Grant County, WI
51,276 residents · 1,147 sq mi · 44.7/sq mi · 77% rural
About Grant County
Grant County is the most southwestern county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 51,938. Its county seat is Lancaster and its largest city is Platteville. The county is named after the Grant River, in turn named after a fur trader who lived in the area when Wisconsin was a territory. Grant County comprises the Platteville Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is in the tri-state area of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa, and is crossed by travelers commuting to Madison, Wisconsin, from a number of eastern Iowan cities, and by residents of northern Illinois traveling to the Twin Cities or La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Prepper Assessment
This area features a mix of rural landscapes and small towns, with a population density of 44.7 people per square mile. The climate is classified as humid, with an annual mean temperature of 47.1°F and 37.9 inches of rainfall per year, supporting a growing season suitable for various crops in USDA zone 7a. The terrain includes rolling hills and valleys, which can provide opportunities for diverse agricultural practices but may limit large-scale farming due to elevation changes.
Natural hazards are a significant consideration, with landslides ranked 96 and hail at 90, indicating a higher risk for these events. Strong winds (83) and tornadoes (76) also pose threats, particularly during severe weather seasons. While the area has a low violence percentile of 7, indicating safety in that regard, prospective residents should be mindful of the potential financial burden from property taxes averaging 1.56% and the median home price of $173,400, which may be high for some budgets.
This county could be a good fit for those seeking a quieter, rural lifestyle with access to agricultural opportunities, particularly for individuals or families who prioritize self-sufficiency and can tolerate the risks associated with severe weather. However, those looking for urban amenities or extensive infrastructure may find it lacking. The hidden gem here is the low violence rate, while the potential dealbreaker might be the susceptibility to natural hazards that could impact long-term living conditions.