La Crosse County, WI
120,294 residents · 452 sq mi · 266.3/sq mi · 18% rural
About La Crosse County
La Crosse County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. At the 2020 census, the county's population was 120,784. Its county seat is the city of La Crosse. La Crosse County is included in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of 170,341 and is the most populous county on Wisconsin's western border.
Prepper Assessment
The county features a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with a population density of 266.3 people per square mile, indicating a relatively populated environment. The climate is characterized by an annual mean temperature of 45.9°F, with significant rainfall of 36.4 inches per year. The USDA hardiness zone 6b suggests a growing season that supports a variety of crops, although cold winters with lows around 8.1°F can limit year-round gardening. Access to water is adequate due to the humid classification, which can benefit self-sufficient living.
Risks in this area include a high likelihood of cold waves (97 percentile) and hail (95 percentile), alongside notable tornado risks (85 percentile). Although the county has a relatively low violence percentile of 7, indicating safety, the overall disaster risk percentile is 81, suggesting that natural hazards may pose significant challenges. Housing costs are moderate, with a median home price of $226,600, but the effective property tax rate of 1.70% could impact affordability for some residents.
This county may be a good fit for those who can navigate its natural hazards and are comfortable in a moderately populated area. Individuals looking for a more urban homesteading experience with access to amenities may thrive here. However, those seeking complete isolation or a low-risk environment may find the combination of population density and disaster risks to be dealbreakers in their homesteading plans.