View source for Appleton, Wisconsin

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Appleton, Wisconsin
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| image_skyline      = Downtown Appleton Skyline.jpg
| image_caption      = Downtown Appleton viewed from the [[Fox River (Green Bay tributary)|Fox River]]
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
| image_map          = Calumet County Wisconsin Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Appleton Highlighted.svg
| map_caption        = Location of Appleton in Outagamie, Calumet, and Winnebago counties, Wisconsin
| pushpin_map        = Wisconsin#USA
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| pushpin_label      = Appleton
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{Flag|Wisconsin}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Wisconsin|Counties]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Outagamie County, Wisconsin|Outagamie]], [[Calumet County, Wisconsin|Calumet]], [[Winnebago County, Wisconsin|Winnebago]]
| government_type    = [[Mayor-council government|Mayor–council]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Jake Woodford<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor's Office {{!}} Appleton, WI |url=https://www.appleton.org/government/mayor-s-office |website=www.appleton.org |access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>
| established_title  = Settled
| established_date   = 1847
| established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2  = 1853 (village)<br>1857 (city)
<!-- Area -->| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_55.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 65.49
| area_land_km2      = 64.20
| area_water_km2     = 1.29
| area_total_sq_mi   = 25.29
| area_land_sq_mi    = 24.79
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.50
| area_water_percent = 1.97
| area_urban_km2     = 
| area_urban_sq_mi   = 
| area_metro_km2     = 
| area_metro_sq_mi   = <!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_footnotes = <ref name="wwwcensusgov"/>
| population_total   = 75644<ref name=quick>{{cite web |title=QuickFacts Appleton city, Wisconsin; United States |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/appletoncitywisconsin,US/PST045219 |website=census.gov |access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = 1154.12
| population_density_sq_mi = 2989.15
| population_rank    = [[List of municipalities in Wisconsin by population|6th in Wisconsin]]
| population_note    = 
| population_metro   = 243,147 (US: [[List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas|194th]])
| population_urban   = 230,967 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|171st]])<ref name="urban area">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html|title=List of 2020 Census Urban Areas|website=census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref>
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 2,143.0
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| population_demonym = Appletonians<ref>{{cite web|title=Noisey Would Like to Invite This Kid Who Dabbed Through Graduation to Be Our Intern|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/dabbing-graduation-kid/|website=noisey|date=June 14, 2016 |publisher=Vice|access-date=July 7, 2017}}</ref>
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset         = −06:00
| timezone_DST       = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = −05:00
| coordinates        = {{coord|44|16|N|88|24|W|region:US-WI|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_ft       = 790
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = 54911, 54912, 54913, 54914, 54915, 54919
| area_code          = [[Area code 920|920]]
| website            = {{URL|www.appletonwi.gov}}
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 55-02375<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1560914<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
| blank_name_sec2    = Major airport
| blank_info_sec2    = [[Appleton International Airport]] (ATW)
| blank1_name_sec2   = Major Routes
| blank1_info_sec2   = [[File:I-41.svg|26px|link=Interstate 41]] [[File:US 10.svg|26px|link=U.S. Route 10 in Wisconsin]] [[File:US 41.svg|26px|link=U.S. Route 41 in Wisconsin]]
| blank2_name_sec2   = Public Transit
| blank2_info_sec2   = [[File:Valley Transit Updated Logo.png|50px|link=Valley Transit (Wisconsin)]]
| named_for          = [[Samuel Appleton (merchant)|Samuel Appleton]]
}}

'''Appleton''' ({{langx|mez|Ahkōnemeh}}) is the [[county seat]] of [[Outagamie County, Wisconsin]], United States, with small portions extending into [[Calumet County, Wisconsin|Calumet]] and [[Winnebago County, Wisconsin|Winnebago]] counties. Located on the [[Fox River (Green Bay tributary)|Fox River]] north of [[Lake Winnebago]], it is {{convert|30|mi}} southwest of [[Green Bay, Wisconsin|Green Bay]] and {{convert|100|mi}} north of [[Milwaukee]]. The city had a population of 75,644 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], making it the [[List of cities in Wisconsin|sixth-most populous city]] in Wisconsin. The Appleton [[metropolitan statistical area]] had 243,147 residents. Appleton is part of the broader [[Fox Cities]] region.

Appleton was founded in the mid-19th century and developed as a prominent industrial and educational hub, notably with the establishment of [[Lawrence University]] in 1847. Its economy has historically been anchored in [[Paper mill|paper manufacturing]] and has diversified into retail and healthcare, with [[St. Elizabeth Hospital (Appleton, Wisconsin)|St. Elizabeth Hospital]] and [[ThedaCare Regional Medical Center–Appleton]] in the city. It is a cultural center of the Fox River Valley, highlighted by institutions such as the [[Fox Cities Performing Arts Center]] and [[History Museum at the Castle]], which celebrates local heritage and figures like magician [[Harry Houdini]]. It also hosts regional events such as [[Beer festival|Octoberfest]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.octoberfestonline.org/|title=Octoberfest Appleton, WI|website=Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry|language=en|access-date=March 17, 2021}}</ref> and the [[Mile of Music]].

==History==

===Native American history===
[[File:1805-Appleton, Outagamie County, Wisconsin 1867-PRINT.jpg|alt=Appleton, Wisconsin - 1867|thumb|left|Appleton, Wisconsin – 1867<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tedsvintagemaps.com/products/appleton-wisconsin-1867-historical-map|title=Appleton, WI Historical Map - 1867|last=Ted's Vintage Art|website=Ted's Vintage Art|language=en|access-date=August 8, 2018}}</ref>]]

The territory where Appleton is today was formerly occupied by the [[Ho-Chunk]] and the [[Menominee]]. The Menominee Nation ceded the territory to the United States in the [[Treaty of the Cedars]] in 1836.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mpm.edu/content/wirp/ICW-108.html|title=Menominee Treaties and Treaty Rights|website=Indian Country Wisconsin|access-date=October 5, 2018}}</ref> In the Menominee language, Appleton is known as ''Ahkōnemeh'', or "watches for them place".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www4.uwsp.edu/museum/menomineeClans/places/chart.aspx|title=Menominee Place Names in Wisconsin|last=Hoffman|first=Mike|website=The Menominee Clans Story|access-date=October 5, 2018}}</ref>

The first European settlers in Appleton were fur traders seeking to do business with Fox River Valley [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. Hippolyte Grignon built the White Heron in 1835 to house his family and serve as an inn and trading post.<ref name="timeline">{{cite web | url = http://www.apl.org/history/ | title = History of Appleton | access-date = December 28, 2011 | date = June 1, 2011 | publisher = Appleton Public Library}}</ref>

===European settlement===
[[File:Wisconsin. Appleton Paper Mills-LCCN2008678245.jpg|thumb|left|Paper mills in Appleton, 1898]]

Appleton was settled in 1847. It was founded as three unincorporated villages along the Fox River. From south to north along the river, these were [[Grand Chute (ghost town), Wisconsin|Grand Chute]], Appleton, and [[Lawesburg, Wisconsin|Lawesburg]]. In 1853, the three were merged into the single incorporated Village of Appleton. John F. Johnston was the first resident and village president. [[Lawrence University]], also founded in 1847, was backed financially by [[Amos Adams Lawrence|Amos A. Lawrence]] and originally known as the Lawrence Institute. [[Samuel Appleton (merchant)|Samuel Appleton]], Lawrence's father-in-law from [[New England]] who never visited Wisconsin, donated $10,000 to the newly founded college library, and the town took his name in appreciation.<ref>Wineries of Wisconsin and Minnesota By Patricia Monaghan page 126</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.appleton.org/about|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324142830/http://www.appleton.org/about|title=Appleton.org &#124; City of Appleton, Wisconsin|archivedate=March 24, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=23738|title=Profile for Appleton, Wisconsin|publisher=[[ePodunk]]|access-date=June 20, 2010}}</ref>

The paper industry, beginning with the building of the first paper mill in the city in 1853, has been at the forefront of the development of Appleton. In order to provide electricity to the paper industry, the nation's first hydro-electric central station, the [[Vulcan Street Plant]] on the [[Fox River (Green Bay tributary)|Fox River]], began operation on September 30, 1882. The power plant also powered the [[Hearthstone Historic House Museum|Hearthstone House]], the first residence in the world powered by a centrally located [[hydroelectricity|hydroelectric]] [[Power station|station]] using the [[Thomas Edison|Edison]] system.<ref name="BeloitDaily">[http://www.beloitdailynews.com/articles/2005/12/15/news/news21.txt "Victorian Christmas"], ''[[Beloit Daily News]]'', December 15, 2005</ref>

Shortly thereafter, in August 1886, Appleton was the site for another national first, the operation of a commercially successful electric [[streetcar]] company. Electric lights replaced gas lamps on College Avenue in 1912. Appleton also had the first [[telephone]] in Wisconsin, and the first incandescent light in any city outside of the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Appleton [brief history&#93; |url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=15063&term_type_id=2&term_type_text=places&letter=a |access-date=January 18, 2014 |publisher=Wisconsinhistory.org |archive-date=January 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115094710/http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=15063&term_type_id=2&term_type_text=places&letter=a |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The community was incorporated as a city on March 2, 1857,<ref name="Wislaw">{{cite book |author = Wisconsin | title = Private and Local Laws Passed by the Legislature of Wisconsin in the Year 1857 | publisher = Calkins and Proudfit, Printers | year = 1857 | location = Madison, Wisconsin | pages = [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_U-IqAAAAIAAJ/page/n240 243]–283 | url = https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_U-IqAAAAIAAJ}}</ref> with Amos Story as its first mayor. Early in the 20th century, it adopted the [[city commission government|commission]] form of government. In 1890, 11,869 people lived in Appleton; in 1900, there were 15,085; in 1910, 16,773; in 1920, 19,571; and in 1940, 28,436.

Significant annexations to the city, taken from the [[Grand Chute, Wisconsin|Town of Grand Chute]], were performed in the next two decades. The first, the "Glendale" district, was completed on November 8, 1941, growing Appleton north past Glendale Avenue.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rumsey |first=John |date=December 21, 1950 |title=Annexation of New Wards Will Bring Problems, Benefits to City |pages=8 |work=The Post-Crescent |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98993884/annexation-of-new-wards-will-bring/ |access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref> Another became official on December 22, 1950, after multi-year disputes, when the unincorporated villages of [[Bell Heights, Appleton, Wisconsin|Bell Heights]] and [[Whispering Pines, Appleton, Wisconsin|Whispering Pines]] were annexed into the city from Grand Chute.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Rumsey |first=John |date=December 21, 1950 |title=City to Grow Quickly in Annexation Tonight |pages=1 |work=The Post-Crescent |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98993139/city-to-grow-quickly-in-annexation/ |access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref> Bell Heights added new area to the northwest edge of Appleton, and Whispering Pines, to the northeast, would include land where [[ThedaCare Regional Medical Center–Appleton|Appleton Memorial Hospital]] would later be built. Bell Heights and Whispering Pines increased the population of the city by ten percent, and its area by twenty percent, overnight.<ref name=":0" />

Appleton's tallest building, the [[222 Building (Appleton)|222 Building]] was built in 1952.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112227906/aid-association-for-lutherans-new-buildi/ |title=24,400 Tons of Building Rest on 271 Steel Piles |newspaper=The Post-Crescent |location=Appleton, WI |date=July 15, 1952 |access-date=October 29, 2022}}</ref> The [[Valley Fair Shopping Center]], built in 1954, laid claim to being the first enclosed shopping mall in the United States, although this claim is disputed by other malls. In 2007 most of the structure was demolished, leaving only its east wing and a movie theater. A [[Pick 'n Save]] Food Center now stands in its place.

From approximately 1930–1970, Appleton was a [[sundown town]]: [[black people]] were not allowed to stay overnight,<ref name="Loewen">{{cite book |last1=Loewen |first1=James |title=Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism |date=2006 |publisher=Touchstone |isbn=0743294483 |location=New York}}</ref> and none lived within its city limits by 1930.<ref name="Peeples" /> In 1936, the [[Institute of Paper Chemistry]] tried to hire the famous African-American chemist [[Percy Julian]], but could not figure out how to do this without running afoul of what was stated as "an arcane law on the City of Appleton's books".<ref name="FAnderson">{{cite book |author=Anderson, Frank |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V6cjCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT61 |title=Wicked Fox Cities: The Dark Side of the Valley |date=May 13, 2010 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=9781614230595}}</ref> A fight over Julian's employment ensued, and he was hired by [[Glidden (paints)|Glidden]] in Chicago instead.<ref name="Bowden">{{cite book |author=Bowden, Mary Ellen |url=https://archive.org/details/chemicalachiever0000bowd |title=Chemical Achievers: The Human Face of the Chemical Sciences |publisher=Chemical Heritage Foundation |year=1997 |isbn=0941901122 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/chemicalachiever0000bowd/page/109 109]–110 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name="FAnderson" /> Appleton's sundown status was largely [[de facto]] and not [[de jure]]; it stood by unwritten consensus and enforcement, such as by police strongly encouraging black people to leave town after dark.<ref name="Peeples">{{cite web | url=https://www.celebratediversityfoxcities.com/issues | title=Appleton was indeed a 'Sundown Town' | publisher=Celebrate Diversity Fox Cities | access-date=December 23, 2017 | author=Peeples, Scott}}</ref> A partial exception was made for opera singer [[Marian Anderson]] when she sang at Lawrence University in 1941; she was allowed to stay overnight in the Conway Hotel, but even then was not allowed to eat dinner in public.<ref name="CAnderson">{{cite news | url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/life/2014/10/19/lawrence-revisit-concert-marian-anderson/17445927/ | title=Lawrence to revisit 1941 concert of Marian Anderson | work=Post-Crescent | date=October 18, 2014 | access-date=December 23, 2017 | author=Anderson, Cheryl | location=Appleton, Wisconsin}}</ref>

Following the [[Flint water crisis]], a report of Wisconsin [[Rust Belt]] cities showed high levels of lead contamination in the water of Appleton, with children under the age of 1 testing positive for lead. With a state average of 1.9 per 100 for this age group, Appleton tested at 4.5 per 100 for the same age group.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pontiactribune.com/2017/01/lead-contamination-in-the-rust-belt-wisconsin/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102063926/http://pontiactribune.com/2017/01/lead-contamination-in-the-rust-belt-wisconsin/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 2, 2017 |title=LEAD CONTAMINATION IN THE "RUST BELT": WISCONSIN |quote=Appleton, WI is a city with a population of about 75,000 people. Testing was done on a local level by the Appleton City Health Department. The most disturbing numbers from Appleton is that of children under 1 testing positive for lead. With a state average of 1.9 per 100 for this age group, Appleton tested at 4.5 per 100 for the same demographic. |work=Pontiac Tribune |date=January 1, 2017 |access-date=February 17, 2022}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Appleton Locks 1-3 Historic District September 2013.jpg|thumb|Appleton Locks 1-3 along the [[Fox River (Green Bay tributary)|Fox River]]]]

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|24.82|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|24.33|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.49|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 25, 2012 }}</ref>

===Climate===
Appleton has a [[humid continental climate]] typical of Wisconsin. Summers are warm to hot and winters are rather cold in comparison. Precipitation is relatively moderate compared to other areas close to the [[Great Lakes]], which means lesser snowfall in winter than in many other cold areas.

A [[dew point]] of {{convert|90|°F|C}} was observed at Appleton at 5 p.m. on July 13, 1995. This is tied for the second [[Dew point#Extreme values|highest dew point]] ever observed in the United States and coincides with the [[1995 Chicago heat wave]].

Being inland from [[Lake Michigan]], Appleton is prone to temperature extremes. The hottest temperature recorded was {{convert|107|F|C}} during the 1936 [[Dust Bowl]] and the coldest was {{convert|-32|F|C}} in 1929.<ref name = nws/> The coldest maximum on record is {{convert|-20|F|C}} set in 1994 and the warmest minimum being {{convert|82|F|C}} in 1912.<ref name = nws/> On average, the coldest maximum temperature of the year during the normals between 1991 and 2020 was at a frigid {{convert|1|F|C}} and the warmest minimum averaged {{convert|73|F|C}}.<ref name = nws/>

{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Appleton, Wisconsin (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 56
|Feb record high F = 72
|Mar record high F = 83
|Apr record high F = 89
|May record high F = 95
|Jun record high F = 101
|Jul record high F = 107
|Aug record high F = 103
|Sep record high F = 101
|Oct record high F = 89
|Nov record high F = 75
|Dec record high F = 64
|year record high F = 107
|Jan avg record high F = 43.4
|Feb avg record high F = 47.4
|Mar avg record high F = 63.0
|Apr avg record high F = 76.1
|May avg record high F = 85.6
|Jun avg record high F = 90.8
|Jul avg record high F = 91.7
|Aug avg record high F = 90.1
|Sep avg record high F = 86.7
|Oct avg record high F = 77.7
|Nov avg record high F = 61.8
|Dec avg record high F = 47.7
|year avg record high F = 94.0
|Jan high F = 25.4
|Feb high F = 29.1
|Mar high F = 40.6
|Apr high F = 54.0
|May high F = 67.2
|Jun high F = 77.0
|Jul high F = 81.5
|Aug high F = 79.3
|Sep high F = 71.9
|Oct high F = 57.8
|Nov high F = 43.4
|Dec high F = 30.7
|year high F = 54.8
|Jan mean F = 17.7
|Feb mean F = 20.4
|Mar mean F = 31.4
|Apr mean F = 44.0
|May mean F = 56.8
|Jun mean F = 66.8
|Jul mean F = 71.4
|Aug mean F = 69.5
|Sep mean F = 61.3
|Oct mean F = 48.6
|Nov mean F = 35.5
|Dec mean F = 23.8
|year mean F = 45.6
|Jan low F = 10.0
|Feb low F = 11.7
|Mar low F = 22.1
|Apr low F = 33.9
|May low F = 46.4
|Jun low F = 56.6
|Jul low F = 61.3
|Aug low F = 59.8
|Sep low F = 50.8
|Oct low F = 39.3
|Nov low F = 27.6
|Dec low F = 16.8
|year low F = 36.4
|Jan avg record low F = -10.3
|Feb avg record low F = -7.3
|Mar avg record low F = 2.3
|Apr avg record low F = 19.2
|May avg record low F = 30.7
|Jun avg record low F = 41.6
|Jul avg record low F = 49.6
|Aug avg record low F = 47.0
|Sep avg record low F = 35.0
|Oct avg record low F = 24.6
|Nov avg record low F = 11.7
|Dec avg record low F = -2.9
|year avg record low F = -13.5
|Jan record low F = -30
|Feb record low F = -32
|Mar record low F = -21
|Apr record low F = 7
|May record low F = 23
|Jun record low F = 34
|Jul record low F = 41
|Aug record low F = 35
|Sep record low F = 25
|Oct record low F = 15
|Nov record low F = -7
|Dec record low F = -23
|year record low F = -32
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.36
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.13
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.92
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.24
|May precipitation inch = 3.64
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.65
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.78
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.58
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.18
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.84
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.07
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.76
|year precipitation inch = 33.15
|Jan snow inch = 12.6
|Feb snow inch = 11.2
|Mar snow inch = 7.2
|Apr snow inch = 4.0
|May snow inch = 0.1
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.3
|Nov snow inch = 2.4
|Dec snow inch = 11.6
|year snow inch = 49.4
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 9.2
|Feb precipitation days = 8.5
|Mar precipitation days = 9.2
|Apr precipitation days = 11.6
|May precipitation days = 11.9
|Jun precipitation days = 11.5
|Jul precipitation days = 11.1
|Aug precipitation days = 10.5
|Sep precipitation days = 9.8
|Oct precipitation days = 10.6
|Nov precipitation days = 8.8
|Dec precipitation days = 9.9
|year precipitation days = 122.6
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 8.2
|Feb snow days = 7.7
|Mar snow days = 5.0
|Apr snow days = 2.3
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.2
|Nov snow days = 2.8
|Dec snow days = 7.7
|year snow days = 34.0

|Jan snow depth inch = 10.1
|Feb snow depth inch = 10.2
|Mar snow depth inch = 7.6
|Apr snow depth inch = 2.2
|May snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jun snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0
|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0
|Sep snow depth inch = 0.0
|Oct snow depth inch = 0.1
|Nov snow depth inch = 1.3
|Dec snow depth inch = 7.4
|year snow depth inch = 13.8

|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name = nws>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=grb
| title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 14, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00470265&format=pdf
| title = Station: Appleton, WI
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 14, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 2345
|1870= 4518
|1880= 8005
|1890= 11869
|1900= 15085
|1910= 16773
|1920= 19561
|1930= 25267
|1940= 28436
|1950= 34010
|1960= 48411
|1970= 56377
|1980= 58913
|1990= 65695
|2000= 70087
|2010= 72623
|2020= 75644
|estyear= 
|estimate= 
|estref= 
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name=quick/>
}}
[[Image:Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah CSA.png|thumb|Location of the Appleton–Oshkosh–Neenah CSA and its components: {{legend|#FF0000|Appleton Metropolitan Statistical Area}} {{legend|#FFFF00|Oshkosh–Neenah Metropolitan Statistical Area}}
]]

Appleton is the principal city of the [[Fox Cities|Appleton–Oshkosh–Neenah CSA]], a [[Combined Statistical Area]] which includes the Appleton (Calumet and Outagamie counties) and Oshkosh–Neenah ([[Winnebago County, Wisconsin|Winnebago County]]) metropolitan areas,{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}} which had a combined population of 392,660 at the [[United States Census, 2010|2010 census]]<ref name=csa>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2010-2019/metro/totals/csa-est2019-annres.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019] U.S.Census. Retrieved November 23, 2021</ref> and an estimated population of 409,881 as of 2019.<ref name=csa/>

According to the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], 62,899 of the city's population lived in [[Outagamie County, Wisconsin|Outagamie County]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Census Bureau profile: Appleton city, Outagamie County, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Appleton%20city,%20Outagamie%20County,%20Wisconsin |access-date=November 5, 2024 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 11,304 lived in [[Calumet County, Wisconsin|Calumet County]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Census Bureau profile: Appleton city, Calumet County, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Appleton%20city,%20Calumet%20County,%20Wisconsin |access-date=November 5, 2024 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> and 1,441 lived in [[Winnebago County, Wisconsin|Winnebago County]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Census Bureau profile: Appleton city, Winnebago County, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Appleton%20city,%20Winnebago%20County,%20Wisconsin |access-date=November 5, 2024 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|census of 2020]],<ref name="2020-census-5502375">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census: Appleton city, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US5502375&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref> the city's population was 75,644. The [[population density]] was {{convert|3,051.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 31,747 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,280.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. Ethnically, the population was 7.3% [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race. When grouping both Hispanic and non-Hispanic people together by race, the city was 80.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 6.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 3.13% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.9% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.2% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 6.5% from two or more races.

The 2020 census population of the city included 1,275 people in student housing and 318 people incarcerated in adult correctional facilities.<ref name="2020-P5-5502375">{{cite web|title=Group Quarters Population, 2020 Census: Appleton city, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US5502375&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P5 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref>

According to the [[American Community Survey]] estimates for 2016–2020, the median income for a household in the city was $61,475, and the median income for a family was $76,791. Male full-time workers had a median income of $51,431 versus $41,564 for female workers. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $33,282. About 7.8% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="2020-EconChar-5502375">{{cite web|title=Selected Economic Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Appleton city, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US5502375&y=2020&d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Data%20Profiles&tid=ACSDP5Y2020.DP03 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref> Of the population age 25 and over, 92.6% were high school graduates or higher and 33.6% had a bachelor's degree or higher.<ref name="2020-SocChar-5502375">{{cite web|title=Selected Social Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Appleton city, Wisconsin |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US5502375&y=2020&d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Data%20Profiles&tid=ACSDP5Y2020.DP02 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the 2010 [[census]],<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=QuickFacts Appleton city, Wisconsin|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/appletoncitywisconsin,US/POP010210|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 2, 2021}}</ref> there were 72,623 people, 28,874 households, and 18,271 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2984.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 30,348 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1247.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 87.5% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.7% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.7% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 5.9% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.2% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 5.0% of the population.

There were 28,874 households, of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.7% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 35.3 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.7% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 11.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

===Hmong community===
{{see|Hmong in Wisconsin}}
Per the 2022 [[American Community Survey]] five-year estimates, the Hmong population was 2,965 comprising over 70% of the city's Asian population.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT5Y2022.B02018?q=B02018&g=160XX00US5502375|title=B02018 Total Asian Alone or in Any Combination Population – 2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates – Appleton, Wisconsin|date=July 1, 2022|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>

===Crime===
FBI crime statistics for 2019 list the crime rate (per 100,000 population) for Appleton as follows<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wisconsin |url=https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/tables/table-8/table-8-state-cuts/wisconsin.xls |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=FBI |language=en-us}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Crime || Appleton || Wisconsin<ref>{{Cite web |title=Table 5 |url=https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/tables/table-5 |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=FBI |language=en-us}}</ref>|| United States<ref>{{Cite web |title=Table 1 |url=https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/topic-pages/tables/table-1 |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=FBI |language=en-us}}</ref>
|-
| Violent crime
| style="text-align:right;"| 275.6
| style="text-align:right;"| 293.2
| style="text-align:right;"| 366.7
|-
| Murder
| style="text-align:right;"| 2.7
| style="text-align:right;"| 3
| style="text-align:right;"| 5
|-
| Forcible rape
| style="text-align:right;"| 42.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 38.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 42.6
|-
| Robbery
| style="text-align:right;"| 30.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 51.4
| style="text-align:right;"| 81.6
|-
| Aggravated assault
| style="text-align:right;"| 199.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 200
| style="text-align:right;"| 250.2
|-
| Property crime
| style="text-align:right;"| 1,435.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 1,471.4
| style="text-align:right;"| 2,109.9
|-
| Burglary
| style="text-align:right;"| 143.1
| style="text-align:right;"| 217.6
| style="text-align:right;"| 340.5
|-
| Larceny-theft
| style="text-align:right;"| 1,217.3
| style="text-align:right;"| 1,127
| style="text-align:right;"| 1,549.5
|-
| Motor vehicle theft
| style="text-align:right;"| 74.9
| style="text-align:right;"| 126.8
| style="text-align:right;"| 219.9
|}

==Economy==
[[File:Irving Zuelke Building.jpg|thumb|[[Zuelke Building]] on [[College Avenue Historic District (Appleton, Wisconsin)|College Avenue]]]]

As of 2020, the largest employers in the city were:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Annual Financial Report - 2020|url=https://www.appleton.org/home/showpublisheddocument/24107/637596135529230000|date=December 31, 2020|website=City of Appleton|access-date=September 11, 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Rank
! Employer
! # of employees
!Percentage of<br>total city employment
|-
| 1
|[[St. Elizabeth Hospital (Appleton, Wisconsin)|St. Elizabeth Hospital]]/[[Ascension (company)|Ascension Health]]
|5,172
|14%
|-
|2
|[[Thrivent Financial]]
|2,000
|5.4%
|-
|3
|[[Appleton Area School District]]
|1,918
|5.2%
|-
|4
|[[Miller Electric]]
|1,400
|3.8%
|-
|5
|[[ThedaCare Regional Medical Center–Appleton]]
|1,184
|3.2%
|-
|6
|[[Outagamie County, Wisconsin|Outagamie County]]
|1,147
|3.1%
|-
|7
|Appvion, Inc.
|1,000
|2.7%
|-
|8
|West Business Services
|1,000
|2.7%
|-
|9
|Valley Packaging Industries
|999
|2.7%
|-
|10
|[[Walmart]]
|725
|2%
|}

Corporations headquartered in Appleton include:
*[[ASP, Inc.]]
*[[Fleet Farm]]<ref>{{cite news |title=SECURA sells its longtime Appleton building to Fleet Farm |url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/2019/07/10/appleton-secura-sells-its-headquarters-building-fleet-farm/1682825001/ |access-date=July 12, 2019 |work=Post-Crescent Media |language=en}}</ref>
*[[John Birch Society]]
*[[Miller Electric]]

===Healthcare===
The city is served by two hospitals:
* [[ThedaCare Regional Medical Center–Appleton]]
* [[St. Elizabeth Hospital (Appleton, Wisconsin)|St. Elizabeth Hospital]]

==Arts and culture==
{{multiple image
 | direction = vertical
 | total_width = 230
 | image1 = TheHistoryMuseumAtTheCastleAppletonWI125.jpg
 | caption1 = [[History Museum at the Castle]]
 | image2 = FoxCitiesPerformingArtsCenter.jpg
 | caption2 = [[Fox Cities Performing Arts Center]]
}}

Appleton tourist attractions include the [[Hearthstone Historic House Museum]], the four-story mansion that was the first house in US to be powered by [[hydroelectricity]] at its completion in 1881.<ref name="timeline"/> The [[History Museum at the Castle]] contains exhibits on Fox River Valley history, including a gallery showcasing [[Edna Ferber]], a [[Harry Houdini]] exhibit, and other traveling exhibits. The [[J. B. Courtney Woolen Mills]] is a preserved site showcasing the area's historical manufacturing roots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://landmarkhunter.com/125773-j-courtney-woolen-mills/ |title=J. B. Courtney Woolen Mills|publisher=Landmark Hunter.com |accessdate=February 14, 2025 }}</ref>

The [[Fox Cities Exhibition Center]] is a prominent venue for conventions and events. The [[Fox Cities Performing Arts Center]] is a key location for performing arts, hosting a wide range of theater, musical, and dance performances. The [[Gardens of the Fox Cities]], a public botanical garden, showcases the seasonal beauty of plants and gardens in Wisconsin. The [[Trout Museum of Art]] features a variety of visual art exhibits, contributing to the region's cultural landscape.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cffoxvalley.org/loop/2024/01/22/embracing-art-and-community-trout-museum-of-arts-exciting-journey-to-a-new-home/ |title=Embracing Art and Community: Trout Museum of Art's Exciting Journey to a New Home - Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region |date=February 6, 2024 |access-date=February 14, 2025 |website=Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region }}</ref> The [[John Hart Whorton House]] is an example of local historic architecture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://landmarkhunter.com/148379-john-hart-whorton-house/ |title=John Hart Whorton House |publisher=Landmark Hunter.com |accessdate=February 14, 2025 }}</ref>

Houdini Plaza, on the corner of College Avenue and Appleton Street, has been referred to as the 'front yard' of downtown Appleton. It holds roughly 55 events each year, including summer concerts and part of the downtown [[Farmers' market|farmers market]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whoonew.com/2013/07/houdini-plaza/ |title=Houdini Plaza Opens At Last!–The New Face of Downtown Appleton [Infographic&#93; |publisher=Whoonew.com |date=July 10, 2013 |access-date=July 27, 2017}}</ref>

The Atlas Science Center, formerly Paper Discovery Center, was a [[museum]] and workshop center focused on [[papermaking]] and the history of the [[paper]] industry in the area.<ref name="about">{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://paperdiscoverycenter.org/general/about_us.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215122204/http://www.paperdiscoverycenter.org/general/about_us.shtml |archive-date=December 15, 2010 |access-date=March 18, 2011 |website=Paper Discovery Center}}</ref> It was first conceived in 1999 as part of the [[Paper Industry International Hall of Fame]], Inc.<ref>{{cite web |title=Paper Industry International Hall of Fame, Inc. |url=http://www.paperhall.org/ |access-date=March 18, 2011 |website=Paper Industry International Hall of Fame}}</ref> The [[Kimberly-Clark Corporation]] donated its former Atlas Mill on the [[Fox River (Green Bay tributary)|Fox River]] in Appleton to house the center, and after it was opened in February 2005, its programs included hands-on work experience, tours, and general information on [[papermaking]].<ref name="about" /><ref>{{cite web |date=January 6, 2011 |title=Science Summer Series at Paper Discovery Center |url=http://www.videomedio.com/science-summer-series-at-paper-discovery-center/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110042748/http://www.videomedio.com/science-summer-series-at-paper-discovery-center/ |archive-date=January 10, 2011 |access-date=March 18, 2011 |website=VideoMedio}}</ref> The center closed in November 2024 and donated its remaining assets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Zhen |title=Former Paper Discovery Center in Appleton closes, due to rising operational costs |url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/money/2024/11/04/appleton-atlas-science-center-former-paper-discover-center-closes/76050494007/ |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=The Post-Crescent |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:Fox Cities Stadium 2014.jpg|thumb|[[Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium]]]]

The city of Appleton has 24 neighborhood parks and four community parks in its park system. The neighborhood parks range in size from {{convert|2|acre}} to {{convert|16|acre}}, while the community parks range in size from {{convert|25|acre}} to {{convert|139|acre}}.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} [[Goodland Field]] is a historic site associated with local baseball, while the [[Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium]] serves as the home of the minor league [[Wisconsin Timber Rattlers]].

Memorial Park is the largest of the community parks, covering {{convert|139|acre}}. The park's facilities include: seven baseball/softball fields, playground equipment, an indoor ice skating rink, a sledding hill, a picnic pavilion, a catch-and-release fishing pond, grills, and a warming shelter.<ref>{{cite web |author=dminteractive.com |url=http://www.appleton.org/ |title=Official Site of the City of Appleton &#124; Appleton, WI |publisher=Appleton.org |access-date=January 18, 2014 |archive-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223074805/http://appleton.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The park provides a firework display for the Appleton community during the 4th of July holiday.

City Park, established in 1882, is the oldest park in the Appleton park system. The Trout Museum of Art uses the park for its ''Art in the Park'' showcase. The show features over 200 artists that attract over 25,000 art enthusiasts annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.triviaasylum.com/parks/city/city.htm |title=Appleton, Wisconsin Parks and Places - City Park |publisher=Triviaasylum.com |date=August 2, 1996 |access-date=January 18, 2014}}</ref> Pierce Park is the site of weekly Appleton City Band concerts held during the summer, and of the annual Appleton Old Car Show and Swap Meet. Pierce Park and Telulah Park each feature a disc-golf course. Erb Park and Mead Park each feature a public aquatics facility. Jones Park is the site of the finish line for the Santa Scamper run held during the annual Appleton Christmas Parade, and features an outdoor hockey rink in the winter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.appletonparkandrec.org/ |title=Appleton Parks & Recreation |publisher=Appletonparkandrec.org |access-date=January 18, 2014}}</ref>

==Government==
[[File:OutagamieCountyWisconsinCourthouse.jpg|thumb|[[Outagamie County, Wisconsin|Outagamie County Courthouse]]]]
Appleton is governed via the mayor-council system. The mayor appoints department heads, subject to council approval. The city attorney is elected every four years in a citywide vote. The council, known as the common council or city council, consists of 15 members, called alderpersons, all of whom are elected to two-year terms from individual districts.

The current mayor of Appleton, Jake Woodford, was elected in 2020 to his first four-year term. The first mayor of Appleton was Amos Story, elected in April 1857. The longest-serving mayor was Timothy Hanna, who served from 1996 through 2020.

===Mayors===
Partial of list of Appleton's past mayors:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://content.mpl.org/digital/collection/AMP/search/searchterm/Appleton+Mayors/mode/exact/page/1|title=Appleton Memory Project}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align:center"
|+ class="nowrap" | Mayors of Appleton, Wisconsin, since incorporation
! Order
! Term start
! Term end
! Mayor
! Notes
|- style="height:3em"
| 1
| 1857
| 1859
| align=left | {{sortname|Amos|Story|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 2
| 1859
| 1860
| align=left | {{sortname|Alvin|Foster|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 3
| 1860
| 1862
| align=left | {{sortname|Robert R.|Bateman|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 4
| 1862
| 1865
| align=left | {{sortname|William|Johnson|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 5
| 1865
| 1866
| align=left | {{sortname|R. Z.|Mason|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 6
| 1866
| 1867
| align=left | {{sortname|James|Gilmore|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 7
| 1867
| 1868
| align=left | {{sortname|Robert R.|Bateman|nolink=1}}
| 
|- style="height:3em"
| 8
| 1868
| 1870
| align=left | {{sortname|George N.|Richmond}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 9
| 1870
| 1871
| align=left | {{sortname|Augustus L.|Smith}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 10
| 1871
| 1872
| align=left | {{sortname|George N.|Richmond}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 11
| 1872
| 1873
| align=left | {{sortname|E. C.|Goff|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 12
| 1873
| 1875
| align=left | {{sortname|S. R.|Willy|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 13
| 1875
| 1875
| align=left | {{sortname|Peter|Esselburn|nolink=1}}
| 
|- style="height:3em"
| 14
| 1875
| 1877
| align=left | {{sortname|J. E.|Harriman|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 15
| 1877
| 1878
| align=left | {{sortname|Joseph H.|Marston|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 16
| 1878
| 1879
| align=left | {{sortname|James|Ryan|James Ryan (Wisconsin politician)}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 17
| 1879
| 1880
| align=left | {{sortname|Orson W.|Clark|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 18
| 1880
| 1882
| align=left | {{sortname|Humphrey|Pierce|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 19
| 1882
| 1883
| align=left | {{sortname|Joseph H.|Marston|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 20
| 1883
| 1887
| align=left | {{sortname|G. N.|Richmond|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 21
| 1887
| 1889
| align=left | {{sortname|Rush|Winslow|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 22
| 1889
| 1892
| align=left | {{sortname|Alfred H.|Levings|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 23
| 1892
| 1893
| align=left | {{sortname|Rush|Winslow|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 24
| 1893
| 1894
| align=left | {{sortname|Humphrey|Pierce|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 25
| 1894
| 1897
| align=left | {{sortname|Peter|Thom|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 26
| 1897
| 1900
| align=left | {{sortname|Herman|Erb Jr.|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 27
| 1900
| 1904
| align=left | {{sortname|David|Hammel}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 28
| 1904
| 1906
| align=left | {{sortname|Frank W.|Harriman|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 29
| 1906
| 1908
| align=left | {{sortname|David|Hammel}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 30
| 1908
| 1910
| align=left | {{sortname|Bernard C.|Wolter}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 31
| 1910
| 1913
| align=left | {{sortname|James V.|Canavan|nolink=1}}
| align=left | Died in office, Dec. 1913.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81634637/mayor-canavan-dead/ |title= Mayor Dead after a Noble Fight for Life |newspaper= [[The Post-Crescent|Appleton Evening Crescent]] |date= December 5, 1913 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 17, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }}</ref>
|- style="height:3em"
| 32
| 1914
| 1917
| align=left | {{sortname|August|Knuppel}}
| align=left | Won Feb. 1914 special election.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81635073/knuppel-unopposed/ |title= But One Candidate Left |newspaper= The Blanchardville Blade |date= February 6, 1914 |page= 2 |accessdate= July 17, 2021 |via= [[Newspapers.com]] }}</ref>
|- style="height:3em"
| 33
| 1917
| 1918
| align=left | {{sortname|John|Faville|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 34
| 1918
| 1922
| align=left | {{sortname|J. Austin|Hawes|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 35
| 1922
| 1924
| align=left | {{sortname|Henry|Reuter|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 36
| 1924
| 1926
| align=left | {{sortname|John|Goodland Jr.|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 37
| 1926
| 1930
| align=left | {{sortname|Albert|Rule|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 38
| 1930
| 1946
| align=left | {{sortname|John|Goodland Jr.|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 39
| 1946
| 1958
| align=left | {{sortname|Robert|Roemer|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 40
| 1958
| 1966
| align=left | {{sortname|Clarence|Mitchell|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 41
| 1966
| 1972
| align=left | {{sortname|George|Buckley|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 42
| 1972
| 1980
| align=left | {{sortname|James|Sutherland|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 43
| 1980
| 1992
| align=left | {{sortname|Dorothy|Johnson|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 44
| 1992
| 1996
| align=left | {{sortname|Richard|DeBroux|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 45
| 1996
| 2020
| align=left | {{sortname|Timothy|Hanna|nolink=1}}
|
|- style="height:3em"
| 46
| 2020
| ''Current''
| align=left | {{sortname|Jake|Woodford|nolink=1}}
|
|}

===Congressional representation===
Appleton is represented by [[Ron Johnson]] (R) and [[Tammy Baldwin]] (D) in the [[United States Senate]]. It is represented in the [[United States House of Representatives]] by [[Tony Wied]], who has represented Wisconsin's 8th district since [[2024 Wisconsin's 8th congressional district special election|November 2024]]. In the Wisconsin state legislature, Appleton is divided among four State Assembly Districts (3rd, 55th, 56th, 57th) and two State Senate Districts (1st, 19th). As of the 2018–2019 legislative session, the following representatives serve these districts:
* [[Wisconsin's 3rd Assembly district|3rd Assembly District]]: [[Ron Tusler]] (R&ndash;Harrison)
* [[Wisconsin's 55th Assembly district|55th Assembly District]]: [[Nate Gustafson]] (R&ndash;Neenah) 
* [[Wisconsin's 56th Assembly district|56th Assembly District]]: [[Dave Murphy (Wisconsin politician)|David Murphy]] (R&ndash;Greenville)
* [[Wisconsin's 57th Assembly district|57th Assembly District]]: [[Lee Snodgrass]] (D&ndash;Appleton)
* [[Wisconsin's 1st State Senate district|1st Senate District]]: [[André Jacque]] (R&ndash;DePere)
* [[Wisconsin's 19th State Senate district|19th Senate District]]: [[Rachael Cabral-Guevara]] (R&ndash;Fox Crossing)

==Education==
[[File:Memorial Chapel, Lawrence University.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Lawrence University]]]]

Appleton is served by the [[Appleton Area School District]], which has three high schools, four middle schools, seventeen elementary schools, and sixteen charter schools. The district's main public high schools are [[Appleton East High School|Appleton East]], [[Appleton North High School|Appleton North]], and [[Appleton West High School|Appleton West]]. Appleton has two parochial high schools, namely the Catholic [[Xavier High School, Appleton, Wisconsin|Xavier High School]] and [[Fox Valley Lutheran High School]]. Appleton also has charter high schools, including Fox Cities Leadership Academy, Renaissance Academy, Appleton Technical Academy, and Tesla Engineering.

Appleton is home to [[Lawrence University]], a private [[liberal arts]] college, and [[Fox Valley Technical College]]. Additionally, [[Globe University]], [[Concordia University Wisconsin]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cuw.edu/admissions/locations-landing.html|title=Concordia's Locations|website=Visit Concordia|publisher=Concordia University|access-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416050744/https://www.cuw.edu/admissions/locations-landing.html|archive-date=April 16, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Rasmussen College]] have branch campuses in the city.

In recent years, Appleton has emerged as a center for innovation in technology education, particularly in the area of K–12 technology education: the student-driven [[Appleton Youth Education Initiative]] has partnered with Microsoft Philanthropies, Plexus Corp., Miron Construction, [[Schneider National]], and Stellar Blue Technologies to organize the Appleton Tech Clinic and HackAppleton, a popular annual hackathon that draws students from all over Wisconsin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://northnoct.com/10389/features/changemakers/the-appleton-youth-education-initiative-the-past-present-and-future/|title=The Appleton Youth Education Initiative: Past, Present, and Future; |publisher=northnoct.com
 |date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=April 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ayeinitiative.org/initiatives|title=INITIATIVES; |publisher=ayeinitiative.org
 |date=April 26, 2022 |access-date=April 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hackappleton.org/stories.html|title=AYEI 3rd Annual HackAppleton Shifts Virtual to Empower Students to Address the Impacts of COVID-19; |publisher=hackappleton.org
 |date=June 14, 2020 |access-date=April 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://northnoct.com/8382/news/microsoft-sponsors-appleton-youth-education-initiative-to-organize-third-annual-hackappleton-coding-competition/|title=Microsoft Sponsors Appleton Youth Education Initiative to Organize third annual "HackAppleton" Coding Competition; |publisher=northnoct.com
 |date=March 6, 2020 |access-date=April 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kimberly.k12.wi.us/kimberly-high/news/1660431/khs-hackappleton|title=KHS HackAppleton Teams took Second and Third Place; |publisher=kimberly.k12.wi.us
 |date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=April 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://newdigitalalliance.org/2019/05/stellar-blue-helps-hackappleton/ |title=Stellar Blue Technologies Helps HACKAppleton; |publisher=newdigitalalliance.org
 |date=May 5, 2019 |access-date=April 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/2018/03/21/hack-appleton-competition-planned-april-8/445182002/ |title='Hack Appleton' competition planned for April 8'; |publisher=postcrescent.com |date=March 21, 2018 |access-date=April 26, 2022}}</ref>

The city and surrounding area are served by the Appleton Public Library, which was chartered by the city in 1897 and as of 2010 has a collection of over 600,000 items.<ref name="timeline"/> The library offers free wifi as well as printing and faxing for a small fee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Computers & Tech {{!}} Appleton Public Library (WI)|url=https://apl.org/computers|access-date=September 28, 2021|website=apl.org}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
The city owns [[Valley Transit (Wisconsin)|Valley Transit]], a network of bus lines serving the Fox Valley. Lamers Bus Lines offers intercity buses serving such locations as Wausau, Stevens Point, Waupaca, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, and Milwaukee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wauwau Appleton Milwaukee Daily Route |url=https://www.golamers.com/lamers-connect/wausau-appleton-milwaukee-2/ |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Lamers Bus Lines}}</ref>

In April 2021, [[Bird (transportation company)|Bird Rides]] launched a pilot program with 100 rentable electric scooters that users can operate throughout most of the city. In 2024, the city cut ties with Bird Rides, citing scooter parking concerns and concerns regarding Bird Rides' financial viability.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Behnke |first=Duke |title=Bird wants to return to Appleton and offers to fix persistent scooter parking problems |url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/local/2024/05/10/bird-tells-appleton-it-can-fix-persistent-scooter-parking-problems/73617632007/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=The Post-Crescent |language=en-US}}</ref> The founder of the company [[Travis VanderZanden]] grew up in the Appleton area.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Behnke |first1=Duke |title=Appleton's Bird scooter program provides more than 13,000 rides in the first four months |url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/local/2021/09/10/appletons-bird-scooters-provide-13-000-rides-first-four-months/5696068001/ |access-date=September 22, 2021 |work=The Post-Crescent}}</ref>

Roads include:
* [[Interstate 41 in Wisconsin|Interstate 41]]
* [[US 10]]
* [[U.S. Route 41 in Wisconsin|US 41]]
* [[WIS 47]]
* [[WIS 96]]
* [[WIS 125]]
* [[WIS 441]]

===Rail===
Appleton is crisscrossed by the former main lines of the [[Chicago and North Western Railway]] (southwest-northeast) and the [[Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railway]] (roughly southeast–northwest, and now largely abandoned except for local service to area paper mills and other industries). A north-south branch of the former [[Wisconsin Central Ltd.|Wisconsin Central Railroad]] passes on the west side of the city. All rail service is now operated by [[Canadian National Railway]]. Appleton has no intercity [[passenger rail]] service, although studies are being undertaken on the feasibility of extending [[Amtrak]] rail service to the Fox Cities and Green Bay.

===Airport===
The [[Appleton International Airport]] is {{convert|6|mi}} west of downtown Appleton. With four major airlines, the airport has an annual volume of over 670,000 passengers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2024 |title=Bureau Of Transportation Statistics Data: Appleton International (ATW) |url=https://www.transtats.bts.gov/airports.asp?20=E&Nv42146=Ngj&Nv42146_anzr=N22yr610,%20jV:%20N22yr610%20V06r40n6v10ny&pn44vr4=SNPgf |access-date=31 December 2024 |website=Bureau of Transportation Statistics}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Appleton, Wisconsin}}

==Sister cities==
Appleton is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.appleton.org/government/mayor-s-office/sister-cities|title=Sister Cities|website=appleton.org|access-date=August 30, 2020}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|NIC}} [[Chinandega]], [[Chinandega Department]], Nicaragua
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kan'onji, Kagawa|Kan'onji]], [[Kagawa Prefecture|Kagawa]], Japan

==See also==
* [[List of sundown towns in the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Raney, William F. "[http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/wmh/id/18140 Appleton]". ''Wisconsin Magazine of History'', vol. 33, no. 2 (December 1949): 135–151.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Appleton, Wisconsin}}
{{NSRW poster|Appleton, Wis.}}
{{wikivoyage|Appleton}}
* [https://www.appleton.org/ City of Appleton]
* {{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Appleton |short=x}}

{{Appleton, Wisconsin}}
{{Calumet County, Wisconsin}}
{{Outagamie County, Wisconsin}}
{{Winnebago County, Wisconsin}}
{{Wisconsin}}
{{Wisconsin county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Appleton, Wisconsin| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Calumet County, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Cities in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Cities in Outagamie County, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Cities in Winnebago County, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:County seats in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Sundown towns in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Appleton–Fox Cities metropolitan area]]