Hunt & Live

Outagamie County, WI

192,127 residents · 638 sq mi · 301.3/sq mi · 25% rural

Climate
45.1°F
33" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 1.64
Hardiness
Zone 6b
Winter low ~-0.6°F

About Outagamie County

Outagamie County is a county in the Fox Cities region of the U.S. state of Wisconsin, in the northeast of the state. As of the 2020 census, the population was 190,705. Its county seat is Appleton.

43
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #1989 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area offers a mix of rural and suburban environments, with a population density of 301.3 people per square mile. The climate features an annual mean temperature of 45.1°F, with a growing season typical for USDA zone 6b. Rainfall averages 33 inches per year, which supports diverse agriculture, though the cold winters with lows around 9.4°F can be challenging for year-round growing. Water availability is adequate due to the humid climate, but self-sufficient living may require careful planning for winter months.

This county faces notable natural hazards, particularly cold waves (ranked 96) and winter weather (ranked 78), which can limit outdoor activities and agricultural productivity during colder months. Hail and tornado risks are also significant, with ranks of 93 and 87 respectively. While the violence percentile is low at 12/100, indicating a safer environment, the overall disaster percentile of 80/100 suggests a higher risk of natural events. The median home price of $224,100 may be a barrier for some, but the median household income is relatively strong at $78,705.

Outagamie County may suit those who appreciate a mix of rural charm and suburban amenities, particularly individuals or families who can adapt to seasonal challenges and are prepared for colder climates. Homesteaders looking for a vibrant community with adequate resources may thrive here. However, those seeking a more remote or low-disaster risk location might find this area less appealing due to its higher disaster rankings and winter weather challenges.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Ranked #2,118 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#64 of 72 in WI
Ranked #64 of 72 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: cold wave
FEMA ranks cold wave risk at 96/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Urban: 301/sqmi
Densely populated at 301 people per square mile.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 45.1°F annual mean and 33.0" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 6b.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $224,100.

Score Breakdown

Violence
4
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
80
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
87
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
79.7
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 96
Earthquake 29
Hail 93
Hurricane 18
Heat Wave 71
Riverine Flood 77
Ice Storm 60
Landslide 37
Lightning 91
Strong Wind 70
Tornado 87
Wildfire 27
Winter Weather 78

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
81.1°F
Winter low
9.4°F
Heating degree days
7,706
Cooling degree days
482

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$224,100
Median HH income
$78,705
Price to income
2.8×
Property tax rate
1.55%
~$3,481/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
38.5
Homeownership
71.5%
Poverty rate
6.9%
Unemployment
3.1%

Connectivity

Broadband households
74.8%
No internet access
7.4%

Explore Outagamie County Further

Similar Counties

Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.