Brussels, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Brussels is a town in Door County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. The population was 1,112 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Brussels
and Kolberg
are located in the town. The unincorporated community of Rosiere
is also located partially in the town.
The largest Belgian-American settlement in the United States
is located in portions of Brown, Kewaunee
, and Door counties in Wisconsin, adjacent to the waters of Green Bay. Walloons
settled the region in the 1850s and their descendants still constitute a high proportion of the population. A variety of elements attests to the Belgian-American presence: place names (Brussels, Namur
, Rosiere, Luxemburg
), the Walloon language
, surnames, foods (booyah, trippe, and jutt), the Kerrniss harvest festival, and especially architecture. Many of the original wooden structures of the Belgian Americans were destroyed in a firestorm
that swept across southern Door County in October 1871. A few stone houses made of local dolomite survived. More common are 1880s red brick houses, distinguished by modest size and gable-end, bull's-eye windows. Some houses have detached summer kitchens with bake ovens appended to the rear. And the Belgians, many of them devout Catholics, also erected small roadside votive chapels like those in their homeland. (source: Wisconsin Historical Society)
community in the United States, by proportion of residents.
, the town has a total area of 36.2 square miles (93.6 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,112 people, 403 households, and 303 families residing in the town. The population density
was 30.8 people per square mile (11.9/km²). There were 428 housing units at an average density of 11.8 per square mile (4.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.93% White, 0.18% African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.09% from other races
, and 0.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.45% of the population.
There were 403 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.0% were married couples
living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $42,212, and the median income for a family was $45,341. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $21,678 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,871. About 4.3% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.
Door County, Wisconsin
Door County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 27,961. Its county seat is Sturgeon Bay. Door County is a popular vacation and tourist destination, especially for residents of Wisconsin and Illinois....
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,112 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Brussels
Brussels (community), Wisconsin
Brussels is an unincorporated community located, in the town of Brussels, in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. Brussels is southwest of Sturgeon Bay....
and Kolberg
Kolberg, Wisconsin
Kolberg is an unincorporated community located, in the town of Brussels, in southern Door County, Wisconsin. County Road D connects the community to Forestville and to Brussels....
are located in the town. The unincorporated community of Rosiere
Rosiere, Wisconsin
Rosière is an unincorporated community located on the border of Kewaunee County and Door County in Wisconsin, in the towns of Lincoln, and Brussels.-Economy:...
is also located partially in the town.
History
Brussels, a civil town in Door County was created on November 12, 1858.The largest Belgian-American settlement in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
is located in portions of Brown, Kewaunee
Kewaunee County, Wisconsin
Kewaunee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 20,187. Its county seat is Kewaunee. Kewaunee County is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:According to the U.S...
, and Door counties in Wisconsin, adjacent to the waters of Green Bay. Walloons
Walloons
Walloons are a French-speaking people who live in Belgium, principally in Wallonia. Walloons are a distinctive community within Belgium, important historical and anthropological criteria bind Walloons to the French people. More generally, the term also refers to the inhabitants of the Walloon...
settled the region in the 1850s and their descendants still constitute a high proportion of the population. A variety of elements attests to the Belgian-American presence: place names (Brussels, Namur
Namur, Wisconsin
Namur, Wisconsin is an unincorporated community in the Town of Union in Door County, Wisconsin. The community is located on Wisconsin Highway 57 at its intersection with County Road N. It is located approximately 5 miles west of the unincorporated community of Brussels, Wisconsin...
, Rosiere, Luxemburg
Luxemburg, Wisconsin
Luxemburg is a village in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,935 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area...
), the Walloon language
Walloon language
Walloon is a Romance language which was spoken as a primary language in large portions of the Walloon Region of Belgium and some villages of Northern France until the middle of the 20th century. It belongs to the langue d'oïl language family, whose most prominent member is the French language...
, surnames, foods (booyah, trippe, and jutt), the Kerrniss harvest festival, and especially architecture. Many of the original wooden structures of the Belgian Americans were destroyed in a firestorm
Peshtigo Fire
The October 8, 1871 Peshtigo Fire in Peshtigo, Wisconsin, is the conflagration that caused the most deaths by fire in United States history, killing as many as 1,500. Occurring on the same day as the more infamous Great Chicago Fire, the Peshtigo Fire is mostly forgotten...
that swept across southern Door County in October 1871. A few stone houses made of local dolomite survived. More common are 1880s red brick houses, distinguished by modest size and gable-end, bull's-eye windows. Some houses have detached summer kitchens with bake ovens appended to the rear. And the Belgians, many of them devout Catholics, also erected small roadside votive chapels like those in their homeland. (source: Wisconsin Historical Society)
Most Belgian-American towns
Brussels, Wisconsin is the third-most Belgian-AmericanBelgian-American
Belgian Americans are citizens of the United States who are of Belgian ancestry. 'Belgian' is not considered an ethnic term...
community in the United States, by proportion of residents.
- 1) Union, Door County, WisconsinUnion, Door County, WisconsinUnion is a town in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 880 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Shoemaker Point is located in the town.-Geography:...
: 49 % - 2) Red River, WisconsinRed River, WisconsinRed River is a town in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,476 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Bay View, Duvall, Frog Station, Thiry Daems, and Tonet are located in the town...
(Kewaunee County) : 47 % - 3) Brussels, Wisconsin (Door County) : 36.4 % ( composed of "Brussels community" & "Namur Community")
- 4) Lincoln, Kewaunee County, WisconsinLincoln, Kewaunee County, WisconsinLincoln is a town in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 957 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated communities of Lincoln and Rio Creek are located in the town...
: 35.4 % - 5) Green Bay (town), WisconsinGreen Bay (town), WisconsinGreen Bay is a town in Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 1,772 at the 2000 census. The town is located several miles northeast of the City of Green Bay. The unincorporated community of Champion is located in the town...
(Brown County) : 31.8 %
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 36.2 square miles (93.6 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,112 people, 403 households, and 303 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 30.8 people per square mile (11.9/km²). There were 428 housing units at an average density of 11.8 per square mile (4.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.93% White, 0.18% African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.09% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.45% of the population.
There were 403 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $42,212, and the median income for a family was $45,341. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $21,678 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $16,871. About 4.3% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Al Johnson - NFL player
- Ben JohnsonBen Johnson (American football)Ben Johnson is a former American football offensive tackle of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
- NFL player