Population 39,589 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Oconto County
Household size in Oconto County
| Period | Oconto County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.31 | 2.45 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.44 | 2.47 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.35 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.38 | 2.40 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Households in Oconto County are small: just 2.38 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has crept up from 2.31 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Oconto County
| Period | Oconto County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.7 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 45.0 | 39.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.0 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.6 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.9 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 46.6, Oconto County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 42.7, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the south and oldest in the northwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Oconto County
| Period | Oconto County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.5% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.2% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.0% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 9.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.6 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Oconto County: 7.9% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Oconto County
Renters in Oconto County
| Period | Oconto County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.1% | 30.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.6% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.3% | 33.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 15.0% | 32.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Oconto County is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 15.0% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Just over four in ten owners (42.8%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share is down 3.1 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Oconto County
| Period | Oconto County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.3% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.2% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.7% | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.9% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Oconto County: 16.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Oconto County
| Period | Oconto County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1976 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1979 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1980 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1974 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Oconto County was built around 1981, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in Wisconsin overall, where the median home dates to 1974. The median year built has moved up from 1976 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the east has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Oconto County
| Period | Oconto County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $612 | $758 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $671 | $821 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $718 | $904 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $858 | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$246 | +$380 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Oconto County costs $858 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $246 a month since 2006–10, up 40%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 27.8% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the east; the highest are in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Oconto County
Bachelor's degrees in Oconto County
| Period | Oconto County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.0% | 28.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.9% | 30.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.5% | 33.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.0 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Oconto County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 19.5%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 6.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Oconto County has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of Wisconsin counties.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Oconto County
| Period | Oconto County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.7% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.4% | 90.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.5% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.5% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Oconto County is above the national rate: 93.5% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. That is in line with the rest of Wisconsin. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 5.8 points, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Oconto County
| Period | Oconto County | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.5% | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.3% | 7.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.9% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.0% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.5 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Oconto County has been strong: just 2.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other Wisconsin county has lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 5.5 points, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Oconto County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oconto County | 2.38 | 46.6 | 7.9% | 15.0% | 16.9% | 1981 | $858 | 19.5% | 93.5% | 2.0% |
| Menominee County | 3.01 | 37.4 | 30.2% | 24.5% | 32.5% | 1984 | $629 | 18.6% | 95.3% | 9.3% |
| Shawano County | 2.38 | 45.6 | 8.3% | 22.5% | 14.5% | 1975 | $883 | 19.4% | 93.4% | 2.6% |
| Door County | 2.04 | 53.5 | 5.0% | 21.8% | 32.0% | 1981 | $1,084 | 37.4% | 96.2% | 2.4% |
| Marathon County | 2.42 | 42.2 | 9.0% | 26.7% | 5.8% | 1978 | $1,010 | 28.5% | 93.3% | 2.8% |
| Clark County | 2.74 | 36.5 | 7.8% | 21.5% | 11.7% | 1971 | $846 | 12.8% | 81.8% | 3.7% |
| Leelanau County | 2.33 | 54.1 | 6.0% | 8.4% | 30.6% | 1987 | $1,249 | 51.9% | 97.1% | 3.4% |
| Grand Traverse County | 2.39 | 44.2 | 9.3% | 22.8% | 12.5% | 1986 | $1,335 | 39.6% | 95.5% | 3.6% |
| Antrim County | 2.18 | 50.9 | 7.6% | 13.6% | 33.1% | 1979 | $958 | 33.0% | 94.4% | 3.9% |
| Kalkaska County | 2.34 | 44.5 | 10.1% | 11.8% | 28.0% | 1981 | $945 | 18.7% | 90.5% | 4.0% |
| Chippewa County | 2.40 | 42.7 | 7.7% | 25.8% | 7.1% | 1976 | $994 | 23.9% | 93.8% | 3.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Tift County, GA · Beaufort County, NC · Bedford County, PA · Beltrami County, MN · Bingham County, ID · Bonner County, ID · Bryan County, GA · Bryan County, OK · Calloway County, KY · Tallapoosa County, AL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Oconto County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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