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LIFE in Our Community

 
Strong LIFE in Our Community means community leadership makes decisions in the best long-term interests of residents. All people are valued members of the community, experience a sense of community and belonging, do not experience discrimination, have full access to services, are informed on community issues, can participate fully through such opportunities as voting, volunteer work, leadership and faith groups and experience infrastructure and amenities promoting a high quality of life.

The following were identified in the 2021 Brown County LIFE Study: 
Areas of strength:
-- We are seeing diversity at an increasing rate along with overall population growth.
-- Community leaders are optimistic that Brown County is improving over time.
Areas of opportunity:
-- Community members are less optimistic about Brown County improvement of the next five years.

Below are relevant data indicators to provide additional context.
 
 

Indicator Gauge Icon Legend

Legend Colors

Red is bad, green is good, blue is not statistically different/neutral.

Compared to Distribution

an indicator guage with the arrow in the green the value is in the best half of communities.

an indicator guage with the arrow in the yellow the value is in the 2nd worst quarter of communities.

an indicator guage with the arrow in the red the value is in the worst quarter of communities.

Compared to Target

green circle with white tick inside it meets target; red circle with white cross inside it does not meet target.

Compared to a Single Value

green diamond with downward arrow inside it lower than the comparison value; red diamond with downward arrow inside it higher than the comparison value; blue diamond with downward arrow inside it not statistically different from comparison value.

Trend

green square outline with upward trending arrow inside it green square outline with downward trending arrow inside it non-significant change over time; green square with upward trending arrow inside it green square with downward trending arrow inside it significant change over time; blue square with equals sign no change over time.

Compared to Prior Value

green triangle with upward trending arrow inside it higher than the previous measurement period; green triangle with downward trending arrow inside it lower than the previous measurement period; blue equals sign no statistically different change  from previous measurement period.

More information about the gauges and icons

LIFE Study Data

LIFE Study Data

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of as a place where people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds get along well? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of as a place where people of different cultural/racial/ethnic backgrounds get along well? County: Brown

33.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Brown (33.0%) is less and worse than the previously measured value (43.0%).
Prior Value
(43.0%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of building a strong economy? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of building a strong economy? County: Brown

72.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Brown (72.0%) is less and worse than the previously measured value (76.0%).
Prior Value
(76.0%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of a place where the spiritual health of residents is nurtured? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of a place where the spiritual health of residents is nurtured? County: Brown

55.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Brown (55.0%) is less and worse than the previously measured value (73.0%).
Prior Value
(73.0%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of living together as neighbors? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of living together as neighbors? County: Brown

67.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Brown (67.0%) is less and worse than the previously measured value (81.0%).
Prior Value
(81.0%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of social acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer people? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of social acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer people? County: Brown

62.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the US Value (72%), Brown has a value of 62.0% which is lower and worse.
US Value
(72%)

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of the overall quality of public services (trash collection, roads, drinking water, recycling, etc.)? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of the overall quality of public services (trash collection, roads, drinking water, recycling, etc.)? County: Brown

82.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Brown (82.0%) is less and worse than the previously measured value (86.0%).
Prior Value
(86.0%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of the overall transportation system (roads, traffic, bus service, bike trails) in meeting your needs to get to work? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of the overall transportation system (roads, traffic, bus service, bike trails) in meeting your needs to get to work? County: Brown

47.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Brown (47.0%) is less and worse than the previously measured value (66.0%).
Prior Value
(66.0%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of affordability of adequate housing to meet our needs? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of affordability of adequate housing to meet our needs? County: Brown

7.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Brown (7.0%) is greater and better than the previously measured value (3.0%).
Prior Value
(3.0%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were not taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.

National/ State/ Regional Data

National/ State/ Regional Data

National/ State/ Regional Data

People 65+ Living Alone

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

People 65+ Living Alone

Value
Compared to:

People 65+ Living Alone County: Brown

Current Value:

People 65+ Living Alone County: Brown

30.9%
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of 30.9% which is in the worst 25% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 27.4% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 29.9%.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to U.S. Counties, Brown has a value of 30.9% which is in the worst 25% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 27.2% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 30.2%.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,133 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Compared to the WI Value (29.3%), Brown has a value of 30.9% which is higher and worse.
WI Value
(29.3%)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value (26.4%), Brown has a value of 30.9% which is higher and worse.
US Value
(26.4%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Over time, the Brown value is increasing, not significantly.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.

National/ State/ Regional Data

Mean Travel Time to Work

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

Mean Travel Time to Work

Value
Compared to:

Mean Travel Time to Work County: Brown

Current Value:

Mean Travel Time to Work County: Brown

18.7
Minutes
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of 18.7 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 23.0 while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 25.0.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to U.S. Counties, Brown has a value of 18.7 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 24.0 while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 27.8.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,131 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Compared to the WI Value (22.2), Brown has a value of 18.7 which is lower and better.
WI Value
(22.2)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value (26.7), Brown has a value of 18.7 which is lower and better.
US Value
(26.7)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Over time, the Brown value is decreasing, significantly.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.

National/ State/ Regional Data

Homeownership

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

Homeownership

Value
Compared to:

Homeownership County: Brown

Current Value:

Homeownership County: Brown

62.4%
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to the WI Value (60.0%), Brown has a value of 62.4%.
WI Value
(60.0%)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value (57.8%), Brown has a value of 62.4%.
US Value
(57.8%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Over time, the Brown value is increasing, not significantly.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.

National/ State/ Regional Data

Median Household Income

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

Median Household Income

Value
Compared to:

Median Household Income County: Brown

Current Value:

Median Household Income County: Brown

$74,066
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of $74,066 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than $67,762 while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than $61,516.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to U.S. Counties, Brown has a value of $74,066 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than $60,831 while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than $52,521.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,132 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Compared to the WI Value ($72,458), Brown has a value of $74,066 which is higher and better.
WI Value
($72,458)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value ($75,149), Brown has a value of $74,066 which is lower and worse.
US Value
($75,149)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Over time, the Brown value is increasing significantly.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.

National/ State/ Regional Data

Per Capita Income

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

Per Capita Income

Value
Compared to:

Per Capita Income County: Brown

Current Value:

Per Capita Income County: Brown

$39,091
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of $39,091 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than $36,517 while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than $33,601.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to U.S. Counties, Brown has a value of $39,091 which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than $32,340 while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than $28,112.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,133 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Compared to the WI Value ($40,130), Brown has a value of $39,091 which is lower and worse.
WI Value
($40,130)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value ($41,261), Brown has a value of $39,091 which is lower and worse.
US Value
($41,261)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Over time, the Brown value is increasing significantly.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.

National/ State/ Regional Data

Children Living Below Poverty Level

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

Children Living Below Poverty Level

Value
Compared to:

Children Living Below Poverty Level County: Brown

Current Value:

Children Living Below Poverty Level County: Brown

12.3%
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of 12.3% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 12.6% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 16.0%.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to U.S. Counties, Brown has a value of 12.3% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 17.4% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 24.3%.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,132 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Compared to the WI Value (13.3%), Brown has a value of 12.3% which is lower and better.
WI Value
(13.3%)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value (16.7%), Brown has a value of 12.3% which is lower and better.
US Value
(16.7%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Over time, the Brown value is decreasing, significantly.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.

National/ State/ Regional Data

People Living Below Poverty Level

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

People Living Below Poverty Level

Value
Compared to:

People Living Below Poverty Level County: Brown

Current Value:

People Living Below Poverty Level County: Brown

9.7%
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of 9.7% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 10.4% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 12.0%.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to U.S. Counties, Brown has a value of 9.7% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 13.4% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 17.5%.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,133 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Compared to the WI Value (10.7%), Brown has a value of 9.7% which is lower and better.
WI Value
(10.7%)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value (12.5%), Brown has a value of 9.7% which is lower and better.
US Value
(12.5%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Over time, the Brown value is decreasing, significantly.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.
Compared to the HP 2030 Target (8.0%), the target has not been met.
HP 2030 Target
(8.0%)

National/ State/ Regional Data

People 25+ with a Bachelor's Degree or Higher

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

People 25+ with a Bachelor's Degree or Higher

Value
Compared to:

People 25+ with a Bachelor's Degree or Higher County: Brown

Current Value:

People 25+ with a Bachelor's Degree or Higher County: Brown

31.7%
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of 31.7% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than 23.2% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 19.5%.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to U.S. Counties, Brown has a value of 31.7% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than 20.9% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 16.5%.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,133 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Compared to the WI Value (32.0%), Brown has a value of 31.7% which is lower and worse.
WI Value
(32.0%)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value (34.3%), Brown has a value of 31.7% which is lower and worse.
US Value
(34.3%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Over time, the Brown value is increasing significantly.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.

National/ State/ Regional Data

Mortgaged Owners Median Monthly Household Costs

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

Mortgaged Owners Median Monthly Household Costs

Value
Compared to:

Mortgaged Owners Median Monthly Household Costs County: Brown

Current Value:

Mortgaged Owners Median Monthly Household Costs County: Brown

$1,509
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of $1,509 which is in the 2nd worst quartile of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than $1,408 while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than $1,536.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to the WI Value ($1,602), Brown has a value of $1,509 which is lower and better.
WI Value
($1,602)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value ($1,828), Brown has a value of $1,509 which is lower and better.
US Value
($1,828)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Over time, the Brown value is increasing significantly.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.

National/ State/ Regional Data

People 25+ with a High School Diploma or Higher

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

People 25+ with a High School Diploma or Higher

Value
Compared to:

People 25+ with a High School Diploma or Higher County: Brown

Current Value:

People 25+ with a High School Diploma or Higher County: Brown

92.9%
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of 92.9% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than 92.7% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 91.4%.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to U.S. Counties, Brown has a value of 92.9% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than 89.5% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 85.3%.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,133 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Compared to the WI Value (93.1%), Brown has a value of 92.9% which is lower and worse.
WI Value
(93.1%)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value (89.1%), Brown has a value of 92.9% which is higher and better.
US Value
(89.1%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Over time, the Brown value is increasing significantly.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.

National/ State/ Regional Data

Median Monthly Owner Costs for Households without a Mortgage

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

Median Monthly Owner Costs for Households without a Mortgage

Value
Compared to:

Median Monthly Owner Costs for Households without a Mortgage County: Brown

Current Value:

Median Monthly Owner Costs for Households without a Mortgage County: Brown

$581
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of $581 which is in the 2nd worst quartile of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than $564 while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than $613.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to the WI Value ($624), Brown has a value of $581 which is lower and better.
WI Value
($624)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value ($584), Brown has a value of $581 which is lower and better.
US Value
($584)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Over time, the Brown value is increasing significantly.
Trend
This comparison measures the indicator’s values over multiple time periods.<br>The Mann-Kendall Test for Statistical Significance is used to evaluate the trend<br>over 4 to 10 periods of measure, subject to data availability and comparability.