Brown County, Wisconsin

Brown County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2010 census, the population was 248,007,[1] making it the fourth-most populous county in Wisconsin. The county seat is Green Bay, making it one of three Wisconsin counties on Lake Michigan not to have a county seat with the same name.[2] Brown County is part of the Green Bay, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area.

This article is about the county in Wisconsin. For other counties of the same name in other states, see Brown County (disambiguation).
Brown County
U.S. county
Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°29′N 87°59′W
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Founded1818
Named forJacob Brown
SeatGreen Bay
Largest cityGreen Bay
Area
 • Total616 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Land530 sq mi (1,400 km2)
 • Water86 sq mi (220 km2)  14%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total248,007
 • Estimate 
(2019)
264,542
 • Density400/sq mi (160/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.co.brown.wi.us

History
Wisconsin Territory depicted on this 1835 Tourist's Pocket Map Of Michigan, showing a Menominee-filled Brown County, Wisconsin that spans the northern half of the territory.

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. It was named for Major General Jacob Brown,[3][4] a military leader during the War of 1812. The oldest known tree in Wisconsin, a 1,300 year-old cedar growing on the Niagara Escarpment, was found in Brown County.[5]

Geography

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.[6]

Major highways
  • Highway 54
  • Highway 57
  • Highway 96
  • Highway 160
  • Highway 172

Climate
Brown County
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
62
 
 
−8
−13
 
 
62
 
 
−6
−11
 
 
66
 
 
1
−8
 
 
141
 
 
16
1
 
 
105
 
 
20
7
 
 
106
 
 
24
14
 
 
108
 
 
28
16
 
 
88
 
 
27
15
 
 
72
 
 
22
12
 
 
121
 
 
12
5
 
 
68
 
 
5
−2
 
 
61
 
 
−5
−11
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: [7]

Demographics

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.[8] 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.[9]

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18402,107—
18506,215195.0%
186011,79589.8%
187025,168113.4%
188034,07835.4%
189039,16414.9%
190046,35918.4%
191054,09816.7%
192061,88914.4%
193070,24913.5%
194083,10918.3%
195098,31418.3%
1960125,08227.2%
1970158,24426.5%
1980175,28010.8%
1990194,59411.0%
2000226,77816.5%
2010248,0079.4%
2019 (est.)264,542[10]6.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790–1960[12] 1900–1990[13]
1990–2000[14] 2010–2019[1]

2010 census

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/km2). There were 104,371 housing units at an average density of 170 per square mile (66/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.[15] 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.

2000 census
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Brown County

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/km2). There were 90,199 housing units at an average density of 171 per square mile (66/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.[15] 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.

Government

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:

  • County Executive: Troy Streckenbach
  • Clerk: Sandy Juno (R)
  • Clerk of Circuit Courts: John Vander Leest (R)
  • District Attorney: David L. Lasee (R)
  • Register of Deeds: Cheryl Berken (R)
  • Sheriff: Todd Delain (R)
  • Treasurer: Paul Zeller (R)

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.

Communities
Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena
Farmland in rural Brown County
The County Executive Troy Streckenbach, Brown County Neville Museum Director, and Mayor Jim Schmitt of Green Bay in front of the dinosaur sculpture.

Cities

Villages

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Native American communities

Ghost towns/Neighborhoods

Adjacent counties
Brown County and adjacent counties, in the early morning of January 1, 2018, taken from the International Space Station

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.]]

Politics

Since 1968, Brown County has voted for the Republican presidential candidate in all but two elections, 1996 and 2008. Since 1988, however, Brown County has been one of the most competitive electoral areas in Wisconsin. The city of Green Bay leans Democratic, while the suburban and rural areas typically vote Republican.[16]

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 52.7% 75,871 45.5% 65,511 1.8% 2,635
2016 52.1% 67,210 41.4% 53,382 6.5% 8,419
2012 50.3% 64,836 48.5% 62,526 1.2% 1,566
2008 44.8% 55,854 53.9% 67,269 1.3% 1,631
2004 54.5% 67,173 44.6% 54,935 1.0% 1,186
2000 50.4% 54,258 45.6% 49,096 4.1% 4,415
1996 42.5% 38,563 47.1% 42,823 10.4% 9,451
1992 41.2% 42,352 36.5% 37,513 22.2% 22,836
1988 50.8% 43,625 48.6% 41,788 0.6% 540
1984 62.4% 51,202 36.9% 30,218 0.7% 583
1980 56.7% 47,067 35.9% 29,796 7.4% 6,114
1976 50.6% 36,571 46.5% 33,572 2.9% 2,100
1972 56.5% 37,101 40.4% 26,511 3.1% 2,063
1968 53.7% 30,133 38.5% 21,615 7.8% 4,395
1964 40.6% 21,134 59.3% 30,851 0.2% 79
1960 49.7% 26,329 50.2% 26,577 0.1% 46
1956 70.2% 32,878 29.1% 13,642 0.6% 288
1952 67.8% 30,400 32.0% 14,342 0.2% 94
1948 48.5% 17,729 50.5% 18,449 1.0% 380
1944 50.1% 17,762 49.6% 17,576 0.3% 88
1940 45.5% 16,379 54.2% 19,526 0.4% 135
1936 27.1% 8,433 68.9% 21,417 4.0% 1,227
1932 25.9% 7,150 72.3% 19,990 1.8% 494
1928 36.0% 9,371 63.3% 16,465 0.7% 168
1924 37.9% 7,611 11.6% 2,328 50.5% 10,141
1920 61.7% 8,845 27.0% 3,877 11.3% 1,623
1916 40.0% 4,132 55.9% 5,771 4.1% 421
1912 32.8% 2,764 42.2% 3,557 25.1% 2,116
1908 55.3% 4,947 37.5% 3,354 7.3% 653
1904 65.8% 6,027 29.1% 2,667 5.0% 460
1900 56.8% 4,934 41.3% 3,588 1.9% 165
1896 57.5% 5,436 40.6% 3,841 1.9% 175
1892 42.4% 2,855 54.3% 3,653 3.3% 224

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. History of the Origin of the Place Names in Nine Northwestern States. 1908. p. 12.
  4. "Here's How Iron Got Its Name". The Rhinelander Daily News. June 16, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved August 24, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. The oldest known tree in Wisconsin is a 1,300-year-old cedar growing from a cliff
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  7. "NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index". NASA. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  8. "Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables". Archived from the original on 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  9. Reported Induced Abortions in Wisconsin, Office of Health Informatics, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Section: Trend Information, 2013-2017, Table 18, pages 17-18
  10. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  11. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  12. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  13. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  14. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  16. BeMiller, Haley; Bollier, Jeff (4 November 2020). "Green Bay pads Biden's lead in Wisconsin as Brown County overall goes for Trump". Green Bay Press Gazette. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  17. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 9, 2020.

Further reading

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