NAICS 72

Accommodation and Food Services in Appleton, WI

Metro Market Score 32.0 (Favorable), ranked #19 of 298 metros. 584 establishments, 10,410 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 32.0
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Favorable

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national accommodation and food services average.

🌱Emerging Market

Employment in Appleton's accommodation and food services sector grew faster than most metros last year, pushing its growth trend index to 73.8. Combined with a 32.0 market score, this metro sits in the top 10% for overall conditions.

Industry Concentration
28.2
LQ: 0.92
Rank #84 of 298 metros
Wage Competitiveness
13.4
$20,778 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 73.8
Employment growth index
Rank #79 of 298 metros
Wage Pressure
68.9
YoY wage change index

584 Accommodation and Food Services Firms in Appleton

584
Establishments
+3.2% YoY
10,410
Total Employment
+1.8% YoY
$20,778
Average Annual Wage
+2.8% YoY
0.92
Location Quotient
Below national avg

Appleton vs Wisconsin Statewide

How this metro's accommodation and food services market compares to Wisconsin overall. The state ranks #5/51 for entry risk.

Measure Appleton WI Statewide
Overall Score 32.0 Favorable 28.2 Low
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #19 of 298 metros #5 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Appleton

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 27.7 Retail Trade 39.0 Finance and Insurance 65.1 Administrative and Support Services 68.5 Construction 69.6

Accommodation and Food Services in Other Wisconsin Metros

Wausau 16.5 #1/298 Oshkosh-Neenah 22.7 #2/298 La Crosse-Onalaska 24.4 #3/298 Fond du Lac 26.7 #8/298 Sheboygan 26.8 #9/298 Eau Claire 27.7 #10/298 Racine-Mount Pleasant 31.7 #17/298 Janesville-Beloit 34.6 #29/298 Milwaukee-Waukesha 37.3 #39/298 Madison 40.3 #50/298

+ 1 more metros. View all in Wisconsin →

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Appleton's accommodation and food services sector, the wage pressure component (68.9) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.