RANK #52 / 1001 NAT · #3 / 29 WI · POP 104,137
1YR FORECAST: +3.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +38%
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.
Fond du Lac County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +5.5% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.5x — 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Fond du Lac County ranks #52 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 95/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $74,275 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
Housing in Fond du Lac County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $222,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $960/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Fond du Lac County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs -0.4%. Home values shifted +5.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.58% 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 +5.5% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Fond du Lac County is now valued at $222,800. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.