About Racine County
Racine County is located in southeastern Wisconsin along the western shore of Lake Michigan, directly bordering Illinois to the south. The county seat is the City of Racine, situated approximately 30 miles south of Milwaukee and 60 miles north of Chicago. Established in 1836, Racine County encompasses approximately 333 square miles and serves a population of roughly 197,000 residents across 17 municipalities.
The county is named after the Root River, which French traders called "Racine" meaning "root." Major landmarks include Wind Point Lighthouse, one of the oldest active lighthouses on the Great Lakes, the SC Johnson headquarters and iconic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed structures, and Lake Michigan's extensive shoreline. The county's rich industrial heritage includes being home to SC Johnson, CNH Industrial, Modine Manufacturing, and InSinkErator. Racine County government operates through several key agencies: the Racine County Clerk's Office located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403; the Register of Deeds Office at the same address in the Racine County Courthouse; and the Property Listing & Tax Office which handles assessment functions.
The county is recognized for its Danish heritage, celebrated annually at Racine's Danish Festival, and its significant contributions to American manufacturing history. Agriculture remains important in western portions of the county, while eastern areas are more urbanized and industrialized.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Racine County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of the county. The office oversees the Racine County Jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The Sheriff's Office also runs several community-focused programs, including crime prevention initiatives and a K-9 unit. The department is committed to public safety and works closely with local police departments to address crime in the county.
Police Departments
Racine County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Racine County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Racine Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, and Caledonia Police Department. Each department has jurisdiction over its respective area, with the Sheriff's Office handling unincorporated regions. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies to ensure comprehensive public safety coverage throughout the county.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Racine County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 717 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas and provides countywide services including operating the Racine County Jail. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (262) 636-3200, and their website at racinecounty.com/sheriff provides resources for public records requests and inmate information. The Racine County Jail roster is available online through the Sheriff's website, allowing citizens to search for current inmates by name, booking date, or charge.
- Under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.31-19.39 (Wisconsin Public Records Law), arrest records and booking information are generally public records accessible upon request to the custodial law enforcement agency.
- Citizens may submit written requests to the Racine County Sheriff's Office or individual police departments for arrest records, incident reports, and related documents.
- Mugshots and booking photos are typically included in jail booking records and can be accessed through the online inmate roster or by formal public records request.
- Processing times vary, and agencies may charge for copying costs.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Racine County encompasses felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and the sex offender registry. The Racine County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Wisconsin Department of Justice provides statewide background checks. Residents can request background checks through the Wisconsin Bureau of Investigation, which provides detailed criminal history reports. The county also participates in the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access program, allowing public access to court records online.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Racine County are maintained by the Racine County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, following the procedures outlined under the Wisconsin Open Records Law. A Racine County arrest record typically includes the individual's name, date of arrest, charges, and any court dates associated with the case.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Racine County Jail, located in the city of Racine, is the main detention facility for the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrested individuals. Inmate information can be accessed through the Racine County Sheriff's Office website, which provides an inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance. The bond and bail process follows Wisconsin state guidelines, allowing for cash bonds or bail bonds through a licensed agent.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Racine County are taken and retained by the Racine County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by request. Wisconsin does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, but individuals can petition for removal if the charges are dropped or if they are found not guilty. Mugshots are often used in conjunction with arrest records for identification purposes.
Courts & Case Records
Racine County courts operate under the Wisconsin Unified Court System. The Racine County Circuit Court, located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403, serves as the trial court of general jurisdiction handling civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, traffic, and juvenile matters. The court can be reached at (262) 636-3133. Racine County has multiple Circuit Court branches with several judges presiding.
- The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system provides free online access to circuit court case records at wcca.wicourts.gov, allowing users to search by party name, case number, or attorney.
- The Racine County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains official court records and provides certified copies for a statutory fee, typically $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
- In-person requests can be made at the Clerk of Circuit Court's office during business hours.
- Online case access through WCCA is free, though obtaining certified copies requires payment and formal request.
This system includes criminal, civil, family, traffic, and forfeiture cases filed in Racine County. Municipal courts in cities and villages within Racine County handle local ordinance violations, traffic citations, and other municipal matters; these include Racine Municipal Court, Burlington Municipal Court, and others in incorporated communities. Under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(1)(a) and Supreme Court rules, most court records are presumed open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law or court order.
Some records, particularly in family court and juvenile matters, have restricted access to protect privacy.
Property & Public Records
The Racine County Register of Deeds Office, located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403, maintains land and property records for the entire county. The office can be reached at (262) 636-3208 and operates a website at racinecounty.com/registerofdeeds. The Register of Deeds records and preserves documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, liens (mechanic's liens, judgment liens, tax liens), easements, right-of-way agreements, plat maps, surveys, and condominium declarations.
- Racine County offers online document search through the Tapestry system, accessible via the Register of Deeds website, which allows free searching and viewing of recorded land records dating back many decades.
- Certified copies of documents cost $2 for the first page and $1 for each additional page when requested in person or by mail.
- The GIS system is free to use and provides detailed parcel information including legal descriptions, acreage, building characteristics, and historical sales data.
Users can search by grantor/grantee name, document type, property address, or parcel number. The Racine County Property Listing & Tax Office (Assessor function) maintains property tax records, assessment information, and parcel data. This information is accessible through the county's online GIS mapping system and property search tool at racinecounty.com, which provides interactive maps, property characteristics, assessment values, and tax payment history.
Property tax bills and payment information can also be accessed through the County Treasurer's office. Walk-in customers are served during regular business hours Monday through Friday, and staff can assist with locating specific documents or property information.
Vital Records
Vital records in Racine County are maintained by both county and state agencies under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 69. The Racine County Register of Deeds serves as the local registrar for vital records and can be contacted at (262) 636-3208 at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403. Birth certificates for births occurring in Racine County from 1876 forward are available through the Register of Deeds office. Certified copies cost $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously.
- Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate; mail requests take approximately 1-2 weeks.
- Death certificates are similarly available through the Register of Deeds office for deaths occurring in Racine County, with the same fee structure and eligibility requirements.
- The marriage license fee is $110, and there is no waiting period in Wisconsin.
- Marriage certificates (proof of marriage after the ceremony) cost $5.
- State processing takes 2-4 weeks.
Applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate direct and tangible interest as required by Wisconsin law (immediate family members, legal representatives, or persons with court orders). Marriage licenses are issued by the Racine County Clerk's Office at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, (262) 636-3121, and both parties must appear in person with valid identification. Divorce records (final divorce decrees) are maintained by the Racine County Clerk of Circuit Court and are available to parties of the divorce or with proper legal authorization.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records Office in Madison serves as the state repository and can provide certified copies of any Wisconsin vital record; their website vitalrecords.dhfs.wisconsin.gov offers online ordering with credit card payment. Online ordering is not currently available directly through Racine County, though the state VitalChek system can be used for expedited service with additional fees.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Racine County involves both county and state-level processes. The Racine County Clerk's Office at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403, (262) 636-3121, handles the registration of trade names, fictitious business names, and "doing business as" (DBA) filings for businesses operating in the county. The current fee for filing a trade name is typically $30 for registration or renewal.
- This free online system allows searches by business name, registered agent, or file number and displays entity status, registration date, principal office address, and registered agent information.
For formal business entity searches including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other registered entities, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions maintains the statewide database accessible at corporationsearch.wiscrs.net. Professional licenses including those for contractors, health professionals, real estate agents, and other regulated occupations are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, searchable at online.drl.wi.gov. Sales tax permits and employer tax accounts are managed by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
Local business licensing varies by county within Racine County, with cities like Racine and Burlington requiring separate business licenses or permits depending on business type. Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits are handled by the Racine County Planning & Development Department at (262) 636-3250, located at 14200 Washington Avenue, Sturtevant, WI 53177. The Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) at rcedc.org provides resources for business development, and local chambers including the Racine County Chamber at racinechamber.com offer networking and business support services.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Racine County are administered by the Racine County Clerk's Office, which serves as the chief election official for the county. The Elections Division can be reached at (262) 636-3121 and is located at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403. The county website at racinecounty.com/elections provides comprehensive election information. Voter registration in Wisconsin can be completed online at myvote.wi.gov, the official state voter portal, up until 20 days before any election.
- In the November 2024 general election, Racine County reported voter turnout of approximately 72% of registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement typical of Wisconsin presidential election years.
- Absentee ballot requests can be submitted through the MyVote Wisconsin portal, by mail, email, or in person to the Racine County Clerk or the clerk of the county where the voter resides.
After that deadline, Wisconsin offers in-person registration at the polls on Election Day with proof of residence. The MyVote Wisconsin website allows Racine County residents to check registration status, find their polling place, view sample ballots, track absentee ballots, and access election results. Racine County has numerous polling locations across its municipalities, with specific locations searchable by address on the MyVote portal.
Public election records in Racine County include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted per Wisconsin law), campaign finance reports for local candidates filed with the county clerk, candidate nomination papers, precinct-by-precinct election results, and absentee ballot statistics. The Racine County Clerk maintains these records and makes them available under Wisconsin's open records law. The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House and Senate midterm races, Wisconsin gubernatorial election, state legislative seats, and county offices. Wisconsin law requires absentee ballot applications be received by 5 p.m. on the Thursday before Election Day for regular absentee voting, though in-person absentee voting at clerk's offices is available up until the Sunday before Election Day.
Military and overseas voters have additional accommodations. Racine County provides transparent election administration with publicly observable canvasses, accessible polling places, and comprehensive results reporting available at county and municipal levels shortly after polls close.
Economy & Demographics
Racine County's economy is characterized by a diverse mix of advanced manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and service industries. Historically known as a manufacturing powerhouse, the county remains home to several major employers including SC Johnson (household products manufacturer employing thousands), CNH Industrial (agricultural and construction equipment), Modine Manufacturing Company (thermal management systems), InSinkErator (food waste disposers owned by Emerson Electric), and Twin Disc (marine and heavy-duty off-highway power transmission equipment).
- The median household income in Racine County is approximately $67,000, slightly above the Wisconsin state median.
- The county's location along Interstate 94 between Milwaukee and Chicago provides strategic logistics advantages, supporting warehousing and distribution operations.
Manufacturing accounts for a significant portion of employment, with particular strength in durable goods production. Healthcare is another major sector, with Ascension All Saints Hospital and Advocate Aurora Health operating major facilities. The western portion of the county maintains productive agricultural operations, particularly dairy farming, corn, and soybean production.
Recent economic development efforts have focused on downtown Racine revitalization, the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park, and brownfield redevelopment. The Racine County unemployment rate typically tracks close to state averages, ranging from 3-5% in recent years. The Port of Racine on Lake Michigan serves as a commercial shipping facility.
Tourism contributes to the economy through lakefront attractions, charter fishing, festivals including the Racine Danish Festival, and cultural institutions. The county has worked to diversify its economic base while maintaining its manufacturing heritage, with increasing emphasis on technology, entrepreneurship, and quality of life improvements to attract and retain workforce talent.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online (WCCA) | Property: ✅ Free Online Search (GIS & Tapestry) | Arrest/Jail: ✅ Online Roster | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person/Mail Only | Business: ✅ Online (State Portal) | Elections: ✅ Online (MyVote) | Overall Score: 9/10 — Racine County provides excellent digital access to public records with robust online portals for most record types.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Racine County
Explore public records for 9 cities and communities in Racine County, Wisconsin.
Nearby Counties
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