Wisconsin : What you need to know
Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland and the birthplace of classic beers such as Pabst Blue Ribbon, Miller, and Schlitz, and it’s also home to some of the best places to live in America, including two of our 2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live: Madison and La Crosse. With the rivers and lakes scattered throughout the state and vast woodlands, Wisconsin draws outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country no matter the season – ever been ice fishing?
The metropolitan areas of Madison and Milwaukee boast top art and entertainment choices. The Milwaukee Museum of Art hosts work from renowned artists like Georgia O’Keefe and Andy Warhol, and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art houses the best up-and-coming artists. Music festivals, such as Summerfest and Eaux Claires bring local and international musicians together across the state.
A well-regarded education system is led by the University of Wisconsin and its 26 campuses. Kenosha, Eau Claire, Green Bay and Racine offer residents affordable housing, quality education and employment opportunities, as well as plenty of recreational options.
The Dairyland’s economy is run by more than cheese curds, with industry sectors in agriculture, manufacturing and information technology. The state is also home to 8 Fortune 500 companies, including Harley-Davidson, Oshkosh, Kohl’s, Northwestern Mutual and Johnson Controls. Wisconsin is also ranked no. 2 for fostering entrepreneurial growth.
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Courtesy of Elvis Kennedy under a CC 4.0 license.
Best Places to Live in Wisconsin
Picturesque communities include Madison, La Crosse, Eau Claire
Communities take action to protect birds, preserve habitat
Read More About Wisconsin
- Need to make some cheddar? Wisconsin should be your next move
- So much more than a college town, this city's major employers cover everything rom health care to energy
- Cheese curds, lakes, beer, quality education, four seasons: There's a lot to love about being in the Midwest.
- Find out what Madison WI did to get to the top.
- Largest employers in DeForest provide diverse economy
- Health care, transportation and manufacturing sectors employ the majority of the city's residents
- In La Crosse, you don't have to go very far to enjoy Mother Nature. Just look outside your window and take it all in.
- Jurustic Park in Marshfield, WI is an attraction in the area that features more than 250 iron sculptures on display.
Featured Cities in Wisconsin
Find a City in Wisconsin
Search for any city in Wisconsin to find your best place to live..Wisconsin Profile
Quick Facts
| Population | 5,742,117 |
| Latest Population Increase | 0.00% |
| Median Household Income | $53,357 |
| Median Home Price | $165,800 |
| Median Property Tax | $1,402 |
| Median Rent | $67 |
Employment Rate
| Employed | 95.9% | |
| Unemployed | 4.1% |
Featured Cities/Population
| Green Bay, WI | 104,847 |
| Racine, WI | 78,127 |
| La Crosse, WI | 51,993 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 67,385 |
| Wausau, WI | 39,210 |
| Oshkosh, WI | 66,582 |
| Kenosha, WI | 99,897 |
| Appleton, WI | 73,118 |
| Waukesha, WI | 71,324 |
| Madison, WI | 243,122 |
Race
| Ethnicity White | 86.5% | |
| Ethnicity Black | 6.3% | |
| Ethnicity Asian | 2.5% | |
| Ethnicity Hispanic | 6.3% | |
| Ethnicity Indian | 0.9% | |
| Ethnicity Other | 1.7% |
Employment Rate
| Employed | 95.9% | |
| Unemployed | 4.1% |
Educational Levels
| Bachelor's Degree | 18.4% | |
| Associate's Degree | 10.1% | |
| Graduate or Professional Degree | 9.4% | |
| High School Graduate | 32% | |
| Some College, No Degree | 21.1% | |
| Percent Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.8% | |
| Percent High School Graduate or Higher | 91% |
Industry
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting and Mining | 2.5% |
| Construction | 5.3% |
| Manufacturing | 18.5% |
| Wholesale Trade | 2.7% |
| Retail Trade | 11.3% |
| Transportation and Warehousing, and Utilities | 4.3% |
| Information | 1.7% |
| Finance and Insurance, and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 6.1% |
| Professional, Scientific and Management and Administrative and Waste | 8.1% |
| Educational Services and Health Care and Social Assistance | 23.3% |
| Arts, Entertainment and recreation and Accommodation and food Services | 8.7% |
| Other Services, Except Public Administration | 4.2% |
| Public Administration | 3.5% |
Housing
| Homes Rent | 67.3% | |
| Homes Owned | 32.7% |
Wisconsin Rankings
Best places to Live in Wisconsin
| Title | Population | Median Home Price | Median Household Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbotsford | 2,179 | $102,700 | $38,611 |
| Abrams | 401 | $124,600 | $65,500 |
| Adams | 1,660 | $82,800 | $28,341 |
| Adell | 459 | $136,000 | $68,000 |
| Albany | 1,268 | $118,500 | $43,304 |
| Algoma | 3,131 | $97,400 | $40,714 |
| Allenton | 950 | $161,300 | $65,625 |
| Allouez | 13,947 | $152,400 | $66,309 |
| Alma | 678 | $133,300 | $39,239 |
| Alma Center | 514 | $89,700 | $37,875 |
| Almena | 684 | $83,100 | $38,313 |
| Almond | 510 | $83,300 | $43,000 |
| Altoona | 7,053 | $151,400 | $51,675 |
| Amberg | 164 | $65,800 | $21,042 |
| Amery | 2,865 | $120,300 | $38,673 |
| Amherst | 1,220 | $132,800 | $38,603 |
| Amherst Junction | 403 | $169,600 | $66,042 |
| Angelica | 87 | $166,700 | $56,250 |
| Aniwa | 243 | $92,500 | $35,500 |
| Antigo | 8,001 | $81,200 | $34,225 |