Compare towns
Appleton vs Wilder 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%).
Liberty has the most kids (19.4% under 18).
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 | Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,360 |
3,087Highest |
969Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+81.7%Highest 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. |
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% |
19.4%±4.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Liberty and Appleton 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% |
21.8%±2.8Lowest 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% |
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% |
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±$9kHighest 7% below U.S. |
$71,146±$15k 12% below U.S. |
| Wilder and Liberty 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±$18kHighest 18% below U.S. |
$229,600±$31kLowest 31% below U.S. |
| Wilder and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,104±$82 22% below U.S. |
$1,142±$451Highest 19% below U.S. |
$559±$193Lowest 60% below U.S. |
| Wilder and Appleton 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. |
$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% |
38.5%±42.4Lowest 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%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% |
84.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1983 3 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. |
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% |
14.4%±8.8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Liberty and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Appleton Public Schools | — | RSU 03/MSAD 03 |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 6 photos → | 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.