Adjacent counties

• Shawano County - north
• Brown County - east
• Calumet County - southeast
• Winnebago County - southwest
• Waupaca County - west

Rivers

• Wolf River - The Wolf River runs through the city of New London and the village of Shiocton along western half of the county.
• Fox River - The Fox River follows the south-eastern corner of the county, running through the cities of Appleton and Kaukauna
• Shioc River - This river runs merges with the Wolf River in the village of Shiocton.
• Embarrass River - The Embarrass River runs through the city of New London and merges with the Wolf River there.

Lakes

• Black Otter Lake - Located in Hortonville, it receives much recreational use by anglers for being the only lake within the county.

County Executive

The county executive serves as its chief executive officer, participating in the legislative process with the County Board of Supervisors and exercising administrative authority and control over the county's operations, departments, offices, boards, programs, and communications.^[9]

Department heads are appointed by the county executive, subject to the approval of the board of supervisors. The county executive also appoints members to the county's boards and commissions. The county executive sets the annual budget in consultation with and subject to the approval of the board of supervisors.^[10][11]

County Executive Tom Nelson was first elected in 2011.^[12]

Major highways

County Highways

Railroads

• Canadian National
• Watco

Buses

• Valley Transit (Wisconsin)
• List of intercity bus stops in Wisconsin

Airports

• Appleton International Airport (KATW) serves the county and surrounding communities. It is the third busiest airport in Wisconsin and is served by 4 airlines to 16 destinations.
• Shiocton Airport (W34) is a grass strip airport located in Shiocton, Wisconsin

2020 census

As of the census of 2020,^[2] the population was 190,705. The population density was 299.1 people per square mile (115.5 people/km²). There were 79,131 housing units at an average density of 124.1 units per square mile (47.9 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.0% White, 3.5% Asian, 1.6% Native American, 1.6% Black or African American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.0% from other races, and 5.3% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 4.9% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census

As of the census^[19] of 2000, there were 160,971 people, 60,530 households, and 42,189 families residing in the county. The population density was 251 people per square mile (97 people/km²). There were 62,614 housing units at an average density of 98 units per square mile (38 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.87% White, 0.54% Black or African American, 1.54% Native American, 2.23% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.81% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 1.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 47.7% were of German, 9.4% Dutch, 6.2% Irish and 5.2% American and French-Canadian ancestry.

Of the 60,530 households, 36.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.14.

By age, 27.70% of the population was under 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 31.90% from 25 to 44, 20.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% were 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.

In 2017, there were 2,204 births, giving a general fertility rate of 64.0 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 34th highest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties.^[20] Additionally, there were 136 reported induced abortions performed on women of Outagamie County residence in 2017.^[21]

Cities

• Appleton (county seat; partly in Calumet County and Winnebago County)
• Kaukauna (partially in Calumet County)
• New London (mostly in Waupaca County)
• Seymour

Villages

Towns

Census-designated place

• Dale

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns/neighborhoods

• Grand Chute
• Lawesburg
• Lime Rock
• Wakefield

Native American community

• Oneida Nation of Wisconsin (partial)