RANK #25 / 996 · POP 104,027 · WI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.9%
Situated at the southern tip of Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, derives its name from the French phrase for "bottom of the lake." The city of Fond du Lac, the county seat, is approximately an hour's drive from Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay. This location provides access to urban amenities while maintaining a community atmosphere. The county offers extensive outdoor recreation, with 14 recreational facilities and 6 trails spanning 50 miles for hiking, biking, and nature watching. Lake Winnebago itself is a major draw, known for fishing, windsurfing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.
Fond du Lac County offers a manageable cost of living, particularly for housing, which is below the national average. The area is considered family-friendly, with public schools in the Fond du Lac School District offering programs like early college credit. Commute times are shorter than state and national averages, averaging 19.5 minutes. The local economy is diverse, with manufacturing, healthcare, and education being significant sectors. Efforts are underway to support entrepreneurship and small business growth, with resources available for new business owners.
Contracting economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 4.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Fond du Lac County has a Boom Town Index score of 98/100, ranking #25 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.4% and a median household income of $70,368, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Fond du Lac County is $195,800 with median rent at $892/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3594, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.4%. Home values changed +5.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.75% of Fond du Lac County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.