RANK #432 / 1001 NAT · #22 / 29 WI · POP 171,769
1YR FORECAST: +2.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin's largest lake entirely within the state, anchors Winnebago County, a region known for its extensive trail systems and historical sites. Located in east-central Wisconsin, the county seat, Oshkosh, is approximately 80 miles north of Milwaukee. The community offers a blend of urban amenities and natural scenery, with nearly a quarter of the county covered by scenic waterways. Commutes are generally short, with an average travel time of 19.4 minutes for residents. Outdoor recreation opportunities include hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and in winter, ice fishing and skating.
Winnebago County offers a quality of life that attracts families and individuals, with highly rated public schools, including the Neenah Joint School District and Oshkosh Area School District. The economy is supported by a diverse range of sectors, with manufacturing being the largest industry. Recent economic developments include a $4.5 million Revolving Loan Fund approved by the county to support housing developments, aiming to attract new families and sustain local businesses. Additionally, projects like the Mill on Main multi-family unit in Oshkosh are adding new housing options to the area.
Winnebago County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +5.6% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.2x 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Winnebago County scores 56/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#432). Median household income is $74,925 and job growth is running at -0.2%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Winnebago County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $225,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $965/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Winnebago County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs -0.2%. Home values shifted +5.6% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
In significant numbers — 5.31% of Winnebago County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.
Home values climbed +5.6% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Winnebago County is now valued at $225,800. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.