Appleton, MN

Minnesota

Appleton is a small town in Minnesota with a population of 1,360. Residents earn $40,117 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
1,360 Population 720/sq mi density
$40,117 Median Income $27,251 per capita
$71,300 Home Value $79,730 Zillow
$682 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
74 Violent Crime/100K 2,868 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$40,117 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$71,300 home value, $682/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
74 violent crimes/100K (81% below avg)
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,117
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $71,300
75% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 74/100K
81% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.6%
45% lower than US avg
Median Rent $682
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.7%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.0%
19% lower than US avg

How Appleton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,360
Median Age51.6 yrs
Density720/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 82%

Economy

B+
Median Income$40,117
Per Capita$27,251
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty10.0%
County GDP$336M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$71,300
Rent$682
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$79,730

Crime

F
Violent74/100K
Property2,868/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault74/100K
Burglary735/100K

Health

Obesity40.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.7%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI36 (Good)
Rain26.5 in/yr
Elevation1,006 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.6%
High School+92.2%
School Score6.08

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 34%
Commute29 min
Libraries2

Is Appleton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Appleton receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Appleton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Appleton is $40,117, 47% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. 10.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Appleton is $71,300, 75% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $682 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Appleton is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 74 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,868 per 100,000, 46% above the national average.

Education

18.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.1/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Appleton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 26.5 inches, including 43.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Appleton has a population of 1,360 with a density of 720 people per square mile. The median age is 51.6 years, 33% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.4%).

Population

1,360
Total Population
720
People / sq mi
51.6yrs
Median Age
33% above US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.1%
Female 47.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Appleton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.9%
16% above US avg
Spanish9.1%
32% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Appleton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Appleton is $40,117, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Appleton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,117
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,251
Avg Weekly Wage$1,026
IRS Avg AGI$68,920

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.0%
19% below US avg
Establishments (County)221
County GDP$336M

Business (County)

Restaurants18
Healthcare23
Retail25

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,260
35% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.17%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.2 min
Work from Home6.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Appleton is $71,300, 75% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $682 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $79,730.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$71,300
75% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$79,730

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$682
41% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$809
1 Bedroom$899
2 Bedrooms$1,125
3 Bedrooms$1,483
4 Bedrooms$1,698

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,260
35% below US avg
Effective Rate3.17%
In Appleton, 40.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.7% report depression. 27.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Appleton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.7%
27% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure31.6%
Asthma10.6%
COPD6.5%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.5%
Physical Inactivity27.5%
Depression26.7%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress13.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.7%
Checkup Rate71.7%
Premature Death8,304/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access6.9%
Healthcare Facilities23
Appleton has a violent crime rate of 74 per 100,000 residents, 81% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,868 per 100,000 (46% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Appleton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent73.5/100K
81% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault73.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,867.7/100K
46% above US avg
Burglary735.3/100K
Theft2,132.4/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Appleton has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 26.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average44.7°F
17% below US avg
January Average13°F (-11°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall26.5 inches
30% below US avg
Snowfall43.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,006 ft (307 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density720/sq mi
Coordinates45.1995°N, 96.0222°W
County FIPS27011
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 18.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 29.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.8%
D 34.2%

Winner: Republican by 29.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.6%
45% below US avg
High School+92.2%
School Test Score6.08
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density720/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities23
Restaurants18
Retail Stores25

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.2 min
Work from Home6.5%

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