City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Kaukauna, WI

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

17,237
Residents
$78,353
Median income
$198,800
Median home
$1,236
Median rent (state)

Kaukauna - the verdict

Kaukauna ranks in the 60th percentile for household income and the 73rd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

60th
percentile, household income
43rd
percentile, home value
40th
percentile, median rent
73rd
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: Kaukauna, WI

17,237 people live in Kaukauna, Wisconsin - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Kaukauna brings in $78,353 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.5%. Kaukauna's housing stock carries a median value of $198,800, and the median resident age is 38.5 years. 27.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 69.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 85 residential building permits were authorized in Kaukauna (Building Boom), up 93% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Kaukauna reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 783.1 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Wisconsin run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Wisconsin scores 94.1 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,236 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $225 across Wisconsin, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Kaukauna workers runs 19.0 minutes, with 81.8% driving alone and 7.3% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 30.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

17,237 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$78,353 /yr

Poverty 7.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Kaukauna compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 60% higher than other cities
Home value 43% pricier than other cities
Median rent 40% pricier than other cities
Safety 73% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Wisconsin and the picture shifts: Kaukauna ranks #83 of 202 Wisconsin cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Kaukauna against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Wisconsin only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Wisconsin-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Kaukauna toward the top of Wisconsin's cities

Among the 761 Wisconsin cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Kaukauna ranks #146 - the 77th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Kaukauna only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#256 of 753
66th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Gross Rent
#146 of 761
77th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
#303 of 754
60th percentile in Wisconsin
Poverty Rate
#270 of 761
64th percentile in Wisconsin
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#261 of 761
65th percentile in Wisconsin

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Wisconsin only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

60thIncome percentile
73rdSafety percentile

60th percentile nationally for median household income · 73rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Kaukauna's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Kaukauna'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 64 Avg. percentile National median
Kaukauna'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 Kaukauna's home value compares nationally

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

$198,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 57% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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. Kaukauna $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 - Kaukauna, WI Kaukauna, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Kaukauna, 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 Kaukauna, WI median $78,353/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%
Kaukauna, 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 Kaukauna, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.8%

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

Population
17,237
Median Income
$78,353
Median Home Value
$198,800
Median Age
38.5
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Labor force participation
69.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
783.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
102.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
681.0
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.

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
16,500 residents17,000 residents17,500 residents18,000 residents18,500 residents19,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 17,133 residents 18,517 residents ▲ +8.1%
Kaukauna's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
85
housing units authorized
Single-Family
81
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 44
2020 97
2021 89
2022 65
2023 81
2024 85

Permit volume increased 93% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.0 minutes
Drive Alone
81.8%
Carpool
7.7%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
7.3%
Other
1.3%

Based on 9,702 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 Kaukauna 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
30.2 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Ashwaubenon
16,931 people
Beaver Dam
16,629 people
Menomonie
16,548 people
Cudahy
17,964 people
River Falls
16,349 people
Menasha
18,130 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Kaukauna's 17,237 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Danville, KY
17,235 people
Lake Butler, FL
17,242 people
Fort Thomas, KY
17,242 people
Islip, NY
17,224 people
Dallas, OR
17,214 people
Charleston, IL
17,212 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Kaukauna's $78,353 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Wimberley, TX
$78,351 median income
Fruitland Park, FL
$78,359 median income
New Union, TN
$78,343 median income
Worthington Hills, KY
$78,365 median income
Max Meadows, VA
$78,365 median income
Cressey, CA
$78,333 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Kaukauna, 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 Kaukauna, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.7% White 91.2% Black or African American 0.6% Asian 1.8% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.6% Two or more races 5.2% 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 Kaukauna 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
Kaukauna (this city) 17,237 $78,353
Ashwaubenon 16,931 $71,180
Beaver Dam 16,629 $68,757
Menomonie 16,548 $54,587
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Kaukauna, WI?

What is the population of Kaukauna, WI? +

The population of Kaukauna, WI stands at 17,237 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Kaukauna households earn a median of $78,353 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Kaukauna? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Kaukauna; 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 Kaukauna, WI safe? +

Kaukauna has a total crime rate of 783.1 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 Kaukauna, WI? +

Kaukauna's median home value sits at $198,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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

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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.