1st Advantage MortgageManitowoc County households have a median income of $69,148 and median rent of $797 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Wisconsin before sharing details.
On this page
- Who lives in Manitowoc County
- Paychecks and income spread in Manitowoc County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Manitowoc County
- How Manitowoc County residents earn a living
- The communities that make up Manitowoc County
- How Manitowoc County compares with nearby counties
- Budget math at the Manitowoc County median
- Reading the Manitowoc County data as a borrower
- Manitowoc County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before you sign
- Licensing and complaints for Manitowoc County
- More guides for Manitowoc County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Manitowoc County
Roughly 81,406 residents live in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, 21st by population among the state's 72 counties and county equivalents. It covers 589 square miles of land, or about 138 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Manitowoc County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 13 places in the county (11 incorporated, 2 census-designated); the largest is Manitowoc, with about 34,620 residents, or 43% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Manitowoc County
Half of Manitowoc County households take in less than $69,148 a year and half take in more, 11% below the Wisconsin median of $77,485. That places it 44th among Wisconsin's 72 county-level areas.
| Household income | Manitowoc County | vs Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.7% | +0.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.3% | +6.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.9% | -2.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.2% | -4.1 pts |
Some 21% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 31% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 9.6% of Manitowoc County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Wisconsin. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.410 here. None of these numbers decides a Manitowoc County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rent, home values and ownership in Manitowoc County
Renters in Manitowoc County pay a median of $797 a month, 27% below the Wisconsin figure of $1,087. 31% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 16% spend half or more. With a median value of $186,900, a typical Manitowoc County house costs 2.7 times what the median household earns in a year. 77% of Manitowoc County households own their home and 23% rent. The median home was built in 1964, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Manitowoc County | Wisconsin statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $797/mo | $1,087/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $186,900 | $266,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 31% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.3% | 3.1% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
How Manitowoc County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Manitowoc County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 30% of workers, followed by education and health care (18%). Manufacturing stands out: 30% of workers here, versus 18% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Manitowoc County averages 2.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.2%). Long commutes are the exception here: 9% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Manitowoc County | Gap to Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 29.6% | +11.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.5% | -4.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.7% | -1.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.8% | -0.6 pts |
| Construction | 6.6% | +0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.0% | -3.4 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
The communities that make up Manitowoc County
Here are the 13 most populous of the county's 13 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 67% of Manitowoc County residents live in one of the 13. Francis Creek has the highest median household income on the list ($86,875) and Whitelaw the lowest ($57,027), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Reedsville ($581) and steepest in Valders ($1,035). No Manitowoc County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 13.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitowoc | city | 34,620 | $63,757 | $804 | 6 mi |
| Two Rivers | city | 11,231 | $57,222 | $780 | 0 mi |
| Cleveland | village | 1,676 | $82,589 | $975 | 19 mi |
| Mishicot | village | 1,450 | $64,554 | $758 | 6 mi |
| Reedsville | village | 1,099 | $72,917 | $581 | 19 mi |
| St. Nazianz | village | 907 | $57,895 | $582 | 20 mi |
| Valders | village | 873 | $81,875 | $1,035 | 16 mi |
| Whitelaw | village | 862 | $57,027 | $950 | 12 mi |
| Francis Creek | village | 627 | $86,875 | $650 | 8 mi |
| Maribel | village | 370 | $74,167 | $679 | 14 mi |
| Kellnersville | village | 254 | $45,481 | $640 | 12 mi |
| Collins | CDP | 249 | $70,000 | n/a | 21 mi |
| Clarks Mills | CDP | 87 | $103,750 | n/a | 15 mi |
How Manitowoc County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (30 to 47 miles). Income ranges from $73,094 in Sheboygan County to $96,996 in Ozaukee County; all six of these neighbors top Manitowoc County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitowoc County | - | $69,148 | $797/mo | 77% |
| Sheboygan County, WI | 30 mi | $73,094 | $934/mo | 71% |
| Brown County, WI | 30 mi | $79,649 | $1,031/mo | 66% |
| Kewaunee County, WI | 32 mi | $82,725 | $847/mo | 86% |
| Calumet County, WI | 32 mi | $88,810 | $1,073/mo | 80% |
| Ozaukee County, WI | 47 mi | $96,996 | $1,154/mo | 73% |
| Outagamie County, WI | 47 mi | $85,069 | $1,057/mo | 71% |
Budget math at the Manitowoc County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Manitowoc County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,762 before taxes
- 14% goes to median rent ($797)
- Under a 36% cap, $2,074 total minus rent leaves $1,277
- $1,681: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Reading the Manitowoc County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Manitowoc County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Retirees. At a median age of 45.1, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Manitowoc County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Manitowoc County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 23% of the adult population. 4.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Manitowoc County | Wisconsin | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.1 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.6% | 33.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.7% | 6.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.1% | 5.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.3% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.8% | 13.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.6% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | 3.2% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Manitowoc County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.7% |
| 60+ min | 4.6% |
Before you sign
Quick steps for Manitowoc County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Manitowoc County-area credit union.
- A Wisconsin license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Manitowoc County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Manitowoc County resident can confirm its license with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Wisconsin guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Manitowoc County
The Wisconsin guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Manitowoc County a high-income county?
Its $69,148 median ranks 44th of 72 Wisconsin counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Manitowoc County rent compare with Wisconsin?
$797 locally versus $1,087 for the state, 27% below.
What are the biggest places in Manitowoc County?
By population: Manitowoc, Two Rivers, Cleveland, Mishicot, Reedsville. The county has 13 Census places in all.
Are Manitowoc County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who regulates personal lenders for Manitowoc County residents?
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Wisconsin; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.