000 or more and 21% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Taylor County rent compare with Wisconsin?
$823 locally versus $1,087 for the state, 24% below.
I own my home in Taylor County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 80% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Taylor County?
By population: Medford, Rib Lake, Stetsonville, Gilman, Westboro. The county has 9 Census places in all.
Will a Taylor County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Wisconsin as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.