Sheboygan County, Wisconsin
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Sheboygan County (/ʃɪˈbɔɪɡən/ ⓘ) is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is named after the Sheboygan River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 118,034. Its county seat is Sheboygan. The county was created in 1836 and organized in 1846. At the time, it was located in the Wisconsin Territory. Sheboygan County comprises the Sheboygan, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area. Part of the Holyland region is located in northwestern Sheboygan County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,271 square miles (3,290 km2), of which 511 square miles (1,320 km2) is land and 760 square miles (2,000 km2) (60%) is water.
Major highways
- Interstate 43
- Highway 23 (Wisconsin)
- Highway 28 (Wisconsin)
- Highway 32 (Wisconsin)
- Highway 42 (Wisconsin)
- Highway 57 (Wisconsin)
- Highway 67 (Wisconsin)
- Highway 144 (Wisconsin)
Railroads
Buses
- Shoreline Metro (intracity, Sheboygan)
- Jefferson Lines (intercity, Sheboygan)
Airport
Sheboygan County Memorial Airport (KSBM), serves the county and surrounding communities.
Adjacent counties
- Manitowoc County – north
- Ozaukee County – south
- Washington County – southwest
- Fond du Lac County – west
- Calumet County – northwest
National marine sanctuary
The Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary was established in 2021 in the waters of Lake Michigan, with its south-central portion lying off Sheboygan County′s coast. The national marine sanctuary is the site of a large number of historically significant shipwrecks.
Climate
| Sheboygan County | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan County Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D 66 −4 −9 61 −3 −9 82 1 −5 160 13 −1 123 16 6 133 18 12 106 24 15 96 25 13 77 21 12 133 12 5 71 6 −2 78 −4 −7 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mmSource: Imperial conversion JFMAMJJASOND 2.6 25 16 2.4 27 16 3.2 34 23 6.3 55 30 4.8 61 43 5.2 64 54 4.2 75 59 3.8 77 55 3 70 54 5.2 54 41 2.8 43 28 3.1 25 19 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches | |||||||||||
| Climate chart (explanation) | |||||||||||
| J F M A M J J A S O N D 66 −4 −9 61 −3 −9 82 1 −5 160 13 −1 123 16 6 133 18 12 106 24 15 96 25 13 77 21 12 133 12 5 71 6 −2 78 −4 −7 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mmSource: | |||||||||||
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 66 −4 −9 | 61 −3 −9 | 82 1 −5 | 160 13 −1 | 123 16 6 | 133 18 12 | 106 24 15 | 96 25 13 | 77 21 12 | 133 12 5 | 71 6 −2 | 78 −4 −7 |
| █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C | |||||||||||
| █ Precipitation totals in mm | |||||||||||
| Source: | |||||||||||
| Imperial conversion JFMAMJJASOND 2.6 25 16 2.4 27 16 3.2 34 23 6.3 55 30 4.8 61 43 5.2 64 54 4.2 75 59 3.8 77 55 3 70 54 5.2 54 41 2.8 43 28 3.1 25 19 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches | |||||||||||
| Imperial conversion | |||||||||||
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 2.6 25 16 | 2.4 27 16 | 3.2 34 23 | 6.3 55 30 | 4.8 61 43 | 5.2 64 54 | 4.2 75 59 | 3.8 77 55 | 3 70 54 | 5.2 54 41 | 2.8 43 28 | 3.1 25 19 |
| █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F | |||||||||||
| █ Precipitation totals in inches |
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 133 | — | |
| 1850 | 8,379 | 6,200.0% | |
| 1860 | 26,875 | 220.7% | |
| 1870 | 31,749 | 18.1% | |
| 1880 | 34,206 | 7.7% | |
| 1890 | 42,489 | 24.2% | |
| 1900 | 50,345 | 18.5% | |
| 1910 | 54,888 | 9.0% | |
| 1920 | 59,913 | 9.2% | |
| 1930 | 71,235 | 18.9% | |
| 1940 | 76,221 | 7.0% | |
| 1950 | 80,631 | 5.8% | |
| 1960 | 86,484 | 7.3% | |
| 1970 | 96,660 | 11.8% | |
| 1980 | 100,935 | 4.4% | |
| 1990 | 103,877 | 2.9% | |
| 2000 | 112,646 | 8.4% | |
| 2010 | 115,507 | 2.5% | |
| 2020 | 118,034 | 2.2% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 118,047 | 0.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980 | Pop 1990 | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 98,882 | 99,447 | 102,628 | 100,520 | 95,837 | 97.97% | 95.74% | 91.11% | 87.03% | 81.19% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 302 | 412 | 1,189 | 1,605 | 2,434 | 0.30% | 0.40% | 1.06% | 1.39% | 2.06% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 264 | 324 | 354 | 392 | 362 | 0.26% | 0.31% | 0.31% | 0.34% | 0.31% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 219 | 1,999 | 3,669 | 5,279 | 6,875 | 0.22% | 1.92% | 3.26% | 4.57% | 5.82% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x | x | 13 | 29 | 21 | x | x | 0.01% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 221 | 27 | 36 | 64 | 360 | 0.22% | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.06% | 0.30% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x | x | 968 | 1,289 | 3,483 | x | x | 0.86% | 1.12% | 2.95% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,047 | 1,668 | 3,789 | 6,329 | 8,662 | 1.04% | 1.61% | 3.36% | 5.48% | 7.34% |
| Total | 100,935 | 103,877 | 112,646 | 115,507 | 118,034 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 118,034. The median age was 41.9 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.8 males age 18 and over.
The population density was 230.7 people per square mile (89.1 people/km2). There were 52,303 housing units at an average density of 102.2 units per square mile (39.5 units/km2).
There were 48,702 households in the county, of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.9% were married-couple households, 19.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
The racial makeup of the county was 83.2% White, 2.2% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.9% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.9% from some other race, and 5.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.3% of the population.
70.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 29.4% lived in rural areas.
6.9% of the county's housing units were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.5% were owner-occupied and 30.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 112,646 people, 43,545 households, and 29,915 families residing in the county. The population density was 219 people per square mile (85 people/km2). There were 45,947 housing units at an average density of 90 units per square mile (35 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.71% White, 1.09% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 3.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.46% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races.
3.36% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 54.9% were of German, 7.8% Dutch and 5.4% American ancestry. 91.9% spoke English, 3.0% Spanish, 2.5% Hmong and 1.7% German as their first language.
There were 43,545 households, out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 7.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.90 males.
In 2017, there were 1,204 births, giving a general fertility rate of 61.3 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 31st lowest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties. Additionally, there were 81 reported induced abortions performed on women of Sheboygan County residence in 2017.
Communities
Cities
| Rank | Community | Population | Year | ZIP Code |
| 1 | Sheboygan | 49,929 | 1846 | 53081 |
| 2 | Plymouth | 8,932 | 1880 | 53073 |
| 3 | Sheboygan Falls | 8,210 | 1835 | 53085 |
Villages
Towns
- Greenbush
- Herman
- Holland
- Lima
- Lyndon
- Mitchell
- Mosel
- Plymouth
- Rhine
- Russell
- Scott
- Sheboygan
- Sheboygan Falls
- Sherman
- Wilson
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
- Ada
- Beechwood
- Cranberry Marsh
- Dacada
- Edwards
- Franklin
- German Corners
- Gooseville
- Haven
- Hayen
- Hulls Crossing
- Idlewood Beach
- Johnsonville
- Mosel
- New Paris
- Ourtown
- Parnell
- Rhine Center
- St. Anna (partial)
- Silver Creek
- Weedens
- Winooski
Ghost towns
Public high schools
- Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah High School
- Étude High School
- Howards Grove High School
- Kohler High School
- North High School (Sheboygan)
- Oostburg High School
- Plymouth Comprehensive High School
- Random Lake High School
- Sheboygan Falls High School
- Sheboygan South High School
Law enforcement
Politics
Originally a longtime swing county, Sheboygan County has, since 2000, become consistently Republican-leaning. In 2024, Donald Trump won the highest percentage of the vote for any Republican since 1956.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 3,638 | 40.27% | 5,126 | 56.74% | 270 | 2.99% |
| 1896 | 6,644 | 62.50% | 3,327 | 31.30% | 660 | 6.21% |
| 1900 | 5,927 | 53.77% | 4,049 | 36.73% | 1,047 | 9.50% |
| 1904 | 6,121 | 57.18% | 3,430 | 32.04% | 1,153 | 10.77% |
| 1908 | 5,948 | 52.40% | 4,405 | 38.81% | 998 | 8.79% |
| 1912 | 2,692 | 27.97% | 3,968 | 41.23% | 2,965 | 30.81% |
| 1916 | 5,562 | 52.92% | 3,885 | 36.96% | 1,063 | 10.11% |
| 1920 | 11,994 | 68.95% | 1,895 | 10.89% | 3,507 | 20.16% |
| 1924 | 6,974 | 34.56% | 1,350 | 6.69% | 11,857 | 58.75% |
| 1928 | 12,640 | 51.17% | 11,439 | 46.31% | 622 | 2.52% |
| 1932 | 7,454 | 27.96% | 18,029 | 67.62% | 1,178 | 4.42% |
| 1936 | 8,865 | 31.59% | 17,415 | 62.06% | 1,783 | 6.35% |
| 1940 | 15,305 | 48.21% | 15,800 | 49.77% | 642 | 2.02% |
| 1944 | 15,291 | 49.42% | 15,062 | 48.68% | 585 | 1.89% |
| 1948 | 12,459 | 43.05% | 15,339 | 53.00% | 1,144 | 3.95% |
| 1952 | 22,084 | 59.00% | 15,136 | 40.44% | 212 | 0.57% |
| 1956 | 22,077 | 59.91% | 14,540 | 39.46% | 235 | 0.64% |
| 1960 | 21,676 | 53.89% | 18,425 | 45.81% | 120 | 0.30% |
| 1964 | 12,968 | 32.88% | 26,410 | 66.95% | 67 | 0.17% |
| 1968 | 17,764 | 44.86% | 20,170 | 50.93% | 1,668 | 4.21% |
| 1972 | 21,500 | 49.40% | 21,114 | 48.52% | 905 | 2.08% |
| 1976 | 22,332 | 47.13% | 24,226 | 51.13% | 825 | 1.74% |
| 1980 | 23,036 | 47.42% | 20,974 | 43.18% | 4,565 | 9.40% |
| 1984 | 26,345 | 55.05% | 21,112 | 44.12% | 396 | 0.83% |
| 1988 | 23,471 | 49.75% | 23,429 | 49.66% | 277 | 0.59% |
| 1992 | 22,526 | 41.29% | 20,568 | 37.70% | 11,465 | 21.01% |
| 1996 | 20,067 | 42.69% | 22,022 | 46.85% | 4,914 | 10.45% |
| 2000 | 29,648 | 53.71% | 23,569 | 42.70% | 1,984 | 3.59% |
| 2004 | 34,458 | 55.02% | 27,608 | 44.08% | 559 | 0.89% |
| 2008 | 30,801 | 49.59% | 30,395 | 48.94% | 911 | 1.47% |
| 2012 | 34,072 | 54.38% | 27,918 | 44.56% | 661 | 1.06% |
| 2016 | 32,514 | 54.40% | 23,000 | 38.48% | 4,252 | 7.11% |
| 2020 | 37,609 | 56.97% | 27,101 | 41.06% | 1,301 | 1.97% |
| 2024 | 38,763 | 57.37% | 27,735 | 41.05% | 1,064 | 1.57% |
See also
Further reading
- Buchen, Gustave W. Historic Sheboygan County. Sheboygan, Wis., 1944.
- Hildebrand, Janice. Sheboygan County, 150 Years of Progress: An Illustrated History. Northridge, Calif: Windsor Publications, 1988.
- . Chicago: Excelsior Publishing Company, 1894.
- Zillier, Carl. . Chicago: S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1912.
External links
- from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
43°43′N 87°40′W/43.72°N 87.66°W/ 43.72; -87.66