Racine County ( ) is a county in southeastern Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, its population was 197,727, making it Wisconsin's fifth-most populous county. Its county seat is Racine. The county was founded in 1836, then a part of the Wisconsin Territory. Racine County comprises the Racine metropolitan statistical area. This area is part of the Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha combined statistical area. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of , of which is land and (58%) is water. The county's unemployment rate was 5.6% in June 2021.
History
The Potawatomi people occupied the area of Racine County until European settlement. The Wisconsin Territory legislature established Racine County in 1836, separating it from Milwaukee County. Racine County originally extended to Wisconsin's southern border and encompassed the land that is now Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Kenosha County was created as a separate entity in 1850.
Geography
Milwaukee County (north) Ottawa County, Michigan (northeast) Allegan County, Michigan (southeast) Kenosha County (south) Walworth County (west) Waukesha County (northwest)
The Root River is the county's namesake.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, the population was 197,727. The population density was . There were 84,490 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 72.0% White, 11.8% Black or African American, 1.2% Asian, 0.5% Native American, 5.4% from other races, and 9.0% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 14.1% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 188,831 people, 70,819 households, and 49,856 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 74,718 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 83.04% White, 10.47% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.69% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. 7.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.9% were of German, 7.4% Polish and 5.5% Irish ancestry.
There were 70,819 households, of which 34.5% had children under 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
Transportation
Major highways
Railroads
Amtrak
Canadian National
Canadian Pacific
Union Pacific
Sturtevant station
Buses
Ryde Racine
List of intercity bus stops in Wisconsin
Airports
John H. Batten Airport (KRAC) serves the county and surrounding communities. Burlington Municipal Airport (KBUU) enhances county service. Cindy Guntly Memorial Airport (62C) enhances county service. Fox River Airport (96C) enhances county service. Sylvania Airport (C89) enhances county service.
Communities
Cities
Burlington (partly in Walworth County) Racine (county seat)
Villages
Caledonia
Elmwood Park
Mount Pleasant
North Bay
Raymond
Rochester
Sturtevant
Union Grove
Waterford
Wind Point
Yorkville
Towns
Burlington
Dover
Norway
Waterford
Census-designated places
Bohners Lake (Town of Burlington) Browns Lake (Town of Burlington) Eagle Lake (Town of Dover) Tichigan (Town of Waterford) Wind Lake (Town of Norway)
Unincorporated communities
Beaumont
Buena Park
Caldwell
Cedar Park
Eagle Lake Manor
Eagle Lake Terrace
Franksville
Honey Creek (partial) Honey Lake (partial) Husher Ives Grove Kansasville Kneeland North Cape Raymond Rosewood Sylvania Union Church Yorkville
Ghost towns/neighborhoods
DeNoon
Muskego Settlement
Raymond Center
Government
The County Board has 21 members, each elected from single-member districts. The county executive is elected in a countywide vote. The county executive is Jonathan Delagrave. The Circuit Court is made up of ten judges, elected in countywide elections to six-year terms.