Green Bay, Wisconsin

Green Bay is a city in Brown County, Wisconsin, United States, and it is the county's main city. It sits near where the Fox River meets Lake Michigan, right by the Green Bay inlet. As of the 2020 census, about 107,395 people live there, making it the third-largest city in Wisconsin and the third-largest city along Lake Michigan.

For thousands of years, many indigenous tribes, such as the Menominee and Ho-Chunk, lived in the Green Bay area. In 1634, a French explorer named Jean Nicolet arrived and set up a place for trading fur, during the time when the land was part of New France. Later, during British control in the 1700s, more European people began to settle there.

The city's spot at the mouth of the Fox River helped it grow, especially in the 1800s and early 1900s when it became important for the lumber and paper industries. Today, Green Bay is best known for the Green Bay Packers, a very popular team in the National Football League.

History

Samuel de Champlain, the founder of New France, sent Jean Nicolet to meet with Native Americans and find a shorter trade route to China. Nicolet traveled through lakes and rivers, eventually reaching an area near present-day Green Bay, Wisconsin.

In 1634, Nicolet established a small trading post named La Baie des Puants, meaning "the Bay of Stinking Waters." He worked with the Menominee and Ho-Chunk peoples, helping to open trade opportunities. After Champlain’s death, French interest in the area waned due to conflicts. A Jesuit mission was set up in 1671, and a fort was added in 1717.

British forces took control of Green Bay in 1761 during the French and Indian War. The British issued more trading licenses, boosting the fur trade. The town became known as Green Bay. Early settlers included French Canadians, and the community thrived with farming and trade.

After the United States gained independence, Fort Howard was built in 1816 to protect the northern border. The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, helped Green Bay grow as a trading center. The railroad arrived in the 1860s, further boosting the economy. Immigrants from Belgium, Germany, and other countries added to the city’s cultural richness.

The Green Bay Packers football team was founded in 1919 and joined the National Football League in 1921. By 1950, the city’s population had grown to 52,735, and in 1964, the Town of Preble joined the city of Green Bay.

Geography

Green Bay is located in the eastern part of Wisconsin where the Fox River meets Lake Michigan. It is about 90 miles north of Milwaukee. The city covers an area of 55.76 square miles, with 45.48 square miles of land and 10.28 square miles of water. About 14% of the city is part of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin reservation.

Green Bay has four distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The city rarely experiences tornadoes, and the strongest one recorded hit nearby Pittsfield in 1969. Temperatures can vary widely, with January averages around 16.6 °F and July averages around 69.1 °F. August is usually the wettest month, while February is the driest.

Demographics

2020 census

In the year 2020, Green Bay had a population of 107,395 people. The city had 45,789 places where people lived, called housing units.

The people in Green Bay come from many different backgrounds. About two-thirds of the people are White. Some are Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, or from other races. Many families live below the poverty line, especially children.

2010 census

In 2010, Green Bay had 104,057 people living there. Most people were White, but there were also many Hispanic or Latino, African American, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and people from other races.

Many families in the city had children under 18 living with them. Some people lived alone, and some were older than 65 years old.

2000 census

In 2000, there were 102,313 people in Green Bay. Most people were White, but there were also African American, Native American, and Asian people living there.

Green Bay has many different religious groups. Many people are Catholic, and there are also Lutherans, Jehovah's Witnesses, and other groups.

There are also people from many different countries living in Green Bay, including Hmong American, German American, and Mexican American communities.

Economy

Green Bay used to be called the "Toilet Paper Capital of the World" because many paper companies were there. Some of the first paper companies were Northern Paper Company, Fort Howard Paper Company, and Hoberg Paper Company. One company, Northern Paper Mills, started in 1901 and later made a lot of toilet paper. They even made the first toilet paper without splinters in the early 1930s. Having so many paper companies helped Green Bay during a tough time called the Great Depression.

Besides paper, Green Bay also had companies that packed meat. Two early ones were Acme Packing Company and Indian Packing Company. Today, big companies like JBS S.A. and American Foods Group still pack meat there. Many other businesses make Green Bay a busy place to work.

Arts and culture

Green Bay has many special places for arts and culture. The Meyer Theatre, Tarlton Theatre, and Hotel Northland are important historic buildings. The Green Bay Film Festival happens at the Tarlton Theatre, showing films from around the world. Different music groups perform at places like the Riverside Ballroom and Meyer Theatre.

The city has many places to visit, like the Neville Public Museum and the National Railroad Museum in nearby Ashwaubenon. Every summer, ArtStreet brings artists and fun activities to downtown. There are also markets, music festivals, and special events throughout the year. Shopping spots include East Town Mall and Bay Park Square. The Brown County Library has a big central branch in downtown Green Bay, with many other smaller libraries around the area.

Sports

Green Bay hosts many fun sports events. Two big ones are the Bellin Run and the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon.

Government

See also: List of mayors of Green Bay, Wisconsin and Mayoral elections in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Green Bay is led by a mayor who is chosen by voters across the city. Since 2019, the mayor has been Eric Genrich. The city council has 12 members, each chosen from different parts of the city.

Green Bay is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Tony Wied. In the United States Senate, Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin represent the city. In the Wisconsin State Senate, Jamie Wall and Eric Wimberger serve. In the Wisconsin State Assembly, Amaad Rivera-Wagner, Ryan Spaude, and Ben Franklin represent the area.

Education

Green Bay has many schools run by the Green Bay Area Public School District. This district has twenty-five elementary schools, two schools for grades K–8, four middle schools, four high schools, and one alternative school in the city and nearby areas. Two of the high schools, East High School and West High School, have a very old football rivalry that started in 1905. There are also private schools such as Notre Dame de la Baie Academy, Northeastern Wisconsin Lutheran High School, and Bay City Baptist School.

The University of Wisconsin–Green Bay is a big public university in the area. Other schools nearby include Bellin College of Nursing, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, College of Menominee Nation, Concordia University Wisconsin, Lakeland University, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Rasmussen College.

Media

See also: List of radio stations in Wisconsin

Green Bay has a few newspapers. The main one is the Green Bay Press-Gazette, and there is also a weekly paper called The Press Times that started in March 2019. Another paper, the Green Bay News-Chronicle, stopped printing in 2005.

The city has several television stations. These include WBAY which shows ABC, WFRV for CBS, WLUK for FOX, WCWF for CW, WGBA for NBC, WMEI for MeTV, WACY which is an independent station, and WPNE for PBS.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Green Bay has an airport called Green Bay–Austin Straubel International Airport in the nearby town of Ashwaubenon. Buses run all around the city and nearby areas through Green Bay Metro. There are also services to help people travel between cities, like Amtrak Thruway, Indian Trails, Lamers Bus Lines, and Wisconsin Coach Lines. A port in Green Bay moves many goods, mostly things like coal and cement.

Utilities

The city gets its power from Wisconsin Public Service Corporation. Water comes from the Green Bay Water Utility, and sewer services are handled by the Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District, also called NEW Water.

Health care

Green Bay has several health care centers, including Bellin Health and Prevea Health. The city has four main hospitals: Aurora Baycare Medical Center, Bellin Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center, and St. Vincent Hospital. There are also special clinics for mental health needs.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Green Bay, Wisconsin

Green Bay has been home to many interesting and successful people throughout its history. Some of these individuals have made their mark in sports, entertainment, and other fields, contributing to the city's rich heritage. The list of notable people from Green Bay includes a variety of achievements and stories that reflect the community's spirit and diversity.

Sister city

Green Bay has a sister city named Irapuato, which is located in Guanajuato, Mexico. The two cities became sister cities in 2006.