"Outagamie", a French transliteration of the Anishinaabe term for the Meskwaki (Fox) people, means "dwellers of the other shore" or "dwellers on the other side of the stream", referring to their historic habitation along the St. Lawrence River and south of the Great Lakes.

[7][8] The county executive serves as its chief executive officer, participating in the legislative process with the County Board of Supervisors and exercising administrative authority and control over the county's operations, departments, offices, boards, programs, and communications.

[9] Department heads are appointed by the county executive, subject to the approval of the board of supervisors.

The county executive sets the annual budget in consultation with and subject to the approval of the board of supervisors.

24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

[20] Additionally, there were 136 reported induced abortions performed on women of Outagamie County residence in 2017.

[21] Outagamie County has voted for the Republican presidential nominee in 19 of the last 22 elections.