GREEN COUNTY DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Green County, located in south central Wisconsin, has a population of 34,280 (2003 Population Estimate, US Census). From 1990 to 2000, Green County has seen a population increase of 10.9%, which is slightly higher than the rate of growth in the state overall (9.6%). Since the year 2000, the population has continued to increase by 1.9%, which is very similar to the rate of growth for the state as a whole (2%). According to the US Census Bureau, Green County is considered non-metropolitan, or rural, but is bordered to the north by Dane County and to the east by Rock County, both considered urban and containing Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Being contiguous to these two counties has had a positive impact on the in-migration rate for the county, with the largest increases in population over the past several years in the towns of Exeter (12.1%) and Decatur (4.8%), both close to the metropolitan areas in neighboring counties.

Green County's Labor Force Participation Rate is relatively high, with 69% of those eligible to work in the workforce. This compares to 73% of the state's population participating in the workforce. Likewise, the unemployment rate is relatively low compared to the state, with the August 2004 unemployment rate in Green County of 3.7% compared to 4.4% for the state. Roughly 34% of the workers who live in Green County commute to Dane or Rock Counties for jobs. Since 1990 the number of commuters to Dane County has doubled. (Wisconsin, DWD, Office of Economic Advisors, January 2004). According to the 2000 Census, on the average Green County workers travel 22.3 minutes to work.

Green County's population is aging. In 2000, Green County had a higher median age, 37.9 years, than the state as whole (36 years). The percent of population over the age of 65 is also higher (14.7%) in Green County than in the state as a whole (13.2%). Currently, 23.4% of Green County's population is over the age of 55 years. By the year 2020, Green County's population is projected to grow by 14.3%. While some of this growth will be attributed to the in-migration of younger populations, the percent of population 55 years and over is projected to grow to 32% by 2020. The population under twenty years is projected to decline from 28.8% to 25.3% by the year 2020.

Green County has less racial and ethnic diversity and fewer foreign-born residents than in other areas of the state and in the United States. According to the 2000 census, 98.1% of Green County's population was white as compared to 88.9% of the state's population. The racial make-up of the County, according to the 2000 US census is reported in the following table:

Source: US Census Bureau, 2000

Most of the foreign-born residents in Green County were born in European countries, followed by those from Latin America and Asia. Out of a total foreign-born population in 2000 of 435 people, 244 moved to the county prior to 1980. (Wisconsin, DWD, Office of Economic Advisors, January 2004).

The percentage of persons living in poverty in Green County is 5.1%. This compares to 8.7% for the state of Wisconsin. Green County also has a lower percentage of families living in poverty ( 3%) as compared to 5.6% for the state, and a lower percentage of Female Head of household families with children under the age of 5 years living in poverty (28%) than the state (43%). Green County's median household income is close to Wisconsin's median household income, $43,228 and $43,791 respectively. Green County's median family income of $50,521 is slightly lower than Wisconsin's median family income of $52,911, as is Green County's per capita money income of $20,795 compared to $21,271 for the state. All income and poverty related data are based on the 2000 US Census.

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