Founded by the paper industry, the Village of Kimberly still draws its economic strength from paper manufacturing and related industries. The community was created in 1889 as a company settlement for the pulp and paper mill built there by Kimberly, Clark and Co., now international consumer products manufacturer Kimberly-Clark Corp. The mill, now operating as Stora Enso, remains the major employer. Between K-C's and Stora Enso's ownership, the coated paper mill was owned by Canadian-based Repap Enterprises among others. The village celebrates the prosperity it has derived from the paper industry with an annual Paper Arts Festival.

Kimberly, population 6,292, blends seamlessly into the metropolitan area of nearly 180,000 known as the Fox Cities. It lies adjacent to Appleton on the south bank of the Fox River about 100 miles north of Milwaukee and 30 miles south of Green Bay. Together with the City of Kaukauna and Villages of Little Chute and Combined Locks, it is part of the "Heart of the Valley" area of the Fox River Valley.

The village has developed an industrial park. Another major employer is U.S. Oil, which has its headquarters for its convenience stores, motor oil and plumbing, heating and air conditioning operations in Kimberly. Most of the retail is centered in strip shopping centers. Sunset Park opens up the Fox River to recreation and has served as host multiple times for the International Softball Congress annual World Tournament and home to its Hall of Fame.