Wisconsin

State

Add Comparison

Population

5.81M

0.312% 1-year growth

US Senator

Ron Johnson

Republican Party

US Senator

Tammy Baldwin

Democratic Party

Median Age

39.6

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Median Household Income

$60,773

2.48% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$188,500

5.37% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

2.88M

0.525% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, Wisconsin had a population of 5.81M people with a median age of 39.6 and a median household income of $60,773. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Wisconsin grew from 5.8M to 5.81M, a 0.312% increase and its median household income grew from $59,305 to $60,773, a 2.48% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Wisconsin are White (Non-Hispanic) (81%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (6.26%), White (Hispanic) (4.29%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (2.81%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.06%). 8.83% of the people in Wisconsin speak a non-English language, and 97.3% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Wisconsin are University of Wisconsin-Madison (12,367 degrees awarded in 2017), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (5,725 degrees), and Marquette University (3,364 degrees).

The median property value in Wisconsin is $188,500, and the homeownership rate is 67.1%. Most people in Wisconsin commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 21 minutes. The average car ownership in Wisconsin is 2 cars per household.

Wisconsin borders Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota.

Photo by Randen Pederson

United States

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Wisconsin, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Wisconsin (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Wisconsin across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Wisconsin went to Donald J. Trump with 47.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (46.5%), followed by Gary Johnson (3.58%). The most partisan county was Menominee County, WI with 78.4% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin are the senators currently representing the state of Wisconsin. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Wisconsin is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (47.2%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (46.5%)
Democratic Party
Gary Johnson (3.58%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Wisconsin went to Donald J. Trump with 47.2% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (46.5%), followed by Gary Johnson (3.58%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Wisconsin for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Wisconsin

47.2% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Wisconsin

Menominee County, WI
78.4% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Florence County, WI
71.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Dane County, WI
70.2% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Wisconsin was Menominee County, WI with 78.4% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Wisconsin colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Wisconsin

Ron Johnson

Senator from Wisconsin

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Tammy Baldwin

Senator from Wisconsin

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin are the senators currently representing Wisconsin.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Wisconsin over time, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Wisconsin

Wisconsin is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Wisconsin have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Wisconsin is home to a population of 5.81M people, from which 97.3% are citizens. As of 2018, 4.94% of Wisconsin residents were born outside of the country (287k people).

In 2018, there were 12.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (4.71M people) in Wisconsin than any other race or ethnicity. There were 364k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 250k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common foreign languages spoken in Wisconsin are Spanish (261,707 speakers), Hmong (38,605 speakers), and German (26,628 speakers).

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Wisconsin

White (Non-Hispanic)
4.71M ± 2.73k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
364k ± 5.72k
White (Hispanic)
250k ± 8.04k

6.95%

Hispanic Population

404k people

6.95% of the people in Wisconsin are hispanic (404k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Wisconsin as a share of the total population.

Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

Spanish
261,707 speakers (4.77%)
Hmong
38,605 speakers (0.704%)
German
26,628 speakers (0.486%)

8.83% of Wisconsin citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is lower than the national average of 21.9%. In 2018, the most common non-English language spoken in Wisconsin was Spanish. 4.77% of the overall population of Wisconsin are native Spanish speakers. 0.704% speak Hmong and 0.486% speak Spanish, the next two most common languages.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

4.94%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

287k people

4.86%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

281k people

As of 2018, 4.94% of Wisconsin residents (287k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Wisconsin was 4.86%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Wisconsin compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.5

In 2018, the median age of all people in Wisconsin was 39.6. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 40, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Wisconsin are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Wisconsin residents was 40.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Mexico
82,867 ± 7,017 people
India
24,020 ± 3,797 people
China
15,072 ± 3,010 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Wisconsin was Mexico, the natal country of 82,867 Wisconsin residents, followed by India with 24,020 and China with 15,072.

Citizenship

97.3%

2018 Citizenship

97.3%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 97.3% of Wisconsin residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Wisconsin was 97.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Wisconsin compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
120,241 ± 3,784
Gulf War (2001-)
49,132 ± 3,475
Gulf War (1990s)
36,642 ± 2,806

Wisconsin has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.45 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Wisconsin is $60,773. In 2018, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Wisconsin was Waukesha County, WI with a value of $86,968, followed by St. Croix County, WI and Ozaukee County, WI, with respective values of $81,453 and $81,104.

Males in Wisconsin have an average income that is 1.36 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,745. The income inequality in Wisconsin (measured using the Gini index) is 0.441, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Wisconsin employs 2.88M people. The largest industries in Wisconsin are Construction (156,486 people), Elementary & secondary schools (156,208 people), and Restaurants & Food Services (151,795 people), and the highest paying industries are Not specified wholesale trade ($202,085), Business, technical & trade schools and training ($181,957), and Pipeline transportation ($123,801).

Wages

Median Household Income

$60,773

2018 value

± $391

2.48%

1 Year Growth

± 1.15%

Households in Wisconsin have a median annual income of $60,773, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $59,305 in 2017, which represents a 2.48% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Wisconsin compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

$64,874

Average Male Salary in Wisconsin

± $1,364

$47,745

Average Female Salary in Wisconsin

± $994

In 2018, full-time male employees in Wisconsin made 1.36 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Wisconsin by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Wisconsin

American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races
$62,272 ± $34,034
White
$49,813 ± $828
Two or More Races
$48,430 ± $8,009

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Wisconsin workers was American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races. These workers were paid 1.25 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Wisconsin.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Wisconsin by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

0.441

2018 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

0.452

2017 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

In 2018, the income inequality in Wisconsin was 0.441 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 2.52% decline from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Wisconsin was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Wisconsin in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Wisconsin across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2018, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Wisconsin was Waukesha County, WI with a value of $86,968, followed by St. Croix County, WI and Ozaukee County, WI, with respective values of $81,453 and $81,104.

The following map shows all of the counties in Wisconsin colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

11.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Wisconsin (668k out of 5.63M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
455,514 ± 4,255
Black
114,824 ± 2,227
Hispanic
85,596 ± 1,935

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Wisconsin is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

2.88M

2018 Value

0.525%

1 Year growth

± 0.525%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Wisconsin grew at a rate of 0.525%, from 2.86M employees to 2.88M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Wisconsin, are Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (73,056 people), Registered nurses (67,707 people), and Elementary & middle school teachers (67,599 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Wisconsin.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Wisconsin, by number of employees, are Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (73,056 people), Registered nurses (67,707 people), and Elementary & middle school teachers (67,599 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other states, Wisconsin has an unusually high number of residents working as Disc jockeys, except radio (6.05 times higher than expected), Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (4.55 times), and Print binding & finishing workers (4.48 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Wisconsin, by average salary, are Surgeons ($424,432), Dentists ($272,834), and Physicians ($265,178).

Industries

Employment by Industries

2.88M

2018 Value

0.525%

1 Year growth

± 0.525%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Wisconsin grew at a rate of 0.525%, from 2.86M employees to 2.88M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Wisconsin, are Construction (156,486 people), Elementary & secondary schools (156,208 people), and Restaurants & Food Services (151,795 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Wisconsin, though some of these residents may live in Wisconsin and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Wisconsin, by number of employees, are Construction (156,486 people), Elementary & secondary schools (156,208 people), and Restaurants & Food Services (151,795 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other states, Wisconsin has an unusually high number of Other transportation equipment manufacturing (10.8 times higher than expected), Dairy product manufacturing (9.51 times), and Foundries (7.52 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Wisconsin, by average salary, are Not specified wholesale trade ($202,085), Business, technical & trade schools and training ($181,957), and Pipeline transportation ($123,801).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Wisconsin to other states, or from other states to Wisconsin.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound Wisconsin product (by dollars) was Other foodstuffs with $37.5B, followed by Mixed freight ($28B) and Machinery ($26B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Wisconsin products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Wisconsin.

$325B

2015 Value in Wisconsin

$493B

Projected 2045 Value in Wisconsin

51.7% growth

In 2015, total outbound Wisconsin trade was $325B. This is expected to increase 51.7% to $493B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Wisconsin trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Wisconsin to other states, or from other states to Wisconsin.

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$28.7B
Minnesota
$28.3B
Michigan
$10.2B

In 2015, the top outbound Wisconsin domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $28.7B, followed by Minnesota with $28.3B and Michigan and $10.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Wisconsin shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2017, universities in Wisconsin awarded 88,311 degrees. The student population of Wisconsin is skewed towards women, with 150,993 male students and 190,883 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Wisconsin are White (69,469 and 81.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (4,315 and 5.07%), Black or African American (3,532 and 4.15%), and Asian (3,082 and 3.62%).

The largest universities in Wisconsin by number of degrees awarded are University of Wisconsin-Madison (12,367 and 14%), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (5,725 and 6.48%), and Marquette University (3,364 and 3.81%).

The most popular majors in Wisconsin are Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (6,047 and 6.85%), Registered Nursing (4,310 and 4.88%), and General Business Administration & Management (4,067 and 4.61%).

The median tuition costs in Wisconsin are $28,330 for private four year colleges, and $6,535 and $14,268 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
2,270 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
2,064 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
2,019 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Wisconsin was Registered Nursing with 2,270 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Wisconsin according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Wisconsin-Madison
12,367 degrees awarded
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
5,725 degrees awarded
Marquette University
3,364 degrees awarded

$6,535

Median In-State Public

$28,330

Median Private

In 2017, the Wisconsin institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Wisconsin-Madison with 12,367 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

36,590

Degrees Awarded to Men

51,721

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 36,590 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Wisconsin, which is 0.707 times less than the 51,721 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Wisconsin by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
69,469 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
4,315 degrees awarded
Black or African American
3,532 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Wisconsin were to White students. These 69,469 degrees mean that there were 16.1 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 4,315 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Wisconsin was $188,500 in 2018, which is 0.821 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $178,900 to $188,500, a 5.37% increase. The homeownership rate in Wisconsin is 67.1%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Wisconsin have an average commute time of 21 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Wisconsin is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$188,500

2018 Median

± $1,266

$178,900

2017 Median

± $1,377

In 2018, the median property value in Wisconsin grew to to $188,500 from the previous year's value of $178,900.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Wisconsin compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Wisconsin the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$60,773

Median Household Income

± $391

2.37M

Number of Households

± 20,625

In 2018, the median household income of the 2.37M households in Wisconsin grew to $60,773 from the previous year's value of $59,305.

The following chart displays the households in Wisconsin distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Wisconsin distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Wisconsin the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

67.1%

2018 Homeownership

66.6%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 67.1% of the housing units in Wisconsin were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 66.6%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Wisconsin compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

21 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Wisconsin have a shorter commute time (21 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 1.58% of the workforce in Wisconsin have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Wisconsin compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
81.7%
Carpooled
7.52%
Worked At Home
4.83%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Wisconsin was Drove Alone (81.7%), followed by those who Carpooled (7.52%) and those who Worked At Home (4.83%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Wisconsin distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Wisconsin have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

Health

94.6% of the population of Wisconsin has health coverage, with 55.5% on employee plans, 13.6% on Medicaid, 12.5% on Medicare, 11.8% on non-group plans, and 1.21% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Wisconsin was $8,702 in 2014. This is a 6.26% increase from the previous year ($8,189).

Primary care physicians in Wisconsin see 1247 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.565% increase from the previous year (1240 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1516 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 560 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Adams County and Menominee County have the highest prevalence of diabetes (13.1%). Additionally, Menominee County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (45.1%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,247 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Wisconsin

Primary care physicians in Wisconsin see an average of 1,247 patients per year. This represents a 0.565% increase from the previous year (1,240 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Wisconsin in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

$8,702

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Wisconsin

$5,159

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,057

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,608

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Wisconsin (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 6.26%, from $8,189 to $8,702.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

5.41%

Uninsured

55.5%

Employer Coverage

13.6%

Medicaid

12.5%

Medicare

11.8%

Non-Group

1.21%

Military or VA

Between N/A and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Wisconsin N/A by N/A from N/A% to 5.41%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Wisconsin changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.