County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Barron County, WI

Compiled by Plainchildcare Editorial, Childcare Costs Editorial Team

$10,920 a year for center-based infant care - 18.4% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

All Wisconsin counties Rankings Methodology

The going rate for center-based infant care in Barron County, WI is $10,920/year, while family childcare is $8,060/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 18.4% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $9,880/year, and preschool-age care is $9,880/year.

Barron County vs. the nation

Center-based infant care costs $10,920 a year in Barron County, WI, coming in 14% above the nationwide average of $9,592 - cheaper than 28% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 18.4% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$10,920/yr: Vs. national avg
+14%: National rank
#1,905 cheapest of 2,662: Share of income
18.4%

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

$10,920
Center Infant/yr: $8,060
Family Infant/yr: $59,379
Median Income: 18.4%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group	Center-Based	Family Childcare	Difference
Infant	$10,920	$8,060	+$2,860
Toddler	$9,880	$7,800	+$2,080
Preschool	$9,880	$7,800	+$2,080
School Age	$8,528	$7,280	+$1,248

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $10,920

Toddler $9,880

Preschool $9,880

School Age $8,528

Where Barron County ranks on infant-care cost

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

$10,920 more affordable than 28% of 2,662 US counties

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 Barron County Families

Household affordability in Barron County tracks against a median income of $59,379, putting infant center care at 18.4% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 11.4 points.Between 15-20% of income, Barron 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.

Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)

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

+75.0% since 2008

Infant center care: $6,240 → $10,920

$10,920/yr

Most recent annual cost (2022)

15 years

Data available (2008–2022)

2008

$6,240

2009

$6,500

2010

$7,280

2011

$8,164

2012

$7,020

2013

$6,890

2014

$6,760

2015

$7,280

2016

$7,540

2017

$7,800

2018

$7,280

2019

$8,190

2020

$9,100

2021

$10,010

2022

$10,920

View full data table (all care types) ▼

Year	Ctr Infant	Ctr Toddler	Ctr Preschool	Ctr School Age	Fam Infant	Fam Toddler
2008	$6,240	$5,720	$5,720	$5,200	$5,720	$5,460
2009	$6,500	$6,084	$6,084	$5,460	$6,240	$6,240
2010	$7,280	$7,020	$7,020	$7,020	$2,600	$2,600
2011	$8,164	$7,540	$7,540	$7,280	$6,500	$5,980
2012	$7,020	$6,500	$6,500	$5,980	$5,720	$6,240
2013	$6,890	$6,500	$6,500	$5,850	$5,980	$6,240
2014	$6,760	$6,500	$6,500	$5,720	$6,240	$6,240
2015	$7,280	$7,020	$7,020	$5,720	$6,240	$6,500
2016	$7,540	$7,020	$7,020	$6,110	$6,500	$6,630
2017	$7,800	$7,020	$7,020	$6,500	$6,760	$6,760
2018	$7,280	$7,020	$7,020	$6,500	$6,500	$6,500
2019	$8,190	$7,735	$7,735	$7,007	$6,890	$6,825
2020	$9,100	$8,450	$8,450	$7,514	$7,280	$7,150
2021	$10,010	$9,165	$9,165	$8,021	$7,670	$7,475
2022	$10,920	$9,880	$9,880	$8,528	$8,060	$7,800

What this means for Barron County families

Infant center care here takes 18.4% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.

At 18.4% 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 $8,060/year for infants, about $2,860 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
See how Barron 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 Barron County, WI? ▼

Expect to pay $10,920/year for center-based infant care in Barron County, WI. A family childcare setting runs $8,060/year for infants, and center-based preschool runs $9,880/year.

Is childcare affordable in Barron County, WI? ▼

Barron County, WI's median household income is $59,379; center-based infant care eats 18.4% of that. The federal affordability line is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 11.4 percentage points.

Are childcare costs rising in Barron County, WI? ▼

From 2022 to 2008, center-based infant care in Barron County, WI changed from $10,920 to $6,240 (-42.9%).

What is the cheapest childcare option in Barron County, WI? ▼

The lowest-cost preschool option in Barron County, WI is family childcare, at $7,800/year against $9,880/year for a center, $2,080/year cheaper. It's run out of a provider's home, usually with a smaller group.

How much does before- and after-school care cost in Barron County, WI? ▼

Before- and after-school programs for ages 6-12 run $8,528/year at a center in Barron County, WI and $7,280/year for family childcare. That covers before-school drop-off, after-school pickup, and summer coverage for working parents.