RANK #48 / 996 NAT · #5 / 29 WI · POP 104,027
1YR FORECAST: +5.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +39%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Fond du Lac County ranks #48 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 95/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 1.4% year-over-year). Median household income here is $70,368.
By national standards, Fond du Lac County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $195,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $892/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Fond du Lac County's job market is contracting (-1.4% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.1% change). Home values are +5.3% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.75% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Fond du Lac County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.3% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Fond du Lac County is now valued at $195,800. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.