RANK #281 / 1001 NAT · #17 / 29 WI · POP 270,892
1YR FORECAST: +2.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
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.
Brown County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +5.4% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 72/100, Brown County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.6%, and median household income stands at $79,649 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in WI.
Housing in Brown County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $266,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,031/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Brown County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.6% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +5.4% over the past 12 months.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.65% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Brown County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.4% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Brown County is now valued at $266,000. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.