Appleton
RANK #145 / 996 NAT · #14 / 29 WI · POP 190,611
1YR FORECAST: +4.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +34%
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.
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 →
| 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 ranks #145 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 85/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.8% and a median household income of $78,705 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Outagamie County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $224,100, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.35 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $941/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Outagamie County's population is growing — up +0.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.8%). Home values shifted +6.9% 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 3.73% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Outagamie County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.9% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Outagamie County is now valued at $224,100. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.