Oconto County is a
countyIn the United States, a county is a local level of government below the state . Counties are used in 48 of the 50 states, while Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. These are considered "county-equivalents", as are some cities not designated as part of a county. The U.S...
in the
U.S. stateA U.S. state is any one of 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government . Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile...
of
WisconsinWisconsin is one of the fifty U.S. states. Located in the north-central United States, Wisconsin is considered part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the...
. As of 2000, the population was 35,634. Its
county seatA county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there...
is
OcontoOconto is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,708 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is located partially within the town of Oconto.-History:...
.
Oconto County is part of the
Green BayGreen Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin.The city is located at the head of its namesake Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of 581 feet above sea level and is located 112 miles north of...
Metropolitan Statistical AreaThe Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Wisconsin, anchored by the city of Green Bay...
. It was established in 1851.
According to the
U.S. Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data. As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about...
, the county has a total area of 1,149 square miles (2,976 km²), of which, 998 square miles (2,585 km²) of it is land and 151 square miles (391 km²) of it (13.15%) is water.
- Marinette County
Marinette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 43,384. Its county seat is Marinette.Marinette County is part of the Marinette, WI–MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- northeast
- Brown County
Brown County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 226,778. The county seat is Green Bay. The United States Census Bureau's Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Brown, Kewaunee, and Oconto counties....
- south
- Shawano County
Shawano County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 40,664. Its county seat is Shawano.-History:...
- southwest
- Menominee County
Menominee County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. In 2000, the population was 4,562. Its county seat is Keshena.The county was created on July 3, 1959, in anticipation of the termination of the Menominee Indian Reservation in 1961. The reservation status was restored in 1973, and is...
- west
- Langlade County
Langlade County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 20,740. Its county seat is Antigo.-Geography:According to the U.S...
- west
- Forest County
Forest County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 10,024. Its county seat is Crandon.The Forest County Potawatomi Community and the Sokaogon Chippewa Community have reservations in Forest County.-Geography:...
- northwest
As of the
censusA "census" is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population.In other words every 10 years...next one would be in 2010 The term is used mostly in connection with...
of 2000, there were 35,634 people, 13,979 households, and 10,050 families residing in the county.
Oconto County is a
countyIn the United States, a county is a local level of government below the state . Counties are used in 48 of the 50 states, while Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. These are considered "county-equivalents", as are some cities not designated as part of a county. The U.S...
in the
U.S. stateA U.S. state is any one of 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government . Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile...
of
WisconsinWisconsin is one of the fifty U.S. states. Located in the north-central United States, Wisconsin is considered part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the...
. As of 2000, the population was 35,634. Its
county seatA county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there...
is
OcontoOconto is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,708 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is located partially within the town of Oconto.-History:...
.
Oconto County is part of the
Green BayGreen Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin.The city is located at the head of its namesake Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of 581 feet above sea level and is located 112 miles north of...
Metropolitan Statistical AreaThe Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Wisconsin, anchored by the city of Green Bay...
. It was established in 1851.
Geography
According to the
U.S. Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data. As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about...
, the county has a total area of 1,149 square miles (2,976 km²), of which, 998 square miles (2,585 km²) of it is land and 151 square miles (391 km²) of it (13.15%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Marinette County
Marinette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 43,384. Its county seat is Marinette.Marinette County is part of the Marinette, WI–MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- northeast
- Brown County
Brown County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 226,778. The county seat is Green Bay. The United States Census Bureau's Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Brown, Kewaunee, and Oconto counties....
- south
- Shawano County
Shawano County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 40,664. Its county seat is Shawano.-History:...
- southwest
- Menominee County
Menominee County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. In 2000, the population was 4,562. Its county seat is Keshena.The county was created on July 3, 1959, in anticipation of the termination of the Menominee Indian Reservation in 1961. The reservation status was restored in 1973, and is...
- west
- Langlade County
Langlade County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 20,740. Its county seat is Antigo.-Geography:According to the U.S...
- west
- Forest County
Forest County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 10,024. Its county seat is Crandon.The Forest County Potawatomi Community and the Sokaogon Chippewa Community have reservations in Forest County.-Geography:...
- northwest
Major highways
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|
 Highway 32 (Wisconsin)State Trunk Highway 32 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Wisconsin that runs north-south in eastern Wisconsin. It runs from the Illinois border north to the Michigan border . It is named the 32 nd Division Memorial Highway after the U.S...
 Highway 64 (Wisconsin)State Trunk Highway 64 is a Wisconsin state highway running east-west across central Wisconsin. It is in length.-Termini:...
|
Demographics
As of the
censusA "census" is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population.In other words every 10 years...next one would be in 2010 The term is used mostly in connection with...
of 2000, there were 35,634 people, 13,979 households, and 10,050 families residing in the county. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans. It is a key term used in geography....
was 36 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 19,812 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.76%
WhiteRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.13%
BlackRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
African AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.78%
Native AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.20%
AsianRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.01%
Pacific IslanderRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.24% from
other racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.88% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were
HispanicRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or
LatinoRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 42.9% were of German, 11.8% Polish, 6.0%
FrenchFrench people can refer to:* The legal residents and citizens of France, regardless of ancestry. For a legal discussion, see French nationality law.* People whose ancestors lived in France or the area that later became France....
and 5.6%
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 13,979 households out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% were
married couplesMarriage is a social union or legal contract between individuals that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged by a variety of ways, depending on the culture or demographic...
living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.70% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.
Oconto County is perennially among the poorest counties in Wisconsin. Stagnant growth turned to negative growth in the early years of the 21st century as employers left the region. Oconto County had an unemployment rate of over 10% in 2004.
History
First visited by French explorers in the 17th century, Oconto County is among the oldest settlements in Wisconsin. Father
Claude-Jean AllouezClaude Jean Allouez ; was a Jesuit missionary and French explorer of North America.Allouez was born in Saint-Didier-en-Velay in the département of Haute-Loire in south-central France. In 1639, he graduated from the College of Le Puy, and became a Jesuit novice in Toulouse, France. In 1655, he was...
of the Roman Catholic Jesuit order said the first Mass in Oconto. Among the first settlers was Joseph Tourtilott, who explored much of the Oconto River watershed. Many of Tourtilott's descendants continue to reside in Oconto County, which has the highest percentage of residents with French ancestry in Wisconsin.
Cities
- Gillett
Gillett is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,256 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- Oconto Falls
Oconto Falls is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,843 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Oconto Falls is located at ....
- Oconto
Oconto is a city in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,708 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is located partially within the town of Oconto.-History:...
Villages
- Lena
Lena is a village in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 510 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- Pulaski
Pulaski is a village in Brown, Oconto, and Shawano Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,060 at the 2000 census.The Brown and Oconto County portions of Pulaski are part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
(partial)
- Suring
Suring is a village in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 605 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Suring is located at ....
Towns
- Abrams
Abrams is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,757 at the 2000 Census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.6 square miles , of which, 37.5 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square miles of it ...
- Bagley
Bagley is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 333 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.7 square miles , of which, 34.8 square miles of it is land and 0.9 square miles of it is...
- Brazeau
Brazeau is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,408 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 71.6 square miles , of which, 68.5 square miles of it is land and 3.0 square miles of it ...
- Breed
Breed is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 657 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.8 square miles , of which, 35.5 square miles of it is land and 0.2 square miles of it is...
- Chase
Chase is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,082 at the 2000 census. The town of Krakow is located partially in the town.-Geography:...
- Doty
Doty is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 249 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 54.4 square miles , of which, 52.2 square miles of it is land and 2.2 square miles of it is...
- Gillett (town)
Gillett is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,085 at the 2000 census. The City of Gillett is located within the town.-Geography:...
- How
How is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 563 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.1 square miles , of which, 34.9 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square miles of it is...
- Lakewood
Lakewood is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 875.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 72.4 square miles , of which, 70.8 square miles of it is land and 1.6 square miles...
- Lena (town)
Lena is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 769 at the 2000 census. The Village of Lena is located within the town.-Geography:...
- Little River
Little River is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,065 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 51.5 square miles , all of it land....
- Little Suamico
Little Suamico is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,877 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Sobieski is located within the town.-Geography:...
- Maple Valley
Maple Valley is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 670 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.4 square miles , of which, 35.3 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square miles of...
- Morgan
Morgan is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 882 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.6 square miles , of which, 35.6 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square miles of it is...
- Mountain
Mountain is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 860 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 72.7 square miles , of which, 71.6 square miles of it is land and 1.1 square miles of it ...
- Oconto Falls (town)
Oconto Falls is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,139 at the 2000 census. The City of Oconto Falls is located within the town.-Geography:...
- Oconto (town)
Oconto is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,251 at the 2000 census. The City of Oconto is located partially within the town.-Geography:...
- Pensaukee
Pensaukee is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,214 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.6 square miles , of which, 35.5 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square miles of it...
- Riverview
Riverview is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 829 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 71.7 square miles , of which, 69.7 square miles of it is land and 2.0 square miles of it ...
- Spruce
Spruce is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 871 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.7 square miles , of which, 35.2 square miles of it is land and 0.6 square miles of it is...
- Stiles
Stiles is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,465 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.2 square miles , of which, 34.4 square miles of it is land and 0.8 square miles of it ...
- Townsend
Townsend is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 963 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 42.5 square miles , of which, 39.0 square miles of it is land and 3.5 square miles of it ...
- Underhill
Underhill is a town in Oconto County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 846 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.6 square miles , of which, 35.1 square miles of it is land and 0.5 square miles of it ...
Unincorporated communities
- Krakow
Krakow is an unincorporated community located in Oconto and Shawano counties, Wisconsin, United States. Krakow is located on Wisconsin Highway 32 north of Pulaski, in the towns of Chase, and Angelica. Krakow has a post office with ZIP code 54137....
(partial)
- Sobieski
Sobieski, Wisconsin is an unincorporated community in Oconto County in northeastern Wisconsin. It is located within in the town of Little Suamico. Sobieski is home to approximately 250 people, as well as six taverns, a daycare center, a landfill and a Catholic church. It is part of the Green Bay...
External links