Oshkosh
RANK #142 / 996 NAT · #13 / 29 WI · POP 171,197
1YR FORECAST: +4.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +34%
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.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Winnebago County ranks #142 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 86/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.8% and a median household income of $70,041 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Winnebago County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $190,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $880/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Winnebago County are both close to flat — population -0.1% YoY and jobs +0.8%. Home values shifted +5.7% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
In significant numbers — 5.7% 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 +5.7% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Winnebago County is now valued at $190,600. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.