RANK #662 / 1001 NAT · #28 / 29 WI · POP 52,942
1YR FORECAST: +2.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Calumet County, Wisconsin, distinguishes itself with High Cliff State Park, where limestone cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment rise over Lake Winnebago, the state's largest inland lake. Located in eastern Wisconsin, the county seat, Chilton, is minutes from Lake Winnebago. The county offers a blend of rural landscapes and urban areas, with the northwest corner bordering the Fox Cities metropolitan area, which includes Appleton. Commutes are generally short, with an average travel time of 21.8 minutes for residents. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with extensive trails for hiking, biking, and snowmobiling, plus opportunities for boating and fishing on Lake Winnebago.
Life in Calumet County offers a mix of small-town charm and access to larger city amenities. Many families and young professionals reside here, with public schools generally performing above the state average. The economy is diverse, with manufacturing and agriculture playing key roles. Family-owned farms contribute significantly, with the county recognized for its dairy goat production. Recent economic developments highlight growth in tourism, which generated substantial economic activity in 2024. The county's economic development efforts also focus on attracting talent in sectors like engineering, manufacturing, production, healthcare, and education.
Calumet County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +6.7% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 17.0x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Natural Gas Peaking Facility (1,200 MW)
Invenergy
|
$1,200M | Proposed |
|
High Cliff Wind Energy Center
Invenergy
|
$225M | Proposed |
|
Forest Junction - Cypress 345.0kV Wind Project
Undisclosed (part of MISO interconnection queue)
|
$225M | Planned |
|
US 151 and WIS 55 Structure Replacements
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 33/100, Calumet County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $88,810 combined with job growth of -0.3% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Calumet County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $274,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,073/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Calumet County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.3%). Home values shifted +6.7% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.09% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Calumet County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.7% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Calumet County is now valued at $274,200. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.