Both the city’s population and its tax base continue to demonstrate vibrant strength and growth.

Growth in population:
The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 census revealed that the City of Fond du Lac’s population is now 44,678. The city grew 3.9% during the past decade, a growth rate that outpaced the state of Wisconsin’s growth rate of 3.6%. Also noteworthy, Fond du Lac’s 3.9% growth during the past 10 years is double the 1.4% growth of the preceding decade, 2000-2009.

Growth in tax base:
The City of Fond du Lac’s equalized value, which some call the tax base, showed substantial growth over the past year, increasing 6% to $3.3 billion. This is due to the recovery of the underlying value in real property, a recovery that began in 2015.

This is the largest single year increase in twenty years and part of the 28% expansion just since 2015. This is important for property tax payers because when the tax base is expanding the burden of the tax levy is spread more widely. When the equalized value expands at a greater rate than that of the tax levy it reduces the tax rate. The city’s proposed tax rate for 2022 is actually less than the 2017 tax rate, for example.

City Manager Joe Moore attributes these successful outcomes, “to community resiliency, strong partnerships and adaptability.” He went on to highlight some examples of current and future projects related to future growth. “The redevelopment projects on Johnson Street at the former mall and at the former Shopko are wonderful adaptations and partnerships as is the upcoming major residential project on Brooke Street. Projects like these help make the city an attractive place to live and work as it continues to grow its local economy in a city that had more people employed in June and July than at any other time during the previous decade.”