RANK #49 / 996 · POP 171,197 · WI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.5%
Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin's largest lake entirely within the state, anchors Winnebago County, a region known for its extensive trail systems and historical sites. Located in east-central Wisconsin, the county seat, Oshkosh, is approximately 80 miles north of Milwaukee. The community offers a blend of urban amenities and natural scenery, with nearly a quarter of the county covered by scenic waterways. Commutes are generally short, with an average travel time of 19.4 minutes for residents. Outdoor recreation opportunities include hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and in winter, ice fishing and skating.
Winnebago County offers a quality of life that attracts families and individuals, with highly rated public schools, including the Neenah Joint School District and Oshkosh Area School District. The economy is supported by a diverse range of sectors, with manufacturing being the largest industry. Recent economic developments include a $4.5 million Revolving Loan Fund approved by the county to support housing developments, aiming to attract new families and sustain local businesses. Additionally, projects like the Mill on Main multi-family unit in Oshkosh are adding new housing options to the area.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Winnebago County has a Boom Town Index score of 95/100, ranking #49 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.8% and a median household income of $70,041, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Winnebago County is $190,600 with median rent at $880/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3675, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.8%. Home values changed +5.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.7% of Winnebago County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.