RANK #53 / 996 · POP 190,611 · WI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.4%
Outagamie County, Wisconsin, is often recognized for Appleton, its largest city, which anchors the Fox Cities region. The county is situated in east-central Wisconsin, approximately 30 miles southwest of Green Bay and 100 miles north of Milwaukee. The landscape features a mix of urban development along the Fox River and expansive rural areas with farmlands and forests. Outdoor recreation is accessible, with opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and boating along the Fox and Wolf Rivers, and numerous parks like Plamann Park and Mosquito Hill Nature Center. Life in Outagamie County appeals to families and young professionals, with public schools generally performing above the state average. The economy, historically rooted in paper production and agriculture, has diversified to include healthcare, manufacturing, and trade, transportation, and utilities as major sectors. Recent economic developments include significant investment in the Appleton International Airport, which has expanded its services and facilities, doubling its employment and increasing its economic impact on the region. The county also focuses on initiatives like brownfield assessments and regional housing strategies to support continued growth and quality of life.
Below national median
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.2x — 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Werner West 138 kV Solar Project
Undisclosed (part of MISO interconnection queue)
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Werner West Battery Storage Project
Undisclosed (part of MISO interconnection queue)
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Highway 15 Expansion (near Hortonville)
Outagamie County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
A NEW Avenue: West College Avenue Corridor Revitalization
Outagamie County, City of Appleton, Town of Grand Chute, East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Outagamie County Renewable Natural Gas Facility
Mas Energy / Terreva Renewables
|
$25M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Outagamie County has a Boom Town Index score of 95/100, ranking #53 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.8% and a median household income of $78,705, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Outagamie County is $224,100 with median rent at $941/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3512, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.8%. Home values changed +6.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.73% of Outagamie County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.