Green Bay, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Green Bay
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| Nicknames:
"Titletown", "Bayland", "Bay City", "Packerland", and "Packer City"
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 Green Bay
Location in Wisconsin
Green Bay
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Wisconsin |
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| County | Brown | ||
| Area | |||
| • City | 55.76 sq mi (144.42 km2) | ||
| • Land | 45.48 sq mi (117.80 km2) | ||
| • Water | 10.28 sq mi (26.62 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 581 ft (177 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • City | 107,395 | ||
| • Rank | US: 272nd, WI: 3rd | ||
| • Density | 2,299.38/sq mi (887.79/km2) | ||
| • Urban | 224,156 (US: 175th) | ||
| • Urban density | 1,972.2/sq mi (761.5/km2) | ||
| • Metro | 320,050 (US: 157th) | ||
| GDP | |||
| • Metro | $24.565 billion (2022) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
54301-08, 54311, 54313, 54324, 54344
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| Area code | 920 | ||
| FIPS code | 55-31000 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1565801 | ||
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Green Bay is a city in Wisconsin, United States. It's the main city of Brown County. The city is located at the top of Green Bay, which is a part of Lake Michigan. It sits where the Fox River flows into the bay.
In 2020, Green Bay had about 107,395 people living there. This makes it the third-largest city in Wisconsin. Only Milwaukee and Madison have more people. Green Bay is also the third-largest city on Lake Michigan, after Chicago and Milwaukee. The larger area around Green Bay, called the metropolitan area, had about 320,050 people in 2020.
Contents
History of Green Bay
Green Bay has a long and interesting history. It was one of the first places in America where Europeans settled permanently.
Early European Exploration
In 1634, Samuel de Champlain, who founded New France, sent Jean Nicolet on an important mission. Nicolet was to make friends with the Native Americans in the western lands. Their conflicts were making it hard for the French to trade furs. He also hoped to find a shorter trade route to China.
Nicolet heard about the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) people. They called themselves "People of the Sea." Champlain also knew about the area's rich natural resources. These included good soil, forests, and many animals. Nicolet started his journey in 1634. He traveled through several lakes and rivers. He is believed to have landed near where Green Bay is today.
From Trading Post to Town
Nicolet set up a small trading post in 1634. He first called it La Baye or La Baie des Puants. This French name meant "the Bay of Stinking Waters." This was one of the oldest European settlements in America.
When Nicolet arrived, he met the Menominee people. He also met the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) people. They spoke a Siouan language. The Winnebago hunted, fished, and grew crops. They also gathered wild rice, nuts, and berries. Women played an important role in their community. Nicolet stayed with them for about a year. He helped start trade with them before going back to Quebec.
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After Nicolet left, the French stayed away for a while. This was because of fighting between Native American groups and Europeans. In 1671, a Jesuit mission was built in the area. A fort was added in 1717. The town officially became a part of France in 1754.
British Control and First Settlers
Great Britain took control of Green Bay in 1761. This happened during the Seven Years' War. After the British won in 1763, France gave up its lands in North America.
The first permanent European settlers were Charles de Langlade and his family. They moved to Green Bay in 1765 from Quebec. Langlade was part French-Canadian and part Ottawa Native American. He grew up with his mother's Ottawa family. He became a war chief and helped the French in battles. His family brought French-Canadian culture to Green Bay.
The British were mostly interested in the fur trade. They allowed more people to trade furs. This helped the fur trade grow a lot. The first farms in Wisconsin were also started during this time. From 1763 to 1780, Green Bay was a busy community. People grew their own food and had many celebrations.
After American Independence
The Green Bay area was still under British control until 1783. This is when the American Revolutionary War officially ended. After the War of 1812, the United States built Fort Howard in 1816. This fort helped protect the northern border. More American settlers arrived, and French culture became less dominant.
The Erie Canal was finished in 1825. This linked New England with the Great Lakes. It helped Green Bay become an important trading center. Many farmers from New England moved to Wisconsin. They used the Erie Canal to travel. As more people arrived, Green Bay grew into a hub for trade.
Wisconsin's first newspaper, The Green Bay Intelligencer, started in 1833. Green Bay became a city in 1854. By 1850, about 1,923 people lived there. Many immigrants came to Green Bay in the 1850s. These included people from Belgium, Germany, Scandinavia, Ireland, and the Netherlands. They helped clear land for farms and build homes.
The railroad arrived in the 1860s. This made it easier to move people and goods. It helped businesses grow and increased trade. The area had lots of timber. This led to the paper industry becoming very important in Green Bay. It also opened the port for international trade.
In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Green Bay. He came to celebrate its 300th anniversary. By 1950, the city had 52,735 people.
Geography and Climate
Green Bay is located in eastern Wisconsin. It is at the mouth of the Fox River. Major highways like Interstate 43 and Interstate 41 meet here. Green Bay is about 90 miles north of Milwaukee.
The city covers about 55.76 square miles. About 45.48 square miles is land. The rest, 10.28 square miles, is water. A small part of the city is inside the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin reservation.
Green Bay's Climate
Green Bay has four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid. Winters are cold and snowy. Temperatures can change a lot between seasons.
The average temperature in January is about 16.6°F. In July, the warmest month, it's about 69.1°F. It can get very hot in summer, sometimes over 90°F. In winter, temperatures can drop below 0°F. The coldest temperature ever recorded was -36°F in 1888. The hottest was 104°F in 1936.
August is usually the wettest month. Most of the rain comes from thunderstorms. February is the driest month. The precipitation then is mostly light snow.
People of Green Bay
In 2020, Green Bay had a population of 107,395 people. The city is a mix of many different backgrounds. About 17.9% of the people are Hispanic or Latino.
When looking at racial groups, about 66.6% of the city's population is White. About 5.5% are Black or African American. About 4.4% are Asian, and 4.4% are Native American. The rest are from other races or a mix of two or more races.
The average income for a family in Green Bay was about $65,993. About 15.5% of the population lives below the poverty line. This includes about 20.5% of young people under 18. Most adults in Green Bay have finished high school. About 24.4% have a college degree or higher.
Religious Life
Green Bay has many different religious groups. In 2000, most people were Roman Catholic (71.5%). Lutherans made up another 16.4%. The rest were mostly other Protestant groups.
The city is home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay. The Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral is an important church here. There are also several Lutheran churches. Jehovah's Witnesses have Kingdom Halls in the city. The Islamic Society of Wisconsin serves the Muslim community. There is also a Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and a Jewish temple.
Diverse Communities
Green Bay is home to several large ethnic communities.
- Hmong Community: In 2022, there were about 2,822 Hmong American people living in Green Bay.
- German Community: Green Bay has a large German population. About 25% of the people have German heritage. In 2022, there were about 29,352 German American people.
- Mexican Community: The Mexican community in Green Bay is growing fast. In 2022, there were about 14,265 Mexican American people. This group makes up over 75% of the Latino population. It is the second largest ethnic group in the city after Germans.
Economy and Jobs
Green Bay used to be called the "Toilet Paper Capital of the World." This was because of the many paper companies here. Companies like Northern Paper Company and Fort Howard Paper Company were some of the first. Northern Paper Mills started in 1901. It became the biggest producer of toilet paper in the world by 1920. The paper industry helped Green Bay during the Great Depression. Today, major paper companies include Georgia-Pacific and Procter & Gamble.
Green Bay also has a big meatpacking industry. Early companies included Acme Packing Company and Indian Packing Company. The Green Bay Packers football team got its name from Indian Packing Company. Today, major meatpackers include JBS S.A. and American Foods Group.
Top Employers
As of 2021, these were the largest employers in Green Bay:
- Bellin Health (4,500 employees)
- Schneider National (3,769 employees)
- Humana (3,190 employees)
- Aurora BayCare Medical Center (2,297 employees)
- Oneida Nation of Wisconsin (2,104 employees)
- St. Vincent Hospital (2,093 employees)
- American Foods Group (1,878 employees)
- Georgia-Pacific (1,875 employees)
- UnitedHealth Group (1,624 employees)
- Prevea Health (1,298 employees)
Other important employers include Green Bay Packaging, Walmart, Associated Banc-Corp, and the Green Bay Packers. Séura, a company that makes mirrors and flatscreen TVs, is also a notable employer.
Arts and Culture
Green Bay has many places for arts and entertainment. The Meyer Theatre, The Tarlton Theatre, and the Hotel Northland are historic buildings. The Hotel Northland was once the biggest hotel in Wisconsin.
The Green Bay Film Festival shows movies from local and international filmmakers. It takes place at The Tarlton Theatre. Daddy D Productions and Let Me Be Frank Productions perform live shows. The Civic Symphony of Green Bay and the Green Bay Jazz Orchestra also perform in the city.
You can see performances at Lambeau Field, Resch Center, and Weidner Center. Art galleries like The Art Garage show local art. Museums include the Neville Public Museum and the Hazelwood Historic House Museum. The National Railroad Museum is nearby.
Every summer, downtown Green Bay hosts ArtStreet. This festival features art displays and live entertainment. Other events include Dine on the Deck and Taste on Broadway. These events let people try food from local restaurants. Artour brings songwriters to downtown venues. IgNight features artists and interactive art. The Shipyard District hosts the All Bands On Deck music festival. The Broadway District has a farmer's market every Wednesday.
Fun Places to Visit
- Bay Beach Amusement Park
- Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary
- Green Bay Botanical Garden
- Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers
- National Railroad Museum
- Neville Public Museum of Brown County
- Resch Center, home of the Green Bay Blizzard and Green Bay Gamblers
Shopping Areas
Green Bay has one indoor shopping mall, East Town Mall. The Bay Park Square mall is in the nearby town of Ashwaubenon.
Public Libraries
The Brown County Library (BCL) Central Branch is downtown. It is the main library for all of Brown County. The BCL system has eight branch libraries and a bookmobile. In 1994, the Brown County Library was named Wisconsin Library of the Year.
Sports in Green Bay
Green Bay is famous for its sports teams!
| Club | Sport | Founded | Current League | Stadium |
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| Green Bay Packers | American Football | 1919 | National Football League | Lambeau Field |
| Green Bay Blizzard | Indoor American football | 2003 | Indoor Football League | Resch Center |
| Green Bay Phoenix (University of Wisconsin-Green Bay) |
15 varsity teams | 1965 | Horizon League | Resch Center, Kress Events Center, Aldo Santaga Stadium |
| St. Norbert Green Knights (St. Norbert College) |
18 varsity teams | 1898 | Midwest Conference and Northern Collegiate Hockey Association | Schneider Stadium, Mel Nicks Sports Complex, Schuldes Center, Cornerstone Community Ice Center |
| Green Bay Rockers | Summer college baseball | 2007 | Northwoods League | Capital Credit Union Park |
| Green Bay Gamblers | Junior ice hockey | 1994 | United States Hockey League | Resch Center |
Other big sports events include the Bellin Run and the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon.
Education in Green Bay
Green Bay is served by the Green Bay Area Public School District. This district covers most of the city. It has 25 elementary schools, two K-8 schools, four middle schools, and four high schools. It also has one alternative school.
Two of the high schools, East High School and West High School, have a very old football rivalry. They have played each other every year since 1905. Private schools in Green Bay include Notre Dame de la Baie Academy and Northeastern Wisconsin Lutheran High School.
Colleges and Universities
Green Bay has several colleges and universities:
- Bellin College of Nursing
- Concordia University Wisconsin, Green Bay Center
- Medical College of Wisconsin – Green Bay campus
- Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
- University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Media and News
Green Bay has its own newspaper, the Green Bay Press-Gazette. There is also The Press Times, a weekly newspaper.
The city has several television stations. These include WBAY (ABC), WFRV (CBS), WLUK (FOX), and WGBA (NBC).
Transportation and Services
Getting Around by Rail
From 1896 to 1993, the city was the main office for the Green Bay and Western Railroad. Today, the Canadian National Railway operates here. The Chicago and North Western Railway also served Green Bay. Its old train station is still standing.
Currently, there are no passenger trains to Green Bay. However, there is a plan to bring Amtrak service back. This would extend the Hiawatha train route from Chicago to Green Bay.
Airport Travel
Green Bay is served by the Green Bay–Austin Straubel International Airport. It is located just west of the city in Ashwaubenon.
Roads and Highways
Major highways connect Green Bay to other cities.
I-43 goes north to Green Bay and south to Milwaukee.
I-41 goes north to Green Bay and south to Milwaukee.
US 41 travels north towards Marinette.
US 141 starts east of Green Bay and goes north.
WIS 29 travels east towards Kewaunee and west towards Wausau.
WIS 32 travels north towards Pulaski and south towards Milwaukee.
WIS 54 travels east to Algoma and west towards Seymour.
WIS 57 travels north towards Sturgeon Bay and south towards Milwaukee.
WIS 172 connects I-43 to Hobart.
Bus Services
Green Bay Metro provides bus service throughout Green Bay and its suburbs. Other bus companies like Amtrak Thruway and Indian Trails offer rides to other cities.
In 2020, Green Bay Metro started a service called GBM Paratransit. This helps riders with disabilities. Later, they launched GBM On Demand. This is a micro-transit service for everyone. You can request a ride using a mobile app or by phone. It's the same price as a regular bus fare.
Port of Green Bay
Green Bay has a port that handles cargo. In 2015, it moved almost 2 million tons of goods. These included coal, limestone, salt, and cement.
City Services
The Green Bay Water Utility provides water to the city. The Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District handles sewer services. The Green Bay Police Department was started in 1857.
Notable People
Green Bay has been home to many famous people. You can find a list of them at List of people from Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Sister City
Green Bay has a sister city:
Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico (since 2006)
Images for kids
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1867 bird's eye illustration of Green Bay
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Inside the Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral
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Map of racial distribution in Green Bay, 2020 U.S. census.
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Open water near the mouth of the Fox River, photo taken from space in 2014.
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The WBAY-TV studio.
See also
In Spanish: Green Bay para niños
