Compare towns
Appleton vs Wilder vs Hope vs Liberty
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Appleton has the oldest population (median age 49.2).
Wilder has grown the fastest since 2010 (+81.7%).
Hope has the most expensive homes ($373k median).
Liberty has the youngest population (median age 40.5).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Appleton | Wilder | Hope | Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,360 |
3,087Highest |
1,748 |
969Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+81.7%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.2±7.4Highest 26% above U.S. |
45.5±8.9 17% above U.S. |
44.6±3.1 15% above U.S. |
40.5±6.8Lowest 4% above U.S. |
| Appleton and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.3%±2.7 U.S.: 22% |
11.8%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23.3%±5.4Highest U.S.: 22% |
19.4%±4.6 U.S.: 22% |
| Hope and Liberty are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26.1%±9.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
27.3%±4.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.1%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.8%±2.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Wilder and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
60.2%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
47.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
43.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±2.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
8.1%±3.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.1%±1.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
0.4%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Wilder and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $53,618±$19kLowest 34% below U.S. |
$75,143±$9k 7% below U.S. |
$86,766±$6kHighest 7% above U.S. |
$71,146±$15k 12% below U.S. |
| Hope and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $235,600±$33k 29% below U.S. |
$273,200±$18k 18% below U.S. |
$373,400±$33kHighest 12% above U.S. |
$229,600±$31kLowest 31% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,104±$82 22% below U.S. |
$1,142±$451 19% below U.S. |
$1,219±$182Highest 14% below U.S. |
$559±$193Lowest 60% below U.S. |
| Hope and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588 15% above U.S. |
$5,505Highest 76% above U.S. |
$3,842 23% above U.S. |
$2,434Lowest 22% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 85.4%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
39.9%±17.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
37.8%±38.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
38.5%±42.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Appleton and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
9.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
14.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
62.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
84.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1983 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
1991Highest 11 yrs newer than U.S. |
1981Lowest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 14% above U.S. |
17 minLowest 37% below U.S. |
20 min 25% below U.S. |
38 minHighest 45% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.1%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.6%±6.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
18.3%±10.2Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.4%±8.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Hope and Liberty are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Appleton Public Schools | — | Hope Public Schools | RSU 03/MSAD 03 |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 6 photos → | None yet | None yet |
U.S. average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.