Appleton, WI Metro Area

Appleton, WI · Metro Area

245,768Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 2 counties, part of the Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah, WI combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $85,825
Median home value: $268,900
Land area: 956 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Outagamie County, WI	Central	192,826	$85,069	$267,300
Calumet County, WI	Central	52,942	$88,810	$274,200

Largest cities and towns

50 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Appleton, WI	City	75,023	$80,483
Grand Chute, WI	Town	24,168	$78,105
Kaukauna, WI	City	17,706	$80,365
Harrison, WI	Village	13,658	$121,504
Greenville, WI	Town	12,987	$117,977
Little Chute, WI	Village	11,754	$87,538
Kimberly, WI	Village	7,447	$70,451
Buchanan, WI	Town	6,784	$105,478
Freedom, WI	Town	6,223	$121,711
Oneida, WI	Town	4,560	$76,651
Chilton, WI	City	4,049	$82,923
Center, WI	Town	3,643	$114,821
Combined Locks, WI	Village	3,622	$93,490
Seymour, WI	City	3,570	$80,602
Brillion, WI	City	3,299	$57,955
Hortonville, WI	Village	3,256	$82,063
Sherwood, WI	Village	3,252	$109,524
Ellington, WI	Town	3,226	$94,306
New Holstein, WI	City	3,075	$59,667
Dale, WI	Town	2,891	$126,250
Harrison (Town), WI	Town	2,258	$84,708
Vandenbroek, WI	Town	1,833	$128,594
New Holstein (Town), WI	Town	1,812	$101,328
Brillion (Town), WI	Town	1,631	$91,250
Kaukauna (Town), WI	Town	1,574	$121,875

Also in the Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah, WI combined area

Oshkosh-Neenah, WI · metro · 171,769

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Unemployment

2.6%

College Educated

32.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$85,825

Mean Household Income

$112,747

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

50.4%

Female

49.6%

Population Split

Male50.4%

Female49.6%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German43.4%

Irish9.8%

Polish6.4%

English5.4%

Mexican3.9%

French2.9%

Italian2.1%

Scottish1.0%

African0.4%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

4.2%Foreign Born

95.8%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized53.6%

Non-Citizen46.4%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later30.7%

Before 201069.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

103,408

Median Rent

$1,060/mo

Median Home Value

$268,900

Median Year Built

1981

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

57,144

College Enrollment

17.6%

High School

23.1%

College Educated

32.8%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

20.8 min

Drive Alone Rate

77.6%

Public Transit

0.4%

Work From Home

12.2%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

22.8%

18-34 Years

20.8%

35-64 Years

39.7%

65+ Years

16.7%

Population Composition

Under 1822.8%

18-3420.8%

35-6439.7%

65+16.7%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

53.9%

Single Parent

4.4%

Living Alone

28.0%

Avg Size

2.43

Household Types

Married Couples53.9%

Single Parent4.4%

Living Alone28.0%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$46,727

SNAP Usage

7.7%

Health Insurance

96.3%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k9.2%

$25k - $50k16.4%

$50k - $100k31.7%

$100k+42.7%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

22.2%

Retail Trade

9.8%

Education & Health Care

20.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

11.3%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

96.3%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

92.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

95.4%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

92.4

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

160.0

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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