2017 Growth Report OUTAGAMIE COUNTY 2017 GROWTH REPORT

This publication was prepared by the Outagamie County Department of Development and Land Services “DLS” as a general source of information on the past year's development and growth activity. This annual synopsis of population, building permits and school enrollments, as well as other data types, helps explain the changing character of this County.

PREPARED BY: Dave Johnson, Principal Planner Mia Ljung, DLS Assistant Traci Meulemans, GIS Spatial Analyst

Outagamie County Department of Development and Land Services 320 South Walnut Street Appleton, 54911

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Overview of Outagamie County ...... 4

Map 1. Outagamie County Units of Government ...... 4 Snapshot of Outagamie County ...... 5 II. Indicators of Growth ...... 6

Population...... 6 Employment and Income ...... 10 Land Use ...... 11 Economic Development ...... 13 Equalized Values ...... 14 Rezonings ...... 17 Sanitary Permits...... 18 Residential Subdivisions ...... 20 Building Permits ...... 21 School Enrollment ...... 23 Agriculture ...... 24 III. Conclusions/Summary ...... 26

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I. Overview of Outagamie County

Map 1. Outagamie County Units of Government

Source: DLS 2017

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Snapshot of Outagamie County DATE OF INCORPORATION ...... February 17, 1851 FORM OF GOVERNMENT ...... County Executive/County Board AREA OF COUNTY ...... 640 Square Miles POPULATION ...... 182,921 persons SCHOOLS WITHIN THE COUNTY: Elementary Schools ...... 41 Middle Schools ...... 41 Secondary/High Schools ...... 18 Pre-K & 4K…… ...... …………………………………………………… 31 Kindergartens ...... 36 Colleges & Universities ...... 2 RECREATIONAL ACREAGE: County ...... 876 Municipal ...... 1,907 State ...... 9,498 School District ...... 1,177 Private ...... 2,545 Oneida Tribe ...... 136 Total Acres ...... 16,139 PUBLIC SAFETY: Local Police Departments ...... 13* Local Fire Departments ...... 25* Hospitals (Non-County Operated) ...... 3 Ambulance Services ...... 8* UTILITIES: Water Facilities ...... 14 Sanitary Sewer Facilities ...... 14 Electric ...... 4 Natural Gas ...... 2 Public Landfills ...... 1 *Number of agencies that provide these services to Outagamie County residents.

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II. Indicators of Growth

Population The 2017 population estimate for Outagamie County was 182,921 persons, placing it sixth of the 72 counties in Wisconsin. That figure was an increase of 5,670 persons (3.5 %) compared to the 2010 census of 176,695 persons. The population growth has primarily taken place in the Fox Cities metro area with Appleton, Greenville, and Grand Chute having the largest gains. As part of a national trend, younger workers, in general, show a preference for residing in and around urban areas.

Table 1. Most Populous Counties in Wisconsin

Estimate Census # % County Name 2017 2010 Change Change 945,416 947,735 ‐ 2,319 ‐ 0.24% Dane 524,787 488,073 36,714 7.5% Waukesha 398,236 389,891 8,345 2.1% Brown 259,460 248,007 11,453 4.6% Racine 195,146 195,408 ‐ 262 ‐ 0.13% Outagamie 182,921 176,695 6,226 3.5% Winnebago 169,053 166,994 2,059 1.2% Kenosha 168,065 166,426 1,639 1.0% Rock 159,372 160,331 ‐ 959 ‐ 0.60% Source: Census 2010; DOA 2017

Map 1. Population changes in Wisconsin 2010-2017

Source: DOA 2018

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Table 2. Population Comparison Table 2010 2016 2017 # Change % Change

Census Estimate Estimate 2010-2017 2010-2017 United States 308,400,408 323,405,935 325,719,178 17,318,770 5.6% Wisconsin 5,686,986 5,775,120 5,783,278 96,292 1.7% Outagamie County 176,695 182,365 182,921 6,226 3.5% Brown County 248,007 257,897 259,460 11,453 4.6% Winnebago County 166,994 169,032 169,053 2,059 1.2% Town of Buchanan 6,755 6,916 6,945 190 2.8% Town of Freedom 5,842 6,005 6,007 165 2.8% Town of Grand Chute 20,919 22,083 22,154 1,235 5.9% Town of Greenville 10,309 11,545 11,652 1,343 13.0% Town of Oneida 4,678 4,702 4,703 25 0.5% Village of Combined Locks 3,328 3,515 3,509 181 5.4% Village of Kimberly 6,468 6,679 6,672 204 3.2% Village of Little Chute 10,449 10,976 10,987 538 5.1% City of Appleton* 60,045 61,071 61,364 1,319 2.2% City of Kaukauna 15,462 15,894 15,926 464 3.0% Source: DOA, 2010, 2016, 2017 US Census * Population reported for Appleton includes only those portions located in Outagamie County.

Sixteen of the County’s 20 towns exhibited an increase in population since the 2010 census. Since the 2010 census, Greenville and Grand Chute accounted for 62 percent of town population growth. Towns that lost population were Black Creek, Hortonia, Maple Creek, and Seymour, with an average loss of one percent. Overall, the northern portion of the County has continued to experience minimal population growth. This was mostly due the consolidation of family farms, an aging population, smaller family sizes, and the ongoing trend of young adults moving to urban areas. In the southern “Fox Cities” area of the county, growth continues at a steady pace as it has for decades.

Five of the County’s 11 villages experienced an increase in population since 2010. Wrightstown experienced the highest rate of growth, increasing 22.5 percent; followed by Combined Locks (5.4%), and Little Chute (5.1%). This year, the villages of Bear Creek, Black Creek, and Nichols all lost population. Communities in the northern portion of the County have little to no growth; this can be attributed to smaller family sizes and an aging population. Also, there is the trend of younger adults moving to urban areas.

With regards to the County’s cities, they are showing a similar trend when compared to the villages. The cities in the metropolitan area have displayed significant growth, while the remaining cities

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Table 3. Population in Outagamie County Municipalities Census Census Estimate Estimate # Change % Change Municipality 2000 2010 2016 2017 2010-2017 2000-2017

Town of Black Creek 1,268 1,259 1,246 1,245 -23 -1.8% Town of Bovina 1,130 1,145 1,163 1,161 31 2.7% Town of Buchanan 5,827 6,755 6,916 6,945 1,118 19.2% Town of Center 3,163 3,402 3,497 3,525 362 11.4% Town of Cicero 1,092 1,103 1,107 1,100 8 0.7% Town of Dale 2,288 2,731 2,803 2,817 529 23.1% Town of Deer Creek 682 637 646 648 -34 -5.0% Town of Ellington 2,535 2,758 2,931 2,936 401 15.8% Town of Freedom 5,241 5,842 6,005 6,007 766 14.6% Town of Grand Chute 18,392 20,919 22,083 22,154 3,762 20.5% Town of Greenville 6,844 10,309 11,545 11,652 4,808 70.3% Town of Hortonia 1,063 1,097 1,091 1,084 21 2.0% Town of Kaukauna 1,116 1,238 1,285 1,287 171 15.3% Town of Liberty 834 867 873 872 38 4.6% Town of Maine 831 866 883 879 48 5.8% Town of Maple Creek 687 619 606 601 -86 -12.5% Town of Oneida 4,147 4,678 4,702 4,703 556 13.4%

Town of Osborn 1,029 1,170 1,205 1,196 167 16.2% Town of Seymour 1,216 1,193 1,191 1,188 -28 -2.3%

Town of Vandenbroek 1,351 1,474 1,535 1,569 218 16.1% Village of Bear Creek 415 448 447 443 28 6.7% Village of Black Creek 1,192 1,316 1,318 1,308 116 9.7% Village of Combined Locks 2,422 3,328 3,515 3,509 1,087 44.9% Village of Harrison* 0 0 0 0 0 n/a Village of Hortonville 2,357 2,711 2,720 2,711 354 15.0% Village of Howard* 0 0 0 0 0 n/a Village of Kimberly 6,146 6,468 6,679 6,672 526 8.6% Village of Little Chute 10,476 10,449 10,976 10,987 511 4.9% Village of Nichols 307 273 269 270 -37 -12.1% Village of Shiocton 954 921 926 923 -31 -3.2%

Village of Wrightstown* n/a 151 169 185 n/a n/a City of Appleton* 58,301 60,045 61,071 61,364 3,063 5.3% City of Kaukauna* 12,983 15,462 15,894 15,926 2,943 22.7% City of New London* 1,467 1,610 1,627 1,621 154 10.5%

City of Seymour 3,335 3,451 3,441 3,433 98 2.9% COUNTY TOTALS 161,091 176,695 182,365 182,921 21,830 13.6% Source: DOA, 2018. * Population reported for Harrision, Howard, Wrightstown, Appleton and New London include only those portions located within Outagamie County.

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Employment and Income The County continues to experience its lowest unemployment rate in a decade. For December 2017 (not seasonally adjusted basis), the unemployment rate was 2.5 percent for Outagamie, with similar rates for the neighboring Counties, Brown and Winnebago. The declining unemployment rate for the County is following state and national trends.

Graph 1. Unemployment Rates 1990-2017

Source: DWD 2018

10 | Page Land Use The County has a wide mixture of land use that can be broken down into three general segments. There is the growing metropolitan area in the southeast made up of cities, villages, and urban towns; the suburbanizing/urban fringe area around the metropolitan area, comprised of towns; and the rural northern half of the County that is made up of towns, scattered with a few small cities, and villages. The rural area is mostly comprised of agricultural operations, large natural areas, along with scattered residential. The County has experienced continued growth over the years creating pressure in agriculture areas for development. The County has various degrees of influence over land use patterns with general zoning administration in 13 of 20 towns (six towns administer their own general zoning, and Main has no zoning), along with subdivision review authority in the county’s unincorporated areas. The cities and villages are independent land use jurisdictions, with one city (Seymour) exercising extra-territorial zoning, and one City (Appleton) exercising extra-territorial plat review. The County also has a Comprehensive Plan (adopted 2008) that serves as a guide for future land use decisions and helps direct development to appropriate locations. The following list contains some of the recommendations from the plan: • Promote the conservation and protection of the limited land resources within the County. • Encourage a compact urban development pattern that promotes walkable communities. • Provide an adequate amount of land for future commercial and industrial development to support the economic development of the County. • Provide an adequate amount of land for a variety of housing choices throughout the County. • Promote innovative ways for managing stormwater runoff, such as Green Tier Development, which makes use of rain gardens, pervious pavement, bio-filters, and infiltration beds, to name a few. • Encourage a development pattern that is efficient and utilizes public facilities where feasible. • Promote the infill of vacant properties and the redevelopment of underutilized lands, including brownfield sites. • Promote the protection of environmentally sensitive lands from development.

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Map 2. County Zoning Map

Source: DLS 2017

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Economic Development The Outagamie County Department of Development and Land Services (DLS) has the responsibility of coordinating economic development activities for Outagamie County. The County coordinates with several organizations that have been formed to promote economic opportunities in this area. These include: • Fox Cities Regional Partnership (FCRP), a regional economic development program of the Fox Cities Chamber, covers all of Outagamie, Calumet and the northern portion of Winnebago Counties. The FRCP focuses on business & industry retention and recruitment, talent/workforce development, and placemaking. • Fox Cities Regional Economic Development Professionals (FCEDP), a group of local practitioners who coordinate within the FCRP. • New North, a regional marketing and economic organization that covers 18 counties. • East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC), designated as an Economic Development District (EDD) in 1984 by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). The EDA provides financial assistance to designated districts, in part, for the purpose of developing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

To further promote economic development, Outagamie County provides business financing through two revolving loan fund (RLF) programs. The RLF programs were established to provide gap financing for new or expanding businesses in partnership with lending institutions, to help encourage private investment, create employment opportunities, and help increase the overall health of the county economy. The Prosperity Fund is county-funded and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is federally funded.

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Equalized Values The 2017 total equalized value for Outagamie County increased by over $660 million, or 4.69 percent. Real estate values increased nearly $660 million, while personal property values “The Equalized Value is the estimated value of all taxable real increased by $31 million. When and personal property in each market prices appreciate, taxation district, by class of assessment values typically property, as of January 1, and increase accordingly, because of certified by DOR on August 15 of the close relationship between each year. General property is assessed value and property divided into two broad categories, sales. real property and personal property. Real property is land, any

improvements that have been Eighteen of 20 towns had an attached to the land, and all increase in total value, fixtures, rights, and privileges compared to nineteen the pertaining thereto. Personal previous year. The highest property includes all goods, wares, absolute values encompass merchandise, chattels, and effects, of Grand Chute and Greenville any nature or description having any real or marketable value with values over $1 and $2 , and not included in real property.”(DOA 2009) billion, respectively, over the last year.

Out of the 11 villages in the county, Nichols and Shiocton lost equalized value. Villages that experienced an increase in values greater than four percent were Combined Locks, Hortonville, Kimberly, and Little Chute. Three out of the four cities in the county experienced an increase in values since 2015. All cities experienced increased value greater than 4 percent. The City of Appleton made up the greatest share of equalized value within the cities, with over $4 billion in value.

Table 3. Comparison by County County Comparison Equalized Values 2017 Personal Property Total Equalized County Real Estate Value Value Valuation Outagamie $ 14,303,739,800.00 $ 423,550,300.00 $ 14,727,290,100.00 Brown $ 20,134,914,200.00 $ 728,796,500.00 $ 20,863,710,700.00 Winnebago $ 12,511,713,800.00 $ 398,241,000.00 $ 12,909,954,800.00 Source: DOA 2017

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Table 4. County Equalized Values County Equalized Value Trends

Personal Total Equalized % Change From Year Real Estate Value Property Value Valuation Previous Year 1985 $3,098,274,600.00 $160,262,700.00 $3,258,537,300.00 6.66% 1986 $3,219,040,100.00 $165,687,400.00 $3,384,727,500.00 3.38% 1987 $3,263,994,800.00 $177,873,000.00 $3,441,867,800.00 7.35% 1988 $3,446,488,700.00 $191,389,200.00 $3,637,877,900.00 7.60% 1989 $3,595,948,200.00 $215,176,100.00 $3,811,124,300.00 12.43% 1990 $3,843,404,300.00 $234,797,900.00 $4,078,202,200.00 9.12% 1991 $4,058,684,900.00 $244,067,400.00 $4,302,752,300.00 3.95% 1992 $4,320,845,100.00 $270,452,100.00 $4,591,297,200.00 10.81% 1993 $4,649,105,000.00 $275,719,600.00 $4,924,824,600.00 1.95% 1994 $5,075,386,100.00 $303,285,400.00 $5,378,671,500.00 10.00% 1995 $5,592,633,100.00 $310,803,600.00 $5,903,436,700.00 2.48% 1996 $5,895,680,400.00 $304,651,200.00 $6,200,331,600.00 -1.98% 1997 $6,384,848,500.00 $354,611,000.00 $6,739,459,500.00 16.40% 1998 $6,748,491,400.00 $371,226,900.00 $7,119,718,300.00 4.69% 1999 $7,169,650,600.00 $336,671,200.00 $7,506,321,800.00 -9.31% 2000 $7,576,343,000.00 $364,003,900.00 $7,940,346,900.00 8.12% 2001 $8,081,895,700.00 $331,603,800.00 $8,413,499,500.00 -8.90% 2002 $8,700,191,700.00 $346,092,700.00 $9,046,284,400.00 4.37% 2003 $9,582,366,500.00 $354,979,800.00 $9,937,346,300.00 9.85% 2004 $10,266,993,900.00 $370,637,100.00 $10,597,631,000.00 6.64% 2005 $10,996,374,000.00 $385,619,200.00 $11,381,993,200.00 7.40% 2006 $11,358,933,400.00 $377,902,200.00 $11,736,835,600.00 3.12% 2007 $11,990,028,200.00 $388,348,800.00 $12,378,377,000.00 5.46% 2008 $12,494,163,200.00 $445,978,400.00 $12,940,141,600.00 4.54% 2009 $12,808,206,600.00 $421,143,000.00 $13,229,349,600.00 2.23% 2010 $13,086,060,500.00 $428,289,600.00 $13,514,350,100.00 2.15% 2011 $12,647,746,600.00 $666,343,800.00 $13,314,090,400.00 -1.48% 2012 $12,577,386,500.00 $389,258,300.00 $12,966,644,800.00 -2.61% 2013 $12,637,022,600.00 $405,209,000.00 $13,042,231,600.00 0.58% 2014 $12,887,591,000.00 $397,847,500.00 $13,285,438,500.00 1.86% 2015 $13,264,332,400.00 $386,412,600.00 $13,650,745,000.00 2.75% 2016 $13,674,899,100.00 $392,190,400.00 $14,067,089,500.00 3.05% 2017 $14,303,739,800.00 $423,550,300.00 $14,727,290,100.00 4.69% Source: DOA 2017

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Table 5. Equalized Values by Municipality 2017 Equalized Values Municipality Real Estate Personal Property TOTAL 2016-2017 Change % Town of Black Creek $95,452,400 $782,500 $96,234,900 1.8% Town of Bovina $91,799,200 $285,600 $92,084,800 -0.4% Town of Buchanan $626,437,000 $14,052,000 $640,489,000 5.3% Town of Center $335,419,400 $1,933,200 $337,352,600 4.5% Town of Cicero $84,788,300 $358,400 $85,146,700 -0.3% Town of Dale $256,736,400 $861,000 $257,597,400 7.8% Town of Deer Creek $43,221,700 $52,700 $43,274,400 3.1% Town of Ellington $251,199,300 $868,100 $252,067,400 4.1% Town of Freedom $497,478,700 $11,288,700 $508,767,400 6.9% Town of Grand Chute $2,482,953,000 $117,425,400 $2,600,378,400 6.8% Town of Greenville $1,263,984,600 $43,635,600 $1,307,620,200 8.2% Town of Hortonia $115,506,000 $4,491,000 $119,997,000 2.6% Town of Kaukauna $130,474,400 $1,730,000 $132,204,400 3.9% Town of Liberty $72,283,900 $304,100 $72,588,000 5.0% Town of Maine $71,680,200 $296,700 $71,976,900 3.2% Town of Maple Creek $45,310,600 $128,100 $45,438,700 3.4% Town of Oneida $204,962,000 $1,178,800 $206,140,800 3.3% Town of Osborn $98,663,900 $179,300 $98,843,200 3.2% Town of Seymour $97,537,600 $2,362,100 $99,899,700 3.7% Town of Vandenbroek $155,619,900 $1,420,300 $157,040,200 5.6% Town Totals $7,021,508,500 $203,633,600 $7,225,142,100 6.0% Village of Bear Creek $15,480,600 $262,100 $15,742,700 0.1% Village of Black Creek $62,958,700 $2,420,900 $65,379,600 1.2% Village of Combined Locks $278,191,000 $7,732,400 $285,923,400 7.6% Village of Harrison $0 $0 $0 n/a Village of Hortonville $187,684,400 $3,910,600 $191,595,000 4.8% Village of Howard $25,000 $0 $25,000 0.0% Village of Kimberly $487,282,700 $8,085,600 $495,368,300 4.9% Village of Little Chute $747,213,300 $24,355,800 $771,569,100 6.2% Village of Nichols $8,647,500 $86,100 $8,733,600 -0.1% Village of Shiocton $37,910,200 $479,100 $38,389,300 -0.6% Village of Wrightstown $31,874,000 $515,600 $32,389,600 38.9% Village Totals $1,857,267,400 $47,848,200 $1,905,115,600 5.9% City of Appleton $4,285,734,900 $119,658,300 $4,405,393,200 5.8% City of Kaukauna $987,074,400 $40,852,800 $1,027,927,200 4.1% City of New London $116,069,400 $6,557,200 $122,626,600 8.1% City of Seymour $191,705,100 $5,000,200 $196,705,300 4.1% City Totals $5,580,583,800 $172,068,500 $5,752,652,300 5.4% COUNTY TOTAL $14,459,359,700 $423,550,300 $14,882,910,000 5.8% Source: DOA 2017

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Rezonings For 2017 there were 22 requests for Zoning Jurisdiction zoning map amendments. The Outagamie County has amendments totaled over 266 acres jurisdiction in the majority that were considered by the of the unincorporated Outagamie County Board. communities in the County; 6 out of the 20 Agricultural lands continue to be lost towns have their own to development, mostly in the zoning. All of the County’s southern portion of the county. cities and villages have Rural communities can strengthen their own zoning their agricultural use and provide a jurisdiction. layer of protection against development pressure by taking advantage of exclusive agriculture zoning which does not allow for development unless it’s agriculture-related. Residential development has been picking up during the last few years. The County housing stock has been in short supply which reflects the strong economy. Commercial land continues to remain fairly flat as brick and mortar retail businesses are struggling in today’s economy as ecommerce becomes more prevalent.

Table 6. Rezonings Net Loss / Gains

Rezonings Net Loss (-) or Gains (+) in Acres Net Zoning 2010 2016 2017 Loss/Gain 2010-2017

Agriculture 235.2 -96.3 -207.2 -68.3 General Ag. Into Exclusive Ag. 494.8 -2.0 492.8 Single Family Residential -318.2 70.0 158.4* -248.2 Multi-Family Residential 17.3 21.8 1.0 40.1 Commercial 169.3 36.7 -1.0 205.0 Industrial -17.3 -26.8 50.1 6.0 Source: DLS 2018 *Includes some Multi-Family Development

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Table 7. Town Rezonings Rezonings 2002-2017

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2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2017 Total

Municipality 2002 Town of Black Creek 1 2 3 1 1 1 9 Town of Bovina 1 1 Town of Buchanan 1 2 3 3 2 1 4 2 2 2 1 23 Town of Center 1 3 2 1 1 1 2 11 Town of Cicero 1 1 1 1 1 2 7 Town of Dale 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 9 Town of Deer Creek 1 1 1 1 1 5 Town of Ellington 1 1 1 1 1 2 7 Town of Freedom 1 4 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 3 1 1 6 28 Town of Grand Chute 21 23 23 5 6 7 3 6 3 18 6 2 7 5 7 4 146 Town of Greenville 9 11 9 9 9 8 6 2 2 1 1 4 1 2 4 2 80 Town of Hortonia 2 2 1 2 7 Town of Kaukauna 1 4 3 3 1 7 2 1 1 1 1 1 26 Town of Liberty 0 Town of Maine 0 Town of Maple Creek 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 Town of Oneida 1 1 1 3 Town of Osborn 1 1 1 1 4 Town of Seymour 1 1 2 1 2 3 1 11 Town of Vandenbroek 1 1 1 1 2 6 Town Totals 39 48 52 24 24 35 13 11 16 26 19 13 18 16 14 22 390 Source: DLS 2018

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Sanitary Permits For the third year in a row, sanitary permits continue to decline in total numbers for the County. This can be partially attributed to the increased development in areas that have public sanitary sewer available. Outagamie County issued 381 permits for on-site sanitary systems in 2017, a slight decrease from the previous year. Holding tank permits combined with holding tank plan approvals totaled 58 permits for the year.

Table 8. Sanitary Permits Sanitary permits 2014-2017 Change % % of % of % of System Type 2014 2015 % of Total 2016 2017 2016- Total Total Total 2017 Gravity Permits 28 7% 41 10% 43 11% 50 13% 16% Mound Permits 103 27% 141 34% 111 28% 119 31% 7% At-Grade Permits 7 2% 13 3% 8 2% 3 1% -63% Mound and At-Grade 125 33% 145 35% 131 34% 143 38% 9% Reconnect Permits 48 13% 7 2% 44 11% 9 2% -80% Holding Tank Permits 30 8% 39 9% 25 6% 26 7% 4% Holding Tank 35 9% 30 7% 28 7% 31 8% 11% County Total 376 416 390 381 -2% Source: DLS 2018

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Residential Subdivisions There were seven residential subdivision plats recorded in the unincorporated areas of the county in 2017, resulting in 250 new lots. Residential development continues to follow the trend towards subdivisions for the most part served by public sewer and water. One exception this year was a 55 lot development in Ellington. It was an addition to an existing development that was designed prior to the downturn in in the economy in 2008. The total number of new lots in 2017 is down 30 percent from 2000-2009 average. Annual platting averages for the past few decades are as follows: • 1980-1989 = 6.7 plats with 186.0 lots per year • 1990-1999 = 20.1 plats with 546.5 lots per year • 2000-2009 = 10.1 plats with 363.5 lots per year • 2010-2017 = 4.4 plats with 111.1 lots per year Another way to measure development in the County is by tracking the numbers of recorded Certified Survey Maps (CSM). Small one to four lot developments continue to be most common in the rural areas of the County. CSMs often split off small lots from a family farm to create new home sites or separate the home site from the agricultural land. The County reviewed 114 CSMs in 2017 compared with 137 in 2016. The 2017 CSMs produced 216 lots which is 57 lots fewer from the previous year. The annual CSM count and lot averages since 1996, in periodic increments, are as follows: • 1996-1999 = 265.0 CSMs with 576.3 lots per year • 2000-2004 = 224.2 CSMs with 509.0 lots per year • 2005-2009 = 162.0 CSMs with 335.4 lots per year • 2010-2014 = 133.2 CSMs with 260 lots per year • 2015-2017 = 135.0 CSMs with 272.7 lots per year (three years)

Record High and Low Numbers of CSM:s Past 20 Years

94 CSMs

295CSMs

Busiest Year: 1998 Slowest Year: 2011

Source: DLS 2018

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Building Permits Grand Chute and Greenville continue to lead towns with the number of Building Permits building permits issued for new Municipalities issue building construction; these two towns permits and the County accounted for 61 percent, or 206 receives copies and permits out of 339 total. Residential summaries to file. development was valued at nearly The following is an excerpt $39.4 million for Grand Chute and from the Outagamie County nearly $18.2 million for Greenville. Code of Ordinances, Division Commercial development was valued 4: “No building or structure, at over $38 million for Grand Chute. except signs exempt from the Nine of the 20 towns in the county provisions of this chapter, experienced development values in shall be erected, constructed, excess of $1 million. Deer Creek did reconstructed, altered, moved not report any building permit activity or enlarged until a building while Hortonia and Maple Creek only permit has been obtained reported building permit activity for from the administrator or remodels and repairs. town building inspector.”

The incorporated communities combined for 384 total permits. The permits encompassed 279 additional residential units, 105 businesses with over $81 million of construction value. Nine of the 15 cities and villages experienced development value estimated in excess of $1,000,000.

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Table 10. Building Permits Outagamie County Building Permit 2017 Summary: New Residential and Commercial Not including remodels or additions TOTAL RESIDENTIAL COM./IND. TOWN TOTAL VALUE # PERMITS SF 2F MF VALUE # PERMITS VALUE BLACK CREEK $500,000 2 2 $500,000 0 $0 BOVINA $1,085,000 3 3 $1,085,000 0 $0 BUCHANAN $5,661,499 15 12 1 $4,238,280 2 $1,423,219 CENTER $6,557,900 19 19 $6,557,900 0 $0 CICERO $480,000 3 3 $480,000 0 $0 DALE $4,667,000 12 12 $4,667,000 0 $0 DEER CREEK $0 Nothing submitted $0 0 $0 ELLINGTON $12,566,944 38 37 $11,766,944 1 $800,000 FREEDOM $5,226,258 14 14 $5,226,258 0 $0 GRAND CHUTE $77,972,543 137 82 4 13 $39,402,024 38 $38,570,519 GREENVILLE $34,231,404 79 63 4 $18,291,404 12 $15,940,000 HORTONIA $910,000 5 5 $910,000 0 $0 KAUKAUNA $0 Nothing submitted LIBERTY $400,000 2 2 $400,000 0 $0 MAINE $0 Only remodels/repairs MAPLE CREEK $0 Only remodels/repairs ONEIDA $1,795,000 5 5 $1,795,000 0 $0 OSBORN $954,817 3 3 $954,817 0 $0 SEYMOUR $0 Only remodels/repairs VANDENBROEK $700,000 2 2 $700,000 0 $0 Town Totals $153,708,365 339 264 9 13 $96,974,627 53 $56,733,738 CITY/VILLAGE APPLETON* $70,116,900 71 44 0 5 $17,005,400 22 $53,111,500 BEAR CREEK $0 Only remodels/repairs BLACK CREEK $0 Only remodels/repairs COMBINED LOCKS $3,130,976 11 11 0 0 $3,130,976 0 $0 HARRISON $18,505,256 75 57 0 3 $15,090,160 15 $3,415,096 HORTONVILLE $8,354,142 19 10 2 0 $2,277,500 7 $6,076,642 HOWARD $0 One parcel in Outagamie Co. KAUKAUNA $18,226,248 112 63 10 0 $12,435,500 39 $5,790,748 KIMBERLY $2,878,000 10 6 4 0 $2,878,000 0 $0 LITTLE CHUTE $16,505,767 53 32 2 4 $10,032,000 15 $6,473,767 NEW LONDON $0 Nothing submitted NICHOLS $0 0 SEYMOUR $2,550,851 8 7 $1,391,000 1 $1,159,851 SHIOCTON $150,000 1 1 $150,000 0 $0 WRIGHTSTOWN $10,690,475 24 18 0 0 $4,836,143 6 $5,854,332 City/Village Totals $151,108,615 384 249 18 12 $69,226,679 105 $81,881,936 COUNTY TOTALS $304,816,980 723 513 27 25 $166,201,306 158 $138,615,674 * Population reported for Appleton includes only those portions located in Outagamie County.

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School Enrollment Over the past five years, public schools have generally experienced modest gains in enrollment. Some districts, with the exception of the most recent year, mostly in the rural areas of the county, have shown declines in enrollment. Total public school enrollments decreased by 432 students from last year. Hortonville, Kimberly, and West De Pere School Districts all had enrolment increases. In contrast to the enrollment figures for the county, private schools have experienced a steady decline over the years, which follows state and national trends. Recent education policies at the state level have expanded the private-school voucher program state- wide. Until additional years of data can be analyzed, it remains unclear whether this shift in state policy will stabilize or reverse current trends in private school enrollment moving forward.

Table 11. School Enrollment Public School Enrollment School Districts in Outagamie Co 2010- 2004- 2009- 2014- 2015- 2016- 2017 % School District 05 10 15 2016 2017 Change Appleton 15,060 15,081 16,373 16,331 15,863 5.19% Freedom 1,541 1,662 1,671 1,634 1,603 -3.55% Hortonville 3,133 3,355 3,679 3,713 3,830 14.16% Kaukauna 3,784 3,969 3,893 3,914 3,947 -0.55% Kimberly 3,908 4,532 4,969 5,055 5,169 14.06% Little Chute 1,550 1,515 1,521 1,550 1,572 3.76% Seymour 2,435 2,569 2,397 2,349 2,282 -11.17% Shiocton 838 786 758 722 708 -9.92% Sub Total 32,249 33,469 35,261 35,268 34,974 4.50% School Districts partially in Outagamie Co Clintonville 1,535 1,537 1,448 1,439 1,346 -12.43% New London 2,515 2,384 2,433 2,373 2,338 -1.93% West De Pere 2,126 2,772 3,197 3,365 3,340 20.49% Wrightstown 1,089 1,323 1,338 1,321 1,336 0.98% Sub Total 7,265 8,016 8,416 8,498 8,360 4.29% County 39,514 41,485 43,677 43,766 Total 43,334 4.46% Private School Enrollment 2010- 2004- 2009- 2014- 2015- 2016- 2017 % 05 10 15 2016 2017 Change County 6,461 5,380 5,042 5,025 4,942 -8.14% Total Source: DPI 2017

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Agriculture Statewide, the number of farms has declined by 200 between 2015 and 2016: What constitutes a (68,900 in 2015 to 68,700 farms in and farm? 2016). Land in agriculture totaled 14.4 According to the USDA, million acres. The average farm size a farm is defined as: increased by one acre to 210 acres. With the “any establishment from completion of the 2012 Census of which $1,000 or more of Agriculture, there is no new data for the agricultural products County. Estimates for 2013-2016 are were sold or would available from the State Statistical Office of normally be sold during the National Agricultural Statistical Service. the year”

In the last three years, there have been four amendments to the County Agricultural Plan expanding the working land areas of the County. The County has one Agricultural Enterprise Area (AEA) in the southwestern part of the County (Town of Greenville). The County is currently working on adding a multi County +/-110,000 acres AEA with Waupaca County that will be comprised of seven towns (Maple Creek and Deer Creek in Outagamie County).

A UW-Extension publication (2014) highlights value and economic impact in the Wisconsin counties. Agriculture provides 11,253 jobs for Outagamie County residents (354,000 state-wide) showing that agriculture is an important component for the County’s economy. Within the Fox Valley region, Outagamie County is leading the charge for sales derived from local sale of foods, with $1.35 million in local food sales from 122 farms, Brown County $910,000 from 87 farms, and Winnebago County accounting for $218,000 from 57 farms.

Table 12. Agriculture

Economic Importance of Agriculture: Comparison Outagamie Brown Winnebago Number of Jobs 11,253 17,045 2,087 Economic Impact ($) 2.9 billion 4.6 billion $379 million Direct Sales ($) $1.35 million $910,000 $218,000 Source: UW-Extension 2014

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Table 13. Agriculture Agriculture in Numbers 2016 2017 *2002 *2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012* 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Brown Winnebago Brown Winnebago General Information Number of Farms 1,430 1,362 ------1,170 ------Average Size of Farms (Acres) 184 182 ------214 ------Farm Land Total (Acres) 263,485 247,482 ------250,748 ------Continuing in Agricultural Use Acres Sold ------1,134 463 1,462 1,587 2,688 883 1,750 644 1,394 1,041 1,354 n/a n/a Dollars Per Acre ------5,056 5355 4,013 4,927 5,674 7301 8,359 8,426 7,180 10,757 6,230 n/a n/a Diverted to Other Uses Acres Sold ------382 478 255 41 --- 74 ------152 n/a n/a Dollars Per Acre ------8,897 8414 7,198 7,500 --- 29130 ------10,599 n/a n/a Crops - Acres Harvested Corn(Grain) 55,841 66,044 54,000 54500 58,900 59,300 62,001 62300 48,300 60,300 73,000 63,900 33,800 36,200 n/a 35,600 Corn(Silage) 23,864 23,613 29,500 28200 23,100 25,500 26,027 22500 26,000 23,900 11,900 13,800 27,000 12,700 33,600 n/a Oats 3,582 1,467 --- 2600 2,300 --- 1,600 1300 870 ------n/a ------1,700 120 Winter Wheat 8,827 9,419 --- 11100 8,200 10,500 6,531 6760 7,340 4,200 --- 4,330 --- 10,600 7,530 6,280 Soybeans 42,514 41,523 50,000 49000 49,300 50,200 51,500 44500 54,300 52,200 55,000 58,200 22,300 39,700 n/a 43,100 Hay (All Other) 1778 1552 ------2300 ------2,150 ------Alfalfa Hay (Dry) 24,953 24,407 45,500 24800 21,000 20,400 16,800 14500 20,900 ------n/a ------Livestock Cattle and Calves 86,716 86,472 85,000 85000 85,000 87,000 99,409 87000 97,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 125,000 35,500 125,000 36,000 Hogs and Pigs 12,020 3,062 ------2,053 ------no data n/a no data no data no data n/a Milk Cows 33,003 37,681 37,500 37500 38,000 38,000 38,017 38000 37,500 37,500 38,000 38,000 44,500 13,900 44,500 13,800 Source: USDA/NASS, 2017. *Data from 2002, 2007 & 2012 Census of Agriculture

25 | Page III. Conclusions/Summary

The information and data gathered in this report tells us that Outagamie County is continuing to grow – especially around the urban and suburban areas of the Fox Cities. Equalization values, population growth, and income indicate that Outagamie County is an attractive place for living and doing business.

Market forces and solid land use planning within the county are trending to more compact development patterns, increased mixed use and multi-family developments, with mostly sewered residential subdivisions.

Less development has been taking place in the rural parts of the County. While this could be perceived as a discouraging trend for rural communities, it conversely can be seen as an opportunity to help maintain rural character, further encourage agricultural development initiatives such as exclusive agriculture zoning and agriculture enterprise areas, and help minimize costs to maintain public infrastructure, helping keep government service costs to a minimum.

26 | Page List of References: Outagamie County Growth Report (2017)

State of Wisconsin: Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Wisconsin's WORKnet. 2018. “2017 Economic and Workforce Profile: Outagamie County”. Accessed April 26, 2018. https://www.jobcenterofwisconsin.com/wisconomy/query#projectionData

State of Wisconsin: Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Wisconsin's WORKnet. 2014. “Wisconsin’s Major Employers Search Results”. Accessed March 6, 2018. https://worknet.wisconsin.gov/worknet/worknetinfo.aspx?htm=pub_cntyprofiles_map

United States Census Bureau (US Census). 2017. Population estimates are calculated July 1 of each year. Accessed March 5, 2018. https://factfinder.census.gov USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). 2018. “Quick Stats”. Accessed March 22, 2018. https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). 2018. “USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service Wisconsin Field Office”. Accessed March 22, 2018. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Wisconsin/Publications/County_Estimates/

UW-Extension. 2014. “County Impact Reports”. Accessed April 27, 2018. https://anre.uwex.edu/economicimpact/

Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA). 2017. Population estimates are calculated as of January 1 of each year. Accessed March 5, 2018. http://www.doa.state.wi.us/Divisions/Intergovernmental- Relations/Demographic-Services-Center

WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI). 2017. “Enrollment Current 2016-2017”. Accessed March 6, 2018. http://wisedash.dpi.wi.gov/Dashboard/portalHome.jsp

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Labor Market Information. Jan 25, 2018. “Wisconsin County Unemployment Rates”. Accessed March 5, 2018. http://worknet.wisconsin.gov/worknet/worknetinfo.aspx?htm=map_uRatesCo&menuselection=gp

Wisconsin Department of Revenue. 2017. “Equalization Statement of Changes – by County”. Accessed March 6, 2018. https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/EQU/2017-expeqv.aspx

Wisconsin Department of Revenue. 2009. “Wisconsin Equalized Values“. Accessed April 27, 2018. https://www.revenue.wi.gov/DOR%20Publications/wieqval.pdf

Wisconsin Department of Revenue. 2015. “Equalized Values by County”. Accessed April 20, 2017. https://www.revenue.wi.gov/DORReports/2015aer.pdf