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Kenosha County, Wisconsin facts for kids

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Kenosha County
U.S. county
Kenosha County Courthouse and Jail
Kenosha County Courthouse and Jail
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Kenosha County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Wisconsin
Founded January 30, 1850
Seat Kenosha
Largest city Kenosha
Area
 • Total 754 sq mi (1,950 km2)
 • Land 272 sq mi (700 km2)
 • Water 482 sq mi (1,250 km2)  64%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 169,151
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 167,488 Decrease
 • Density 224.3/sq mi (86.6/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st

Kenosha County (Listeni/kəˈnoʊʃə/) is located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 169,151 as of the 2020 census, making it the eighth-most populous county in Wisconsin. The county shares the same name as its county seat, the city of Kenosha, the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin.

Kenosha County is situated on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The county has a direct rail link to Chicago via Metra's Union Pacific / North Line. In 2022, Kenosha County was ranked 16th out of 72 Wisconsin counties for tourism revenue, at $424 million in 2022.

History

The Potowatomi inhabited the area that would become Kenosha County for centuries prior to the acquisition of the area in 1833. The city of Kenosha was founded in 1835, and Kenosha County was formed from Racine County on January 30, 1850. Its location led to development and factories being built in the 19th century. Manufacturing continued to be a key component of the economy into the 20th century.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 754 square miles (1,950 km2), of which 272 square miles (700 km2) is land and 482 square miles (1,250 km2) (64%) is water. Although the county contains area from Lake Michigan, it is the fourth-smallest county in Wisconsin by land area.

Major highways

  • I-41.svg Interstate 41
  • I-94.svg Interstate 94
  • US 41.svg U.S. Highway 41 (Skokie Highway)
  • US 45.svg U.S. Highway 45
  • WIS 31.svg Highway 31 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 32.svg Highway 32 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 50.svg Highway 50 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 75.svg Highway 75 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 83.svg Highway 83 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 142.svg Highway 142 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 158.svg Highway 158 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 165.svg Highway 165 (Wisconsin)

Railroads

Buses

  • Kenosha Area Transit

Airport

Kenosha Regional Airport (KENW) serves the county and surrounding communities.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1850 10,734 —
1860 13,900 29.5%
1870 13,147 −5.4%
1880 13,550 3.1%
1890 15,581 15.0%
1900 21,707 39.3%
1910 32,929 51.7%
1920 51,284 55.7%
1930 63,277 23.4%
1940 63,505 0.4%
1950 75,238 18.5%
1960 100,615 33.7%
1970 117,917 17.2%
1980 123,137 4.4%
1990 128,181 4.1%
2000 149,577 16.7%
2010 166,426 11.3%
2020 169,151 1.6%
2023 (est.) 167,488 0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020 2020 census
USA Kenosha County, Wisconsin age pyramid
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Kenosha County
Kenosha 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 2000 Pop 2010 Pop 2020 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 127,287 129,892 121,936 85.10% 78.08% 72.09%
Black or African American alone (NH) 7,446 10,655 11,480 4.98% 6.40% 6.79%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 491 513 371 0.33% 0.31% 0.22%
Asian alone (NH) 1,350 2,343 2,793 0.90% 1.41% 1.65%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 53 67 67 0.04% 0.04% 0.04%
Other race alone (NH) 160 177 528 0.11% 0.11% 0.31%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 2,033 3,187 7,430 1.36% 1.91% 4.39%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10,757 19,592 24,546 7.19% 11.77% 14.51%
Total 149,577 166,426 169,151 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the census of 2000, there were 149,577 people, 56,057 households, and 38,455 families residing in the county. The population density was 548 people per square mile (212 people/km2). There were 59,989 housing units at an average density of 220 units per square mile (85 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.38% White, 5.08% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.29% from other races, and 1.91% from two or more races. 7.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.8% were of German, 10.4% Italian, 7.9% Irish, 7.6% Polish and 7.5% English ancestry.

There were 56,057 households, out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.70% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 20.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

In 2017, there were 1,873 births, giving a general fertility rate of 55.7 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 13th lowest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties.

Education

Libraries

Library services are provided by the Kenosha County Library System (KCLS), comprising the Kenosha Public Library (KPL), serving the city of Kenosha and the village of Pleasant Prairie, and the Community Library, which serves the town of Randall and the villages of Paddock Lake, Salem Lakes, and Twin Lakes.

Communities

City

Villages

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns/neighborhoods

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Kenosha para niños

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