Portage County Area Home Supply Charts

This page looks at a variety of Portage County Wisconsin housing market data taken from the most recent 2022 American Community Survey census data. Housing units are structures such as a single family home, apartment community, mobile home park, public housing, etc. where a person or family live and live separately from other residents of the building. Figure 1 shows the total number of housing units for each city. Portage County shows it has a Housing Units of 31,072 which is the third most housing units of all other counties in the greater Portage County region.

Figure 2 illustrates the housing density in the Portage County housing market as measured by housing units per square land mile (includes single family homes, apartments, etc.) Portage County shows it has a Housing Density of 38.8 which is the second most housing densities of all the counties in the greater Portage County region. The county with the highest housing density in the area is Wood County which shows a density of 43.5 (12.0% larger). Comparing housing density to the United States average of 39.5, Portage County is about the same size. Also, in contrast to the state of Wisconsin, housing density of 50.3, Portage County is approximately three-fourths the size.

In Figure 4, Portage County area change in the number of housing units and is a forward gauge (along with population change) for any potential housing shortage. Portage County depicts it has a Housing Unit Change of 3.4% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Portage County region. Comparing change in the housing units to the United States average of 7.4%, Portage County is approximately half the size. Also, benchmarked against the state of Wisconsin, change in the housing units of 3.6%, Portage County is about 5.8% smaller.

Figure 5 shows the percentage of rental property based on that they are occupied by renters as a percent of the total number of households in the community (including homes, apartments, etc.) Portage County shows it has a Renter Percent of 30.0% which is more than all other counties in the greater Portage County region. Figure 6 illustrates the total number of housing units that are occupied by owners. it has a Owner Percent of 70.0% which is the smallest when sorted by owner percent of all the other counties in the local area.

Portage County Home Cost Charts

Looking at the housing data provided in Figure 7, the average Portage County home price is illustrated for this community and a useful analysis of affordable housing. Portage County depicts it has a Median Home Value of $184,900 which is ranked #1 of all counties in the greater Portage County region. Figure 8 provides aggregate comparative data for the Portage County Wisconsin metro area in terms of the median housing rental rate, apartment rent, etc. Portage County depicts it has a Median Gross Rent of $830 which is more than all other counties in the greater region. Comparing rental rates to the United States average of $1,163, Portage County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, benchmarked against the state of Wisconsin, rental rates of $916, Portage County is about 10.4% smaller.

Figure 9 provides the frequency distribution of home prices for the area and is useful for understanding affordable housing fund. Portage County has the smallest proportion of home price worth less than $50,000 at 9% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of home price worth between $100,000 to $200,000 at 26% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of home price worth between $200,000 to $300,000 at 9% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of home price worth between $500,000 to $750,000 at 1% of the total and is ranked #1.

Median owner costs for the real estate market are shown in Figure 10 and include the costs associated with any mortgage, utility expenses, insurance, and other miscellaneous costs. Portage County shows it has a Median Owner Cost of $968 which is the most of all counties in the greater Portage County region. Figure 11 shows the median amount of cost as a percent of total household income for people who own homes in the Portage County metro area. it has a Owner Cost as % of HH Income of 15% which is the second smallest as measured by cost as a percent of household income of all the other counties in the local area. The next chart, Figure 12, provides a comparison chart of the median home cost as a percent of a median worker take home earnings and is thus a valuable measure of affordable housing. Portage County shows it has a Median Home Value as Percent of Median Earnings of 366% which is more than all other counties in the greater Portage County region.

Figure 14 depicts the median cost of housing for owners with also have a mortgages (versus those who do not have a mortgage because mortgage cost is included.) Portage County depicts it has a Median Owner Costs-With Mortgage of $1,329 which is more than all other counties in the greater region. Figure 15 is a chart that shows the median housing costs for owners who do not have mortgages (and therefore the cost of home ownership does not include mortgage cost.) it has a Median Owner Costs-Without Mortgage of $523 which is the second most of all the counties in the metro area.

Figure 16 shows the distribution in total housing cost for owners of property (so not renters.) This cost includes mortgages, lines of credit interest, utilities, taxes, insurance, etc. Portage County has the percentage of owner cost less than $300 the second smallest in order of owner cost less than $300 of all the other counties in the local area at 13% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of owner cost between $500 and $700 at 16% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of owner cost between $700 and $1,000 at 26% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of owner cost between $1,500 and $2,000 at 6% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of owner cost between $2,000 and $2,500 at 3% of the total and is ranked #1.

Next shown in Figure 17 is the housing cost as a percent of household income for people who own their homes and have a mortgages (thus the cost of financing the home is included.) Portage County shows it has a % of Income Owner Costs-With Mortgage of 18% which is the second smallest when ranked by cost as a percent of household income of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest cost as a percent of household income in the area is Adams County which shows a cost as a percent of household income of 22% (22.3% larger). Housing cost as a percent of household income for owners who do not have a mortgage is shown in Figure 18. This analysis can be useful for understanding the affordable housing for home ownership excluding any financing cost in the area shown. Portage County shows it has a % of Income Owner Costs-No Mortgage of 10% which is the second smallest in terms of cost as a percent of household income of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest cost as a percent of household income in the area is Adams County which shows a cost as a percent of household income of 14% (33.0% larger).

Figure 19 looks at the cost of rent for rental property using the percent of total household income which is a valuable measure of financial health for the area. (The higher the proportion of rent payments to total household income is a sign of greater financial stress. Also, rent can be covered by rent assistance and rent assistance programs in the form of rent assistance.) Portage County has the percentage of rent as a percent of income is less than 10 pct less than most other counties in the area at 25% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of rent as a percent of income is between 30pct to 40pct at 9% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of rent as a percent of income is between 40pct to 50pct at 18% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 20 shows the total housing cost for both home owners and apartment community renters in the area. Portage County has the smallest proportion of housing cost less than $300 at 13% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of housing cost between $300 and $500 at 16% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of housing cost between $500 and $700 at 26% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of housing cost between $2,000 and $2,500 at 2% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 21 shows median amount of real estate taxes paid for home owners in the region. it has a Median Real Estate Taxes Paid of $2,969 which is the most of all counties in the greater Portage County region. Comparing median real estate taxes paid to the United States average of $2,690, Portage County is 10.4% larger. Also, in contrast to the state of Wisconsin, median real estate taxes paid of $3,472, Portage County is about 16.9% smaller.

Figure 22 shows the percentage of renters who pay for utilities in Portage County Wisconsin. This is calculated as the percent of renters who pay separately for utilities versus the people who have utilities included as part of amenities. Portage County has the smallest proportion of pay extra for utilities at 10% of the total.

Figure 23 shows the rental rate distribution for this area. Portage County Wisconsin has the smallest proportion of rent less than 300 dollars at 5% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of rent between 300 and 500 dollars at 24% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of rent between 500 and 750 dollars at 42% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of rent between 1000 and 1500 dollars at 3% of the total and is ranked #1.

Portage County Home Financing Charts

The analysis in Figure 25 shows the detailed distribution of owned homes by mortgage status. Portage County has the largest proportion of No 2nd Mortgage or HELOC at 10% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of Primary Mortgage with 2nd Mortgage and HELOC at 8% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of With HELOC no Primary Mortgage at 40% of the total.

Figure 26 shows the proportion of houses with a mortgage versus those without a mortgage. Portage County has the smallest proportion of houses with mortgages at 40% of the total.

Portage County Home Characteristics Charts

Figure 28 shows the household size for families living in the area and it has a Family size of 3.0 which is less than most other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest family members per housing unit in the area is Shawano County which depicts a family members per housing unit of 3.0 ( only slightly larger). Comparing family members per housing unit to the United States average of 3.3, Portage County is about 11.3% smaller. Also, versus the state of Wisconsin, family members per housing unit of 3.1, Portage County is only about 3.4% smaller.

Figure 29 show the median number of rooms in a typical home for each location in this area. it has a Median Number of Rooms of 5.8 which is the third most average number of rooms in a house of all other counties in the greater Portage County region. The county with the highest average number of rooms in a house in the area is Wood County which shows an average number of rooms in a house of 5.9 ( only slightly larger). Figure 30 shows, for the average house in each location, the median year that a house was built. This can be useful for understanding the relative age of one neighborhood versus another for a real estate investor. it has a Median Year Built of 1979 which is the second most year built of all the counties in the greater Portage County region. The county with the highest year built in the area is Adams County which shows a year built of 1982 ( about the same size).

Figure 31 looks at the distribution of housing units by the median age that the homes were built. it has the largest proportion of homes built in 2020 or later at 6% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has less than most other counties in the local area in order of homes built between 2010 to 2019 at 12% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of homes built between 2000 to 2009 at 18% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 32 shows the difference in the number of housing units based on whether they are occupied by owners versus occupied by renters. it has one of the largest proportions of owner housing units at 8,703 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Marathon County with 15,471.

Figure 33 shows the difference in the number of housing units based on whether they are occupied by owners or renters. it has the largest proportion of 2 units at 4% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of 3 or 4 units at 7% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of 5 to 9 units at 4% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the second smallest when sorted by one unit detached of all the other counties in the metro area in order of 50 or more units at 4% of the total.

Figure 34 shows the median value of homes broken down by the median year that the homes were built. it has the largest proportion of value of homes built 2014 or later at $337,200 of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of value of homes built 2010 to 2013 at $264,400 of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of value of homes built 2000 to 2009 at $229,400 of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of value of homes built 1990 to 1999 at $189,300 of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of value of homes built 1980 to 1989 at $176,400 of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of value of homes built 1970 to 1979 at $158,200 of the total and is ranked #1. Next it has one of the largest proportions of value of homes built 1960 to 1969 at $140,300 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Adams County with $177,500. Additionally, it has the largest proportion of value of homes built 1950 to 1959 at $123,100 of the total and is ranked #1. And then, it has the largest proportion of value of homes built 1940 to 1949 at $142,000 of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 35 compares the total number of occupied housing units to vacant housing units. This analysis can be used to understand any housing shortage in the community. has the percentage of occupied housing units the second smallest in terms of occupied housing units of all the other counties in the metro area at 7% of the total.

The next two charts show both the average household size of homeowners versus the average household size of renters. Starting with Figure 36 we see the household size of homeowners for Portage County residents. it has a Owner-Household Size of 2.5 which is the third most of all other counties in the area. The county with the highest homeowner household size in the area is Marathon County which depicts a homeowner household size of 2.6 (only about 3.2% larger).

Figure 37 shows the household size for renters. Portage County depicts it has a Renter-Household Size of 1.9 which is the smallest when sorted by renter household size of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest renter household size in the area is Adams County which shows a renter household sizes of 2.3 (21.6% larger). Figure 39 shows the year that people who rent moved into the area. Portage County has the largest proportion of renters moved in 2019 or later at 58% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of renters moved in 2015 to 2018 at 13% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of renters moved in 2010 to 2014 at 5% of the total.

Figure 40 compares the median year that home owners moved into their home. it has a Owner Median Year Moved In of 2004 which is in the center range of other counties in the metro area. Figure 41 compares the median year that renters moved into their home. Portage County depicts it has a Renter Median Year Moved In of 2017 which is ranked #1 of all counties in the greater Portage County region.

Figure 42 shows the frequency distribution of various types of energy sources used for homes in the community. has the percentage of homes using natural gas less than most other counties in the metropolitan area at 17% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of home using bottled, tank, or lp gas at 17% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of home using electricity at 1% of the total. Also, it has the second smallest in terms of homes using natural gas of all the other counties in the surrounding region when ranked by homes using coal or coke at 5% of the total. In addition, it has less than most other counties in the local area when sorted by homes using solar energy at 1% of the total.

The next two charts show the number of people living in group quarters and includes temporary as well permanent housing which may be run by the Portage County housing department, Wisconsin department, or other housing authority or public housing agency. beginning with Figure 43 which shows the total number of people. Portage County depicts it has a Total In Group Quarters of 3,009 which is ranked #1 of all counties in the local area.