Fond Du Lac County

Fond du Lac County is located in east-central Wisconsin at the southern end of Lake Winnebago, roughly midway between Green Bay and Milwaukee. Established in 1836 during Wisconsin’s territorial period, it developed as an agricultural and market region linked to lake and rail transportation corridors. The county is mid-sized, with a population of about 104,000 (2020 U.S. Census). Fond du Lac is the county seat and the principal urban center, while most of the county remains rural, characterized by farmland, small towns, and dispersed residential areas. The landscape includes glacially formed plains, river corridors, and shoreline environments associated with Lake Winnebago. The local economy combines manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and service industries with a significant agricultural base, including dairy and crop production. Cultural life reflects a mix of small-city amenities and rural community institutions typical of eastern Wisconsin.

Fond du Lac County is located in east-central Wisconsin at the southern end of Lake Winnebago, with the City of Fond du Lac serving as the county seat. For local government and planning resources, visit the Fond du Lac County official website.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin), Fond du Lac County had:

• Population (2020): 104,154
• Population estimate (2023): 104,604

Age & Gender

According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, the county’s age and sex profile includes:

Age distribution (share of total population)

• Under 5 years: 5.4%
• Under 18 years: 22.1%
• 65 years and over: 19.0%

Gender (sex)

• Female persons: 50.1%
• Male persons: 49.9%
  This corresponds to roughly 100 males per 100 females (based on the reported shares).

Racial & Ethnic Composition

According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, the county’s racial and ethnic composition includes:

Race (alone, percent)

• White: 89.5%
• Black or African American: 1.3%
• American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.6%
• Asian: 1.2%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.0%
• Two or More Races: 5.2%

Ethnicity

• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 4.0%

Household & Housing Data

According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, key household and housing indicators include:

• Persons per household: 2.42
• Owner-occupied housing unit rate: 75.2%
• Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $199,400
• Median gross rent: $933
• Households with a computer: 92.3%
• Households with a broadband internet subscription: 86.5%

Fond du Lac County’s mix of small cities (Fond du Lac) and rural townships creates uneven digital communication conditions, with service quality and last‑mile buildout typically more constrained outside denser areas.

Direct county-level email-usage rates are not routinely published; email adoption is commonly proxied using household internet/broadband subscription and computer availability from the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov) and related American Community Survey tables.

Digital access indicators (proxy for email access)

County and tract estimates from ACS cover:

• Broadband internet subscription (availability and adoption proxy)
• Computer access (desktop/laptop/tablet, affecting ease of email use)

Age distribution and email adoption

ACS age distributions (share of older adults vs. working-age residents) inform likely email uptake patterns, since older age groups tend to have lower overall digital adoption than younger adults in national surveys. Age structure for the county is available via ACS demographic profiles.

Gender distribution

Gender composition is measurable in ACS, but it is typically a weaker predictor of email adoption than age and household connectivity.

Connectivity and infrastructure limitations

Rural broadband gaps and speed limitations are characterized in FCC National Broadband Map coverage data and state broadband planning resources such as the Wisconsin Public Service Commission broadband program.

Fond du Lac County is located in east-central Wisconsin along the southern end of Lake Winnebago, with the City of Fond du Lac as the largest population center and extensive rural towns and farmland elsewhere. The county’s mix of a small urban core, low-density rural areas, and varied land cover near the lake can influence mobile connectivity primarily through tower spacing and in-building signal strength, with rural areas generally requiring larger cell sites and experiencing more coverage variability than denser city blocks.

Key distinction: network availability vs. adoption

Network availability describes where mobile broadband service is reported to be technically available (coverage). Adoption describes whether residents actually subscribe to and use mobile service (household/device take-up). Availability and adoption do not always align due to price, device access, digital skills, and preferences for fixed home internet.

Mobile access and penetration indicators (adoption)

County-level “mobile penetration” is not typically published as a single metric, but several public datasets provide adoption-related indicators:

• Households with cellular data plans / smartphone access (survey-based): The most directly comparable local adoption indicators usually come from U.S. Census Bureau survey products that report technology and internet subscription characteristics. County-level detail depends on the specific table and release. The most relevant sources are the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) and related technology tables published through the Census platform. See the U.S. Census Bureau’s main portal at Census.gov and the ACS program documentation at American Community Survey (ACS).
  Limitation: Not all mobile-specific measures (for example, “smartphone-only households”) are consistently available at county geography in every release/table, and margins of error can be sizable for smaller subpopulations.

• Internet subscription type (mobile vs. fixed) indicators: ACS “types of internet subscription” tables are commonly used to estimate the share of households relying on mobile broadband versus fixed broadband. These data represent household adoption, not coverage. See ACS internet subscription guidance on Census computer and internet use.
  Limitation: Estimates are self-reported and reflect household circumstances during the survey period rather than real-time subscription changes.

• School-age connectivity signals (indirect): Public education and state broadband planning documents sometimes report device and connectivity access challenges for students, but these are generally not comprehensive measures of countywide mobile adoption. Wisconsin broadband planning resources are typically coordinated through the state’s broadband office presence and publications, which are accessible via Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC).
  Limitation: These materials often focus on program populations and may not be representative of the full county.

Network availability (coverage): 4G/5G and where it is reported

Public coverage reporting for mobile networks is available through federal mapping and carrier-reported datasets.

• FCC broadband maps (reported mobile broadband availability): The FCC’s national broadband map provides location-based and area-based views of reported mobile broadband availability, including technology generations where reported. See the FCC National Broadband Map.
  How to use for Fond du Lac County: The map can be used to view coverage layers and compare providers across the county, including the city area versus rural townships.
  Limitation: FCC coverage is based on provider filings and model assumptions; real-world performance varies with congestion, device capability, terrain/buildings, and indoor vs. outdoor conditions.

• 4G LTE availability: In Wisconsin counties such as Fond du Lac, 4G LTE is generally the baseline mobile broadband layer across populated corridors and towns, with gaps more likely in sparsely populated or heavily vegetated areas and in indoor locations with attenuating building materials. The FCC map is the authoritative public reference for reported availability at specific locations.

• 5G availability (varies by provider and band): 5G deployment tends to be most consistent in and around the City of Fond du Lac and along major transportation corridors, with more variable reach in rural parts of the county. Publicly comparable, location-specific coverage representations are available via the FCC map and provider coverage viewers.
  Limitation: Public datasets often do not cleanly separate “low-band” vs. “mid-band” vs. “high-band/mmWave” 5G at a county summary level, and “5G available” does not imply consistent high speeds everywhere within the coverage footprint.

Mobile internet usage patterns (adoption and practical use)

Public sources typically measure subscription and general internet use, while fine-grained usage patterns (data consumption, app categories, time-of-day usage) are generally held by carriers or commercial analytics providers and not published at county granularity.

Common, measurable patterns at the county level are generally captured as:

• Household reliance on mobile vs. fixed broadband (ACS subscription types): indicates whether mobile service functions as the primary household internet connection for some residents.
• Mobile use as a supplement to fixed broadband: common in mixed urban–rural counties where fixed options vary by neighborhood; this is generally not quantified in a single public county statistic, but appears indirectly where fixed broadband adoption lags reported availability.

Clear separation:

• Availability: assessed via FCC coverage mapping (FCC National Broadband Map).
• Adoption: assessed via survey-based household subscription measures (ACS), where county estimates are available.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

At the county level, public datasets rarely provide a definitive breakdown of device types (smartphones vs. tablets vs. hotspots) as a share of all connected devices. The most common public proxy measures are:

• Presence of a cellular data plan in the household and internet subscription type (ACS-based measures) rather than direct device inventories.
• “Smartphone-only” or “mobile-only” households (where available in Census/ACS technology tables) as an indicator of households that depend on smartphones for internet access.

Limitation: Device mix (smartphone vs. dedicated hotspot vs. connected laptop/tablet) is not consistently published at county scale in an official statistical series; carrier and market research datasets typically cover this but are not standard public references for county profiles.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Several structural factors shape both coverage and adoption in Fond du Lac County:

• Population distribution (urban core vs. rural towns): The City of Fond du Lac and nearby higher-density areas support more cell sites and typically better capacity. Rural areas with lower population density often have fewer towers per square mile, affecting indoor coverage and peak-hour performance.

• Transportation corridors and lake influence: Major roads often receive stronger and more continuous coverage due to demand and siting patterns. The Lake Winnebago shoreline includes both populated areas and open spaces; coverage near water can be strong along developed shorelines but variable inland depending on tower placement and local clutter.

• Income and age structure (adoption drivers): Household income and age correlate with smartphone ownership and mobile broadband subscription in national and state-level research, and county-level adoption indicators are often interpreted through ACS socioeconomic variables. The ACS is the primary public source for these county demographic characteristics: American Community Survey (ACS).
  Limitation: These relationships are well established in broader statistics, but precise county-specific causal attribution is not directly measured in public datasets.

• Housing and building characteristics (in-building signal): Older building materials, metal siding, energy-efficient windows, and certain commercial structures can reduce indoor signal levels, influencing perceived service even where outdoor availability is reported.

Primary public sources for Fond du Lac County connectivity documentation

• Reported mobile broadband availability and provider coverage: FCC National Broadband Map
• Household adoption indicators (internet subscription types, demographic context): American Community Survey (ACS) and Census computer and internet use
• Wisconsin broadband planning and statewide context: Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC)
• Local context and planning references: Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin official website

Data limitations (county level)

• No single official public dataset provides a comprehensive “mobile penetration rate” for Fond du Lac County analogous to national mobile subscription statistics.
• FCC coverage data represents reported availability, not guaranteed indoor service quality or real-world throughput.
• County-level device-type breakdowns (smartphones vs. hotspots vs. tablets) are not consistently available in official statistics; public sources rely on household subscription proxies rather than device inventories.
• Detailed mobile usage behavior (data volumes, app usage, congestion by hour) is generally proprietary and not published as a county profile in official datasets.

Fond du Lac County is in east‑central Wisconsin at the southern end of Lake Winnebago, anchored by the City of Fond du Lac and smaller communities such as Ripon. The county sits within the broader Fox Valley/Winnebago region and has an economy shaped by manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and service employment, alongside strong local sports and community‑event culture—factors that typically correlate with routine Facebook use for community information, as well as steady YouTube use for entertainment and how‑to content.

User statistics (penetration/active use)

• County-level social media penetration figures are not published in a standardized, publicly accessible way by major survey organizations; most reputable datasets report at the national or state level rather than by county.
• As a benchmark for Fond du Lac County residents, national survey estimates are commonly used:
  • Adults using at least one social media site: ~70% (U.S. adults). Source: Pew Research Center: Americans’ Social Media Use.
  • YouTube use (often treated as a social platform in survey reporting): ~83% of U.S. adults. Source: Pew Research Center social media fact sheet.
• Interpreting these benchmarks for Fond du Lac County is generally consistent with county characteristics (mid-sized metro/rural mix, broad smartphone access), but the figures above are national references rather than county measurements.

Age group trends

National patterns from large-sample surveys are the most reliable proxy for age trends likely to apply in Fond du Lac County:

• 18–29: highest intensity and breadth of platform use across most major networks.
• 30–49: high overall use; often strong for Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and messaging.
• 50–64: majority use; typically more concentrated on Facebook and YouTube.
• 65+: lowest overall adoption but substantial Facebook presence relative to other platforms.
  Source: Pew Research Center age-by-platform usage.

Gender breakdown

• Major national surveys show modest gender differences by platform rather than stark differences in overall social media use.
• Commonly reported patterns:
  • Women: higher usage on visually oriented and social-connection platforms (often higher on Instagram and Pinterest in Pew reporting).
  • Men: relatively higher usage on some discussion/video/game-adjacent platforms (often higher on Reddit and YouTube in Pew reporting). Source: Pew Research Center platform demographics.

Most-used platforms (percentages where available; benchmarked to U.S. adults)

The following are widely cited national adult usage estimates that serve as a practical reference point:

• YouTube: ~83%
• Facebook: ~68%
• Instagram: ~47%
• Pinterest: ~35%
• TikTok: ~33%
• LinkedIn: ~30%
• X (formerly Twitter): ~22%
• Snapchat: ~27%
• Reddit: ~27%
  Source: Pew Research Center: Americans’ Social Media Use (platform shares).

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

• Community-information use (Facebook): In county settings with strong local institutions (schools, municipal services, churches, civic groups), Facebook commonly functions as a high-reach channel for announcements, event promotion, buy/sell activity, and local news sharing. This aligns with Facebook’s broad reach among adults in Pew data. Source: Pew Research Center on Facebook’s reach.
• Video-first consumption (YouTube/TikTok): YouTube’s very high penetration supports frequent “search + watch” behavior (how‑to, product reviews, local interest content). TikTok skews younger and tends to concentrate engagement into longer sessions driven by algorithmic feeds. Source: Pew platform usage and age patterns.
• Platform “stacking” by age: Younger adults typically maintain multi-platform routines (Instagram + TikTok + Snapchat + YouTube), while older adults more often rely on fewer platforms (commonly Facebook + YouTube). Source: Pew Research Center age distribution across platforms.
• Messaging and groups as high-engagement modes: Across platforms, private or semi-private spaces (Messenger, Facebook Groups, community pages, group chats) commonly generate higher repeat engagement than public posting, particularly for local communities. This is consistent with broader findings that social media use centers on social connection and information sharing rather than frequent public posting for many users. Source: Pew Research Center internet and technology research.

Fond du Lac County maintains family-related vital records through the Fond du Lac County Register of Deeds (Vital Records), including birth, death, marriage, and domestic partnership records. Adoption records are generally handled through the Wisconsin court system and state agencies rather than the county vital records office, and access is restricted.

Public-facing databases for “family and associates” commonly include property and land records and court case indexes. The Register of Deeds provides recorded document services and indexing for real estate instruments (Fond du Lac County Register of Deeds). Wisconsin circuit court case information is available via the statewide portal (Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA)), including Fond du Lac County case listings where permitted by law.

Access to certified vital records is available in person or by request through the Register of Deeds office; record types, identification requirements, fees, and application methods are published by the county (Fond du Lac County Vital Records). Many recorded land documents are searchable through the county’s land records resources (Fond du Lac County Land Records).

Privacy restrictions apply to vital records under Wisconsin law, including limits on who may obtain certified copies and time-based confidentiality rules. Adoption records and certain court matters (juvenile, guardianship details, sealed cases) are not publicly accessible.

Types of records available

Marriage records

• Marriage licenses and certificates: Issued by the Fond du Lac County Clerk and returned after the ceremony for recording. County-level records typically include the license application details and the recorded certificate of marriage.
• State marriage records: Wisconsin maintains statewide marriage data through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Vital Records.

Divorce records

• Divorce case files and judgments: Maintained by the Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court as part of the circuit court case record. Wisconsin uses “judgment of divorce” terminology for the final court order.
• State divorce records: Wisconsin DHS Vital Records maintains divorce certificate data (a vital record index/certificate, distinct from the full court case file).

Annulment records

• Annulment case files and judgments: Also maintained by the Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court as circuit court records. Annulments are civil court actions and are recorded similarly to divorces in the court record system.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Fond du Lac County (local filing)

• Marriage licenses/certificates: Filed and recorded with the Fond du Lac County Clerk (registering the marriage after the officiant returns the completed license).
• Divorce and annulment case records: Filed with the Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court.

Wisconsin statewide access points

• Wisconsin DHS Vital Records: Issues certified copies of eligible vital records (including marriage and divorce certificates) under state rules.
• Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (CCAP): Provides online public access to basic case docket information for many circuit court cases, including parties, case number, filings, and court events. It is not a substitute for certified copies of judgments or complete case files.
  • Link: Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA)
• Wisconsin Vital Records (DHS): Statewide ordering and program information.
  • Link: Wisconsin DHS Vital Records

Access methods (typical)

• Certified copies: Obtained from Wisconsin DHS Vital Records and, for some records, from the local county office that recorded the event.
• Court documents (judgments, findings, full file): Obtained from the Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court, subject to public-record and court-rule limits; copies are typically provided upon request and payment of applicable fees.
• Online docket viewing: Through CCAP/WCCA for public case summaries and register of actions.

Typical information included in these records

Marriage license/certificate records (common elements)

• Full names of both parties (including maiden name where applicable)
• Date and place of marriage (county/municipality)
• Ages and/or dates of birth
• Residences at time of application
• Names of parents (often including mother’s maiden name)
• Officiant name/title and date of ceremony
• Witness information (where recorded)
• License number, filing/recording date, and issuing authority

Divorce judgment/case file (common elements)

• Names of parties and case number
• Filing date and venue (circuit court/county)
• Judgment date and findings/orders, which may include:
  • Legal dissolution of marriage
  • Legal name changes granted
  • Legal custody and physical placement determinations
  • Child support and maintenance (spousal support) orders
  • Property division and allocation of debts
• Related filings may include financial disclosure forms and affidavits, subject to confidentiality rules and redaction practices

Annulment judgment/case file (common elements)

• Names of parties and case number
• Legal basis for annulment and the court’s findings
• Judgment date and orders addressing status, property, support, and minor children (where applicable)

Privacy and legal restrictions

• Vital records access restrictions: Wisconsin law restricts access to certain vital records. Certified copies may be limited to eligible requesters and uses, depending on record type and age. Non-certified informational copies may have different availability rules.
• Court record public access limits:
  • Court case dockets are generally public, but specific documents can be sealed or confidential by statute or court order.
  • Records involving minors, certain family-law reports, and sensitive personal data may be protected or redacted.
  • Wisconsin courts apply privacy protections that limit display of certain information in public-facing systems (including CCAP/WCCA) and require redaction of protected identifiers in filed documents.
• Identity verification: Requests for certified vital records generally require proof of identity and payment of statutory fees.
• Certified vs. informational copies: A certified copy is an official record suitable for legal purposes; informational copies, where available, may be marked as non-certified and not valid for legal identification or legal proceedings.

Fond du Lac County is in east-central Wisconsin at the southern end of Lake Winnebago, with the City of Fond du Lac as the county seat and principal population center. The county includes a mix of small cities and villages (Fond du Lac, Waupun, Ripon, North Fond du Lac) and extensive rural/agricultural townships. Recent county population is on the order of ~100,000 residents, with most growth and services concentrated along the US‑41 corridor and around Lake Winnebago.

Education Indicators

Public schools and school names

Fond du Lac County’s K–12 public education is delivered through multiple districts (not a single countywide system). A complete, authoritative count of “public schools in the county” varies by how campuses are defined (elementary/middle/high, charter, and alternative programs). The most reliable way to view the current roster and school names by district is through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) directory and district report cards:

• Wisconsin DPI district/school directory: Wisconsin DPI (directory/report-card navigation)
• Wisconsin School Report Cards (district and school profiles, including graduation and staffing): Wisconsin School Report Cards

Major public districts serving the county include:

• Fond du Lac School District (Fond du Lac)
• Waupun Area School District (Waupun)
• Ripon Area School District (Ripon)
• North Fond du Lac School District (North Fond du Lac)
• Campbellsport School District (Campbellsport)
• Oakfield School District (Oakfield)
• Rosendale-Brandon School District (Rosendale/Brandon)
• Lomira School District (Lomira)
• (Portions of other districts may extend into the county depending on boundary lines)

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratios: District ratios vary; countywide ratios are not typically published as a single statistic. Wisconsin K–12 ratios commonly fall in the mid‑teens students per teacher, and district staffing levels are published in DPI report cards for each district/school. Source: Wisconsin School Report Cards.
• Graduation rates: Graduation rates are reported at the district and high‑school level through DPI. Fond du Lac County districts generally track near the state’s typical range (often high‑80% to low‑90% for 4‑year graduation), with year-to-year variation by district and cohort. Source: Wisconsin School Report Cards.

Adult educational attainment

County adult attainment is consistently available from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). The most recent ACS 5‑year profile typically reports:

• High school diploma (or higher), age 25+: around 90%+ (county-level values in Wisconsin commonly exceed 90%).
• Bachelor’s degree or higher, age 25+: commonly in the mid‑20% range for similarly situated counties (varies by year and commuting ties to larger labor markets).

Primary source for the latest county estimates:

• U.S. Census Bureau ACS county profiles: data.census.gov (search “Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin educational attainment”).

Notable programs (STEM, vocational training, AP)

Program availability varies by district and high school. Common offerings in Fond du Lac County districts (documented in district course catalogs and DPI-report-card “College and Career Readiness” indicators) include:

• Career and Technical Education (CTE)/vocational pathways aligned to regional manufacturing, construction trades, health sciences, and business.
• Advanced Placement (AP) and/or dual credit options at larger high schools (availability varies by district size).
• STEM courses and career pathways (often integrated with CTE and Project Lead The Way–type sequences where adopted locally).

Regional postsecondary and workforce training is a major component of the county’s skills pipeline through the Wisconsin Technical College System:

• Moraine Park Technical College (serving the Fond du Lac region): Moraine Park Technical College.

School safety measures and counseling resources

Publicly documented school safety practices in Wisconsin districts generally include:

• Required emergency operations plans, drills, and coordination with local law enforcement and emergency management, as reflected in district safety policies and state guidance.
• Student services and counseling staff (school counselors, psychologists, social workers) reported in staffing categories and district student-services pages; details vary by district.

State-level guidance and resources commonly referenced by districts include:

• Wisconsin DPI school safety resources: Wisconsin DPI School Safety.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

The most current official unemployment estimates are produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) series, available monthly and annually at the county level. Fond du Lac County unemployment in recent years has generally been low (often in the 2%–4% range depending on month/year), reflecting a manufacturing- and services-based economy with cyclical sensitivity.

• Source: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (county series for Fond du Lac County, WI).

Major industries and employment sectors

Fond du Lac County’s employment base is typically led by:

• Manufacturing (durable goods, metal fabrication, machinery/industrial products)
• Health care and social assistance
• Retail trade
• Educational services and public administration
• Construction and transportation/warehousing
• Agriculture (more prominent in land use and output than in total payroll employment)

Industry distribution and employment counts can be verified using:

• U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns: County Business Patterns
• ACS industry by occupation tables: data.census.gov.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational structure commonly reflects the county’s manufacturing and regional-service role, with notable shares in:

• Production occupations
• Office and administrative support
• Sales and related
• Transportation and material moving
• Healthcare practitioners/support
• Management and business occupations
• Construction and maintenance

County occupation estimates are reported through ACS:

• Source: ACS occupation tables on data.census.gov.

Commuting patterns and mean commute times

Fond du Lac County commuting is shaped by:

• A regional labor market with links to Oshkosh/Appleton (Fox Valley), Milwaukee exurbs, and Madison in smaller volumes.
• A mix of local employment in Fond du Lac/Waupun/Ripon and out-commuting along US‑41 and WI‑23.

ACS typically reports:

• Mean travel time to work: commonly low‑to‑mid 20 minutes for counties of this size and geography in Wisconsin (county-specific value available in ACS).
• Primary mode: driving alone dominates; smaller shares carpool; limited public transit commuting at the county level.

Source:

• ACS commuting (travel time, mode) on data.census.gov.

Local employment vs out-of-county work

County-to-county worker flows are best measured using U.S. Census LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (LODES). Fond du Lac County generally shows:

• A substantial share of residents working within the county, especially in/near the City of Fond du Lac.
• Meaningful out-commuting to adjacent employment centers in Winnebago, Outagamie, Dodge, Washington, and Milwaukee counties.

Source:

• OnTheMap (LEHD/LODES commuting flows).

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

Fond du Lac County is predominantly owner-occupied, reflecting a mix of small-city and rural housing stock. Recent ACS estimates commonly place:

• Owner-occupied housing: roughly 70%+
• Renter-occupied housing: roughly under 30%

Source:

• ACS tenure (owner vs renter) on data.census.gov.

Median property values and recent trends

• Median home value (ACS “median value of owner-occupied housing units”) is available annually (ACS 5‑year). Values in Fond du Lac County have generally increased materially since 2020, consistent with statewide and national appreciation.
• For market-tracking (sale prices, time-on-market), widely used public-market summaries are produced by real estate research portals and local REALTOR associations; however, ACS remains the standard for consistent county medians.

Sources:

• ACS home value on data.census.gov
• Wisconsin housing market context (statewide dashboards and reports): Wisconsin DOA housing resources (for broader state reference).

Typical rent prices

ACS provides:

• Median gross rent (including utilities where applicable). Fond du Lac County rents have generally trended upward since 2020, aligned with regional patterns.

Source:

• ACS median gross rent on data.census.gov.

Types of housing

Housing supply is typically characterized by:

• Single-family detached homes as the dominant form, especially in villages, small-city neighborhoods, and rural townships.
• Apartments and multifamily concentrated in the City of Fond du Lac and other incorporated areas (Waupun, Ripon), including older small multifamily buildings and newer complexes near commercial corridors.
• Rural lots/farmsteads and lower-density residential along lake-adjacent and township roads.

ACS “units in structure” tables provide county shares by housing type:

• ACS housing structure tables on data.census.gov.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools or amenities)

• In the City of Fond du Lac and other municipalities, neighborhoods near major arterials and commercial nodes (grocery, health services, retail) tend to have higher rental shares and more multifamily units, while peripheral subdivisions and village-edge development tends to be more owner-occupied.
• Rural areas provide larger lots and agricultural adjacency, with longer drives to schools and services but strong access to highways for commuting.

Geographic context and local planning references:

• Fond du Lac County planning and maps: Fond du Lac County Planning.

Property tax overview (average rate and typical homeowner cost)

Wisconsin property taxes are primarily local (municipal/school/technical college/county levies) and vary significantly by municipality and school district. Countywide “average rate” is not a single fixed figure, but typical effective tax burdens in Wisconsin often fall around ~1.5%–2.0% of market value, with higher or lower rates depending on local levies and assessment practices. The most authoritative local sources are:

• Wisconsin Department of Revenue property tax and levy reports: Wisconsin DOR Property Tax
• Municipal and school-district levy information (often published in annual budgets and DOR summaries)

A practical “typical homeowner cost” is calculated as assessed value × local mill rate; the exact amount varies materially between the City of Fond du Lac, smaller municipalities, and rural townships due to differing levy structures and school district boundaries.