Appleton, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Appleton, Wisconsin had a total population of 75,023, the 6th largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $80,483, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Appleton Quick Facts
How Appleton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,873 | 75,023 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $77,450 | $80,483 | +3.9% |
| Median home value | $211,500 | $231,400 | +9.4% |
How Appleton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Appleton Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Outagamie County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaukauna | 17,706 | $80,365 | 7.8% | $225,700 |
| Little Chute | 11,754 | $87,538 | 5.7% | $245,800 |
| New London | 7,726 | $60,612 | 21.0% | $174,800 |
| Kimberly | 7,447 | $70,451 | 9.9% | $228,100 |
| Combined Locks | 3,622 | $93,490 | 2.0% | $246,000 |
| Seymour | 3,570 | $80,602 | 4.5% | $184,600 |
| Hortonville | 3,256 | $82,063 | 4.4% | $263,900 |
| Black Creek | 1,262 | $67,311 | 6.5% | $190,800 |
| Shiocton | 825 | $60,313 | 8.2% | $173,700 |
| Dale | 707 | $128,036 | 0.0% | $250,400 |
Cities Similar to Appleton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | 71,233 | $83,837 | $315,500 | 41.7% | 9.8% |
| Eau Claire | 70,322 | $67,395 | $247,600 | 36.7% | 14.3% |
| Janesville | 66,030 | $73,446 | $223,400 | 27.3% | 9.0% |
| Racine | 77,633 | $57,740 | $166,500 | 21.4% | 18.2% |
| Oshkosh | 66,729 | $62,188 | $177,700 | 27.4% | 17.5% |
Population Overview
Appleton is a mid-sized community located in Wisconsin, within Outagamie County. The total population is 75,023. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Appleton is 37.5 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Appleton is $80,483. This is 4% higher than the state median of $77,485. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.3%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $231,400. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $266,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Appleton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Appleton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.5% of the population. Asian residents account for 6.6%. The Black or African American population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.6% vs 2.9%).
Education
38.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 33.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Appleton, Wisconsin is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Appleton, Wisconsin?
Appleton, Wisconsin has a population of 75,023 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Appleton, WI?
The median household income in Appleton is $80,483, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Appleton, WI?
The poverty rate in Appleton is 8.3%. This means approximately 6,006 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Appleton, Wisconsin?
Appleton's population is 79.5% White, 2.8% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Appleton, WI?
The median home value in Appleton is $231,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Appleton, Wisconsin?
38.2% of adults (25+) in Appleton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.