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LIFE of Self-Sufficiency

 
A LIFE of Self-Sufficiency means community members of all ages, income, and ability levels have enough nutritious food daily to go without hunger, access to emergency services such as financial support, rental assistance, food pantries, short-term shelter and utility assistance, and access to reliable transportation, affordable and quality housing, legal services, and accurate information and referral to needed services.

The following were identified in the 2021 Brown County LIFE Study: 
Areas of strength:
-- The limited housing stock is of high quality.
-- There is low unemployment. 
Areas of opportunity:
-- Transportation and access is limited, as is support for the elderly to age at home and maintain independence.
-- There are significant barriers to escaping poverty, including wages, transportation, and quality childcare.
-- We are lacking adequate and affordable housing for families with low income.

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 a place that meets the employment needs of you and your family? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of a place that meets the employment needs of you and your family? County: Brown

68.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Brown (68.0%) is less and worse than the previously measured value (72.0%).
Prior Value
(72.0%)
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 people with low incomes can meet their basic needs for things such as food and housing? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of a place where people with low incomes can meet their basic needs for things such as food and housing? County: Brown

38.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Brown (38.0%) is less and worse than the previously measured value (41.0%).
Prior Value
(41.0%)
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.

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of caring for vulnerable persons (like children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities)? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of caring for vulnerable persons (like children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities)? County: Brown

54.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Brown (54.0%) is less and worse than the previously measured value (64.0%).
Prior Value
(64.0%)
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 family unable to get mental health care they needed? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of family unable to get mental health care they needed? County: Brown

10.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Brown (10.0%) is greater and better than the previously measured value (6.0%).
Prior Value
(6.0%)
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 meeting the overall needs of the poor? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of meeting the overall needs of the poor? County: Brown

44.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Brown (44.0%) is less and worse than the previously measured value (58.0%).
Prior Value
(58.0%)
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 providing quality affordable child care? County: Brown

Current Value:

How would you rate the Brown County area in terms of providing quality affordable child care? County: Brown

29.0%
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to the prior value, Brown (29.0%) is less and worse than the previously measured value (31.0%).
Prior Value
(31.0%)
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.

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

Households with an Internet Subscription

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

Households with an Internet Subscription

Value
Compared to:

Households with an Internet Subscription County: Brown

Current Value:

Households with an Internet Subscription County: Brown

89.9%
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of 89.9% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than 86.0% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 83.4%.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to U.S. Counties, Brown has a value of 89.9% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than 83.9% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 79.0%.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,133 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Compared to the WI Value (88.1%), Brown has a value of 89.9% which is higher and better.
WI Value
(88.1%)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value (88.5%), Brown has a value of 89.9% which is higher and better.
US Value
(88.5%)
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

Households with One or More Types of Computing Devices

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

Households with One or More Types of Computing Devices

Value
Compared to:

Households with One or More Types of Computing Devices County: Brown

Current Value:

Households with One or More Types of Computing Devices County: Brown

93.9%
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of 93.9% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than 91.5% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 89.1%.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to U.S. Counties, Brown has a value of 93.9% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than 91.1% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 88.0%.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,133 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Compared to the WI Value (92.9%), Brown has a value of 93.9% which is higher and better.
WI Value
(92.9%)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value (94.0%), Brown has a value of 93.9% which is lower and worse.
US Value
(94.0%)
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

Population 16+ in Civilian Labor Force

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

Population 16+ in Civilian Labor Force

Value
Compared to:

Population 16+ in Civilian Labor Force County: Brown

Current Value:

Population 16+ in Civilian Labor Force County: Brown

66.3%
(2018-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of 66.3% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than 61.2% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 55.0%.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to U.S. Counties, Brown has a value of 66.3% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than 55.7% while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 50.3%.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,133 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Compared to the WI Value (63.4%), Brown has a value of 66.3% which is higher and better.
WI Value
(63.4%)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value (59.6%), Brown has a value of 66.3% which is higher and better.
US Value
(59.6%)
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

Unemployed Workers in Civilian Labor Force

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

Unemployed Workers in Civilian Labor Force

Value
Compared to:

Unemployed Workers in Civilian Labor Force County: Brown

Current Value:

Unemployed Workers in Civilian Labor Force County: Brown

2.4%
(August 2024)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of 2.4% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 2.5% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 2.9%.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to U.S. Counties, Brown has a value of 2.4% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 4.0% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 4.8%.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on non-seasonally-adjusted data from 3,140 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Compared to the WI Value (2.7%), Brown has a value of 2.4% which is lower and better.
WI Value
(2.7%)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value (4.4%), Brown has a value of 2.4% which is lower and better.
US Value
(4.4%)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Compared to the prior value, Brown (2.4%) is less and better than the previously measured value (2.9%).
Prior Value
(2.9%)
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.
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

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

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

Social Associations

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

Social Associations

Value
Compared to:

Social Associations County: Brown

Current Value:

Social Associations County: Brown

8.2
Membership associations per 10,000 population
(2021)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of 8.2 which is in the worst 25% of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than 11.0 while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 9.2.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 72 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to U.S. Counties, Brown has a value of 8.2 which is in the 2nd worst quartile of counties. Counties in the best 50%  have a value higher than 10.8 while counties in the worst 25% have a value lower than 7.9.
U.S. Counties
The distribution is based on data from 3,141 U.S. counties and county equivalents.
Compared to the WI Value (11.0), Brown has a value of 8.2 which is lower and worse.
WI Value
(11.0)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the US Value (9.1), Brown has a value of 8.2 which is lower and worse.
US Value
(9.1)
The regional value is compared to the national value.
Compared to the prior value, Brown (8.2) is not statistically different from the previously measured value (8.2).
Prior Value
(8.2)
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.
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

Adults who are Sedentary

Value
Compared to:

National/ State/ Regional Data

Adults who are Sedentary

Value
Compared to:

Adults who are Sedentary County: Brown

Current Value:

Adults who are Sedentary County: Brown

19.5%
(2020-2022)
Compared to:
Compared to WI Counties, Brown has a value of 19.5% which is in the best 50% of counties. Counties in the best 50% have a value lower than 20.6% while counties in the worst 25% have a value higher than 24.5%.
WI Counties
The distribution is based on data from 57 Wisconsin counties.
Compared to the WI Value (20.2%), Brown has a value of 19.5% which is lower and better.
WI Value
(20.2%)
The regional value is compared to the Wisconsin State value.
Compared to the prior value, Brown (19.5%) is not statistically different from the previously measured value (14.6%).
Prior Value
(14.6%)
Prior Value compares a measured value with the previously measured value. Confidence intervals were taken into account in determining the direction of the comparison.
Over time, the Brown value is decreasing, 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.
Compared to the HP 2020 Target (32.6%), the target has  been met.
HP 2020 Target
(32.6%)
Compared to the HP 2030 Target (21.8%), the target has  been met.
HP 2030 Target
(21.8%)