County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Wood County, WI

Compiled by Plainchildcare Editorial, Childcare Costs Editorial Team

$12,272 a year for center-based infant care - 19.4% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

All Wisconsin counties Rankings Methodology

Wood County, WI families pay $12,272/year for center-based infant care, while family childcare is $9,100/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 19.4% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $10,920/year, and preschool-age care is $10,920/year.

Wood County vs. the nation

Wood County, WI runs $12,272 a year for center-based infant care, 28% above the $9,592 U.S. average - cheaper than 16% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 19.4% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$12,272/yr: Vs. national avg
+28%: National rank
#2,218 cheapest of 2,662: Share of income
19.4%

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

$12,272
Center Infant/yr: $9,100
Family Infant/yr: $63,273
Median Income: 19.4%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group	Center-Based	Family Childcare	Difference
Infant	$12,272	$9,100	+$3,172
Toddler	$10,920	$8,840	+$2,080
Preschool	$10,920	$8,840	+$2,080
School Age	$9,620	$8,320	+$1,300

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $12,272

Toddler $10,920

Preschool $10,920

School Age $9,620

Where Wood County ranks on infant-care cost

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

$12,272 more affordable than 16% 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 Wood County Families

Wood County's median household income of $63,273 sets the bar for what counts as affordable care here, putting infant center care at 19.4% of gross income. HHS draws the affordability line at 7% of income, and the typical local family exceeds the federal affordability line by 12.4 points.Between 15-20% of income, Wood 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.

+57.3% since 2008

Infant center care: $7,800 → $12,272

$12,272/yr

Most recent annual cost (2022)

15 years

Data available (2008–2022)

2008

$7,800

2009

$8,060

2010

$8,060

2011

$8,164

2012

$8,476

2013

$8,788

2014

$9,100

2015

$8,580

2016

$9,360

2017

$10,140

2018

$10,140

2019

$10,673

2020

$11,206

2021

$11,739

2022

$12,272

View full data table (all care types) ▼

Year	Ctr Infant	Ctr Toddler	Ctr Preschool	Ctr School Age	Fam Infant	Fam Toddler
2008	$7,800	$7,280	$7,280	$7,280	$6,240	$5,980
2009	$8,060	$7,540	$7,540	$7,540	$6,500	$6,240
2010	$8,060	$7,540	$7,540	$7,280	$6,760	$6,500
2011	$8,164	$7,540	$7,540	$7,280	$6,760	$6,500
2012	$8,476	$8,060	$8,060	$7,956	$7,020	$6,500
2013	$8,788	$8,320	$8,320	$7,956	$7,410	$6,890
2014	$9,100	$8,580	$8,580	$7,956	$7,800	$7,280
2015	$8,580	$8,216	$8,216	$7,800	$7,280	$6,760
2016	$9,360	$8,918	$8,918	$8,424	$7,540	$7,020
2017	$10,140	$9,620	$9,620	$9,048	$7,800	$7,280
2018	$10,140	$9,620	$9,620	$8,840	$7,800	$7,800
2019	$10,673	$9,945	$9,945	$9,035	$8,125	$8,060
2020	$11,206	$10,270	$10,270	$9,230	$8,450	$8,320
2021	$11,739	$10,595	$10,595	$9,425	$8,775	$8,580
2022	$12,272	$10,920	$10,920	$9,620	$9,100	$8,840

What this means for Wood County families

Infant center care here takes 19.4% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.

At 19.4% 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 $9,100/year for infants, about $3,172 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
See how Wood 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 Wood County, WI? ▼

In Wood County, WI, center-based infant care costs $12,272/year. Family childcare for infants is $9,100/year. Preschool center-based care costs $10,920/year.

Is childcare affordable in Wood County, WI? ▼

In Wood County, WI, families spend 19.4% of the $63,273 median household income on center-based infant care. HHS calls anything above 7% unaffordable. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 12.4 percentage points.

Are childcare costs rising in Wood County, WI? ▼

From 2022 to 2008, center-based infant care in Wood County, WI changed from $12,272 to $7,800 (-36.4%).

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

In Wood County, WI, a family childcare home is the cheaper preschool option: $8,840/year versus $10,920/year at a center, saving $2,080/year. Family settings typically mean fewer children per caregiver.

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

Center-based before/after-school care for 6-12 year olds in Wood County, WI runs $9,620/year and $8,320/year for family childcare, covering the gaps around the school day and summer break.