Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Appleton, WI Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

75,023

Median Agei

37.5

Race & Ethnicityi

White

79.5%59,639

Asian

6.6%4,961

Hispanic/Latino

6.6%4,935

Two or More

4.1%3,053

Black

2.8%2,130

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.3%237

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.1%47

Other

0%21

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

3.2%1,639

High School Diploma

22.3%11,358

Some College (<1 yr)

5.3%2,681

Some College (1+ yr)

12.9%6,597

Associate's Degree

12.9%6,597

Bachelor's Degree

26.5%13,508

Master's Degree

8.5%4,318

Professional Degree

2%1,021

Doctorate

1.2%625

HS or Higher

94.8%

BA or Higher

38.2%

Graduate+

11.7%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$231,400

Median Renti

$1,030

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

67.1%20,806

Renter-Occupied

32.9%10,224

Total Units

32,221

Homeownership

67.1%

Vacancy Rate

3.7%

Home Values

Under $50K

1.6%326

$50K–$100K

3%619

$100K–$150K

10.4%2,167

$150K–$200K

23.1%4,798

$200K–$300K

34.5%7,184

$300K–$500K

20.5%4,255

$500K–$1M

5.9%1,232

$1M+

1.1%225

Rent Distribution

Under $500

597

$500–$750

1,212

$750–$1,000

2,910

$1,000–$1,250

2,016

$1,250–$1,500

1,710

$1,500–$2,000

1,070

$2,000+

406

Year Built

2020 or later

1%316

2010–2019

6.6%2,126

2000–2009

7.5%2,414

1990–1999

8.1%2,607

1980–1989

12.1%3,895

1970–1979

16.8%5,402

1960–1969

10.2%3,288

1950–1959

12%3,855

1940–1949

6.5%2,109

1939 or earlier

19.3%6,209

Heating Fuel

Utility Gas

75.9%23,542

Electricity

17.6%5,472

Bottled/LP Gas

2.6%812

Fuel Oil

1.4%434

Other

1%325

No Fuel

0.9%269

Wood

0.4%121

Solar

0.2%50

Coal

0%5

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$80,483

Mean Household Incomei

$119,940

Per Capita Incomei

$50,397

Poverty Ratei

Unemploymenti

3.5%

Labor Forcei

41,335

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

3.1%947

$10K–$15K

2.8%857

$15K–$20K

2%623

$20K–$25K

2.7%851

$25K–$30K

2.6%793

$30K–$35K

2.7%830

$35K–$40K

3.9%1,199

$40K–$45K

4.2%1,310

$45K–$50K

4.5%1,394

$50K–$60K

8.4%2,604

$60K–$75K

9.4%2,928

$75K–$100K

14.2%4,393

$100K–$125K

12.1%3,746

$125K–$150K

9.9%3,071

$150K–$200K

8.1%2,504

$200K+

9.6%2,980

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

962

Residentsi

1,544

Avg. Tenant Renti

$469/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

47 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing211 homes89% occupied$501/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers393 homes93% occupied$494/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8298 homes92% occupied$425/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC59 homes99% occupied$411/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $80,483/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $24K/yr

80.4%

Very low income$24K–$40K/yr

17.8%

Low income$40K–$64K/yr

1.6%

Moderate / aboveOver $64K/yr

0.2%

Who Receives This Housing

72.8% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

23.1% of subsidized households are minority

26.1% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

52.1% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

3,508(6.1% of civilian adults)