The City of Ripon is a thriving community of 7,863 residents located just 20 miles west of the Fox Valley, in the heart of Wisconsin.  Our family-oriented community offers the advantages and conveniences of living near a metropolitan area, plus the peacefulness and safety of small town Wisconsin. Ripon has a rich and significant history. Our community is the home of Ripon College and the Little White Schoolhouse, which is known for being the "Birthplace of the Republican Party."  Excellent schools, a thriving downtown, and a wide variety of recreational opportunities add to the high quality of life.