Kiel: Economy & Jobs
Kiel reports a median household income of $75,953 (1.1× higher than Manitowoc County median $69,148; about the same as Wisconsin median $77,485), with homes at a median value of $191,500. The surrounding county supports 16,250 jobs (avg $51,037).
- $86,193 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income (vs Wisconsin $74,990).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $75,953 — near the Wisconsin median ($73,427). Poverty rate 8.6% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 15% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 2.5× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 13.4% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 15.3% |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 8.6% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 3.7% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $26,750 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $2,305,662 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $86,193 (vs Wisconsin $74,990) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $84,226 |
| Median Household Income | $75,953 (vs Wisconsin $73,427) |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | blue_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Manufacturing |
| Economic Character · Income Level | upper-middle |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $75,953 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 1.4% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 8% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 18.70 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 7.7% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 16,250 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $829,322,978 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $51,037 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 2,885,990 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.4% (vs Wisconsin 2.2%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 46 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 126,983 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 2,760.50 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Milk, Crop Totals, Grain, Cattle |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 953 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 14,515 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 636,947 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 5 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 18 |
| Local Businesses · New Car Dealers | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Used Car Dealers | 6 |
| Local Businesses · Florists | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Beauty Salons | 12 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Grooming | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Auto Repair | 17 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 31 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 18 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 20 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 8 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (3)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (4)
| Nearest Snap · Name | KWIK TRIP 634 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 4 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | BIRCHWOOD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $249,174,916 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 4,751.44 (vs Wisconsin $6,238) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 52,442 people (vs Wisconsin 25,785) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 76.3% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 3.6% |
| Pct Walked | 7.7% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 45.2 years (vs Wisconsin 38.3y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 34.1% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12