County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Adams County, WI

$9,464 a year for center-based infant care - 17.1% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

Center-based infant care in Adams County, WI costs $9,464/year, while family childcare is $7,800/year, based on National Database of Childcare Prices survey data from the U.S. Department of Labor. This represents 17.1% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $8,840/year, and preschool-age care is $8,840/year.

Adams County vs. the nation

Adams County, WI runs $9,464 a year for center-based infant care, 1% below the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 45% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 17.1% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$9,464/yr
Vs. national avg
-1%
National rank
#1,430 cheapest of 2,662
Share of income
17.1%

Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.

$9,464
Center Infant/yr
$7,800
Family Infant/yr
$55,223
Median Income
17.1%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group Center-Based Family Childcare
Infant $9,464 $7,800
Toddler $8,840 $7,410
Preschool $8,840 $7,410
School Age $7,956 $7,020

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $9,464
Toddler $8,840
Preschool $8,840
School Age $7,956

Where Adams County ranks on infant-care cost

Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices

$9,464 more affordable than 45% of 2,662 US counties

This county $2,500 $32,500 every U.S. county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $2.5K-wide band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices · 2022

What These Numbers Mean for Adams County Families

Adams County's median household income of $55,223 sets the bar for what counts as affordable care here, putting infant center care at 17.1% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 10.1 points.Between 15-20% of income, Adams County sits in a high-burden tier where most working families need subsidy help or split shifts to cover care.

For how to vet a licensed provider (inspection reports, QRIS ratings, CCDF subsidy intake), see Choosing Quality Childcare. Rate methodology: how these numbers are computed.

15 years of federal survey data (2008–2022) show how center-based infant care has moved.

+76.7% since 2008
Infant center care: $5,356 → $9,464
$9,464/yr
Most recent annual cost (2022)
15 years
Data available (2008–2022)
2008
$5,356
2009
$5,624
2010
$5,928
2011
$5,928
2012
$6,188
2013
$7,202
2014
$8,216
2015
$10,400
2016
$8,710
2017
$7,020
2018
$10,400
2019
$10,166
2020
$9,932
2021
$9,698
2022
$9,464
View full data table (all care types)
Year Ctr Infant
2008 $5,356
2009 $5,624
2010 $5,928
2011 $5,928
2012 $6,188
2013 $7,202
2014 $8,216
2015 $10,400
2016 $8,710
2017 $7,020
2018 $10,400
2019 $10,166
2020 $9,932
2021 $9,698
2022 $9,464

What this means for Adams County families

Infant center care here takes 17.1% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.

  • At 17.1% of income, infant care exceeds the federal 7% affordability benchmark. Check whether your family qualifies for a CCDF subsidy, which can cap copayments at a sliding share of income. Check subsidy eligibility
  • Family childcare homes run $7,800/year for infants, about $1,664 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
  • See how Adams County compares against the cheapest counties in Wisconsin. Cheapest in Wisconsin

NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does childcare cost in Adams County, WI?
Center-based infant care runs $9,464/year in Adams County, WI. Infants in a family childcare setting cost $7,800/year, and preschool-age center care is $8,840/year.
Is childcare affordable in Adams County, WI?
Against a $55,223 median household income, center-based infant care in Adams County, WI runs 17.1%. HHS sets the affordability bar at 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 10.1 percentage points.
Are childcare costs rising in Adams County, WI?
From 2022 to 2008, center-based infant care in Adams County, WI changed from $9,464 to $5,356 (-43.4%).
What is the cheapest childcare option in Adams County, WI?
Family-based childcare is typically less expensive in Adams County, WI. Preschool family care costs $7,410/year compared to $8,840/year for center-based care, a difference of $1,430/year. Family childcare operates in a provider's home and usually has smaller group sizes.
How much does before- and after-school care cost in Adams County, WI?
Center-based before/after-school care for 6-12 year olds in Adams County, WI runs $7,956/year and $7,020/year for family childcare, covering the gaps around the school day and summer break.