Appleton city, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Appleton city, Wisconsin has a total population of 74,873, the 6th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $77,450, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.5%.
Appleton city Quick Facts
How Appleton city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 36 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Appleton city Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Winnebago County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh city | 66,247 | $61,929 | 15.9% | $168,400 |
| Neenah city | 27,409 | $73,880 | 9.8% | $194,700 |
| Fox Crossing village | 18,960 | $74,423 | 7.9% | $228,000 |
| Menasha city | 18,130 | $64,392 | 13.7% | $169,200 |
| Omro city | 3,639 | $67,426 | 7.0% | $170,300 |
| Winneconne village | 2,519 | $85,980 | 4.8% | $196,900 |
Cities Similar to Appleton city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha city | 70,779 | $81,651 | $286,600 | 40.7% | 10.3% |
| Eau Claire city | 69,274 | $65,369 | $228,000 | 35.0% | 14.2% |
| Janesville city | 65,813 | $71,664 | $209,700 | 26.9% | 9.6% |
| Racine city | 77,155 | $55,705 | $158,100 | 21.5% | 18.0% |
| Oshkosh city | 66,247 | $61,929 | $168,400 | 27.3% | 15.9% |
Population Overview
Appleton city is a mid-sized community located in Wisconsin, within Winnebago County. The total population is 74,873. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 807 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Appleton city is 36.9 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Appleton city is $77,450. This is 2% higher than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 1% lower. The poverty rate stands at 8.5%. This is 20% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $211,500. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $247,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Appleton city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Appleton city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.9%. The Black or African American population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 6.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.7% vs 2.9%).
Education
37.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 32.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Appleton city, Wisconsin is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 807 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Wisconsin city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Appleton city, Wisconsin?
Appleton city, Wisconsin has a population of 74,873 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Appleton city, WI?
The median household income in Appleton city is $77,450, which is 1% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Appleton city, WI?
The poverty rate in Appleton city is 8.5%. This means approximately 6,146 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Appleton city, Wisconsin?
Appleton city's population is 79.4% White, 2.8% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Appleton city, WI?
The median home value in Appleton city is $211,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Appleton city, Wisconsin?
37.0% of adults (25+) in Appleton city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.