Discover Northeast Wisconsin’s 18 Counties
Northeast Wisconsin is home to 18 counties, which have their own unique charm and appeal. From beautiful outdoor recreation to fun community events, these New North region counties have plenty that you need to explore. Here are a few things to know about each one.
In This Article
Brown County
This county is home to the Green Bay Packers, one of the most storied franchises in NFL history and the only publicly owned, nonprofit, major professional sports team in the U.S. In 2025, the NFL draft will take place in and around Lambeau Field.
Villages & Cities
Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, DePere, Denmark, Green Bay, Greenleaf, Hobart, Howard, Pulaski, Suamico, Wrightstown
Sample of Key Employers
Alive & Kickin’ Pizza Crust, Alliance Construction & Design, American Foods Group, Amerilux International, Amundsen Davis, Aon, Associated Bank, Ayres, Aurora BayCare Health Center, Bayland Buildings, B & D Warehouse, BelGioioso Cheese, Belmark Inc., Bug Tussel, BW Converting, Capital Credit Union, Cedar Corp., CLA, Core BTS, Cornerstone Business Services, Creative Business Services, Current Electric, C.H. Robinson, CR Meyer, Elevate97, Emplify Health, EUA, Foth, FyterTech Nonwovens, Georgia-Pacific, GKM WI Global Supply, GRAEF, Green Bay Packaging, Green Bay Packers, H.J. Martin and Son, HSHS St. Vincent Hospital – St. Mary’s Hospital, Humana, Immel Construction, ISG, JBS, KI, LaForce, Lindquist Machine Corp., Little Rapids Corp., Mavid Construction, Marquis/Cruiser Yachts, MCC Inc., Microsoft, Nature’s Way, Nicolet National Bank, OSMS, Packer Fastener, Performance Insulation of WI, Pomp’s Tire, Prevea Health, Procter & Gamble, Robinson Inc., Ruder Ware, Schneider National, Schreiber Foods, Schwaba Law Firm, Smet Construction, Somerville, The Village Companies, TitletownTech, Tweet Garot, UnitedHealthcare, Wipfli, Wisconsin Bank & Trust
Calumet County
Calumet County sits along the eastern shore of Lake Winnebago, which means residents are met with gorgeous views and water activities. Plus, it is home to the Ariens Nordic Center, which provides a network of lighted trails for cross-country skiing and a world-class 20-point biathlon training center designed for elite athletes and national championships.
Villages & Cities
Appleton, Brillion, Chilton, Harrison, Hilbert, Kaukauna, Kiel, Menasha, New Holstein, Potter, Sherwood, Stockbridge
Sample of Key Employers
Agropur, Amerequip Corp., AriensCo, Bries Industry, Country Visions Cooperative, Endries International, Fox Communities Credit Union, Kaytee, Land O’Lakes, Lunda Construction, MB-Aebi Schmidt, Ornua Ingredients North America, Professional Plating, Sargento Foods, State Bank of Chilton, Vern’s Cheese, Worthington Enterprises
Door County
This county has a delectable claim to fame: It was featured in a Top Chef episode, where competing chefs participated in a classic Door County fish boil. The popular tourist destination has more miles of shoreline than any other county in the U.S. along Lake Michigan.
Villages & Cities
Egg Harbor, Ephraim, Fish Creek, Forestville, Sister Bay, Sturgeon Bay
Sample of Key Employers
Door County Medical Center, Door County Publishing, ExacTech, Fincantieri Marine Group, Hatco, Marine Travelift, N.E.W. Industries, PJD, Therma-Tron-X, WireTech Fabricators
Florence County
Outdoor recreation is paramount in this Northeast Wisconsin county, which contains 265 lakes, 165 miles of rivers and miles of scenic trails. Residents and visitors are met with plenty of options to fish, hike, boat and, in colder months, ride snowmobiles.
Villages & Cities
Florence
Sample of Key Employers
Florence Bancorporation, Florence Hardwoods, Florence Health Services, Great North Bank, Pride Manufacturing, Schneider Iron & Metal
Fond du Lac County
In French, Fond du Lac translates to far end of the lake, and the county was named for its location relative to nearby Lake Winnebago. As such, water activities, like fishing, are celebrated here, most notably at its annual Sturgeon Spectacular event, a winter celebration centered on this big freshwater fish.
Villages & Cities
Brandon, Campbellsport, Eden, Fairwater, Fond du Lac, Kewaskum, Mount Calvary, North Fond du Lac, Oakfield, Ripon, Rosendale, Saint Cloud, Waupun
Sample of Key Employers
Alliance Laundry Systems, C.D. Smith Construction, Condon Cos., Drexel Building Supply, Fives Giddings & Lewis, FVSBank, Grande Cheese Co., J.F. Ahern Co., Lakeland Care, Mercury Marine, Michels, National Exchange Bank & Trust, Northcentral Construction, Sadoff, SECURA Insurance, Society Insurance, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital, Vesta CPA, Walbec Group, Wells Vehicle Electronics
Green Lake County
The city of Princeton in Green Lake County hosts Wisconsin’s largest weekly outdoor flea market every summer. Green Lake County is home to 20 lakes, including the deepest natural inland lake in Wisconsin, and it is a favorite destination for hunters. The county also has plenty of paved trails for those who love to cycle.
Villages & Cities
Berlin, Green Lake, Kingston, Markesan, Marquette, Princeton
Sample of Key Employers
AFK Foundry, Avalon Precision Casting Co., Badger Mining Corp., Diverse Options, Egbert Excavating, FLASH, Fortifi Bank, Heidel House, HEXECO, Kinas Excavating, Mashuda Contractors, Nelson Miller Group, Pollesch Construction, Ripton Award Jackets, ThedaCare Physicians-Green Lake
Kewaunee County
Dairy is big business in Kewaunee County, as it is home to more than 300 dairy farms and roughly 27,000 dairy cows. The county also has deep Czech roots, which explains why the area is known for making incredibly delicious kolaches. Additionally, it is known for its commercial fishing, tourist attractions, water activities and rich history.
Villages & Cities
Algoma, Casco, Kewaunee, Luxemburg
Sample of Key Employers
Ahnapee Construction, Bank of Luxemburg, D&S Machine Service, Dorner, Dramm Corp., Kewaunee Fabrications, Kono Kogs, N.E.W. Plastics Corp., NSH Skilled Nursing, Olson Fabrication, Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy, Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Van’s Lumber & Custom Builders, Vollrath, WS Packaging
Manitowoc County
This county is known as “Wisconsin’s Maritime Capital,” thanks in large part to its legacy of shipbuilding. It’s also home to Rogers Street Fishing Village and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, both of which offer a glimpse into the history of the Great Lakes. Manitowoc is also a port city for the S.S. Badger Car Ferry that sails to Ludington, Michigan, during the summer and fall.
Villages & Cities
Cleveland, Francis Creek, Kellnersville, Kiel, Manitowoc, Maribel, Mishicot, Reedsville, St. Nazianz, Two Rivers, Valders, Whitelaw
Sample of Key Employers
Americollect, Bank First, Brixius Manufacturing, Broadwind Heavy Fabrications, Dramm Corp., ECK Industries, Extrutech Plastics, Forefront Dermatology, Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital, Hardwood Products, Hawkins Ash CPAs, International Paper, Jagemann Stamping Co., Kaysun Corp., Lakeside Foods, Manitowoc Tool & Machining, Michael Best & Friedrich, Natural Ovens Bakery, Northern Labs, Orion Energy Systems, Redline Plastics, Schuette Mfg. & Steel Sales, Shipbuilders of Wisconsin, Skana Aluminum Co., Stecker Machine Co., Stoelting, Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry
Marinette County
Known as the “Waterfall Capital of Wisconsin,” this Northeast Wisconsin county is the place to see majestic waterfalls, and over 230,000 acres of county forestland are available for hunting and exploring wildlife.
Villages & Cities
Coleman, Crivitz, Marinette, Niagara, Peshtigo, Pound, Wausaukee
Sample of Key Employers
BPM, ChemDesign, Fincantieri Marinette Marine, Kimberly-Clark, KK Integrated Logistics, KS Kolbenschmidt US, MC Manufacturing, M&M Trucking, Peshtigo National Bank, Renaissance by Rennes Assisted Living, Samuel Pressure Vessel Group, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust, Veriha Trucking, Winsert
Marquette County
John Muir, known as the “Father of the National Parks,” lived in this Northeast Wisconsin county as a child. This area has beautiful scenery, and it is prime for fishing, hunting, hiking and birdwatching.
Villages & Cities
Endeavor, Montello, Neshkoro, Oxford, Westfield
Sample of Key Employers
Apollo Tool, Arimon Technologies, Brakebush, Harris Energy Group, Milsco, Ort Flooring & Lumber
Menominee County
This area is both a county and reservation and is home to the Menominee Tribe. As such, Native American values of respecting, preserving and honoring the land are evident around every turn in the region.
Villages & Cities
Keshena
Sample of Key Employers
Bay Bank, College of Menominee Nation, DJ’s Stainless, Menominee Indian Gaming Authority, Menominee Tribal Enterprises
Oconto County
Throughout the year, more than 100 festivals and events take place in this area, such as the Oconto Copper Fest, Oconto County Food Truck Festival and Harvest Fest. Outdoor enthusiasts love the county’s nearly 1,000 miles of ATV/UTV and snowmobile trails.
Villages & Cities
Gillett, Lena, Oconto, Oconto Falls, Pulaski, Suring
Sample of Key Employers
Diversified Woodcrafts, KCS International/Cruisers Yachts, LeTourneau Plastics, McDermid Transportation, Nercon, Nicolet Plastics, Northport Marine, Oconto Metal Finishing, Stay at HomeCare, ST Paper, Unlimited Services-Wisconsin, Woodland Village
Outagamie County
Outagamie County – and the city of Appleton, more specifically – is known for hosting the Mile of Music Festival, which showcases a variety of artists, venues and genres. It is also home to the state-of-the-art Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, featuring national artists and touring Broadway productions.
Villages & Cities
Appleton, Bear Creek, Black Creek, Combined Locks, Greenville, Harrison, Hortonville, Howard, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, New London, Nichols, Seymour, Shiocton, Wrightstown
Sample of Key Employers
Agropur, Ahlstrom-Munksjo, Air Wisconsin Airlines, Amazon, American National Bank Fox Cities, Appleseed Operations, Appvion, ark Data Centers, Ascension NE Wisconsin, AZCO, Bank of Kaukauna, Baker Tilly, Bergstrom Automotive, Bremer Bank, Camera Corner Connecting Point, Carron Net Co., Chief Outsiders, Colliers, Community First Credit Union, Consolidated Construction, Economic Impact Catalyst, EDCi, Elexco, EOS Worldwide, Essity, Expera Specialty Solutions, Faith Technologies, First Business Bank, Fox Cities Builders, Froedtert ThedaCare Health, Grant Thornton, Great Northern Corp., Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Heartland Business Systems, Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Jewelers Mutual, J.J. Keller & Associates, Johnson Controls, KerberRose, Kimberly-Clark, McCain Foods, McKinley Paper, McMahon Associates, Milbach Construction Services, Milis Flatwork, Miller Electric Manufacturing, Milliken/Encapsys, Miron Construction, NAI Pfefferle, Network Health, Nestle, Nichols Paper, Pierce Manufacturing, Precision Paper Converters, Reynolds Presto Products, Rockwell Automation, Saputo Cheese, TEKsystems, The Boldt Company, Thrivent, TotalTEK, Tri-City Glass & Door, USI, U.S. Venture, Vande Hey Company, Voith, Werner Electric, Wintrust
Shawano County
Native American history has a strong foothold in this Northeast Wisconsin county. It was home to three major tribes before colonization. The name of the county, and Shawano Lake, comes from a Chippewa term meaning to the south.
Villages & Cities
Aniwa, Birnamwood, Bonduel, Bowler, Cecil, Eland, Gresham, Marion, Mattoon, Pulaski, Shawano, Tigerton, Wittenberg
Sample of Key Employers
Aarrowcast, Birch Hill Health Services, Eponk Group, Genex, Komatsu/TimberPro, Little Rapids Corp., North Star Mohican Casino Resort, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats, Reinhart Foodservice, Wisconsin Film & Bag, Wisconsin Veneer and Plywood
Sheboygan County
Golfing enthusiasts might recognize Sheboygan County, which hosted the Ryder Cup in 2021, an international golf competition that pits European and American players against one another. The Whistling Straits golf course also hosted the PGA Championship in 2004, 2010 and 2015. The county is also known as the “Malibu of the Midwest” for its beaches and ideal surfing conditions.
Villages & Cities
Adell, Cascade, Cedar Grove, Elkhart Lake, Glenbeulah, Howards Grove, Kohler, Oostburg, Plymouth, Random Lake, Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls, Waldo
Sample of Key Employers
Acuity, American Orthodontics, Aurora Medical Center, Bemis Manufacturing Co., Curt G. Joa, Discovery Energy, Dutchland Plastics, Fehr Graham Engineering & Environmental, Gardner Denver, HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital, Johnsonville LLC, Kohler Co., Masters Gallery Foods, MilliporeSigma, Nemak, Oostburg State Bank, Prairie States, Rockline Industries, Rohde Brothers, Sargento Foods, Sartori Cheese, Sheboygan County Paper Box Co., Vollrath
Waupaca County
From hills to forests to lakes, this county has beautiful scenery. Fremont, located in Waupaca County, is known as the “White Bass Capital of the World,” making the village – and Wolf River – a famous destination for anglers. Manufacturing plays a big role in the county’s economic success.
Villages & Cities
Big Falls, Clintonville, Fremont, Iola, Manawa, Marion, New London, Scandinavia, Waupaca, Weyauwega
Sample of Key Employers
Great Lakes Veneer, InnoWare Paper Holding Co., Journal Community Publishing Group, Marion Body Works, Seagrave Fire Apparatus, Specialized Products, Sturm Foods, Waupaca Foundry, Waupaca Machine & Repair
Waushara County
With over 100 lakes, 300 miles of trails for snowmobiling and 150 miles of trout streams, there’s no shortage of recreation to be found here. And there are plenty more winter activities than just snowmobiling, like skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. Plus, the county has historical sites, such as the World War II Memorial in Wautoma.
Villages & Cities
Berlin, Coloma, Hancock, Lohrville, Plainfield, Redgranite, Wautoma, Wild Rose
Sample of Key Employers
Generac Mobile Products, Lehman Excavating, MAC Inc., Milsco Manufacturing, North Central Irrigation, Shelmet Precision Casting Co., StoneRidge, ThedaCare Medical Center of Wild Rose, Waushara Family Physicians
Winnebago County
Aviators and spectators gather each year in Oshkosh, located in Winnebago County, for the EAA AirVenture, a beloved air show that attracts aviation enthusiasts and pilots. Historic downtown Neenah is a popular attraction for its quaint shops, restaurants and charming ice-skating plaza.
Villages & Cities
Appleton, Fox Crossing, Menasha, Neenah, Omro, Oshkosh, Winneconne
Sample of Key Employers
4imprint, Affinity Health System, Amcor Flexibles North America, Banta Corp., Castle Pierce, CR Meyer, ESC Midwest, Faith Technologies Inc., Fleet Farm, Galloway Co., Generac, Hoffmaster Group, ITAD Logic, JP Morgan Chase, Lapham-Hickey Steel, Menasha Corp., Menasha Packaging Co., Muza Metal Products, Neenah Foundry, Neenah Paper, Oshkosh Corp., Pierce Manufacturing, Plexus, R&R Insurance, SECURA, Smart IS, TIDI Products, Valmet, West Pointe Bank, WOW Logistics
Want to learn more about living and working in the New North? Check out the latest edition of Livability Northeast Wisconsin – New North Region.