Appleton, Wisconsin Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Appleton, Wisconsin is 74,873 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 6th-largest city in Wisconsin. The median household income is $77,450, the median home value is $211,500, and the median age is 36.9.
The population has grown 3.6% since 2010 (72,704 → 75,344).
74,873
Population
2945
People / sq mi
$77,450
Median Income
$211,500
Median Home Value
Appleton covers 25.4 sq mi of land at 2945 people per square mile.
About Appleton, WI
Appleton is a city in Wisconsin with a population of 74,873. It ranks #6 among cities in Wisconsin by population. The median age is 36.9, younger than the national median. The population is 50.0% male and 50.0% female.
The median household income in Appleton is $77,450, near the US median of $74,580. 5.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $211,500, with monthly rent averaging $957. The homeownership rate of 66.7% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Appleton reflects 37.0% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 11.2% of workers primarily work from home, similar to the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 19.4 minutes each way.
Appleton city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Appleton city had a population of 72,704 in 2010 and 75,344 in 2024, a 3.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 75,593 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.26%.
75,344
Population (2024)
72,704
Population (2010)
75,593
Peak (2020)
0.26%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 72,704 |
| 2011 | 72,921 |
| 2012 | 73,128 |
| 2013 | 73,591 |
| 2014 | 74,001 |
| 2015 | 74,151 |
| 2016 | 74,392 |
| 2017 | 74,524 |
| 2018 | 74,378 |
| 2019 | 74,098 |
| 2020 | 75,593 |
| 2021 | 74,977 |
| 2022 | 74,912 |
| 2023 | 75,102 |
| 2024 | 75,344 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 81.0% |
| Black or African American | 2.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.1% |
Economy & Income
$77,450
Median Household Income
$48,093
Per Capita Income
5.5%
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$211,500
Median Home Value
$957
Median Rent
66.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
94.2%
High School+
37.0%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.6%
Drive Alone
75.0%
Public Transit
11.2%
Work From Home
19.4 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
22.7%
Foreign Born
88.8%
Non-English at Home
6.6%
Veterans
11.3%
With Disability
95.1%
Health Insurance
95.6%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 21.1% |
| Manufacturing | 20.8% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 10.2% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.0% |
| Information | 6.9% |
| Construction | 4.8% |
| Retail Trade | 4.7% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 3.9% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.8% |
| Public Administration | 1.8% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.4% |
Largest cities in Wisconsin
Largest counties in Wisconsin
Part of Wisconsin
Metro areas in Wisconsin
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Appleton, Wisconsin has a population of 74,873 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 6th-largest city in Wisconsin.
The median household income in Appleton, Wisconsin is $77,450, with 5.5% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Appleton, Wisconsin is $211,500, with median monthly rent at $957 and a homeownership rate of 66.7%.
The median age in Appleton, Wisconsin is 36.9 years. The population is 50.0% male and 50.0% female.
The population has grown 3.6% since 2010 (72,704 → 75,344).
More from Wisconsin
Population 569,756
Population 275,568
Population 106,585
Population 99,147
Population 77,155
Full rankings of Wisconsin cities by population
Statewide data for Wisconsin
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Wisconsin
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.