City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Appleton, WI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Appleton - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

74,873
Residents
$77,450
Median income
$211,500
Median home
$1,236
Median rent (state)

Appleton - the verdict

Appleton ranks in the 59th percentile for household income and the 44th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

59th
percentile, household income
46th
percentile, home value
40th
percentile, median rent
44th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Appleton, WI

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 74,873 residents in Appleton, a small city within Wisconsin. Median household income here is $77,450 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.5%. Appleton's housing stock carries a median value of $211,500, and the median resident age is 36.9 years. Educational attainment runs 37.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 66.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 131 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 47% from five years earlier. Appleton reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1548.5 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 45.6°F with 33.1 inches of precipitation per year and 49.4 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Wisconsin run below the national norm: the state registers 94.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,236 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Wisconsin, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 79.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

74,873 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$77,450 /yr

Poverty 5.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Appleton compare to other US cities?

Where Appleton sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 59% higher than other cities
Home value 46% pricier than other cities
Median rent 40% pricier than other cities
Safety 44% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Wisconsin, Appleton ranks #150 of 202 Wisconsin cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Appleton's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Wisconsin, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

59thIncome percentile
44thSafety percentile

59th percentile nationally for median household income · 44th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Appleton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Appleton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 53 Avg. percentile National median
Appleton's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Appleton's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$211,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 54% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Appleton $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Appleton, WI Appleton, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Appleton, WI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Appleton, WI median $77,450/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Appleton, WI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Appleton, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 37.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
74,873
Median Income
$77,450
Median Home Value
$211,500
Median Age
36.9
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Labor force participation
66.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
37.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1548.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
201.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1346.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
45.6°F
Annual Precipitation
33.1"
Annual Snowfall
49.4"

Schools

Total Schools
39
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
74,500 residents75,000 residents75,500 residents76,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 75,583 residents 75,452 residents ▼ -0.2%
Appleton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
131
housing units authorized
Single-Family
129
detached homes
Multifamily
2
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 89
2020 104
2021 121
2022 142
2023 98
2024 131

Permit volume increased 47% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.0%
Carpool
9.0%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
2.7%
Work from Home
11.2%
Other
1.5%

Based on 39,479 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Wisconsin - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Wisconsin state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Wisconsin state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Appleton sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,236/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
79.7 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Racine
77,155 people
Waukesha
70,779 people
Eau Claire
69,274 people
Oshkosh
66,247 people
Janesville
65,813 people
West Allis
59,588 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Appleton's 74,873 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Rock Hill, SC
74,769 people
Broomfield, CO
75,110 people
Missouri City, TX
75,234 people
Iowa City, IA
75,264 people
Pawtucket, RI
75,280 people
Mansfield, TX
75,398 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Appleton's $77,450 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Thatcher, AZ
$77,455 median income
Rosharon, TX
$77,443 median income
Henryville, IN
$77,440 median income
Country Club Hills, IL
$77,463 median income
Sartell, MN
$77,465 median income
Linden, MI
$77,434 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Appleton, WI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Appleton, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 81.0% 6.7% 7.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.9% White 81.0% Black or African American 2.9% Asian 6.7% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 1.9% Two or more races 7.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Appleton compares to nearby Wisconsin cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Appleton (this city) 74,873 $77,450
Racine 77,155 $55,705
Waukesha 70,779 $81,651
Eau Claire 69,274 $65,369
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Appleton, WI?

What is the population of Appleton, WI? +

Appleton, WI counts 74,873 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Appleton, WI? +

In Appleton, the typical household earns $77,450 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Appleton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Appleton; the closest available measure is the Wisconsin state average, a cost of living index of 94.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Wisconsin vary by metro area.

Is Appleton, WI safe? +

Appleton has a total crime rate of 1548.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Appleton, WI? +

Appleton's median home value sits at $211,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Appleton? +

Appleton has an average annual temperature of 45.6°F, 33.1 inches of precipitation, and 49.4 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.