Outagamie County, Wisconsin

Outagamie County, Wisconsin
County
Outagamie County Administration Complex
Outagamie County Administration Complex
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Outagamie County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Coordinates: 44°25′N 88°28′W / 44.41°N 88.46°W / 44.41; -88.46
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Founded1852
SeatAppleton
Largest cityAppleton
Area
 • Total
645 sq mi (1,670 km2)
 • Land638 sq mi (1,650 km2)
 • Water7.1 sq mi (18 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
190,705
 • Estimate 
(2025)
195,894 Increase
 • Density299/sq mi (115/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.outagamie.gov

Outagamie County (/ˌaʊtəˈɡeɪmi/ OW-tə-GAY-mee)[1] is a county in the Fox Cities region of the U.S. state of Wisconsin, in the northeast of the state. As of the 2020 census, the population was 190,705.[2] Its county seat is Appleton.[3]

Outagamie County is part of the Appleton Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is itself part of the Appleton-Neenah-Oshkosh Combined Statistical Area. It was named for the historic Meskwaki (Fox) people.

History

"Outagamie", a French transliteration of the Anishinaabe term for the Meskwaki (Fox) people, means "dwellers of the other shore" or "dwellers on the other side of the stream",[4] referring to their historic habitation along the St. Lawrence River and south of the Great Lakes. They occupied considerable territory in Wisconsin before colonization.[5] Outagamie County was created in 1851 and organized in 1852.[6] Before that, it was under the jurisdiction of Brown County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 645 square miles (1,670 km2), of which 638 square miles (1,650 km2) is land and 7.1 square miles (18 km2) (1.1%) is water.[7]

Adjacent counties

Rivers

  • Wolf River - The Wolf River runs through the city of New London and the village of Shiocton along western half of the county.
  • Fox River - The Fox River follows the southeastern corner of the county, running through the cities of Appleton and Kaukauna
  • Shioc River - This river runs merges with the Wolf River in the village of Shiocton.
  • Embarrass River - The Embarrass River runs through the city of New London and merges with the Wolf River there.

Lakes

  • Black Otter Lake - Located in Hortonville, it receives much recreational use by anglers as the county's only lake.

Government

Outagamie County's government consists of an elected County Board of Supervisors, a County Executive, and 36 county agencies and departments.[8][9]

County Executive

The county executive serves as its chief executive officer, participating in the legislative process with the County Board of Supervisors and exercising administrative authority and control over the county's operations, departments, offices, boards, programs, and communications.[10]

Department heads are appointed by the county executive, subject to the approval of the board of supervisors. The county executive also appoints members to the county's boards and commissions. The county executive sets the annual budget in consultation with and subject to the approval of the board of supervisors.[11][8]

County Executive Tom Nelson was first elected in 2011.[12]

Transportation

Major highways

County Highways

  • County A
  • County AA
  • County B
  • County BB
  • County C
  • County CA
  • County CB
  • County CC
  • County CE
  • County D
  • County DD
  • County E
  • County EE
  • County F
  • County FF
  • County G
  • County GG
  • County GV
  • County H
  • County HH
  • County I
  • County J
  • County JJ
  • County K
  • County KK
  • County M
  • County MM
  • County N
  • County NC
  • County O
  • County OO
  • County P
  • County PP
  • County Q
  • County S
  • County T
  • County TT
  • County U
  • County UU
  • County VV
  • County W
  • County WW
  • County X
  • County XX
  • County Y
  • County Z
  • County ZZ

[13]

Railroads

Buses

  • Valley Transit (Wisconsin)

Airports

  • Appleton International Airport (KATW) serves the county and surrounding communities. It is the third-busiest airport in Wisconsin and is served by four airlines to 16 destinations.
  • Shiocton Airport (W34) is a grass strip airport in Shiocton, Wisconsin

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18609,587—
187018,43092.2%
188028,71655.8%
189038,69034.7%
190046,24719.5%
191049,1026.2%
192055,11312.2%
193062,79013.9%
194070,03211.5%
195081,72216.7%
1960101,79424.6%
1970119,35617.3%
1980128,7997.9%
1990140,5109.1%
2000160,97114.6%
2010176,6959.8%
2020190,7057.9%
2025 (est.)195,894[14] Increase2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
1790–1960[16] 1900–1990[17]
1990–2000[18] 2010[19] 2020[2]

Racial and ethnic composition

Outagamie 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[20] Pop 1990[21] Pop 2000[22] Pop 2010[23] Pop 2020[24] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 125,656 135,505 149,644 158,366 161,879 97.56% 96.44% 92.96% 89.63% 84.88%
Black or African American alone (NH) 62 191 846 1,682 2,929 0.05% 0.14% 0.53% 0.95% 1.54%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 1,618 1,935 2,308 2,719 2,743 1.26% 1.38% 1.43% 1.54% 1.44%
Asian alone (NH) 351 1,865 3,564 5,208 6,588 0.27% 1.33% 2.21% 2.95% 3.45%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [25] x [26] 51 55 112 x x 0.03% 0.03% 0.06%
Other race alone (NH) 432 27 50 96 415 0.34% 0.02% 0.03% 0.05% 0.22%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [27] x [28] 1,301 2,210 6,616 x x 0.81% 1.25% 3.47%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 680 987 3,207 6,359 9,423 0.53% 0.70% 1.99% 3.60% 4.94%
Total 128,799 140,510 160,971 176,695 190,705 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the population was 190,705.[2] The median age was 38.8 years, with 23.3% of residents under the age of 18 and 15.7% of residents 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.9 males age 18 and over.[29]

The population density was 299.1 people per square mile (115.5 people/km2). There were 79,131 housing units at an average density of 124.1 units per square mile (47.9 units/km2). 74.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 25.4% lived in rural areas.[30] Among the housing units, 3.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.0% were owner-occupied and 30.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.0%.[29]

The racial makeup of the county was 86.0% White, 1.6% Black or African American, 1.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.5% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.0% from some other race, and 5.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.9% of the population.[31]

There were 76,237 households in the county, of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.1% were married-couple households, 17.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[29]

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Outagamie County

2000 census

As of the census[32] of 2000, there were 160,971 people, 60,530 households, and 42,189 families residing in the county. The population density was 251 people per square mile (97 people/km2). There were 62,614 housing units at an average density of 98 units per square mile (38 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.87% White, 0.54% Black or African American, 1.54% Native American, 2.23% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.81% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 1.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 47.7% were of German, 9.4% Dutch, 6.2% Irish and 5.2% American and French-Canadian ancestry.

Of the 60,530 households, 36.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 24.20% 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 2.61 and the average family size was 3.14.

By age, 27.70% of the population was under 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 31.90% from 25 to 44, 20.70% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% were 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.

In 2017, there were 2,204 births, giving a general fertility rate of 64.0 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 34th highest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties.[33] Additionally, there were 136 reported induced abortions performed on women of Outagamie County residence in 2017.[34]

Communities

Outagamie County Fairgrounds grandstands in Seymour
Municipality Boundaries in Outagamie County, Wisconsin

Cities

Villages

Towns

Census-designated place

  • Dale

Unincorporated communities

  • Apple Creek
  • Binghamton
  • Center Valley
  • Chicago Corners
  • Cicero
  • Darboy
  • Five Corners
  • Freedom
  • Greenville
  • Hamples Corner
  • Isaar
  • Leeman
  • Mackville
  • Medina
  • Murphy Corner
  • Oneida
  • Sniderville (partial)
  • Stephensville
  • Sugar Bush
  • Twelve Corners

Ghost towns/neighborhoods

  • Grand Chute
  • Lawesburg
  • Lime Rock
  • Wakefield

Native American community

  • Oneida Nation of Wisconsin (partial)

Politics

United States presidential election results for Outagamie County, Wisconsin[35]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1892 2,733 35.91% 4,545 59.72% 333 4.38%
1896 5,433 55.42% 4,096 41.78% 275 2.80%
1900 5,245 55.15% 4,008 42.14% 258 2.71%
1904 5,949 63.65% 3,143 33.63% 254 2.72%
1908 5,079 52.34% 4,286 44.17% 339 3.49%
1912 2,384 28.82% 4,139 50.04% 1,748 21.13%
1916 5,302 52.97% 4,442 44.38% 265 2.65%
1920 11,140 74.69% 3,121 20.93% 654 4.38%
1924 6,426 35.39% 1,255 6.91% 10,479 57.70%
1928 12,378 49.58% 12,474 49.97% 112 0.45%
1932 8,517 33.91% 16,186 64.44% 415 1.65%
1936 9,485 34.66% 16,163 59.07% 1,716 6.27%
1940 17,733 58.98% 12,168 40.47% 166 0.55%
1944 18,294 64.44% 9,955 35.07% 140 0.49%
1948 16,161 58.40% 11,233 40.59% 278 1.00%
1952 26,603 73.86% 9,373 26.02% 44 0.12%
1956 26,090 76.56% 7,725 22.67% 262 0.77%
1960 24,146 58.15% 17,287 41.63% 89 0.21%
1964 18,595 46.26% 21,556 53.62% 47 0.12%
1968 25,080 59.29% 14,224 33.63% 2,997 7.08%
1972 27,533 59.84% 17,447 37.92% 1,028 2.23%
1976 28,363 54.02% 23,079 43.95% 1,065 2.03%
1980 31,500 52.99% 21,284 35.81% 6,657 11.20%
1984 36,773 64.54% 19,790 34.73% 416 0.73%
1988 33,113 54.04% 27,771 45.32% 394 0.64%
1992 30,370 41.65% 23,735 32.55% 18,806 25.79%
1996 27,758 42.78% 28,815 44.41% 8,316 12.82%
2000 39,460 52.10% 32,735 43.22% 3,547 4.68%
2004 48,903 54.31% 40,169 44.61% 978 1.09%
2008 39,677 43.33% 50,294 54.93% 1,592 1.74%
2012 47,372 50.08% 45,659 48.27% 1,565 1.65%
2016 49,879 53.10% 38,068 40.53% 5,986 6.37%
2020 58,385 54.05% 47,667 44.13% 1,970 1.82%
2024 60,827 54.34% 49,438 44.17% 1,667 1.49%

Outagamie County has voted for the Republican presidential nominee in 19 of the last 22 elections.

See also

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Outagamie County, Wisconsin

References

  1. ^ MissPronouncer.com: A HALFWAY DECENT AUDIO PRONUNCIATION GUIDE FOR WISCONSIN
  2. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census: Outagamie County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Behnke, Duke. "Place names in the Fox Cities often stem from Native American words and interactions". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  5. ^ "Outagamie" Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Dictionary of Wisconsin History
  6. ^ "Wisconsin: Individual County Chronologies". Wisconsin Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2007. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  8. ^ a b "About Us | Outagamie County, WI". www.outagamie.org. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  9. ^ "County Board of Supervisors | Outagamie County, WI". www.outagamie.org. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  10. ^ "County Executive Office | Outagamie County, WI". www.outagamie.org. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  11. ^ Kaster, Ashley (November 3, 2020). "Outagamie County Board approves 2021 budget". WLUK. FOX 11 News. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  12. ^ "Tom Nelson edges Jack Voight in Outagamie County Executive race | Appleton Post Crescent | postcrescent.com". April 11, 2011. Archived from the original on April 11, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  13. ^ "ArcGIS Web Application".
  14. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  15. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  16. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  17. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  18. ^ "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 6, 2015.
  19. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Outagamie County, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau.
  23. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Outagamie County, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau.
  24. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Outagamie County, Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau.
  25. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  26. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  27. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  28. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  29. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  30. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  31. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  32. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  33. ^ "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 19, 2019.
  34. ^ 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
  35. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 9, 2020.

Further reading

44°25′N 88°28′W / 44.41°N 88.46°W / 44.41; -88.46

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