About the Appleton, Neenah, Menasha and Greenville, Wisconsin Area 

This Page Includes:
-Summary of Communities
-Population Statistics
-Demographic Profile
-Census and Ethnic Distribution
-Average Price of Home by Community

Tradition
The Fox River serves as the common thread uniting our growing communities and providing a natural link with the rest of the world.  We've always looked upont it's waters as a resource, harnessing it's energy for power, transportation, commerce, and recreation.

Our values arise from a deep commitment to our families and our communitities.  We insist on public and social services truly designed to help people achieve their highest potential.  Our schools are noted for their excellence.  Health care is sophisticated, yet affordable.  Governmenent serves the people.

Growth
Historically, industry grew up along the banks of the Fox River:  paper making and printing, manufacturing and other operations.  Today, the economic base of the Fox Cities is broadly diversified with exceptionally strong finance, insurance, service, health care, and retailing.

The Fox Cities has enjoyed a vibrant economy that has long been the envy of most communities in Wisconsin, if not the Upper Midwest.  Although paper products and paper machinery continue to dominate local manufacturing activity, the area's industrial base has broadened to encompass technology, electronics, food processing, printing and publishing, plastics, and machinery.  Insurance and health care help lead the expansion of service industries here.

Community
The Fox Cities area is an amalgamation of many cities, towns and villages along the banks of the Fox River and shores of Lake Winnebago & Little Lake Butte des Morts representing an increasingly diverse population attracted by the rich ethnic heritage and cultural amentities and stable economy of the region. 

The communities comprising the Fox Cities include: City of Appleton, Town of Clayton, Village of Combined Locks, City of Kaukauna, Village of Kimberly, Village of Little Chute, City of Menasha, Town of Menasha, City of Neenah, Town of Neenah, Town of Buchanan, Town of Freedom, Town of Grand Chute, Town of Greenville, Town of Harrison, Town of Vandenbroek, also portions of the Town of Buchanan & Town of Harrison referred to as Darboy. 

Town of Hortonville, Town of Hortonia, Village of Sherwood, Village of Stockbridge, Village of Black Creek, Town of Bovina, Town of Ellington, Town of Dale, Village of Medina, Town of Vinland, City of New London, Town of Black Creek, Village of Wrightstown, Town of Chilton, Town of Shiocton, and Town of Fremont are municipalities that are a preference to some because of their distance from the hustle and bustle but still relativie closeness to all that the Fox Cities has to offer.

City of Appleton
Incorporated: 1857
County:  Outagamie, Calumet, Winnebago
Population (2000 Census):  70,087
The heart of Wisconsin's Fox Cities, Appleton is a community known for it's quality of life.  A bustling economy, low crime rate and bountiful recreational opportunities make Appleton a great place to live and visit.  Appleton's eclectic downtown is home to the Fox Cities Performing Art Center (PAC), many specialty retail shops, fine dining and a wide array of ethnic eateries. At the east end of dowtown is Lawrence University, a leading liberal arts college that attracts students from around the world.

Appleton was home to escape artist Harry Houdini and celebrated author Edna Ferber.  The Outagamie Museum in Appleton highlights the lives of both in permanent displays.  Another Appleton attraction is the Hearthstone Historic House Museum, the world's first home to be lit by a hydroelectric center.

City of Menasha
Incorporated:  1874
County:  Winnebago, Calumet
Population (2000 Census):  16,331
Located on the north shore of Wisconsin's largest inland lake, Menasha enjoys a beautiful waterfront setting.  This navigable waterway running through the heart of Menasha provides recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.  Waterpower afforded by the Fox River helped establish Menasha as an industrial center in the mid to late 19th century. It's industrial heritage carries through to today with the paper industry providing the economic underpinnings of the city and the area.

Menasha retains elements of it's historic character in a rejuvenated downtown and has reoriented itself to the waterfront with an 87-slip marina.

Impressive community parks and the newly developed Heckrodt Wetland Reserve reflect the city's commitment to providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy it's abundant resources.

City of Neenah
Incorporated:  1873
County:  Winnebago
Population (2000 Census):  24,507
Whether you're looking for a place to live or do business, Neenah offers something special for everyone.  The metro area's business climate has earned it the ranking of third best market for business development amoung all small metropolitan areas in the nation.

Neenah's nationally recognized historic downtown is a delightful, friendly place to shop.  At the end of downtown, historic mansions of area paper barons surround Riverside Park and Kimberly Point Park offering a spectacular architectural walking tour along Lake Winnegbago and the Fox River.  The Bergstrom-Mahler Museum, former home to the paper industry's Bergstrom family, houses the world's largest collection of glass paperweights as well as featuring traveling displays.

Village of Combined Locks
Incorporated:  1920
County:  Outagmie
Population (2000 Census):  2,422
Combined Locks is the smallest incorporated community in the Fox Cities with a quality of life qunique to the area.  It is condidered a quiet, peaceful "bedroom community" yet is the proud home of two of the area's most dynamic employers - U.S. Oil and Appleton, Inc.

It is growing rapidly yet retains ample acreage of wooded and ravine filled parklands to insure tranquil green spaces in an ever-expanding urban environmnet.

It is a small community made up of caring people . . . and a great place to live.

Village of Kimberly
Incorporated:  1910
County:  Outagamie
Population (2000 Census):  24,507
Kimberly offers the surrealism of life along the banks of the Fox River in a suburban setting that has maintained it's small town atmosphere in the "Heart of the Fox Cities."  One of the largest parks in the Fox Cities, Sunset Point Park, is a frequent host to the International Softball Congress (ISC) World Tournament as well as home to the Kimberly Amphitheatre, nature traiils, boat landings, and passive recreation areas.

The quality of life has gained Kimberly a reputation for excellent housing, quality schools, and a thriving community located in the heart of the Fox Cities.

Prosperity and growth abound in this picturesque community whose citizens continue to work together to maintain their reputation as "The Progressive Community."

Village of Little Chute
Incorporated:  1899
County:  Outagamie
Population (2000 Census):  10,476
Nestled in the heart of the Fox Cities, just east of Appleton, the village of Little Chute combines a pleasant small-town atmosphere with all the amenities of a larger metropolitan area.

The village is blessed with an abundance of natural resources - including the historic Fox River on it's southern border.

While larger cities are just a short drive away, the Village of Little Chute offers a wonderful quality of life and is truly "on the river and on the way."

Town of Buchanan
Incorporated:  1858
County:  Outagamie
Population (2000 Census):  5,827
The Town of Buchanan was established in January 1858 at an adjourned session of the County Board of Outagamie County.  The resolution creating the new town provided that the first annual meeting be held at the local schoolhouse.  Buchanan's name derived from then president James Buchanan.

The town continues to be one of the fastest growing residential and commercial areas in Outagamie County.

Town of Clayton
County:  Winnebago
Population (2000 Census):  2,974
One of the fastest growing communities in teh Fox Cities, the Town of Clayton marks the western boundary of the area.  Beautiful residential development and the WIOUWASH Recreational Trail add to Clayton's appeal.

Town of Freedom
Incorporated:  1852
County:  Outagamie
Population (2000 Census):  5,241
Located halfway between Green Bay and Appleton, the Town of Freedom was formed in 1852 and soon after settled by the Irish, Dutch, and German.  Named by a grateful runaway slave, Freedom was originally called "Sangola" an indian name meaning "good morning."  Historically a small, successful farming community Freedom is now a booming residential area.

Town of Grand Chute
Founded:  1849
County: Outagamie
Population (2000 Census):  18,392
The Town of Grand Chute combines the charm of a rural community with the amenities of a larger urban area.  With U.S. Highway 41 intersecting the town, Grand chute is the commercial hub of the Fox Cities.  The Fox River Mall, with over 1 million square feet of shopping space is the largest shopping center in the State north of Milwaukee. In and around the Highway 41 corridor are a variety of shopping, dining, entertainment and indoor recreational opportunities.

For family entertainment, Grand Chute offers Fox Cities Stadium, home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattler, The Seattle Mariners' Class "A" minor league affiliate.

Grand Chute also features a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities such as disc golf at Plamann Park and Bubolz Nature Preserve - a 600-acre environmental center.

Whether you are looking for the relaxation of a small town or something more exciting, the Town of Grand Chute has it for you.

Town of Greenville
Founded:  1848
County:  Outagamie
Population (2000 Census):  6,844
Town of Greenville, located west of Grand Chute is the fastest growing commercial area of the state, while retaining it's rich farming heritage.

Greenville is home to the Outagamie County Airport (ATW), and is currently developing a 58-acre family recreation area featuring a Wisconsin agricultural theme.  Historic buildings such as the Greenville Grange now serve as a community gathering place and the former train station and hotel has been transformed into the Greenville Station restuarant.

Town of Harrison
Founded:  1853
County:  Winnebago
Population (2000 Census):  5,037
The Town of Harrison is located on teh northeast sore of Lake Winnebago and represents one fo the fastest growing areas of the Fox Cities.  Its ideal location near the lake makes it desirable for residential and commercial development.

The Town of Harrison was chartered in 1853, at which time the township was known as the Town of Lima.  Since that first Town meeting on the "Pratt" farm south of Sherwood, the Town of Harrison has become a thriving community of 5,037 residents in 2000.  Census information received recently indicates that the current population is now approximately 7,389 individuals.  Harrison encompasses some 30 square miles of land and 80 miles of town roads.

Town of Menasha
Founded:  1854
County:  Winnebago
Population (2000 Census):  15,858
Thriving on the picturesque banks of Little Lake Butte des Morts, the Town of Menasha "bridges" the Fox Cities into the future.

Home to several Fortune 500 companies, the Town's dynamic growth affords it's residents the charm and amenities of small town life in an urban setting.

The town's low tax rate allows for various housing opportunities and superior municipal services, including a nationally accredited police department and top-ten ranked statewide fire department.

With over 200 acres of pristine parkland, miles of paved pedestrian/bicycle trails, including the Fox cities Trestle, the Town offers year-round recreational activites for the entire family.

At the center of several new transportation corridors, including US Highway 10 and County Highway CB, the Town is an ideal location for residential and commercial development.

A progressive community with a proud past, the Town always encourages quality development to preserve what the residents and businesses expect as their high quality of life.

Town of Neenah
Founded:  1848
County:  Winnebago
Population (2000 Census):  2,657
Rustic, quaint and semi-rural are the adjectives best describing the Town of Neenah.  The Town's fields, meadows, lakefront and wetlands lend to the Green Belt running on both sides of the City of Neenah.

Neighborhoods evolving along the shores of Lake Winnebago possess unique characteristics contributing to the Town's rural feel.  Winding and rustic roads host a variety of activities from hiking to biking.

Town of Vandenbroek
Founded:  1902
County:  Outagamie
Population (2000 Census):  1,351
The Town of Vandenbroek is located along Hwy.41 nestled between Kaukauna and Little Chute.  The township, founded in 1902, is named after Father Van den Broek, a Dutch priest who came to America in 1832 and settled in what later became the Village of Little Chute.

Today the Town of Vandenbroek encompasses 89 square miles of farmland and continues to experience steady growth.

Population

	1990 Census	2000 Census	2006	Percent Change 2000-2006	Projection 2010	Projection 2020
Fox Cities Area Total	180,411	207,660	224,795	8.2%	236,020	261,653
City of Appleton	65,695	70,087	72,004	2.7%	75,396	79,534
City of Kaukauna	11,982	12,983	14,515	11.8%	15,081	16,890
City of Menasha	14,711	16,331	17,282	5.8%	17,443	18,460
City of Neenah	23,219	24,507	25,430	3.8%	25,845	26,695
Village of Combined Locks	2,190	2,422	2,868	18.4%	2,862	3,174
Village of Hortonville	2,029	2,357	2,665	13.1%	2,699	3,002
Village of Kimberly	5,406	6,146	6,414	4.4%	6,576	6,794
Village of Little Chute	9,207	10,476	10,955	4.6%	11,467	12,475
Village of Sherwood	837	1,550	2,377	53.4%	2,677	3,765
Town of Buchanan	2,484	5,827	6,709	15.1%	8,060	10,464
Town of Clayton	2,264	2,974	3,531	18.7%	3,643	4,224
Town of Grand Chute	14,490	18,392	20,425	11.1%	22,136	26,208
Town of Greenville	3,806	6,844	8,750	27.8%	8,987	11,377
Town of Harrison	3,195	5,756	8,469	47.1%	10,053	13,753
Town of Kaukauna	939	1,142	1,226	7.4%	1,306	1,471
Town of Menasha	13,975	15,858	17,005	7.2%	17,693	19,290
Town of Neenah	2,691	2,657	2,791	5.0%	2,802	2,869
Town of Vandenbroek	1,291	1,351	1,343	-0.6%	1,294	1,208
Fox Cities- Oshkosh MSA	315,121	358,365	382,196	6.6%	398,908	434,000
County of Calumet	34,291	40,631	45,711	12.5%	49,146	55,445
County of Outagamie	140,510	160,971	172,618	7.2%	181,224	200,012
County of Winnebago	140,320	156,763	163,867	4.5%	168,538	178,543
State of Wisconsin	4,897,769	5,363,675	5,617,744	4.7%	5,751,470	6,110,878

Source:Wisconsin State Department of Administration, Demographic Services Center, Wisconsin Population Projections City, Town, Village, (Projections by Total Estimates)

Demographic Profile
Age

Under 5 years	6.9%
5 to 9 years	7.7%
10 to 14 years	7.9%
15 to 19 years	7.3%
20 to 24 years	6.0%
25 to 34 years	14.6%
35 to 44 years	17.6%
45 to 54 years	13.1%
55 to 59 years	4.3%
60 to 64 years	3.3%
65 to 74 years	5.7%
75 to 84 years	4.0%
85 years or older	1.5%

Median Age of Population:  34.9

Source:  U.S. Bureau of the Census 2000

Educational Attainment

Educational Attainment	Fox Cities	Wisconsin	United States
9th to 12th Grade, No Diploma	12.7%	15.0%	19.6%
High School Grad. or Equiv.	37.9%	34.6%	28.6%
Some College, No Degree	19.0%	20.6%	21.1%
Associates Degree	7.9%	7.5%	6.3%
Bachelor's Degree	16.4%	15.2%	15.5%
Grad. or Professional Degree	6.1%	7.1%	8.9%

Effective Buying Income

$0-19,999	15.6%
$20,000-34,999	22.7%
$35,000-49,999	24.8%
$50,000-Over	36.9%

Median Household Effective Buying Income:  $41,905

U.S. Rank:  89 out of 922 CBSAs

Source:  2005 Survey of Buying Power, Sales and Marketing Managment

Census and Ethnic Distribution
Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah
Combined SA

	1980	1990	2000	% of 2000 Population
White	287,094	306,775	339,178	94.6%
Hispanic/Latin	305	813	2,586	0.7%
African American	463	932	2,747	0.8%
American Indian	2,244	2,796	3,336	0.9%
Asian	1,263	3,805	7,207	2.0%
Other/Two Races*	0	0	3,311	0.9%

Source:  American Community Survey and Census 2000 DPI
*Not accounted for in 1980 or 1990 Census

Cost of Living

Paychecks go further in the Fox Cities as the area boasts a very affordable cost of living. An example fo this is the average sale price for closed residential properties in the Fox Cities.

Sales of Single-Family Homes in Fox Cities Area - 2006

Area	Average Selling Price
City of Appleton	$153,953
City of Kaukauna	$125,624
City of Menasha	$126,151
City of Neenah	$149,131
Village of Combined Locks	$170,971
Village of Hortonville	$182,474
Village of Kimberly	$130,747
Village of Little Chute	$130,983
Village of Sherwood	$217,036
Town of Buchanan	$179,704
Town of Clayton	$350,821
Town of Grand Chute	$191,571
Town of Greenville	$196,679
Town of Harrison	$201,088
Town of Kaukauna	$173,883
Town of Menasha	$162,085
Town of Neenah	$235,645
Town of Vandenbroek	$218,525
Fox Cities Average	$183,171

Source: "This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the REALTORS Association of Northeast Wisconsin or its MLS for the period of 010106-123106(2006). Neither the Association nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or its MLS may not reflect allreal estate activity in the defined markets".

Information from Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce
 

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