BRILLION, Wis. — Calumet County leads the state in percentage of population growth since 2020.
Standing in a condo staged to sell, Keith Krepline said housing like this in Brillion isn’t staying on the market long these days.
“This actually has an offer. We had an offer right away. They don’t last real long typically, just because people see how beautiful the area is and how economical the house is,” he said. “Even for the existing homes we get a lot of good traffic. It’s not 20 or 30 offers, it’s maybe five.”
Percentage wise, Calumet County — where Brillion is located — leads the state in growth at a little more than 7%, according to preliminary census data.
Krepline is with Krepline & Associates, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group Brillion as well as the owner of The Hometown Homebuilders.
“In the last few years, this area I think is getting more and more attention. Calumet County has always been a great location for people. You’ve got the lakes, you’ve got the parks, it’s easy access to everything,” he said. “With Lake Winnebago, if you want something on the lake or you want to be somewhere in the county, or even small town, we have it.”
Preliminary census estimates put Calumet County at 56,203 people. That’s up almost 4,000 residents from four years ago.
Population and business growth is driving new developments in communities of all sizes in the county, said Jason Pausma, the county’s economic development director.
“We really do have the urban amenities that you would find in the Fox Cities,” he said. “Appleton is in Calumet County in the northwest corner of the county and we also have that small town rural charm for those who are looking for that.”
While there is concentrated in growth in places like Harrison, other smaller communities are also seeing growth.
“Good things are happening in some of the smaller communities, too. We continue to see outside investment continuing to come into the county,” Pausma said. “In the Town of Chilton, Grande Cheese just ground on a new plant expansion and remodel that they’re going to do there.”
Krepline said he expects interest in the county will continue to grow in the coming months and years.
He points to area schools, proximity of Appleton and Green Bay and the smaller size of many communities as attractions pulling people to the county.
“I really think we’re going to see even a bigger bump in Calumet County as you see people coming out of the Fox Cities and out of Green Bay where there’s too much hustle and bustle and there are small lots,” he said. “These lots are generously sized, so, I think we’re going to see more and more people coming out to live here.”