Green Bay

by The Linguist

Green Bay is a city located in northeastern Wisconsin in Brown County along the shores of Green Bay, an arm of Lake Michigan. As of the 2020 census, Green Bay had a population of 104,057 residents, making it the third largest city in Wisconsin.

Population

The population of Green Bay was 104,057 at the 2020 census. This makes it the third most populous city in Wisconsin after Milwaukee and Madison. Green Bay is the seat of Brown County and is also part of the Green Bay metropolitan statistical area, which had a population of 318,494 residents in 2020.

The racial makeup of Green Bay is 78.3% White, 3.7% African American, 1.5% Native American, 4.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 7.7% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 13.4% of the population.

The median age in Green Bay is 33.7 years old. 21.5% of the population is under age 18, 12.4% is aged 18 to 24, 27.6% is aged 25 to 44, 25.5% is aged 45 to 64, and 13% is aged 65 and older.

For more details on Green Bay’s demographics, visit the U.S. Census Bureau data on the city.

Economy and Major Employers

Some of the major industries and employers in Green Bay include:

  • Manufacturing – Over 300 manufacturing firms operate in Green Bay, employing over 16,000 workers. Major companies include Georgia-Pacific, Procter & Gamble, Schneider National and Amerequip.
  • Food processing – Companies like JBS, Golden State Foods, Bay Valley Foods and Schreiber Foods have large operations in Green Bay.
  • Insurance – Major insurance firms include Humana, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare.
  • Healthcare – The city’s two major health systems are Bellin Health and Prevea Health.
  • Education – Largest employers include the Green Bay Area Public School District, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.
  • Retail – Major retailers with a presence in Green Bay include Walmart, Target, Costco, Best Buy and Meijer.
  • Government – The city and county governments are major employers in Green Bay.

Some of the major companies headquartered in Green Bay include Associated Bank, Schreiber Foods, Nature’s Way, Green Bay Packaging and American Foods Group. According to the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, the largest employers in the city include Prevea Health (6,300+ employees), Humana (4,500+ employees), Schneider National (3,250+ employees), JBS (2,600+ employees) and the Green Bay Area Public School District (2,550+ employees).

For more on the Green Bay economy and business environment, visit the city’s website or the Greater Green Bay Chamber website.

Green Bay History and Facts

Here are some key facts about the history and origins of Green Bay:

  • Green Bay was founded by French fur traders along the Fox River in 1634. It is one of the oldest European settlements in the Midwest.
  • The name “Green Bay” comes from the limestone water along its shores, which caused early explorers to call it La Baie des Puants (“Stinking Bay”). This was later changed to its current name.
  • Green Bay served as a key trading post between New France and Native American tribes like the Menominee, Winnebago, Fox and Sauk.
  • The city was incorporated in 1854 and developed rapidly in the late 1800s with the arrival of railroads and the lumber industry.
  • Today, Green Bay is best known as the home of the Green Bay Packers NFL football team since 1919.
  • Other nicknames for Green Bay include “Titletown, USA” for the Packers’ 13 NFL championships and the “Toilet Paper Capital of the World” for the large concentration of paper mills.

To learn more Green Bay history, visit the city’s history website or the Green Bay Facebook page.

Visitor Information

Some of the top attractions and things to do in Green Bay include:

  • Lambeau Field – Home of the Green Bay Packers NFL team and the Packers Hall of Fame
  • Green Bay Botanical Garden – Over 20 acres of gardens and floral displays
  • NEW Zoo & Adventure Park – Zoo with over 400 animals and amusement park rides
  • Bay Beach Amusement Park – Waterpark rides and rollercoasters on Lake Michigan
  • National Railroad Museum – America’s largest railroad museum with 100+ railcars
  • Green Bay Packer Stadium Tours – Go behind the scenes at the legendary Lambeau Field

Green Bay offers excellent culinary and nightlife options downtown along the Fox River. Popular sites include the Meyer Theatre, CityDeck along the riverwalk, Bay Beach, and Broadway district. Sports fans can catch a Packers game at Lambeau Field or see hockey with the Green Bay Gamblers at the Resch Center.

For more on things to do, places to stay and upcoming events, visit the Green Bay tourism website or Visit Green Bay Facebook.

Transportation

Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) provides air service to major hubs like Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Denver and more. The city has bus service through Green Bay Metro and is located along several major highways including Interstate 41, U.S. Route 41 and Wisconsin Highways 29, 54 and 57.

For more on getting around Green Bay, visit the Green Bay transportation website.

Sports

Green Bay is best known for being the home of the Green Bay Packers NFL football team, who have won 13 league championships, more than any other team. The Packers play at Lambeau Field, one of the most famous stadiums in the NFL. Lambeau Field draws thousands of fans year-round for games and stadium tours.

Other sports teams include the Green Bay Gamblers junior ice hockey team playing at the Resch Center arena. College sports are popular with the Green Bay Phoenix of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

For more on Green Bay sports, visit the Green Bay Packers website or Fantasy Sports.