Is Fond du Lac Safe, Pros and cons of living in Fond du Lac

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is a city situated at the southern end of Lake Winnebago. This location offers a blend of natural beauty and a community-focused environment, making it a noteworthy place for potential residents. The city provides a cost of living that is lower than the national average, with particular affordability in its housing market.

Fond du Lac’s economy is significantly influenced by its manufacturing sector, which is well above the national average in terms of employment and earnings. The city also benefits from its strategic location, offering access to major transportation routes and a skilled workforce. These factors contribute to its appeal as a place to live and work.

Is it Safe to Live in Fond du Lac?

When considering safety, Fond du Lac presents a mixed picture with some aspects below the national average and others above. The city’s violent crime rate is 16.8% below the national average, with an annual rate of 88.3 per 100,000 residents (as reported by FBI crime data). However, property crime is 6.6% above the national average, with an annual rate of 174.4 per 100,000 residents (according to FBI crime data).

The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Fond du Lac is approximately 1 in 40 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). While the violent crime rate is lower than the national average, the property crime rate is higher. Some analyses indicate that Fond du Lac has a crime rate higher than 97% of Wisconsin’s cities and towns of all sizes (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Housing Costs and Market Trends

The housing market in Fond du Lac offers a more affordable option compared to the national average. The median sale price for a home in Fond du Lac was $235,000 as of March 2026, which is 46% lower than the national median (as reported by Redfin). This median sale price represents a slight decrease of 1.9% compared to the previous year.

Homes in Fond du Lac typically sell after about 63 days on the market (as reported by Redfin). The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Fond du Lac was $1,154 as of March 2026 (according to Zillow). This is significantly lower than the national average rent of $1,910 (as reported by Zillow).

Job Market and Economic Landscape

Fond du Lac’s economy is characterized by a strong manufacturing presence, which is significantly above the national average in terms of jobs and earnings (as reported by Envision Greater Fond du Lac). The average hourly wage in the Fond du Lac metropolitan area was $28.83 in May 2024, which is lower than the nationwide average of $32.66 (as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Higher paying occupations include management ($61.15/hour), healthcare practitioners and technical ($56.00/hour), and legal professions ($46.08/hour).

The unemployment rate in Fond du Lac was 3.70% as of April 2026, which is lower than the long-term average of 5.27% (as reported by YCharts). Major employers in the area include industries like manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance, government, and retail trade (as reported by Envision Greater Fond du Lac).

Climate and Weather Patterns

Fond du Lac experiences a climate with warm summers and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The temperature typically ranges from 12°F to 82°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below -7°F or exceeding 90°F (as reported by Weather Atlas). The warm season extends from late May to mid-September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 81°F and a low of 62°F.

The cold season lasts from early December to early March, with January being the coldest month, featuring average low temperatures of 13°F and high temperatures of 27°F (as reported by Weather Atlas). The city receives a moderate amount of rainfall annually, with precipitation varying throughout the seasons.

Educational Opportunities

Fond du Lac offers a range of educational options for its residents. The Fond du Lac School District is considered above average, with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1 for its 6,446 students across grades PK-12 (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 30% of students are proficient in math and 38% are proficient in reading within the district.

Fond du Lac High School, part of the district, has an overall Niche grade of B, with a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1 for its 1,905 students in grades 9-12. According to state test scores, 24% of students are proficient in math and 29% in reading at the high school level (as reported by Niche). The Fond du Lac STEM Academy is noted as an A-minus rated school with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1.

Demographics and Community Profile

As of the most current U.S. Census data, Fond du Lac has a population of 44,494, making it the 15th most populated city in Wisconsin (as reported by Census Bureau). The projected population for 2026 is 45,151 (as reported by CUBIT). The largest racial/ethnic groups in Fond du Lac are White (80.3%), Hispanic (9.4%), and Asian (3.6%) (as reported by CUBIT).

The median age in Fond du Lac is 36.9 years (as reported by CUBIT). In 2024, the median household income was $62,260, with 7.3% of families living in poverty (as reported by CUBIT). Fond du Lac County’s population is 86.0% White, 6.8% Hispanic, and 3.0% Multiracial (as reported by Census Dots).