Baraboo, WI

Wisconsin

Baraboo is a small city in Wisconsin with a population of 12,506. Residents earn $73,515 per year, which is 2% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
12,506 Population 1,654/sq mi density
$73,515 Median Income $38,863 per capita
$201,800 Home Value $296,993 Zillow
$926 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
74 Violent Crime/100K 2,840 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$73,515 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$201,800 home value, $926/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
74 violent crimes/100K (80% below avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $73,515
2% lower than US avg
Home Value $201,800
28% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 74/100K
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.7%
21% lower than US avg
Median Rent $926
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.2%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.0%
68% lower than US avg

How Baraboo Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population12,506
Median Age40.2 yrs
Density1,654/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

A
Median Income$73,515
Per Capita$38,863
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty4.0%
County GDP$5,577M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$201,800
Rent$926
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$296,993

Crime

F
Violent74/100K
Property2,840/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault58/100K
Burglary198/100K

Health

Obesity40.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.7%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain38.9 in/yr
Elevation865 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.7%
High School+94.4%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 48%
Commute24 min
EV Stations7
Libraries9

Is Baraboo a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Baraboo receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Baraboo offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Baraboo is $73,515, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. Only 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Baraboo is $201,800, 28% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $926 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Baraboo is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 74 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,840 per 100,000, 45% above the national average.

Education

26.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Baraboo experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.9 inches, including 42.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Baraboo has a population of 12,506 with a density of 1,654 people per square mile. The median age is 40.2 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.2%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 1.3% Black.

Population

12,506
Total Population
1,654
People / sq mi
40.2yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
7.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49%
Female 51%

Race & Ethnicity

Baraboo vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.1%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.9%
56% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Baraboo vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Baraboo is $73,515, which is 2% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Baraboo vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$73,515
2% below US avg
Per Capita Income$38,863
Avg Weekly Wage$965
IRS Avg AGI$68,772

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.0%
68% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,219
County GDP$5,577M

Business (County)

Restaurants261
Healthcare155
Retail298
Manufacturing86

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,911
69% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.93%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.9 min
Work from Home7.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Baraboo is $201,800, 28% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $926 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $296,993.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$201,800
28% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$296,993
Median List Price$344,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$344,900
$/Sq Ft$192
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio94.8%
Price Drops9.1%
Inventory33

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$926
20% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$797
1 Bedroom$872
2 Bedrooms$1,097
3 Bedrooms$1,405
4 Bedrooms$1,572

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied66.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,911
69% above US avg
Effective Rate2.93%
In Baraboo, 40.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.7% report depression. 27.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Baraboo vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.2%
25% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma11.1%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.7%
Physical Inactivity27.7%
Depression25.7%
Mental Distress17.3%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.0%
Checkup Rate74.6%
Premature Death7,554/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access74.3%
Healthcare Facilities155
Baraboo has a violent crime rate of 74 per 100,000 residents, 80% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,840 per 100,000 (45% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Baraboo vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent74.3/100K
80% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape16.5/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault57.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,840.2/100K
45% above US avg
Burglary198.2/100K
Theft2,584.2/100K
Vehicle Theft57.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Baraboo has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.6°F
14% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.9 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall42.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation865 ft (264 m)
Area7.6 sq mi (19.6 km²)
Population Density1,654/sq mi
Coordinates43.4694°N, 89.7373°W
County FIPS55111
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 26.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (21% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 1.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50%
D 48.4%

Winner: Republican by 1.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.7%
21% below US avg
High School+94.4%
School Test Score5.81
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,654/sq mi
Total Area7.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations7
Alt Fuel Stations11
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities155
Restaurants261
Retail Stores298

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.9 min
Work from Home7.2%

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