Brown County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 44°29′N87°59′W / 44.48°N 87.99°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Wisconsin |
Founded | 1818 |
Named for | Jacob Brown |
Seat | Green Bay |
Largest city | Green Bay |
Area | |
• Total | 616 sq mi (1,600 km2) |
• Land | 530 sq mi (1,400 km2) |
• Water | 86 sq mi (220 km2) 14% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 268,740 |
• Estimate (2023) | 271,417 |
• Density | 507.0/sq mi (195.8/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 8th |
Website | www |
Brown County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 268,740, [1] making it the fourth-most populous county in Wisconsin. The county seat is Green Bay. [2] Brown County is part of the Green Bay, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Brown County is one of Wisconsin's two original counties, along with Crawford County. It originally spanned the entire eastern half of the state when formed by the Michigan Territorial legislature in 1818.[ citation needed ] It was named for Major General Jacob Brown, a military leader during the War of 1812. [3] [4]
Several towns along the Fox River vied for the position of county seat in Brown County's early years. The first county seat was located at Menomoneeville (now a part of Allouez) in 1824. In 1837, a public referendum relocated the county seat to De Pere. The location was put up for the popular vote again in 1854, resulting in the establishment of the present county seat at Green Bay. [5]
The oldest known tree in Wisconsin, a 1,300 year-old cedar growing on the Niagara Escarpment, was found in Brown County. [6]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 616 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 530 square miles (1,400 km2) is land and 86 square miles (220 km2) (14%) is water. [7]
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In 2017, there were 3,324 births, giving a general fertility rate of 65.6 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, which is above the Wisconsin average of 60.1. [9] Additionally, there were 168 reported induced abortions performed on women of Brown County residence, with a rate of 3.3 abortions per 1000 women aged 15–44, which is below the Wisconsin average rate of 5.2. [10]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1840 | 2,107 | — | |
1850 | 6,215 | 195.0% | |
1860 | 11,795 | 89.8% | |
1870 | 25,168 | 113.4% | |
1880 | 34,078 | 35.4% | |
1890 | 39,164 | 14.9% | |
1900 | 46,359 | 18.4% | |
1910 | 54,098 | 16.7% | |
1920 | 61,889 | 14.4% | |
1930 | 70,249 | 13.5% | |
1940 | 83,109 | 18.3% | |
1950 | 98,314 | 18.3% | |
1960 | 125,082 | 27.2% | |
1970 | 158,244 | 26.5% | |
1980 | 175,280 | 10.8% | |
1990 | 194,594 | 11.0% | |
2000 | 226,778 | 16.5% | |
2010 | 248,007 | 9.4% | |
2020 | 268,740 | 8.4% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [11] 1790–1960 [12] 1900–1990 [13] 1990–2000 [14] 2010–2020 [1] |
As of the census of 2020, [15] the population was 268,740. The population density was 507.0 people per square mile (195.8 people/km2). There were 112,908 housing units at an average density of 213.0 units per square mile (82.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 79.2% White, 3.2% Asian, 3.1% Black or African American, 2.8% Native American, 4.4% from other races, and 7.2% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 9.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
At the 2010 census there were 248,007 people, 98,383 households, and 63,721 families living in the county. The population density was 403 people per square mile (156 people/km2). There were 104,371 housing units at an average density of 170 units per square mile (66 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.5% White, 2.2% Black or African American, 2.7% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 0.0004% Pacific Islander, 3.7% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 7.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. [16] Of the 98,383 households 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 27.7% of households were one person and 8.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.02.
The age distribution was 24.1% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% 65 or older. The median age was 36.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.
At the 2000 census there were 226,778 people, 87,295 households, and 57,527 families living in the county. The population density was 429 people per square mile (166 people/km2). There were 90,199 housing units at an average density of 171 units per square mile (66 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.14% White, 1.16% Black or African American, 2.29% Native American, 2.18% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.90% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. 3.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.8% were of German, 8.9% Polish, 7.8% Belgian and 6.8% Irish ancestry. 93.2% spoke only English at home, 3.8% spoke Spanish and 1.2% Hmong. [16] Of the 87,295 households 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.20% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 26.50% of households were one person and 8.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.08.
The age distribution was 26.10% under the age of 18, 10.50% from 18 to 24, 31.90% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.70% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.
The legislative branch of Brown County is the 26-member Board of Supervisors. Each member represents a single district and serves a two-year term, with elections held in the spring of even-numbered years. The Board of Supervisors elects a Chairman and Vice Chairman from its membership.
The executive branch of Brown County is the County Executive, who is elected in the spring of every other odd-numbered year. The executive appoints department heads with the approval of the County Board. The current county executive is Troy Streckenbach.
Brown County has several other elected officials that are established under the Wisconsin State constitution and are referred to as the "constitutional officers". Constitutional officers are the only partisan elected officials within Brown County government, as the Executive and County Board are non-partisan positions.
The current constitutional officers are:
In July 2002, the county declared English its official language, voting 17–8 to do so and to increase spending to promote fluency in English.
Green Bay, center, is the seat of Brown County. The city of Oconto (half cut off at the bottom right) is the county seat of Oconto County. Slightly above and much further right of Oconto is Oconto Falls, also in Oconto County. The somewhat larger city above Oconto Falls is Pulaski, which is in Brown County at the very border with Shawano County. Shawano County extends between Pulaski and past the edge of the photograph.
The large city in the top right is Appleton, the county seat of Outagamie County. To the left of Appleton and across the northern edge of Lake Winnebago is Brillion in Calumet County.
The village directly to the left of Green Bay and its immediate suburbs is Denmark, in Brown County. The smaller communities above and slightly to the left of Denmark (including Cooperstown, Maribel, and Kellnersville) are in Manitowoc County.
Luxembourg (larger village in lower left) and Casco (half cut off at lower far left) are in Kewaunee County.
Since 1968, Brown County has voted for the Republican presidential candidate in all but two elections, 1996 and 2008. Democratic strength is concentrated in the city of Green Bay, while the suburban and rural areas typically vote Republican. [17]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 75,871 | 52.68% | 65,511 | 45.49% | 2,635 | 1.83% |
2016 | 67,210 | 52.10% | 53,382 | 41.38% | 8,419 | 6.53% |
2012 | 64,836 | 50.29% | 62,526 | 48.50% | 1,566 | 1.21% |
2008 | 55,854 | 44.77% | 67,269 | 53.92% | 1,631 | 1.31% |
2004 | 67,173 | 54.48% | 54,935 | 44.56% | 1,186 | 0.96% |
2000 | 54,258 | 50.35% | 49,096 | 45.56% | 4,415 | 4.10% |
1996 | 38,563 | 42.45% | 42,823 | 47.14% | 9,451 | 10.40% |
1992 | 42,352 | 41.24% | 37,513 | 36.53% | 22,836 | 22.24% |
1988 | 43,625 | 50.75% | 41,788 | 48.62% | 540 | 0.63% |
1984 | 51,202 | 62.44% | 30,218 | 36.85% | 583 | 0.71% |
1980 | 47,067 | 56.72% | 29,796 | 35.91% | 6,114 | 7.37% |
1976 | 36,571 | 50.62% | 33,572 | 46.47% | 2,100 | 2.91% |
1972 | 37,101 | 56.49% | 26,511 | 40.37% | 2,063 | 3.14% |
1968 | 30,133 | 53.67% | 21,615 | 38.50% | 4,395 | 7.83% |
1964 | 21,134 | 40.59% | 30,851 | 59.26% | 79 | 0.15% |
1960 | 26,329 | 49.72% | 26,577 | 50.19% | 46 | 0.09% |
1956 | 32,878 | 70.24% | 13,642 | 29.14% | 288 | 0.62% |
1952 | 30,400 | 67.80% | 14,342 | 31.99% | 94 | 0.21% |
1948 | 17,729 | 48.50% | 18,449 | 50.47% | 380 | 1.04% |
1944 | 17,762 | 50.14% | 17,576 | 49.61% | 88 | 0.25% |
1940 | 16,379 | 45.45% | 19,526 | 54.18% | 135 | 0.37% |
1936 | 8,433 | 27.14% | 21,417 | 68.92% | 1,227 | 3.95% |
1932 | 7,150 | 25.87% | 19,990 | 72.34% | 494 | 1.79% |
1928 | 9,371 | 36.04% | 16,465 | 63.32% | 168 | 0.65% |
1924 | 7,611 | 37.90% | 2,328 | 11.59% | 10,141 | 50.50% |
1920 | 8,845 | 61.66% | 3,877 | 27.03% | 1,623 | 11.31% |
1916 | 4,132 | 40.02% | 5,771 | 55.90% | 421 | 4.08% |
1912 | 2,764 | 32.76% | 3,557 | 42.16% | 2,116 | 25.08% |
1908 | 4,947 | 55.25% | 3,354 | 37.46% | 653 | 7.29% |
1904 | 6,027 | 65.84% | 2,667 | 29.13% | 460 | 5.03% |
1900 | 4,934 | 56.80% | 3,588 | 41.30% | 165 | 1.90% |
1896 | 5,436 | 57.51% | 3,841 | 40.64% | 175 | 1.85% |
1892 | 2,855 | 42.41% | 3,653 | 54.26% | 224 | 3.33% |
Winnebago County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 171,730. Its county seat is Oshkosh. It was named for the historic Winnebago people, a federally recognized Native American tribe now known as the Ho-Chunk Nation. Chief Oshkosh was a Menominee leader in the area. Winnebago County comprises the Oshkosh-Neenah, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah, WI Combined Statistical Area.
Waupaca County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 51,812. The county seat is Waupaca. The county was created in 1851 and organized in 1853. It is named after the Waupaca River, a Menominee language name meaning 'white sand bottom', 'pale water', or 'tomorrow river'.
Shawano County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,881. Its county seat is Shawano.
Outagamie County is a county in the Fox Cities region of the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located in the northeast of the state. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 190,705. Its county seat is Appleton.
Oconto County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 38,965. Its county seat is Oconto. The county was established in 1851.
Menominee County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,255, making it the least populous county in Wisconsin. Its county seat is in the community of Keshena.
Marinette County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 41,872. Its county seat is Marinette. Marinette County is part of the Marinette, WI–MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Langlade County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,491. Its county seat is Antigo.
Pittsfield is a town in Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 2,608 at the 2010 census.
Suamico is a village in Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 12,820 at the time of the 2020 census. Suamico is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area, and contains the neighborhood community of Flintville.
Suring is a village in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States, along the 45th parallel. The population was 544 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Cicero is a town in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,092 at the 2000 census.
Grand Chute is a town in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 23,831 at the 2020 census. The unincorporated community of Apple Creek is partially located in the town. It was the birthplace of U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Shawano is a city and the county seat of Shawano County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 9,243 at the 2020 census.
Pulaski is a village in Brown, Oconto, and Shawano counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,539 at the 2010 census. Of this, 3,321 were in Brown County, 218 in Shawano County, and none in Oconto County.
Wrightstown is a village in Brown and Outagamie counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,179 at the 2020 census. The village is surrounded mostly by the westernmost part of the Town of Wrightstown in Brown County. On February 28, 2002, the village annexed a portion of land within the adjacent Town of Kaukauna in Outagamie County.
Gillett is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,386 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is adjacent to the Town of Gillett.
Lena is a village in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 564 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. The village is located within the Town of Lena.
Oconto is a city and county seat of Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,609 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is located partially within the town of Oconto.
Seymour is a city in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,546 at the 2020 census. The city is located within the Town of Seymour and the Town of Osborn.