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Brown County, WI

RANK #85 / 996  ·  POP 268,393  ·  WI

PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.0%

Brown County ranks among the top U.S. counties across nearly every economic indicator.

[01] Why Brown County?

Brown County, Wisconsin, is often recognized first for Green Bay, its largest city and county seat, known for its professional football legacy. Located in northeast Wisconsin, the county sits along Lake Michigan and the Fox River. Commuting within the county is generally manageable, with most destinations accessible within a 15- to 20-minute drive. The community offers a blend of urban amenities and suburban charm. Outdoor recreation is a notable feature, with numerous parks, multi-use trails like the Fox River Trail, and the 1,400-acre Reforestation Camp providing opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and winter sports.

Life in Brown County appeals to families and young professionals, with highly rated public schools across its eight districts. The economy is diverse, with a strong manufacturing sector and a growing presence in educational, health, and social services. Major investments have been directed towards these sectors, contributing to job growth and economic expansion. The county's strategic location with access to major highways, rail, and an international port on the Great Lakes supports its economic activity.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
3.0x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+3.2%

Above national median

Home Prices
+5.4%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-1.4

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
17x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks undervalued at 3.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Brown County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
268,393
+0.38% YoY
Median Household Income
$74,066
Median Home Value
$226,500
+5.42% 12mo
Median Rent
$935
Average Annual Pay
$63,349
+3.9% YoY
Employment
157,834
+1.0% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.327
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.0%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$317,500
Days on Market
77
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.1
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
99.8%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
35.7%
Listings w/ Price Drops
9.2%
Building Permits (2024)
1,587
Single-Family Permits
539

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$1,730M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Wood Violet Energy Center
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC
$600M Proposed
Green Bay Packaging Mill Expansion
Green Bay Packaging
$500M Operating
Georgia Pacific Paper Mill
Georgia Pacific
$500M Operating
Green Bay Data Center
Ark Data Centers
$50M Operating
Brown County Fiber Optic Network Expansion (Pittsfield segment)
Bug Tussel
$50M Under Construction
Central Library Renovation Project
Brown County
$30M Under Construction

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +3.2% 61 percentile
Population Growth +0.4% 46 percentile
Income Growth +7.7% 30 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.6% 87 percentile
Home Price Change +5.4% 92 percentile
Rent Growth +3.8% 64 percentile
Price/Rent 17x 19 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brown County, WI a good place to move to?

Brown County has a Boom Town Index score of 92/100, ranking #85 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.0% and a median household income of $74,066, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Brown County affordable?

The median home value in Brown County is $226,500 with median rent at $935/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.327, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Brown County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.0%. Home values changed +5.4% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Brown County?

Yes — 3.0% of Brown County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Winnebago County, IL 100 Madison County, NY 100 Oswego County, NY 100 Valencia County, NM 100 Taylor County, TX 100 Allen County, OH 100 Newton County, MO 99 Dodge County, WI 99