Why are the "WOW" counties in Wisconsin conservative?

[Badger]

In most Urban areas, the surrounding counties have traditionally been rock-ribbed suburban conservative communities. The expansion of Democratic voting habits as these collar communities become more diverse and start suffering the same urban problems as the big cities (crime, decaying infrastructure, etc.) has only been relatively recent (see Philly, Chicago). DFB is correct that heavy industrialization can contribute to that spread from the core city, in places like Gary and Pittsburgh, but again those are the exceptions.

For the example he gave of Cleveland, the surrounding counties aren't especially Democratic due to Cleveland. Summit has Akron all to itself. Lorain is the closest thing to an exception here. Though Lake has enough African-American spillover/immigration from eastern Cuyahoga to now make it a swing county (albeit still with a slight R tilt). Geagua and Medina remain solidly Republican (though not as much as in past decades).

In all, the WOW counties are more in line with other counties surrounding urban areas. Compare Cinci, Columbus, Atlanta, Louisville, and the same pattern emerges.