Dutch heritage and year-round outdoor fun in Little Chute, Wisconsin
While Wisconsin’s Fox River Valley has long been paper mill country, the village of Little Chute, just east of Appleton, has plenty more to its character. Its fully functional windmill shows off the village’s prominent Dutch heritage. “It was shipped in pieces from Holland,” says Linda Sanderfoot, a real estate agent and broker associate with Coldwell Bankers. Other important features are year-round outdoor recreation on and around the Fox River and Lake Winnebago and proximity to Appleton and Green Bay. “Yes, we all love the Packers,” Sanderfoot says. “If you don’t, you don’t tell us. You wear green and pretend.”
While mills still operate around the Fox Cities, they aren’t the only industry. “We have a mix,” Sanderfoot says. “The mills, the Kimberly Clark Corporation and healthcare. Green Bay added a medical college, and we’re getting their residents, which has been huge for us.” One of the largest employers in Appleton is Ascension Health, which operates St. Elizabeth Hospital. ThedaCare Regional Medical Center is the area’s other hospital.
Nestled on the Fox River, Little Chute is just east of Appleton.
Little Chute benefits from jobs offered by ThedaCare Medical Center nearby.
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A relatively affordable cost of living near Appleton
Little Chute homes tend to be a little older. “The average home south of Interstate 41 might be 40 to 70 years old,” Sanderfoot says, though the village has expanded recently. “We were landlocked for a long time but bought land from the town of Vandenbroek, so now there’s a little expansion north of 41. Those homes might have been built in the last 10 years.”
The median single-family home price is about $293,000, lower than the national median and a little lower than the median in Appleton, but the market can be tough to enter. “Houses are often bought by friends or family,” Sanderfoot says. “It’s just word of mouth.”
Large and elegant modern Victorian Revival homes are part of Little Chute's appeal.
Residents in Little Chute can find new traditional homes north of Highway 41.
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Interstate 41 and an ice highway on the lake connect the region
The village is 6 miles from Appleton and 26 miles from Green Bay and is connected to both via Interstate 41. Valley Transit offers bus service. The Appleton International Airport is 13 miles away and offers flights from five airlines. Some folks might even travel across Lake Winnebago via snowmobile when the ice is thick.
About 26 miles north, Green Bay offers a variety of activities for Little Chute locals.
Appleton International Airport is 13 miles from Little Chute and offers various flights.
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Four-school pipeline keeps the community close-knit
The Little Chute Area School District earns an A-minus from Niche. The district uses a unique pipeline: students move through an elementary school, intermediate school, middle school and high school. It also has two charter schools, including a Career Pathways Academy. “They just put a huge addition on the high school’s sports complex, redoing the football fields and such,” Sanderfoot says. Lawrence University, in Appleton, is a highly regarded liberal arts university and music conservancy.
A great choice for families, Little Chute Elementary serves kids in Little Chute.
Students benefit from the great football field at Little Chute Area School District.
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The fun never stops on Lake Winnebago
The village maintains 11 parks, but water is the big draw here. Little Chute is right on the Fox River and 10 miles from the High Cliff State Park Marina, with a boat launch onto Lake Winnebago. Residents can enjoy the water year-round, even when it freezes. “Good-golly, ice-fishing is huge for us because we have so much water,” Sanderfoot says. “And there’s a walking trail through Heesakker Park and across the dam, and then you can walk the island between the locks. It’s a great walking system and the village works hard to maintain the trails.”
High Cliff State Park is 10 miles from Little Chute and full of peaceful scenery.
On the Fox River, the Little Chute Lock highlights the city’s rich history.
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Windmill tours, Cheese Fest and games at Lambeau Field
The windmill is a popular destination and point of pride. “We raised the money to get our windmill,” Sanderfoot says. “They actually grind flour certain days of the month, which is fun. They give tours, too.” The village’s many Packer fans are only 23 miles south of Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Cheese Fest is a weekend event with live music, a carnival and a curd eating contest. St. John’s Catholic Church hosts events like monthly breakfasts. “Saint John’s is very important to the community,” Sanderfoot says.
The Windmill is a highlight in Little Chute, offering tours and Dutch charm.
In Little Chute, St. John’s Catholic Church offers monthly breakfasts and more.
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Friday fish fry at Hollander and Heiting Place
Wisconsin’s traditional Friday Fish Fry is a big deal. “You can take your partner out for fish for a Friday night for under 75 bucks, which is pretty gosh darn good,” Sanderfoot says. “And that includes a few old fashioneds.” She recommends Hollander and Heiting Place Supper Club. “Those are probably the two most popular fish fry spots.” Local shops live in downtown Little Chute and residents can head 8 miles west to the Fox River Mall, Wisconsin’s largest, for more shopping. “It’s quality, but you can afford to go there,” Sanderfoot says. “It’s not all Prada.”
Heiting Place Supper Club serves a classic Friday Fish Fry in Little Chute.
Just 8 miles west, Fox River Mall offers Little Chute residents top shopping choices.
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Cold winters don’t keep locals from getting outside
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, violent crime counts rose somewhat in 2023, while property crime counts dropped significantly from 2015 to 2018 and have remained low since. Winters are cold, but folks get outside anyway, especially for ice-fishing. “You may need an extender on your auger since the ice is 4 feet thick right now,” Sanderfoot says. The Fox River can flood — it did in summer of 2024. The paper mill smell can be an occasional nuisance.
Written By
Ty Phelps
Photography Contributed By
Chon Kit Leong
Video By
Derek Fowler
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Little Chute, WI sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Little Chute, WI over the last 12 months is $310,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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