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Oconto County, Wisconsin facts for kids

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Oconto County
U.S. county
The Oconto County Courthouse, circa 1910
The Oconto County Courthouse, circa 1910
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Oconto 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 1854
Named for Oconto River
Seat Oconto
Largest city Oconto
Area
 • Total 1,149 sq mi (2,980 km2)
 • Land 998 sq mi (2,580 km2)
 • Water 151 sq mi (390 km2)  13%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 38,965
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 39,775 Increase
 • Density 39.1/sq mi (15.1/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 8th
OcontoCountyWoods
Rural Oconto County in fall

Oconto County is a county located in the state of Wisconsin in the United States. About 38,965 people lived here in 2020. The main city and county seat is Oconto. The county was officially started in 1851.

Oconto County is part of the larger Green Bay area. This means it is connected to the economy and community of Green Bay.

A Look Back in Time

People first visited Oconto County a very long time ago. French explorers came here in the 1600s. One of the first religious leaders, Father Claude-Jean Allouez, held the first Christian service in Oconto.

An early explorer named Joseph Tourtilott explored the Oconto River area. Oconto County was officially created in 1851. It was fully organized and ready to go in 1854.

Where is Oconto County?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Oconto County covers a total area of 1,149 square miles. Most of this area, 998 square miles, is land. The rest, 151 square miles, is water. This means about 13% of the county is covered by water.

Neighboring Areas

Oconto County shares its borders with several other counties. These are its neighbors:

Roads, Rails, and Air

Many important roads pass through Oconto County. These highways help people travel and transport goods.

  • US 41.svg U.S. Highway 41
  • US 141.svg U.S. Highway 141
  • WIS 22.svg Highway 22 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 32.svg Highway 32 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 64.svg Highway 64 (Wisconsin)

Trains also run through the county. Two main railroad companies operate here:

For air travel, the J. Douglas Bake Memorial Airport serves Oconto County. It helps connect the area to other places by air.

Nature's Protection

Part of the Nicolet National Forest is located in Oconto County. This is a protected area of nature. It helps keep the forests and wildlife safe.

Who Lives Here?

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860 3,592 —
1870 9,321 159.5%
1880 9,848 5.7%
1890 15,009 52.4%
1900 20,874 39.1%
1910 25,657 22.9%
1920 27,104 5.6%
1930 26,386 −2.6%
1940 27,075 2.6%
1950 26,238 −3.1%
1960 25,110 −4.3%
1970 25,553 1.8%
1980 28,947 13.3%
1990 30,226 4.4%
2000 35,634 17.9%
2010 37,660 5.7%
2020 38,965 3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010 2020

In 2020, the population of Oconto County was 38,965 people. This means there were about 39 people living in each square mile. Most people living in the county are White. There are also people from Native American, Asian, and Black backgrounds. Some people identify with two or more races. A small part of the population is of Hispanic or Latino origin.

USA Oconto County, Wisconsin age pyramid
Age Pyramid for Oconto County in 2000. This chart shows how many people of different ages live there.
USRoute41NorthernWisconsinWoods
Woods along U.S. Route 41

Towns and Cities

OcontoCountyWisconsinSign
A sign welcoming you to Oconto County, Wisconsin.

Oconto County has several different types of communities. These include cities, villages, and towns.

Cities

Villages

Towns

Special Communities

Some places are called "census-designated places." These are areas that look like towns but are not officially incorporated. There are also small, unincorporated communities.

  • Unincorporated communities:
  • Ghost towns/neighborhoods:
    • Leighton
    • Pine Stump

See also

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

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