RANK #135 / 1001 NAT · #6 / 29 WI · POP 51,569
1YR FORECAST: +2.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +35%
Waupaca County, Wisconsin, is often first recognized by locals for its Chain O' Lakes, a unique collection of 22 interconnected, spring-fed lakes known for their clear waters and distinctive blue-green coloration. Located in central Wisconsin, the county seat of Waupaca is approximately a 30-minute drive from Stevens Point and 40 minutes from Appleton, with Madison and Milwaukee under two hours away. The community offers a blend of small-town charm and natural beauty, with ample opportunities for outdoor recreation like boating, fishing, hiking, and snowmobiling across its numerous lakes, rivers, and forests.
Life in Waupaca County offers a quality environment with a focus on community and outdoor living. The area attracts families, retirees, and individuals seeking a quieter lifestyle, with local schools serving over 7,500 students across 27 public schools. Commute times are generally short, averaging 15 minutes within the city of Waupaca, though many residents also commute to nearby cities for work. The economy is supported by manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism, with recent efforts focused on improving workforce transportation and expanding housing options. The county has also seen investments in renewable energy initiatives.
Waupaca County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +7.3% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 11.8x — 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Cloverleaf Solar Project
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$358M | Proposed |
|
Clintonville Solar Project
Cleanview (developer not specified)
|
$300M | Planned |
|
River North Ridge (Residential & Multi-family Development)
Tycore Built
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Waupaca County ranks #135 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 86/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 0.9% year-over-year). Median household income here is $72,830.
Housing in Waupaca County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $211,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $852/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Waupaca County are both close to flat — population -0.3% YoY and jobs -0.9%. Home values shifted +7.3% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.55% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Waupaca County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +7.3% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Waupaca County is now valued at $211,400. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.