The Medford Free Public Library is a Carnegie library in Medford, Wisconsin, built in 1916. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

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4 on the National Register · #111 in WIHistoric places →

Know Medford

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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About Medford

City in Wisconsin, United States

4,349Population

4.5 sq miArea

Medford is a city and county seat of Taylor County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,349 at the 2020 census. The city is located mostly within the boundaries of the Town of Medford.

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From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Medford ranks

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#10Shortest commute in WI #29Lowest depression in WI #52Cheapest rent in WI All WI rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code54451

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Living in Medford

Safety in Medford

C⁺

Safety Grade C+

Medford reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 59% report less.

Violent crime per 1,000

Medford 1.7

Wisconsin 2.4

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Medford 15.6

Wisconsin 10.3

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Medford

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48% of Medford’s working residents work right in town. The top destinations are Abbotsford (4%), Colby (3%) and Wausau (2%). Half commute less than 2 miles.

Abbotsford

Colby

Wausau

Medford

48%Work in townlive and work in Medford 2 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 5,306Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Medford →

Health in Medford

B⁻

Health Grade B−

Healthier than 49% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 75% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Wisconsin

2worse than WI

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 30 are too close to call.

Conditions 2▼ 10 close Habits all close Care all close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

13.2%More older adults who have lost all their teethWI 9.9% · worse 9.8%More adults who have had cancerWI 8.6% · worse

Care nearby

Aspirus Medford Hospital & ClinicsMedford · 0.5 mi · ER · rural critical access

Family Health Center - Medford Dental CenterMedford · 1 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Medford · CMS · HRSAHealth in Medford →

Natural hazards in Medford

Very low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 18% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌪️ Tornadoes

0Does Medford flood?no paid flood claims on record NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 6 declared for Taylor County MapMedford vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Medford →

Climate in Medford

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Medford has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 79°, a January night drops to 4°, and about 57 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

25° / 7°Winter

52° / 30°Spring

77° / 54°Summer

54° / 35°Fall

How much snow does Medford get?About 57 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 1, with the last in spring around May 11.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.4° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Medford →

Schools in Medford

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School Grade B

The public schools Medford’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 59% of Wisconsin’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

See how Medford’s schools compare in WI →

DistrictMedford Area Public School DistrictSchools7

Medford Elementary BElementary · Grades PK–4 · 587 students Holy Rosary Catholic SchoolElementary · Grades PK–6 · 137 students Holy Rosary SchoolElementary · Grades PK–6 · 134 students Immanuel Lutheran SchoolElementary · Grades PK–8 · 49 students Medford Middle B-Middle · Grades 5–8 · 566 students Medford High C-High · Grades 9–12 · 667 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within WI. Ratings are from neighbors.