Manitowoc County, Wisconsin Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Manitowoc County, Wisconsin

County

Flag

Seal

Map of Wisconsin showing Manitowoc County

Wisconsin's location in the United States

Country

1848

Incorporated Municipalities

30 (total)

3 cities
18 towns
9 villages

Government

• Type

County

• Body

Board of Supervisors

Area

• Total

1,494 sq mi (3,870 km²)

• Land

589 sq mi (1,530 km²)

• Water

905 sq mi (2,340 km²)

Area rank

6th largest county in Wisconsin

Population

(2010)

• Total

81,442

• Estimate

(2020)

78,757

• Rank

21st largest county in Wisconsin

• Density

54.513/sq mi (21.047/km²)

• Summer (DST)

920

Congressional districts

6th

Interstates

U.S. Routes

State Routes

Airports

Manitowoc County Airport

Waterways

Lake Michigan – Manitowoc River

Public transit

Maritime Metro Transit

Manitowoc County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 81,359. Its county seat is Manitowoc. The county was created in 1836 prior to Wisconsin's statehood and organized in 1848. Manitowoc County comprises the Manitowoc, WI Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Demographics
Communities
Gallery
See also

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,494 square miles (3,870 km²), of which 589 square miles (1,530 km²) is land and 905 square miles (2,340 km²) (61%) is water.

Major highways

Interstate 43
U.S. Highway 10
U.S. Highway 151
Highway 32 (Wisconsin)
Highway 42 (Wisconsin)

Highway 57 (Wisconsin)
Highway 67 (Wisconsin)
Highway 147 (Wisconsin)
Highway 310 (Wisconsin)

Airport

Manitowoc County Airport (KMTW) serves the county and surrounding communities.

Adjacent counties

Brown County – northwest
Kewaunee County – northeast
Sheboygan County – south
Calumet County – west

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1840	235	—
1850	3,702	1,475.3%
1860	22,416	505.5%
1870	33,364	48.8%
1880	37,505	12.4%
1890	37,831	0.9%
1900	42,261	11.7%
1910	44,978	6.4%
1920	51,644	14.8%
1930	58,674	13.6%
1940	61,617	5.0%
1950	67,159	9.0%
1960	75,215	12.0%
1970	82,294	9.4%
1980	82,918	0.8%
1990	80,421	−3.0%
2000	82,887	3.1%
2010	81,442	−1.7%
2020	81,359	−0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Manitowoc County.

The 2000 census shows Manitowoc County as having 82,887 people, 32,721 households and 22,348 families.The population density was 140 people per square mile (54/km²). There were 34,651 housing units at an average density of 59 per square mile (23/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.90% White, 0.30% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 1.98% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 1.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 53.7% were of German, 7.3% Polish, 5.3% Czech and 5.0% American ancestry. 95.2% spoke English, 1.8% Spanish, 1.3% Hmong and 1.1% German as their first language.

There were 32,721 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.10% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.70% were non-families. 26.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population is spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.