Despite the recession, Fox Valley real estate and Appleton real estate have seen an influx of eager buyers over the last five years. According to the 2008 population estimates, Outgamie County added 1,761 residents last year. Winnebago County also surpassed the state average in growth, adding 1,061 additional residents. "The Fox Cities metropolitan area is doing very well by comparison to most other communities in Wisconsin," said Kara Homan, an economic development specialist with the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. "People are attracted to the Fox Cities, No. 1, because of the fact that people can get jobs here." The Fox Valley real estate area saw its first major population increase in 1853 when the first paper mill opened. Today the Fox River Valley has the highest concentration of paper-making facilities in the world, with 80 paper manufacturing facilities and 90 publishing companies. The local paper industry employs roughly 10% of the Fox Valley residents. However, the Appleton real estate area is blessed with many other employment opportunities as well. Among Fox Valley Wisconsin companies that employ more than 1,000 workers are: Thedacare (medical equipment), the Appleton school district, Fox River Valley Technical College, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (life insurance), Appleton Papers Inc (coated & laminated paper), Wal-mart (discount stores). Sara Lee Corp / Hillshire Farms (meat processing), Outgamie County (government) and Miller Electric Manufacturing (welding & soldering). The Wisconsin Department of Revenue said that the Appleton area saw a 5.1% increase in employment from 2003 to 2007, seeing large growth in the service, finance, insurance and Appleton real estate sectors. In their annual survey, the WRD found that 87% of the 202,000 workers polled said they were satisfied with the local job market. Additionally, Policom Corporation rated Appleton #109/363 in terms of economic strength. "Our home values never appreciated at the rates we saw in other parts of the country during the housing boom," Kara Homan noted. "That's another thing that makes this area attractive to people. Our housing has always been reasonably affordable." The cost of living is low, the amenities are high in Fox Valley real estate -- what more could a person looking to relocate possibly want?
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