Brown County, Wisconsin

Infobox U.S. County
county = Brown County
state = Wisconsin




map size = 225
founded = 1818
seat = Green Bay | area_total_sq_mi =615
area_land_sq_mi =529
area_water_sq_mi =87
area percentage = 14.10%
census yr = 2000
pop = 226778
density_km2 =116
web = www.co.brown.wi.us
|

Brown County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 226,778. The county seat is Green Bay, Wisconsin. Together with surrounding communities, the Green Bay metropolitan area was, according to the 2000 census, home to 195,099 people. The United States Census Bureau's Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Brown County.

Brown County is one of Wisconsin's two original counties along with Crawford County and originally spanned the entire eastern half of the state when formed by the Michigan Territorial legislature in 1818. It has since been subdivided to its present area. It was named for Major General Jacob Brown a successful military leader during the War of 1812.

Government

The legislative branch Brown County is the 26 member Board of Supervisors. All 26 members represent single member districts and serve concurrent two-year terms elected 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. The Executive 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 Tom Hinz.

Brown County has several other elected officials. These officials unlike the County Executive 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: Tom Hinz
*Clerk: Darlene Marcelle (R)
*Clerk of Circuit Courts: Lisa Wilson (D)
*District Attorney: John P. Zakowski (R)
*Register of Deeds: Cathy Williquette (D)
*Sheriff: Dennis Kocken (R)
*Treasurer: Kerry Blaney (D)

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 615 square miles (1,594 km²), of which, 529 square miles (1,369 km²) of it is land and 87 square miles (225 km²) of it (14.10%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Oconto County – north
*Kewaunee County – east
*Manitowoc County – southeast
*Calumet County – southwest
*Outagamie County – west
*Shawano County – northwest

Demographics

USCensusPop
1900= 46359
1910= 54098
1920= 61889
1930= 70249
1940= 83109
1950= 98314
1960= 125082
1970= 158244
1980= 175280
1990= 194594
2000= 226778
footnote= [http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/wi190090.txt WI Counties 1900-1990] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 226,778 people, 87,295 households, and 57,527 families residing 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 according to Census 2000. 93.2% spoke English, 3.8% Spanish and 1.2% Hmong as their first language.

There were 87,295 households out of which 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 all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out with 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% who were 65 years of age 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.

Cities, villages, and towns

Cities

*De Pere
*Green Bay

Villages

Towns

Unincorporated communities

*Askeaton
*Champion
*Greenleaf
*Flintville
*New Franken
*Little Rapids

References

External links

* [http://www.co.brown.wi.us/ Brown County]
* [http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.NicoletLocHist Northeast Wisconsin Historical County Plat Maps & Atlases] University of Wisconsin Digital Collections Center