Brown County, Wisconsin

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Brown County, Wisconsin

Brown County, Wisconsin is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 268,740, making it the fourth-most populous county in Wisconsin. The county seat is Green Bay, which is also the third-largest city in the state. Brown County is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History[edit | edit source]

Brown County was created in 1818 as part of the Michigan Territory and was one of the original counties when Wisconsin was established as a state in 1848. The county was named after Major General Jacob Brown, a military leader during the War of 1812.

Geography[edit | edit source]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 616 square miles (1,596 km²), of which 530 square miles (1,373 km²) is land and 86 square miles (223 km²) (14%) is water. The county is located at the mouth of the Fox River, which flows into Green Bay.

Demographics[edit | edit source]

As of the 2020 census, there were 268,740 people, 105,000 households, and 68,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 507 people per square mile (196/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 85.6% White, 2.3% Black or African American, 2.6% Native American, 3.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.5% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.1% of the population.

Economy[edit | edit source]

Brown County's economy is diverse, with significant contributions from manufacturing, healthcare, education, and retail sectors. The county is home to several major employers, including Schneider National, Georgia-Pacific, and Bellin Health.

Education[edit | edit source]

Brown County is served by several school districts, including the Green Bay Area Public School District, De Pere School District, and Ashwaubenon School District. Higher education institutions in the county include University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

Transportation[edit | edit source]

The county is served by major highways including Interstate 41, U.S. Route 41, and U.S. Route 141. The Austin Straubel International Airport provides air service to the region.

Government[edit | edit source]

Brown County is governed by a county board of supervisors, with each supervisor representing one of the county's districts. The county executive is elected to a four-year term and oversees the administration of county services.