County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Rusk County, WI

Compiled by Plainchildcare Editorial, Childcare Costs Editorial Team

$9,464 a year for center-based infant care - 16.5% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

All Wisconsin counties Rankings Methodology

Center-based infant care in Rusk 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 16.5% 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.

Rusk County vs. the nation

Rusk 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 16.5% 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
16.5%

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: $57,473
Median Income: 16.5%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group	Center-Based	Family Childcare	Difference
Infant	$9,464	$7,800	+$1,664
Toddler	$8,840	$7,410	+$1,430
Preschool	$8,840	$7,410	+$1,430
School Age	$7,956	$7,020	+$936

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $9,464

Toddler $8,840

Preschool $8,840

School Age $7,956

Where Rusk 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

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 Rusk County Families

Household affordability in Rusk County tracks against a median income of $57,473, putting infant center care at 16.5% of gross income. Against the federal 7% affordability benchmark, the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 9.5 points.Between 15-20% of income, Rusk 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)

Here's how center-based infant care priced out from 2008 to 2022, across 15 years of NDCP survey data.

+46.1% since 2008

Infant center care: $6,479 → $9,464

$9,464/yr

Most recent annual cost (2022)

15 years

Data available (2008–2022)

2008

$6,479

2009

$8,996

2010

$9,204

2011

$7,280

2012

$7,540

2013

$7,670

2014

$7,800

2015

$7,800

2016

$8,190

2017

$8,580

2018

$8,580

2019

$8,801

2020

$9,022

2021

$9,243

2022

$9,464

View full data table (all care types) ▼

Year	Ctr Infant	Ctr Toddler	Ctr Preschool	Ctr School Age	Fam Infant	Fam Toddler
2008	$6,479	$5,835	$5,619	$5,200	$5,200	$5,200
2009	$8,996	$7,384	$7,384	$7,020	$7,020	$6,500
2010	$9,204	$7,540	$7,540	$7,176	$5,720	$5,200
2011	$7,280	$7,280	$7,280	$6,760	$7,540	$6,500
2012	$7,540	$7,020	$7,020	$6,760	$7,020	$5,200
2013	$7,670	$7,020	$7,020	$6,370	$6,890	$5,850
2014	$7,800	$7,020	$7,020	$5,980	$6,760	$6,500
2015	$7,800	$7,020	$7,020	$6,389	$6,760	$6,760
2016	$8,190	$7,410	$7,410	$6,965	$6,500	$6,240
2017	$8,580	$7,800	$7,800	$7,540	$6,240	$5,720
2018	$8,580	$7,800	$7,800	$7,081	$7,800	$7,800
2019	$8,801	$8,060	$8,060	$7,300	$7,800	$7,703
2020	$9,022	$8,320	$8,320	$7,519	$7,800	$7,605
2021	$9,243	$8,580	$8,580	$7,738	$7,800	$7,508
2022	$9,464	$8,840	$8,840	$7,956	$7,800	$7,410

What this means for Rusk County families

Infant center care here takes 16.5% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.

At 16.5% 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 Rusk 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 Rusk County, WI? ▼

Rusk County, WI's center-based infant care rate is $9,464/year. Family childcare for infants comes in at $7,800/year, while center-based preschool is $8,840/year.

Is childcare affordable in Rusk County, WI? ▼

Center-based infant care in Rusk County, WI costs 16.5% of the median household income ($57,473). The HHS affordability threshold is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 9.5 percentage points.

Are childcare costs rising in Rusk County, WI? ▼

From 2022 to 2008, center-based infant care in Rusk County, WI changed from $9,464 to $6,479 (-31.5%).

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

Family-based childcare is typically less expensive in Rusk 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 Rusk County, WI? ▼

Rusk County, WI's school-age (6-12) center-based care costs $7,956/year and $7,020/year for family childcare. Parents use it for before-school, after-school, and summer-break supervision.