Green Lake County, Wisconsin

Green Lake County, Wisconsin
County
Old Green Lake County Courthouse
Old Green Lake County Courthouse
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Green Lake County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Coordinates: 43°49′N 89°02′W / 43.81°N 89.04°W / 43.81; -89.04
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Founded1858
Named afterGreen Lake
SeatGreen Lake
Largest cityBerlin
Area
 • Total
380 sq mi (980 km2)
 • Land349 sq mi (900 km2)
 • Water31 sq mi (80 km2)  8.1%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
19,018
 • Estimate 
(2025)[2]
19,305 Increase
 • Density55.5/sq mi (21.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.co.green-lake.wi.us

Green Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,018.[1] Its county seat is Green Lake.[3] In 2020, the center of population of Wisconsin was located in Green Lake County, near the city of Markesan.[4]

Geography

Government Center

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 380 square miles (980 km2), of which 349 square miles (900 km2) are land and 31 square miles (80 km2) (8.1%) are covered by water.[5] It is the third-smallest county in Wisconsin by total area.

Major highways

Railroads

Buses

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
186012,663—
187013,1954.2%
188014,4839.8%
189015,1634.7%
190015,7974.2%
191015,491−1.9%
192014,875−4.0%
193013,913−6.5%
194014,0921.3%
195014,7494.7%
196015,4184.5%
197016,8789.5%
198018,3708.8%
199018,6511.5%
200019,1052.4%
201019,051−0.3%
202019,018−0.2%
2025 (est.)19,305[6] Increase1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–90[9]
1990–00[10] 2010[11] 2020[1] 2025[2]

Racial and ethnic composition

Green Lake County, Wisconsin – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[12] Pop 1990[13] Pop 2000[14] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 18,117 18,291 18,474 17,990 17,255 98.62% 98.07% 96.70% 94.43% 90.73%
Black or African American alone (NH) 14 21 29 79 106 0.08% 0.11% 0.15% 0.41% 0.56%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 22 38 36 46 49 0.12% 0.20% 0.19% 0.24% 0.26%
Asian alone (NH) 23 103 56 85 101 0.13% 0.55% 0.29% 0.45% 0.53%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [17] x [18] 6 5 0 x x 0.03% 0.03% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 0 6 7 6 39 0.00% 0.03% 0.04% 0.03% 0.21%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [19] x [20] 104 97 489 x x 0.54% 0.51% 2.57%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 194 192 393 743 979 1.06% 1.03% 2.06% 3.90% 5.15%
Total 18,370 18,651 19,105 19,051 19,018 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,018, with a population density of 54.4 people per square mile (21.0 people/km2). There were 10,671 housing units at an average density of 30.5 units per square mile (11.8 units/km2).[21][22]

The median age was 46.6 years, with 21.1% of residents under the age of 18 and 23.6% aged 65 years or older; for every 100 females there were 100.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.5 males age 18 and over.[22]

The racial makeup of the county was 92.0% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.1% from some other race, and 4.2% from two or more races, while Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.1% of the population.[21]

There were 8,099 households, of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.4% were married-couple households, 19.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. About 24.1% of housing units were vacant, with 76.3% of occupied units owner-occupied and 23.7% renter-occupied; the homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.3%.[22]

27.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 72.6% lived in rural areas.[23]

2000 census

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Green Lake County.

As of the census[24] of 2000, there were 19,105 people, 7,703 households, and 5,322 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21 people/km2). There were 9,831 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.81% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.89% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 2.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 51.8% were of German, 10.6% Polish, 5.8% Irish and 5.8% American ancestry. 94.2% spoke English, 3.0% Spanish and 1.8% German as their first language.

There were 7,703 households, out of which 29.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.20% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 18.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.

Birth statistics

In 2017, there were 380 births, giving a general fertility rate of 61.6 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 32nd lowest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties. Of these, 77 of the births occurred at home, the fourth highest for Wisconsin counties.[25] Additionally, there were 11 reported induced abortions performed on women of Green Lake County residence in 2017.[26]

Religious membership

In 2010, the largest religious groups by number of adherents were Catholic at 5,290 adherents, Wisconsin Synod Lutheran at 2,498 adherents, Missouri Synod Lutheran at 1,173 adherents, ELCA Lutheran at 964 adherents, and Amish at 812 adherents.[27]

Communities

Welcome sign for Green Lake County on WIS 44

Cities

Villages

Towns of Green Lake County

Towns

  • Berlin
  • Brooklyn
  • Green Lake
  • Kingston
  • Mackford
  • Manchester
  • Marquette
  • Princeton
  • Seneca
  • St. Marie

Census-designated place

  • Dalton

Unincorporated communities

  • Manchester
  • Sherwood Forest

Politics

United States presidential election results for Green Lake County, Wisconsin[28]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1892 1,430 42.60% 1,810 53.92% 117 3.49%
1896 2,103 55.69% 1,568 41.53% 105 2.78%
1900 2,081 56.41% 1,522 41.26% 86 2.33%
1904 2,181 60.92% 1,269 35.45% 130 3.63%
1908 2,094 55.15% 1,608 42.35% 95 2.50%
1912 1,269 42.53% 1,407 47.15% 308 10.32%
1916 1,647 53.47% 1,352 43.90% 81 2.63%
1920 3,467 75.53% 890 19.39% 233 5.08%
1924 1,988 37.45% 1,090 20.53% 2,231 42.02%
1928 3,038 53.15% 2,622 45.87% 56 0.98%
1932 2,179 32.61% 4,446 66.53% 58 0.87%
1936 2,926 42.55% 3,840 55.84% 111 1.61%
1940 4,919 67.25% 2,357 32.23% 38 0.52%
1944 4,571 67.38% 2,190 32.28% 23 0.34%
1948 3,939 68.76% 1,722 30.06% 68 1.19%
1952 6,117 79.27% 1,590 20.60% 10 0.13%
1956 5,441 76.49% 1,643 23.10% 29 0.41%
1960 5,110 64.74% 2,776 35.17% 7 0.09%
1964 3,871 49.83% 3,893 50.12% 4 0.05%
1968 4,893 63.69% 2,299 29.92% 491 6.39%
1972 5,046 67.67% 2,174 29.15% 237 3.18%
1976 5,020 58.41% 3,411 39.69% 164 1.91%
1980 5,868 63.42% 2,851 30.81% 533 5.76%
1984 6,198 71.11% 2,441 28.01% 77 0.88%
1988 5,205 62.72% 3,033 36.55% 61 0.74%
1992 3,897 40.85% 2,772 29.06% 2,871 30.09%
1996 3,565 45.23% 3,152 39.99% 1,165 14.78%
2000 5,451 59.86% 3,301 36.25% 355 3.90%
2004 6,472 63.59% 3,605 35.42% 101 0.99%
2008 5,393 56.55% 4,000 41.95% 143 1.50%
2012 5,782 59.76% 3,793 39.20% 100 1.03%
2016 6,216 66.02% 2,693 28.60% 507 5.38%
2020 7,168 67.17% 3,344 31.34% 159 1.49%
2024 7,458 67.48% 3,449 31.21% 145 1.31%

Green Lake County has long been one of the most consistently Republican counties in Wisconsin. Since 1936, the county has only once voted Democratic, supporting Lyndon B. Johnson in his nationwide landslide of 1964, and even then, Johnson won by just 22 votes and 0.29% in the county.

Infrastructure

Law Enforcement

The Green Lake County Jail is located in the county seat city, Green Lake.[29][30]

Education

School districts include:[31]

  • Berlin Area School District
  • Cambria-Friesland School District
  • Green Lake School District
  • Markesan School District
  • Montello School District
  • Princeton School District
  • Ripon Area School District

See also

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Green Lake County, Wisconsin

References

Wikimedia Commons logo
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Green Lake County, Wisconsin.
  1. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census: Green Lake County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Green Lake County, Wisconsin". Census.gov.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Centers of Population by State, 2020". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  6. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  12. ^ "1980 General Population Characteristics - Wisconsin - Table 15: Persons by Race and Table 16: Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race". United States Census Bureau – via Internet Archive.
  13. ^ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Wisconsin - Table 3: Race and Hispanic Origin: 1990" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 23-111. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  14. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Green Lake County, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Green Lake County, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Green Lake County, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  18. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  19. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  20. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  21. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  22. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  23. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  24. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  25. ^ "Annual Wisconsin Birth and Infant Mortality Report, 2017 P-01161-19 (June 2019): Detailed Tables". Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  26. ^ 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
  27. ^ thearda.com County Membership Report for Green Lake County, 2010 data
  28. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  29. ^ La Roche, Mariana (December 11, 2024). "Authorities detail capture of Wisconsin kayaker who fled to Europe". Channel 12 WISN. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  30. ^ "Sheriff - Corrections". Green Lake County, WI. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  31. ^ Geography Division (January 14, 2021). 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Green Lake County, WI (PDF) (Map). Suitland, Maryland: U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2026. - Text list

Further reading

43°49′N 89°02′W / 43.81°N 89.04°W / 43.81; -89.04

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