Wisconsin

Wisconsin
State
Flag Seal
Nicknames: Badger State, America's Dairyland [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Motto: Forward
Anthem:"On, Wisconsin!"
Map of the United States with Wisconsin highlighted
Country	United States
Before statehood	Wisconsin Territory
Admitted to the Union	May 29, 1848 (30th)
Capital	Madison
Largest city	Milwaukee
Largest county or equivalent	Milwaukee County
Largest metroandurbanareas	Milwaukee
Government
•Governor	Tony Evers(D)
•Lieutenant Governor	Sara Rodriguez(D)
Legislature	Wisconsin Legislature
•Upper house	Senate
•Lower house	Assembly
Judiciary	Wisconsin Supreme Court
U.S. senators	Tammy Baldwin(D) Ron Johnson(R)
U.S. House delegation	5 Republicans 2 Democrats 1 vacant (list)
Area
• Total	65,498.37 sq mi (169,640.0 km2)
• Land	54,153.1 sq mi (140,256 km2)
• Rank	23rd[6]
Dimensions
• Length	311 mi (507 km)
• Width	260 mi (427 km)
Elevation	1,050 ft (320 m)
Highest elevation ( Timms Hill [7] [8])	1,951 ft (595 m)
Lowest elevation ( Lake Michigan [7] [8])	579 ft (176 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	5,893,718[9]
• Rank	20th
• Density	108.8/sq mi (42.0/km2)
• Rank	27th[11]
•Median household income	$64,168[10]
• Income rank	21st
Demonyms	Wisconsinite,Cheesehead(colloquial)
Language
•Official language	None
•Spoken language	English 91.32% Spanish 4.64% Other 8.68%[12]
Time zone	UTC– 06:00(Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC– 05:00(CDT)
USPS abbreviation	WI
ISO 3166 code	US-WI
Traditional abbreviation	Wis., Wisc.
Latitude	42° 30' N to 47° 05′ N
Longitude	86° 46′ W to 92° 54′ W
Website	www.wisconsin.gov
Symbols of Wisconsin
Bird	American robin Turdus migratorius
Fish	Muskellunge Esox masquinongy
Flower	Wood violet Viola sororia
Insect	Western honey bee Apis mellifera
Tree	Sugar maple Acer saccharum
Beverage	Milk
Dance	Polka
Food	Corn Zea mays
Fossil	Trilobite Calymene celebra
Mineral	Galena
Rock	Red granite
Tartan	Wisconsin tartan

Wisconsin(/wɪˈskɒnsɪn/^ⓘwisk-ON-sin)^[13]is astatein theGreat Lakesregion of theUpper Midwestof theUnited States. It bordersMinnesotato the west,Iowato the southwest,Illinoisto the south,Lake Michiganto the east,Michiganto the northeast, andLake Superiorto the north. Wisconsin is the20th-largest state by populationand23rd-largest state by area. It is divided into72 countiesand as of the2020 censushad a population of nearly 5.9 million.^[14]Itsmost populous cityisMilwaukee, while itscapitaland second-most populous city isMadison. Other largepopulation centersincludeGreen Bay,Kenosha,Racine,Eau Claire, and theFox Cities.^[15]

Wisconsin's geographyis diverse, shaped byIce Ageglaciers except for theDriftless Area. TheNorthern HighlandandWestern Uplandalong with a part of theCentral Plainoccupy the western part of the state, with lowlands stretching to the shore of Lake Michigan. Wisconsin is third toOntarioand Michigan in the length of itsGreat Lakescoastline. The northern portion of the state is home to theChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. At the time of European contact, the area was inhabited byAlgonquianandSiouannations, and today it is home toelevenfederally recognizedtribes.^[16]During the 19th and early 20th centuries, many European settlers entered the state, most of whom emigrated fromGermanyandScandinavia.^[17][18]Wisconsin remains a center ofGerman AmericanandScandinavian Americanculture,^[19]particularly in respect to itscuisine, with foods such asbratwurstandkringle.

Wisconsin is one of the nation's leadingdairy producersand is known as "America's Dairyland"; it is particularly famous forits cheese.^[20][21]The state is also famous forits beer, particularly and historicallyin Milwaukee, most notably as the headquarters of theMiller Brewing Company. Wisconsin has some of the most permissivealcohol lawsin the country and is known for itsdrinking culture.^[22][23]Its economy is dominated by manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and agriculture—specifically dairy,cranberries, andginseng.^[24]Tourism is also a major contributor to the state's economy.^[25]Thegross domestic productin 2020 was $348 billion.^[26]Wisconsin is home to oneUNESCOWorld Heritage Site, comprisingtwo of the most significant buildingsdesigned by Wisconsin-born architectFrank Lloyd Wright: his studio atTaliesinnearSpring Greenand hisJacobs I Housein Madison.^[27]TheRepublican Partywas founded in Wisconsin in 1854. In more recent years, Wisconsin has been abattleground stateinpresidential elections, notably in2016and2020.

The wordWisconsinoriginates from the name given to theWisconsin Riverby one of theAlgonquian-speaking Native American groups living in the region at the time ofEuropean colonization.^[28]The French explorerJacques Marquettewas the first European to reach the Wisconsin River, arriving in 1673 and calling the riverMeskousing(likely ᒣᔅᑯᐤᓯᣙmeskowsin) in his journal.^[29]Subsequent French writers changed the spelling fromMeskousingtoOuisconsin, and over time this became the name for both the Wisconsin River and the surrounding lands. English speakersanglicizedthe spelling fromOuisconsintoWisconsinwhen they began to arrive in large numbers during the early 19th century. The legislature ofWisconsin Territorymade the current spelling official in 1845.^[30]

TheAlgonquianword for Wisconsin and its original meaning have both grown obscure. While interpretations vary, most implicate the river and the red sandstone that lines its banks. One leading theory holds that the name originated from theMiamiwordMeskonsing, meaning'it lies red', a reference to the setting of the Wisconsin River as it flows through the reddish sandstone of theWisconsin Dells.^[31]Other theories include claims that the name originated from one of a variety ofOjibwawords meaning'red stone place','where the waters gather', or'great rock'.^[32]

Wisconsin has been home to a wide variety of cultures over the past 14,000 years. The first people arrived around 10,000 BCE during theWisconsin Glaciation. These early inhabitants, calledPaleo-Indians, hunted now-extinctice age animalssuch as theBoaz mastodon, a prehistoricmastodonskeleton unearthed along with spear points in southwest Wisconsin.^[33]After the ice age ended around 8000 BCE, people in the subsequentArchaic periodlived by hunting, fishing, and gathering food from wild plants. Agricultural societies emerged gradually over theWoodland periodbetween 1000 BCE to 1000 CE. Toward the end of this period, Wisconsin was the heartland of the "Effigy Moundculture", which built thousands of animal-shaped mounds across the landscape.^[34]Later, between 1000 and 1500 CE, theMississippianandOneotacultures built substantial settlements including the fortified village atAztalanin southeast Wisconsin.^[35]The Oneota may be the ancestors of the modernIowayandHo-Chunknations who shared the Wisconsin region with theMenomineeat the time of European contact.^[36]Other Native American groups living in Wisconsin when Europeans first settled included theOjibwa,Sauk,Fox,Kickapoo, andPottawatomie, who migrated to Wisconsin from the east between 1500 and 1700.^[37]

The first European to visit what became Wisconsin was probably the French explorerJean Nicolet. He canoed west fromGeorgian Baythrough theGreat Lakesin 1634, and it is traditionally assumed that he came ashore nearGreen BayatRed Banks.^[38]Pierre RadissonandMédard des Groseilliersvisited Green Bay again in 1654–1666 andChequamegon Bayin 1659–1660, where they traded for fur with local Native Americans.^[39]In 1673, Jacques Marquette andLouis Jollietbecame the first to record a journey on theFox-Wisconsin Waterwayall the way to theMississippi RivernearPrairie du Chien.^[40]FrenchmenlikeNicholas Perrotcontinued to ply thefur tradeacross Wisconsin through the 17th and 18th centuries, but the French made no permanent settlements in Wisconsin beforeGreat Britainwon control of the region following theFrench and Indian Warin 1763. Even so, French traders continued to work in the region after the war, and some, beginning withCharles de Langladein 1764, settled in Wisconsin permanently, rather than returning to British-controlled Canada.^[41]

The British gradually took over Wisconsin during the French and Indian War, taking control of Green Bay in 1761 and gaining control of all of Wisconsin in 1763. Like the French, the British were interested in little but the fur trade. One notable event in the fur trading industry in Wisconsin occurred in 1791, when two free African Americans set up a fur trading post among the Menominee at present-dayMarinette. The first permanent settlers, mostlyFrench Canadians, some Anglo-New Englandersand a few African American freedmen, arrived in Wisconsin while it was under British control. Charles de Langlade is generally recognized as the first settler, establishing a trading post at Green Bay in 1745, and moving there permanently in 1764.^[41]Settlement began at Prairie du Chien around 1781. The French residents at the trading post in what is now Green Bay, referred to the town as "La Baye". However, British fur traders referred to it as "Green Bay", because the water and the shore assumed green tints in early spring. The old French title was gradually dropped, and the British name of "Green Bay" eventually stuck. The region coming under British rule had virtually no adverse effect on the French residents as the British needed the cooperation of the French fur traders and the French fur traders needed the goodwill of the British. During the French occupation of the region licenses for fur trading had been issued scarcely and only to select groups of traders, whereas the British, in an effort to make as much money as possible from the region, issued licenses for fur trading freely, both to British and to French residents. The fur trade in what is now Wisconsin reached its height under British rule, and the first self-sustaining farms in the state were established as well. From 1763 to 1780, Green Bay was a prosperous community which produced its own foodstuff, built graceful cottages and held dances and festivities.^[42]

Joseph Roi built theTank CottageinGreen Bayin 1776. Located inHeritage Hill State Historical Park, it is theoldest standing buildingfrom Wisconsin's early years and is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.^[43]

Wisconsin became a territorial possession of the United States in 1783 after theAmerican Revolutionary War. In 1787, it became part of theNorthwest Territory. As territorial boundaries subsequently developed, it was then part ofIndiana Territoryfrom 1800 to 1809,Illinois Territoryfrom 1809 to 1818, andMichigan Territoryfrom 1818 to 1836. However, the British remained in control until after theWar of 1812, the outcome of which finally established an American presence in the area.^[44]Under American control, the economy of the territory shifted from fur trading to lead mining. The prospect of easy mineral wealth drew immigrants from throughout the U.S. and Europe to the lead deposits located atMineral Point,Dodgeville, and nearby areas. Some miners found shelter in the holes they had dug, and earned the nickname "badgers", leading to Wisconsin's identity as the "Badger State".^[45]The sudden influx of white miners prompted tension with the local Native American population. TheWinnebago Warof 1827 and theBlack Hawk Warof 1832 culminated in the forcedremoval of Native Americansfrom most parts of the state.^[46]

Following these conflicts,Wisconsin Territorywas created by an act of theUnited States Congresson April 20, 1836. By fall of that year, the best prairie groves of the counties surrounding what is now Milwaukee were occupied by farmers from theNew Englandstates.^[47]

TheErie Canalfacilitated the travel of bothYankeesettlers and European immigrants to Wisconsin Territory. Yankees from New England andupstate New Yorkseized a dominant position in law and politics, enacting policies that marginalized the region's earlier Native American and French-Canadian residents.^[48]Yankees also speculated in real estate, platted towns such as Racine, Beloit, Burlington, and Janesville, and established schools, civic institutions, andCongregationalistchurches.^[49][50][51]At the same time, manyGermans, Irish,Norwegians, and other immigrants also settled in towns and farms across the territory, establishingCatholicandLutheraninstitutions.

The growing population allowed Wisconsin to gain statehood on May 29, 1848, as the 30th state. Between 1840 and 1850, Wisconsin's non-Indian population had swollen from 31,000 to 305,000. More than a third of residents (110,500) were foreign born, including 38,000 Germans, 28,000 British immigrants from England, Scotland, and Wales, and 21,000 Irish. Another third (103,000) were Yankees from New England and western New York state. Only about 63,000 residents in 1850 had been born in Wisconsin.^[52]

Nelson Dewey, the firstgovernor of Wisconsin, was aDemocrat. Dewey oversaw the transition from the territorial to the new state government.^[53]He encouraged the development of the state's infrastructure, particularly the construction of new roads, railroads, canals, and harbors, as well as the improvement of theFoxandWisconsin Rivers.^[53]During his administration, theState Board of Public Workswas organized.^[53]Dewey, anabolitionist, was the first of many Wisconsin governors to advocate against the spread ofslaveryinto new states and territories.^[53]

Politics in early Wisconsin were defined by the greater national debate over slavery. A free state from its foundation, Wisconsin became a center of northernabolitionism. The debate became especially intense in 1854 afterJoshua Glover, a runaway slave fromMissouri, was captured inRacine. Glover was taken into custody under the FederalFugitive Slave Law, but a mob of abolitionists stormed the prison where Glover was held and helped him escape to Canada. In a trial stemming from the incident, theWisconsin Supreme Courtultimately declared the Fugitive Slave Law unconstitutional.^[54]TheRepublican Party, founded on March 20, 1854, by anti-slavery expansion activists inRipon, Wisconsin, grew to dominate state politics in the aftermath of these events.^[55]During theCivil War, around 91,000 troops from Wisconsin fought for theUnion.^[56]

Wisconsin's economy also diversified during the early years of statehood. While lead mining diminished, agriculture became a principal occupation in the southern half of the state. Railroads were built across the state to help transport grains to market, and industries likeJ.I. Case & Companyin Racine were founded to build agricultural equipment. Wisconsin briefly became one of the nation's leading producers of wheat during the 1860s.^[57]Meanwhile, the lumber industry dominated in the heavily forested northern sections of Wisconsin, and sawmills sprang up in cities likeLa Crosse,Eau Claire, andWausau. These economic activities had dire environmental consequences. By the close of the 19th century, intensive agriculture had devastated soil fertility, and lumbering had deforested most of the state.^[58]These conditions forced both wheat agriculture and the lumber industry into a precipitous decline.

Beginning in the 1890s, farmers in Wisconsin shifted from wheat to dairy production to make more sustainable and profitable use of their land. Many immigrants carried cheese-making traditions that, combined with the state's suitable geography and dairy research led byStephen Babcockat theUniversity of Wisconsin, helped the state build a reputation as "America's Dairyland".^[59]Meanwhile, conservationists includingAldo Leopoldhelped re-establish the state's forests during the early 20th century,^[60]paving the way for a more renewable lumber andpaper millingindustry as well as promoting recreational tourism in the northern woodlands. Manufacturing also boomed in Wisconsin during the early 20th century, driven by an immense immigrant workforce arriving from Europe. Industries in cities like Milwaukee ranged from brewing and food processing to heavy machine production and tool-making, leading Wisconsin to rank 8th among U.S. states in total product value by 1910.^[61]

The early 20th century was also notable for the emergence ofprogressivepolitics championed byRobert M. La Follette. Between 1901 and 1914, Progressive Republicans in Wisconsin created the nation's first comprehensive statewideprimary electionsystem,^[63]the first effectiveworkplace injury compensationlaw,^[64]and the first stateincome tax,^[65]making taxation proportional to actual earnings.

DuringWorld War I, due to the neutrality of Wisconsin and manyWisconsin Republicans,progressives, andGerman immigrantswhich made up 30 to 40 percent of the state population, Wisconsin would gain the nickname "Traitor State" which was used by many "hyper patriots".^{[66][67][68][69]}

As the war raged on in Europe,Robert M. La Follette, leader of the anti-war movement in Wisconsin. led a group of progressive senators in blocking a bill by presidentWoodrow Wilsonwhich would have armed merchant ships with guns. Many Wisconsin politicians such asGovernor Phillippand senatorIrvine Lernrootwere accused of having divided loyalties.^[70]Even with outspoken opponents to the war, at the onset of the war many Wisconsinites would abandon neutrality. Businesses, labor and farms all enjoyed prosperity from the war. With over 118,000 going into military service, Wisconsin was the first state to report for the national drafts conducted by theU.S. military.^[71]

The progressiveWisconsin Ideaalso promoted the statewide expansion of the University of Wisconsin through theUW-Extensionsystem at this time.^[72]Later, UW economics professorsJohn R. Commonsand Harold Groves helped Wisconsin create the firstunemployment compensationprogram in the United States in 1932.^[73]OtherWisconsin Ideascholars at the university generated the plan that became the New Deal'sSocial Security Actof 1935, with Wisconsin expertArthur J. Altmeyerplaying the key role.^[74]

In the immediate aftermath ofWorld War II, citizens of Wisconsin were divided over issues such as creation of theUnited Nations, support for the European recovery, and the growth of theSoviet Union's power. However, when Europe divided into Communist and capitalist camps and theChinese Communist Revolutionsucceeded in 1949, public opinion began to move towards support for the protection of democracy and capitalism against Communist expansion.^[75]

Wisconsin took part in several political extremes in the mid to late 20th century, ranging from theanti-communistcrusades of SenatorJoseph McCarthyin the 1950s to the radical antiwar protests at UW-Madison that culminated in theSterling Hall bombingin August 1970. The state undertookwelfare reformunder Republican GovernorTommy Thompsonduring the 1990s.^[76]The state's economy also underwent further transformations towards the close of the 20th century, as heavy industry and manufacturing declined in favor of aservice economybased on medicine, education, agribusiness, and tourism.

Two U.S. Navy battleships,BB-9andBB-64, were named for the state.

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2024)

Wisconsin has been a swing state for much of the 21st century, with both Republicans and Democrats being elected statewide. The state voted forDonald Trumpin the2016 Presidential Election, andJoe Bidenin2020.^[77]

Wisconsin is located in theMidwestern United Statesand is part of both theGreat Lakes regionandUpper Midwest. The state has a total area of 65,496 square miles (169,630 km²). Wisconsin is bordered by theMontreal River;Lake SuperiorandMichiganto the north; byLake Michiganto the east; byIllinoisto the south; and byIowato the southwest andMinnesotato the northwest. A border dispute with Michigan was settled by two cases, bothWisconsin v. Michigan, in 1934 and 1935. The state's boundaries include theMississippi RiverandSt. Croix Riverin the west, and theMenominee Riverin the northeast.^[78]

With its location between theGreat Lakesand the Mississippi River, Wisconsin is home to a wide variety of geographical features. The state is divided into five distinct regions. In the north, theLake Superior Lowlandoccupies a belt of land along Lake Superior. Just to the south, theNorthern Highlandhas massive mixed hardwood and coniferous forests including the 1,500,000-acre (610,000-hectare)Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, as well as thousands of glacial lakes, and the state's highest point,Timms Hill. In the middle of the state, theCentral Plainhas some uniquesandstoneformations like theDells of the Wisconsin Riverin addition to rich farmland. TheEastern Ridges and Lowlandsregion in the southeast is home to many of Wisconsin's largest cities. The ridges include theNiagara Escarpmentthat stretches from New York, theBlack River Escarpmentand theMagnesian Escarpment.^[79][80][81]In the southwest, theWestern Uplandis a rugged landscape with a mix of forest and farmland, including many bluffs on the Mississippi River. This region is part of theDriftless Area, which also includes portions of Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota. Overall, 46% of Wisconsin's land area is covered by forest.

Wisconsin has geologic formations and deposits that vary in age from over three billion years to several thousand years, with most rocks being millions of years old.^[82]The oldest geologic formations were created over 600 million years ago during thePrecambrian, with the majority being below the glacial deposits. Much of the Baraboo Range consists ofBaraboo Quartzite, and other Precambrianmetamorphic rock.^[83][84]This area was not covered byglaciersduring the most recent ice age, theWisconsin Glaciation.Langlade Countyhas a soil rarely found outside the county calledAntigo silt loam.^[85]

The state has more than 12,000 named rivers and streams, totaling 84,000 miles (135,000 km) in length.^[86]It has over 15,000 named lakes, totaling about 1 million acres (4,000 km²).Lake Winnebagois the largest inland lake, totaling over 137,700 acres (557 km²), and 88 miles (142 km) of shoreline. Along the two Great Lakes, Wisconsin has over 500 miles (800 km) of shoreline.^[87]A lot of thenamed islands in Wisconsinare located in the Great Lakes; many surround theDoor Peninsulain Lake Michigan or are part of theApostle Islandsin Lake Superior.^[88]The Mississippi River and inland lakes and rivers contain the rest of the islands of Wisconsin.

Areas under the protection of theNational Park Serviceinclude theApostle Islands National Lakeshore,Ice Age National Scenic Trail, and portions of theSaint Croix National Scenic RiverwayandNorth Country National Scenic Trail.^[89]

Wisconsin has sister-state relationships with Germany'sHesse, Japan'sChiba Prefecture, Mexico'sJalisco, China'sHeilongjiang, andNicaragua.^[90]

Most of Wisconsin is classified as warm-summerhumid continental climate(KöppenDfb), while southern and southwestern portions are classified as hot-summer humid continental climate (KöppenDfa). The highest temperature ever recorded in the state was in the Wisconsin Dells, on July 13, 1936, where it reached 114 °F (46 °C). The lowest temperature ever recorded in Wisconsin was in the village ofCouderay, where it reached −55 °F (−48 °C) on both February 2 and 4, 1996. Wisconsin also receives a large amount of regular snowfall averaging around 40 inches (100 cm) in the southern portions with up to 160 inches (410 cm) annually in the Lake Superiorsnowbelteach year.^[91]

Monthly normal high and low temperatures for selected Wisconsin cities[°F (°C)]

City	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Green Bay	25/10 (−4/−12)	29/13 (−2/−11)	40/23 (5/−5)	55/35 (13/1)	67/45 (19/7)	76/55 (25/13)	81/59 (27/15)	79/58 (26/14)	71/49 (22/10)	58/38 (14/4)	43/28 (6/−2)	30/15 (−1/−9)
Hurley	19/0 (−7/−18)	26/4 (−4/−16)	36/16 (2/−9)	49/29 (9/−2)	65/41 (18/5)	73/50 (23/10)	76/56 (25/13)	75/54 (24/12)	65/46 (18/8)	53/35 (12/2)	36/22 (2/−6)	24/8 (−5/−14)
La Crosse	26/6 (−3/−14)	32/13 (0/−11)	45/24 (7/−4)	60/37 (16/3)	72/49 (22/9)	81/58 (27/14)	85/63 (29/17)	82/61 (28/16)	74/52 (23/11)	61/40 (16/4)	44/27 (7/−3)	30/14 (−1/−10)
Madison	27/11 (−3/−12)	32/15 (0/−9)	44/25 (7/−4)	58/36 (14/2)	69/46 (21/8)	79/56 (26/13)	82/61 (28/16)	80/59 (27/15)	73/50 (23/10)	60/39 (15/3)	45/28 (7/−2)	31/16 (−1/−9)
Milwaukee	29/16 (−2/−9)	33/19 (0/−7)	42/28 (6/−2)	54/37 (12/3)	65/47 (18/8)	75/57 (24/14)	80/64 (27/18)	79/63 (26/17)	71/55 (22/13)	59/43 (15/6)	46/32 (8/0)	33/20 (0/−7)
Superior[92]	21/2 (−6/−17)	26/6 (−3/−14)	35/17 (2/−8)	46/29 (8/-2)	56/38 (13/3)	66/47 (19/8)	75/56 (24/13)	74/57 (23/14)	65/47 (18/8)	52/36 (11/2)	38/23 (3/−5)	25/9 (−4/−13)

Wisconsin has three types of municipality: cities, villages, and towns.Citiesandvillagesare incorporated urban areas.Townsare unincorporatedminor civil divisionsofcountieswith limited self-government.

Over two-thirds of Wisconsin residents live in urban areas.^[93]Milwaukee, in southeastern Wisconsin, is the state's most populous city, with approximately 580,000 people. TheMilwaukee metropolitan areaaccounts for 1.57 million of the state's residents. With a population of nearly 280,000, the state capital ofMadisonis consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in both the state and country and is thefastest-growingcity in Wisconsin.^[94][95]TheMadison metropolitan areain southern Wisconsin has about 680,000 residents.

Medium-size cities dot the state. The largest of these isGreen Bayin northeastern Wisconsin, with approximately 320,000 people in the metro area. Other metropolitan cities in the state includeAppleton,Racine,Oshkosh,Eau Claire,Janesville,Wausau,La Crosse,Sheboygan, andFond du Lac. Furthermore, another 12 cities function as centers ofmicropolitan statistical areaswhich typically anchor a network of working farms surrounding them. As of 2011, there were 12 cities in Wisconsin with a population of 50,000 or more, accounting for 73% of the state's employment.^[96]

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1820	1,444		—
1830	3,635		151.7%
1840	30,945		751.3%
1850	305,391		886.9%
1860	775,881		154.1%
1870	1,054,670		35.9%
1880	1,315,457		24.7%
1890	1,693,330		28.7%
1900	2,069,042		22.2%
1910	2,333,860		12.8%
1920	2,632,067		12.8%
1930	2,939,006		11.7%
1940	3,137,587		6.8%
1950	3,434,575		9.5%
1960	3,951,777		15.1%
1970	4,417,731		11.8%
1980	4,705,767		6.5%
1990	4,891,769		4.0%
2000	5,363,675		9.6%
2010	5,686,986		6.0%
2020	5,893,718		3.6%
2023 (est.)	5,910,955	[98]	0.3%
Source: 1910–2020[99]

TheUnited States Census Bureauestimates that the population of Wisconsin was 5,822,434 on July 1, 2019, a 2.4% increase since the2010 United States census.^[100]This includes a natural increase since the last census of 150,659 people (i.e., 614,771 births minus 464,112 deaths) and a decrease due to net migration of 12,755 people. Immigration resulted in a net increase of 59,251 people, and migration from within the U.S. resulted in a net decrease of 72,006 people.^[101]

According toHUD's 2022Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 4,775homelesspeople in Wisconsin.^[102][103]

Ethnic composition as of the 2020 census

Race and Ethnicity[104]	Alone		Total
White (non-Hispanic)	78.6%	78.6	81.9%	81.9
Hispanic or Latino[a]	—		7.6%	7.6
African American (non-Hispanic)	6.2%	6.2	7.3%	7.3
Asian	3.0%	3	3.6%	3.6
Native American	0.8%	0.8	2.0%	2
Pacific Islander	0.03%	0.03	0.1%	0.1
Other	0.3%	0.3	1.1%	1.1

Wisconsin historical population by race

Racial composition	1990[105]	2000[106]	2010[107]	2020[108]
White	92.2%	88.9%	86.2%	80.4%
Black	5.0%	5.7%	6.3%	6.4%
Asian	1.1%	1.7%	2.3%	3.0%
Native	0.8%	0.9%	1.0%	1.0%
Native Hawaiianand other Pacific Islander	–	–	–	–
Other race	0.9%	1.6%	2.4%	3.1%
Two or more races	–	1.3%	1.8%	6.1%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)	1.9%	3.6%	5.9%	7.6%
Non-Hispanic white	91.3%	87.3%	83.3%	78.6%

In 2022, the five largest European ancestry groups were:German(36%),Irish(10.2%),Polish(7.9%),English(6.7%), andNorwegian(6.3%).^[109]German is the most common ancestry in every county in the state, except Menominee, Trempealeau, and Vernon.^[110]Wisconsin has the highest percentage of residents of Polish ancestry of any state.^[111]According to the 2022American Community Survey, 7.6% of Wisconsin's population were ofHispanic or Latinoorigin (of any race). The largest Hispanic ancestry groups wereMexican(5.1%),Puerto Rican(1.1%),Central American(0.4%), andCuban(0.1%), with 0.9% reporting other Hispanic or Latino origins.^[112]

Since its founding, Wisconsin has been ethnically heterogeneous. Following the period of French fur traders, the next wave of settlers were miners, many of whom wereCornish, who settled the southwestern area of the state. The next wave was dominated by "Yankees", migrants ofEnglish descentfromNew Englandandupstate New York; in the early years of statehood, they dominated the state's heavy industry, finance, politics, and education. Between 1850 and 1900, the immigrants were mostlyGermans,Scandinavians(the largest group beingNorwegian),Irish, andPoles. In the 20th century, a number of African Americans andMexicanssettled inMilwaukee; and after the end of theVietnam Warcame an influx ofHmongs.

The various ethnic groups settled in different areas of the state. Although German immigrants settled throughout the state, the largest concentration was in Milwaukee. Norwegian immigrants settled in lumbering and farming areas in the north and west. Irish, Italian, and Polish immigrants settled primarily in urban areas.^[113]Menominee Countyis the only county in the eastern United States with a Native American majority.

African Americans came to Milwaukee, especially from 1940 on. 86% of Wisconsin's African-American population live in four cities:Milwaukee,Racine,Beloit,Kenosha, with Milwaukee home to nearly three-fourths of the state's black Americans. In theGreat Lakesregion, only Detroit andClevelandhave a higher percentage of African-American residents.^[114]

About 33% of Wisconsin's Asian population isHmong, with significant communities inMilwaukee,Wausau,Green Bay,Sheboygan,Appleton,Madison,La Crosse,Eau Claire,Oshkosh, andManitowoc.^[115]61,629 people in Wisconsin, or around 1% of the population, identify as Hmong.^[116]

Of the residents of Wisconsin, 71.7% were born in Wisconsin, 23.0% were born in a different US state, 0.7% were born in Puerto Rico, U.S. Island areas, or born abroad to American parent(s), and 4.6% were foreign born.^[117]

In 2018, the countries of origin for Wisconsin's immigrants came from Mexico, India, China,Laosand thePhilippines.^[118]

Birth data

Note: Births in table add to over 100%, because Hispanics are counted both by their ethnicity and by their race, giving a higher overall number.

Live births by single race or ethnicity of mother

Race	2013[119]	2014[120]	2015[121]	2016[122]	2017[123]	2018[124]	2019[125]	2020[126]	2021[127]	2022[128]
White:	55,485 (83.2%)	55,520 (82.7%)	55,350 (82.6%)	...	...	...	...	...	...	...
>Non-Hispanic White	49,357 (74.0%)	49,440 (73.6%)	49,024 (73.1%)	47,994 (72.0%)	46,309 (71.3%)	45,654 (71.2%)	44,784 (70.8%)	42,715 (70.5%)	43,991 (71.2%)	42,455 (70.7%)
Black	6,956 (10.4%)	7,328 (10.9%)	7,386 (11.0%)	6,569 (9.9%)	6,864 (10.6%)	6,622 (10.3%)	6,859 (10.8%)	6,429 (10.6%)	5,964 (9.6%)	5,688 (9.5%)
Asian	3,197 (4.8%)	3,333 (5.0%)	3,276 (4.9%)	3,220 (4.8%)	3,017 (4.6%)	3,155 (4.9%)	2,942 (4.6%)	2,870 (4.7%)	2,692 (4.3%)	2,661 (4.4%)
American Indian	1,011 (1.5%)	980 (1.5%)	1,029 (1.5%)	689 (1.0%)	745 (1.1%)	707 (1.1%)	664 (1.0%)	573 (0.9%)	546 (0.9%)	533 (0.9%)
Hispanic(of any race)	6,398(9.6%)	6,375(9.5%)	6,604(9.9%)	6,504(9.8%)	6,368(9.8%)	6,365(9.9%)	6,463(10.2%)	6,438(10.6%)	6,923(11.2%)	6,971(11.6%)
Total Wisconsin	66,649(100%)	67,161(100%)	67,041(100%)	66,615(100%)	64,975(100%)	64,098(100%)	63,270(100%)	60,594(100%)	61,781(100%)	60,049(100%)

• Since 2016, data for births ofWhite Hispanicorigin are not collected, but included in oneHispanicgroup; persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

The percentage of Wisconsin residents who belong to various affiliations as of 2014 were:^[130]Christian 81% (Protestant50%,Roman Catholic29%), Mormon 0.5%, Jewish 0.5%, Muslim 0.5%, Buddhist 0.5%, Hindu 0.5%, and unaffiliated 15%.

Christianity is the predominant religion of Wisconsin. As of 2008, the three largest denominational groups in Wisconsin were Catholic,Evangelical Protestant, andMainline Protestant.^[131]As of 2010, the Catholic Church had the highest number of adherents in Wisconsin (at 1,425,523), followed by theEvangelical Lutheran Church in Americawith 414,326 members, and theLutheran Church–Missouri Synodwith 223,279 adherents.^[132]TheWisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, the namesake synod with the fourth highest numbers of adherents in Wisconsin, has their headquarters in Waukesha, Wisconsin.^[133]

Statewide FBI Crime statistics for 2009 include 144 murders/non-negligent manslaughter; 1,108 rapes; 4,850 robberies; 8,431 aggravated assaults; and 147,486 property crimes.^[134]Wisconsin also publishes its own statistics through the Bureau of Justice Information and Analysis.^[135]The state reported 14,603 violent crimes in 2009, with a clearance rate (% solved) of 50%.^[136]The state reported 4,633 sexual assaults in 2009, with an overall clearance rate for sexual assaults of 57%.

In 2019 Wisconsin's gross state product was $349.416 billion, making it 21st among U.S. states.^[137]The economy of Wisconsin is driven by manufacturing, agriculture, and health care. The state's economic output from manufacturing was $48.9 billion in 2008, making it the tenth largest among states in manufacturing gross domestic product.^[138]Manufacturing accounts for about 20% of the state's gross domestic product, a proportion that is third among all states.^[139]Theper capita personal incomewas $35,239 in 2008. In March 2017, the state's unemployment rate was 3.4% (seasonally adjusted).^[140]Since 2009, Wisconsin'sminimum wagehas been $7.25, the same as the federal rate.^[141]

Wisconsin produces about a quarter of America's cheese, leading the nation in cheese production.^[142][143]It is second in milk production, after California,^[144]and third in per-capita milk production, behind California andVermont.^[145]Wisconsin is second in butter production, producing about one-quarter of the nation's butter.^[146]The state ranks first nationally in the production of corn forsilage,cranberries,^[147]ginseng,^[148]andsnap beansfor processing. It grows more than half the national crop of cranberries.^[147]and 97% of the nation's ginseng.^[148]Wisconsin is also a leading producer ofoats, potatoes, carrots, tartcherries,maple syrup, andsweet cornfor processing. The significance of the state's agricultural production is exemplified by the depiction of a Holstein cow, an ear of corn, and a wheel of cheese on Wisconsin'sstate quarterdesign.^[149]The state annually selects an "Alice in Dairyland" to promote the state's agricultural products around the world.^[150]

A large part of the state's manufacturing sector includes commercial food processing, including well-known brands such asOscar Mayer,Tombstonefrozen pizza,Johnsonvillebrats, andUsinger's sausage.Kraft Foodsalone employs more than 5,000 people in the state. Milwaukee is a major producer of beer and was formerly headquarters forMiller Brewing Company—the nation's second-largest brewer—until it merged with Coors. Formerly,Schlitz,Blatz, andPabstwere cornerstone breweries in Milwaukee.

Wisconsin is home to a very large and diversified manufacturing economy, with special focus on transportation and capital equipment. Major Wisconsin companies in these categories include theKohler Company;Mercury Marine;Rockwell Automation;Johnson Controls;John Deere;Briggs & Stratton;Milwaukee Electric Tool Company;Miller Electric;Caterpillar Inc.;Joy Global;Oshkosh Corporation;Harley-Davidson;Case IH;S. C. Johnson & Son;Ashley Furniture;Ariens; andEvinrude Outboard Motors.

Wisconsin is a major producer of paper, packaging, and other consumer goods. Major consumer products companies based in the state include SC Johnson & Co., and Diversey, Inc. Wisconsin also ranks first nationwide in the production of paper products; the lower Fox River fromLake WinnebagotoGreen Bayhas 24paper millsalong its 39 miles (63 km) stretch.

The development and manufacture of health care devices and software is a growing sector of the state's economy, with key players such asGE Healthcare,Epic Systems, andTomoTherapy.

Tourism is a major industry in Wisconsin—the state's third largest, according to the Department of Tourism. Tourist destinations such as theHouse on the RocknearSpring Green,Circus World MuseuminBaraboo, and TheDells of the Wisconsin Riverdraw thousands of visitors annually, and festivals such asSummerfestand theEAA Oshkosh Airshowdraw international attention, along with hundreds of thousands of visitors.^[151]

Given the large number of lakes and rivers in the state, water recreation is very popular. In the North Country, what had been an industrial area focused on timber has largely been transformed into a vacation destination. Popular interest in the environment and environmentalism, added to traditional interests in hunting and fishing, has attracted a large urban audience within driving range.^[152]

The distinctiveDoor Peninsula, which extends off the eastern coast of the state, contains one of the state's tourist destinations,Door County. Door County is a popular destination for boaters because of the large number of natural harbors, bays, and boat launches on both the Green Bay and Lake Michigan sides of the peninsula that forms the county. The area draws more than two million visitors yearly^[153]to its quaint villages, seasonal cherry picking, andfish boils.^[154]

On January 1, 2008, a newtax incentivefor the film industry came into effect. The first major production to take advantage wasMichael Mann'sPublic Enemies. While the producers spent $18 million on the film, it was reported that most of it went to out-of-state workers and for out-of-state services; Wisconsin taxpayers had provided $4.6 million in subsidies, and derived only $5 million in revenues from the film's making.^[155]During this period, the movieTransformers: Dark of the Moonalso used Milwaukee as a filming location.^[156]This incentive was eliminated in 2013.^[157]

Wisconsin has no production of oil, gas, or coal.^[158]Its in-state electrical generation is mostly from coal. Other important electricity sources are natural gas and nuclear.^[158]

The state has a mandate that ten percent of its electrical energy come from renewable sources by the end of 2015.^[159]This goal has been met, but not with in-state sources. As of 2014^[update], a third of that ten percent comes from out-of-state sources, mostly wind-generated electricity from Minnesota and Iowa. The state has agnostic policies for developing wind power in state.^[160]

TheConstitution of Wisconsinoutlines the structure and function of state government, which is organized into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. TheWisconsin Blue Bookis the primary published reference about the government and politics of the state. Re-published every two years, copies are available from state legislators.^[161]The law of theMenomineealso applies within theMenominee Indian Reservation.

In a 2020 study, Wisconsin was ranked as the 25th easiest state for citizens to vote in.^[162]

The executive branch is headed by theGovernor of Wisconsin. The current governor,Tony Evers, assumed office on January 7, 2019. Alieutenant governorsucceeds the governor in the event of any removal from office and performs any duties assigned by the governor. The current lieutenant governor isSara Rodriguez. The other elected constitutional offices in the executive branch are thesecretary of state(Sarah Godlewski),treasurer(John Leiber),attorney general(Josh Kaul), and the non-partisansuperintendent of public instruction(Jill Underly).^[163][164]

TheWisconsin State Legislatureis Wisconsin's legislative branch. The Legislature is abicameralbody consisting of theWisconsin State Assemblyand theWisconsin State Senate. The Assembly has 99 members, and the Senate has 33 members. All 99 members of the Wisconsin Assembly are elected in a two-year term cycle withoutterm limits. Similarly, all 33 members of the Wisconsin Senate are elected in a four-year cycle, also without term limits.^[165]Half of the Senate is elected every two years. Members of both houses of the Legislature vote within their ranks to select presiding officers, such as theSpeaker of the Assemblyand thePresident of the Senate. Legislators in both the Senate and the Assembly receive an annual salary of $55,141. Over two years, each legislator is allotted $66,008 to cover general office expenses, printing, postage and district mailings.^[166]

Wisconsin's court system has four levels: municipal courts, circuit courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. Municipal courts typically handle cases involvinglocal ordinancematters. Thecircuit courtsare Wisconsin'strial courts, they haveoriginal jurisdictionin all civil and criminal cases within the state. Challenges to circuit court rulings are heard by theWisconsin Court of Appeals, consisting of sixteen judges who typically sit in three-judge panels. As the state's highest appellate court, theWisconsin Supreme Courtmay hear both appeals from lower courts and original actions. In addition to deciding cases, theSupreme Courtis responsible for administering the state's court system and regulating the practice of law in Wisconsin.^[167]

Following the 2020 census, Wisconsin has 8 seats for the two presidential elections of the decade in 2024 and 2028. As of the2022 cycle, five federal representatives are Republicans while two are Democrats, with one vacant seat.Gwen Moore(D-04) is the most senior member of the Wisconsin delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives. TheseniorU.S. senator,Ron Johnson, is a Republican, while the junior,Tammy Baldwin, is a Democrat.^[168]

Wisconsin collects personalincome taxes(based on fiveincome brackets) which range from 4% to 7.65%. The statesalesanduse taxrate is 5.0%. Fifty-nine counties have an additional sales/use tax of 0.5%.^[169]Milwaukee Countyand four surrounding counties have an additional temporary 0.1% tax that helps fund theMiller Parkbaseball stadium, which was completed in 2001.

The most common property tax assessed on Wisconsin residents is the realproperty tax, or their residential property tax. Wisconsin does not impose a property tax on vehicles, but does levy an annual registration fee. Property taxes are the most important tax revenue source for Wisconsin's local governments, as well as major methods of funding school districts, vocational technical colleges, special purpose districts and tax incremental finance districts. Equalized values are based on the full market value of all taxable property in the state, except for agricultural land. To provide property tax relief for farmers, the value of agricultural land is determined by its value for agricultural uses, rather than for its possible development value. Equalized values are used to distribute state aid payments to counties, municipalities, and technical colleges. Assessments prepared by local assessors are used to distribute the property tax burden within individual municipalities.

Wisconsin does not assess a tax onintangible property. Wisconsin does not collectinheritance taxes. Until January 1, 2008, Wisconsin'sestate taxwas decoupled from the federal estate tax laws; therefore the state imposed its own estate tax on certain large estates.^[170]

There are notoll roadsin Wisconsin; highway construction and maintenance are funded in part bymotor fuel taxrevenues, and the remaining balance is drawn from the State General Fund. Non-highway road construction and maintenance are funded by local governments (municipalities or counties).

AMexican consulateopened in Milwaukee on July 1, 2016.^[171]Wisconsin has had a diplomatic relationship with the Japanese prefecture ofChibasince 1990.^[90]

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United States presidential election results for Wisconsin ^[172]

Year	Republican/Whig		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	1,610,184	48.82%	1,630,866	49.45%	56,991	1.73%
2016	1,405,284	47.22%	1,382,536	46.45%	188,330	6.33%
2012	1,407,966	45.89%	1,620,985	52.83%	39,483	1.29%
2008	1,262,393	42.31%	1,677,211	56.22%	43,813	1.47%
2004	1,478,120	49.32%	1,489,504	49.70%	29,383	0.98%
2000	1,237,279	47.61%	1,242,987	47.83%	118,341	4.55%
1996	845,029	38.48%	1,071,971	48.81%	279,169	12.71%
1992	930,855	36.78%	1,041,066	41.13%	559,193	22.09%
1988	1,047,499	47.80%	1,126,794	51.41%	17,315	0.79%
1984	1,198,800	54.19%	995,847	45.02%	17,369	0.79%
1980	1,088,845	47.90%	981,584	43.18%	202,792	8.92%
1976	1,004,987	47.83%	1,040,232	49.50%	56,117	2.67%
1972	989,430	53.40%	810,174	43.72%	53,286	2.88%
1968	809,997	47.89%	748,804	44.27%	132,737	7.85%
1964	638,495	37.74%	1,050,424	62.09%	2,896	0.17%
1960	895,175	51.77%	830,805	48.05%	3,102	0.18%
1956	954,844	61.58%	586,768	37.84%	8,946	0.58%
1952	979,744	60.95%	622,175	38.71%	5,451	0.34%
1948	590,959	46.28%	647,310	50.70%	38,531	3.02%
1944	674,532	50.37%	650,413	48.57%	14,207	1.06%
1940	679,206	48.32%	704,821	50.15%	21,495	1.53%
1936	380,828	30.26%	802,984	63.80%	74,748	5.94%
1932	347,741	31.19%	707,410	63.46%	59,657	5.35%
1928	544,205	53.52%	450,259	44.28%	22,367	2.20%
1924	311,614	37.06%	68,115	8.10%	461,097	54.84%
1920	498,576	71.10%	113,422	16.17%	89,282	12.73%
1916	220,822	49.39%	191,363	42.80%	34,949	7.82%
1912	130,596	32.65%	164,230	41.06%	105,149	26.29%
1908	247,747	54.52%	166,662	36.67%	40,032	8.81%
1904	280,315	63.21%	124,205	28.01%	38,921	8.78%
1900	265,760	60.06%	159,163	35.97%	17,578	3.97%
1896	268,135	59.93%	165,523	37.00%	13,751	3.07%
1892	171,101	46.05%	177,325	47.72%	23,155	6.23%
1888	176,553	49.79%	155,232	43.77%	22,829	6.44%
1884	161,135	50.38%	146,453	45.79%	12,247	3.83%
1880	144,398	54.04%	114,644	42.91%	8,145	3.05%
1876	130,067	50.57%	123,926	48.19%	3,184	1.24%
1872	104,994	54.60%	86,477	44.97%	834	0.43%
1868	108,900	56.25%	84,703	43.75%	0	0.00%
1864	83,458	55.88%	65,884	44.12%	0	0.00%
1860	86,113	56.59%	65,021	42.73%	1,049	0.69%
1856	66,090	55.30%	52,843	44.22%	579	0.48%
1852	22,210	34.34%	33,658	52.04%	8,814	13.63%
1848	13,747	35.10%	15,001	38.30%	10,418	26.60%

During theCivil War, Wisconsin was aRepublicanstate; in fact, it is the state that gave birth to the Republican Party, although ethno-religious issues in the late 19th century caused a brief split in the coalition. TheBennett Lawcampaign of 1890 dealt with foreign language teaching in schools. Many Germans switched to theDemocratic Partybecause of theRepublican Party'ssupport of the law.^[173]

Wisconsin's political history encompasses, on the one hand,Robert La Folletteand theProgressive movement, and on the other, the Republican and anti-CommunistJoe McCarthy. From the early 20th century, theSocialist Party of Americahad a base in Milwaukee. The phenomenon was referred to as "sewer socialism" because the elected officials were more concerned with public works and reform than with revolution (although revolutionary socialism existed in the city as well). Its influence faded in the late 1950s largely because of thered scareand racial tensions.^[174]The first Socialist mayor of a large city in the United States wasEmil Seidel, elected mayor of Milwaukee in 1910; another Socialist,Daniel Hoan, was mayor of Milwaukee from 1916 to 1940; and a third,Frank P. Zeidler, from 1948 to 1960. Succeeding Frank Zeidler, the last of Milwaukee's Socialist mayors,Henry Maier, a former Wisconsin State Senator and member of the Democratic Party was elected mayor of Milwaukee in 1960. Maier remained in office for 28 years, the longest-serving mayor in Milwaukee history. Socialistnewspaper editorVictor Bergerwas repeatedly elected as a U.S. Representative, although he was prevented from serving for some time because of his opposition to the First World War.

Through the first half of the 20th century, Wisconsin's politics were dominated by Robert La Follette and his sons, originally of the Republican Party, but later of the revivedProgressive Party. Since 1945, the state has maintained a close balance between Republicans andDemocrats. Recent leading Republicans include former GovernorTommy Thompsonand CongressmanJim Sensenbrenner; prominent Democrats include SenatorsHerb KohlandRuss Feingold, the onlySenatorto vote against thePatriot Actin 2001, and CongressmanDavid Obey.^[175]

Some have argued the state has experienceddemocratic backslidingsince 2011.^{[176][177][178]}Some political scientists classify Wisconsin as ahybrid regime;^[176]the state'sHouse of Representativeandlegislatureelections are considered to befree but not fair, with districts undergoing "extremepartisan gerrymanders" to entrench Republicans "beyondelectoral rotation".^{[176][177][179]}

Dan Kaufman writes that Wisconsin has been transformed:^[180]

...into what the journalistDavid Daleycalls a 'democracy desert'—a place where voters stand little chance of effecting political change.

and that:^[180]

In its most recent biannual report, theElectoral Integrity Project, which measures the democratic attributes of electoral systems, gave Wisconsin's district maps twenty-three points out of a hundred, the worst rating of any state in the country. The score is on par with that of theDemocratic Republic of the Congo."

Ginsburg and Huq (2018)write that Wisconsin's political system compromises amixed regimeand is a:^[176]

..."blurred and imperfect" [boundary] between democracy and its alternatives.

while noting that:^[176]

In Wisconsin, even accepting the most extreme assertations of partisan gerrymandering, it remains the case that [it] can lead tosomemeasure of democratic rotation of power. Among these are primary elections, which can be competitive even if a general election is [intentionally designed to be] not, as well as municipal and statewide ballots.

In 2020, Wisconsin leaned back in the Democratic party's direction as Joe Biden won the state by an even narrower margin of 0.7%. Biden's win was largely carried by Milwaukee and Dane counties with the rural areas of the state being carried by Trump.^[181]

Wisconsin has leanedDemocraticin recent presidential elections, althoughDonald Trumpmanaged to win the state in2016by a narrow margin of 0.8%. This marked the first time Wisconsin voted for a Republican presidential candidate since1984, when every state except Minnesota and Washington, D.C., went Republican. In2012, Republican presidential candidateMitt Romneychose Wisconsin CongressmanPaul Ryan, a native ofJanesville, as his running mate against incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama and Vice PresidentJoe Biden. Obama nevertheless carried Wisconsin by a margin of 53% to 46%. Both the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections were quite close, with Wisconsin receiving heavy doses of national advertising, in accord with its status as a "swing", or pivot, state.Al Gorecarried the presidential vote in 2000 by 5,700 votes, andJohn Kerrywon Wisconsin in 2004 by 11,000 votes.Barack Obamacarried the state in 2008 by 381,000 votes (56%).

Republicans had a stronghold in theFox Valley, but elected a Democrat,Steve Kagen, ofAppleton, for the 8th Congressional District in 2006. However, Kagen survived only two terms and was replaced by Republican Reid Ribble in the Republican Party's sweep of Wisconsin in November 2010, the first time the Republican Party had taken back both chambers of the state legislature and the governorship in the same election. The City of Milwaukee heads the list of Wisconsin's Democratic strongholds, which also includes Madison and the state's Native Americanreservations. Wisconsin's largest Congressional district, the 7th, had voted Democratic since 1969. Its representative, David Obey, chaired the powerful House Appropriations Committee.^[182]However, Obey retired and the once-Democratic seat was taken by RepublicanSean Duffyin November 2010. The 2010 elections saw a huge Republican resurgence in Wisconsin. Republicans took control of the governor's office and both houses of the state legislature. RepublicanRon Johnsondefeated Democratic incumbent U.S. SenatorRuss Feingoldand Republicans took two previously Democratic-held House seats, creating a 5–3 Republican majority House delegation.

At the statewide level, Wisconsin is competitive, with control regularly alternating between the two parties. In 2006, Democrats gained in a national sweep of opposition to the Bush administration, and the Iraq War. The retiring GOP 8th District Congressman, Mark Green, of Green Bay, ran against the incumbent GovernorJim Doyle. Green lost by 8% statewide, making Doyle the first Democratic governor to be re-elected in 32 years. The Republicans lost control of the state Senate. Although Democrats gained eight seats in the state Assembly, Republicans retained a five-vote majority. In 2008, Democrats regained control of the State Assembly by a 52–46 margin, marking the first time since 1986 that the governor and state legislature were both Democratic.^[184]

With the election ofScott Walkerin 2010, Republicans won both chambers of the legislature and the governorship, the first time all three changed partisan control in the same election. His first year in office saw the introduction of the2011 Wisconsin Act 10, which removed collective bargaining rights for state employees. On February 14, 2011, theWisconsin State Capitolerupted with protestswhen the Legislature took up a bill that would end most collective bargaining rights for state employees, except for wages, to address the $3.6 billion deficit. The protests attracted tens of thousands of people each day for months and garnered international attention. The Assembly passed the bill 53–42 on March 10 after the State Senate passed it the night before, and sent it to the Governor for his signature.^[185]In response to thebill, enough signatures were gathered to force arecall electionagainstGovernor Walker.Tom Barrett, the mayor of Milwaukee and Walker's 2010 opponent, won the Democratic primary and faced Walker again. Walker won the election by 53% to 46% and became the first governor in United States history to retain his seat after a recall election. Walker enacted other bills promoting conservative governance, such as aright-to-work law,^[186]abortion restrictions,^[187]and legislation removing certain gun controls.^{[188][189][190]}

Following the 2014 general election on November 4, 2014, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Attorney General and State Treasurer were all Republicans, while the Secretary of State was a Democrat.^[191]However, Walker was defeated for a third term in2018by DemocratTony Evers. Democratic U.S. SenatorTammy Baldwinwas also elected to a second term and Democrats won all constitutional statewide offices on the ballot including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer, the first time this happened in Wisconsin since 1982. When Walker lost re-election in 2018, he collaborated with the gerrymandered Republican legislature to strip powers from the incoming Governor and Attorney General.^[192]

Wisconsin is served by eight commercial service airports, in addition to a number ofgeneral aviationairports.Milwaukee Mitchell International Airportis the largest international commercial airport located in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is served by multipleintercity busoperators, which provide service to 71 stops and 53 cities. The following carriers provide scheduled bus service:Amtrak Thruway,Badger Bus,Flixbus,Greyhound Lines,Indian Trails,Jefferson Lines,Lamers Bus Lines,Megabus,Van Galder Bus Company, andWisconsin Coach Lines.^[193]

TheWisconsin Department of Transportationis responsible for planning, building and maintaining thestate's highways. EightInterstate Highwaysare located in the state.

Wisconsin passenger rail
Legend
BorealistoSt. Paul Empire BuildertoPortlandorSeattle La Crosse Tomah Wisconsin Dells Portage Columbus Milwaukee Milwaukee Airport Sturtevant Kenosha MetratoOgilvie Hiawatha,Empire Builder,Borealis toChicago
Key
Amtrak MetraUP-North Line
This diagram: view talk edit

Amtrakprovides daily passenger rail service between Chicago and Milwaukee through theHiawatha Service. Also provided is cross-country service via theEmpire Builderwith stops in several cities across Wisconsin.^[194]Commuter rail providerMetra'sUnion Pacific North (UP-N) linehas its northern terminus inKenosha, the only Metra line and station in the state of Wisconsin.^[195]The Hop, a modern streetcar system in Milwaukee, began service in 2018. The 2.1 mile (3.4 km) initial line runs fromMilwaukee Intermodal StationtoBurns Commons. The system is expected to be expanded in the future.

Wisconsin, along with Minnesota and Michigan, was among theMidwesternleaders in the emergent American state university movement following theCivil Warin the United States. By the start of the 20th century, education in the state advocated the "Wisconsin Idea", which emphasized service to the people of the state. The "Wisconsin Idea" exemplified the Progressive movement within colleges and universities at the time.^[196]

TheWisconsin Department of Public Instructionis thestate educationandpublic librarymanagement agency in the state.^[197]The department is led by theState Superintendent of Public Instruction, a non-partisan, constitutional officer elected every four years in the spring primary, six months after the previous year's presidential election.

Publicpost-secondary educationin Wisconsin consists of two organizations. TheUniversity of Wisconsin Systemcomprises two majordoctoralresearch universities (including the flagshipUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison), eleven other comprehensive universities, and twelve two-year branch campuses. It is one of the largest public higher education systems in the country, enrolling more than 160,000studentseach year and employing approximately 41,000 faculty and staff statewide.^[198]The 16-campusWisconsin Technical College Systemawards two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas, and short-term technical diplomas and certificates. It also provides training and technical assistance to Wisconsin's business and industry community.

Private colleges and universities includeAlverno College,Beloit College,Cardinal Stritch University,Carroll University,Carthage College,Concordia University Wisconsin,Edgewood College,Lakeland College,Lawrence University,Marquette University,Medical College of Wisconsin,Milwaukee School of Engineering,Ripon College,St. Norbert College,Wisconsin Lutheran College,Viterbo University, and others.

Residents of Wisconsin are referred to as Wisconsinites. The traditional prominence of references todairy farmingandcheesemakingin Wisconsin's rural economy (the state'slicense plateshave read "America's Dairyland" since 1940)^[199]have led to the nickname (sometimes used pejoratively among non-residents) of "cheeseheads", and to the creation of "cheesehead hats" made of yellow foam in the shape of a wedge of cheese.

Numerousethnicfestivals are held throughout Wisconsin to celebrate the heritage of its citizens. Such festivals includeSummerfest,Oktoberfest,Polish Fest,Festa Italiana,Irish Fest, Bastille Days,Syttende Mai(Norwegian Constitution Day), Brat(wurst) Days inSheboygan,Polka Days, Cheese Days inMonroeandMequon, African World Festival, Indian Summer, Arab Fest, Wisconsin Highland Games, and many others.^[200]

TheMilwaukee Art Museum, with itsbrise soleildesigned bySantiago Calatrava, is known for its interesting architecture.Monona Terracein Madison, a convention center designed by Taliesin architect Anthony Puttnam, is based on a 1930s design by Wisconsin nativeFrank Lloyd Wright.^[201]Wright's home and studio in the 20th century was atTaliesin, south of Spring Green. Decades after Wright's death, Taliesin remains an architectural office and school for his followers.

With the immigration ofnorthern Europeansinto Wisconsin and theupper Midwest, they brought the techniques of buildingLog homeswith them.^[202]

Wisconsin's cuisine is famous forits cheeseas well as other dairy products.Colby cheesewas first created in Wisconsin in 1885 (named afterColby, Wisconsin), andbrick cheesewas first created in the state in 1877.^[203][204]The state is the only producer ofLimburger cheesein the United States.Cheese curdsare a popular variant that can be eaten separately cold as a snack, or covered in batter and fried as an appetizer, often served withranch dressingas a dipping sauce.Hot and spicy cheese breadis a popular type of bread created and sold in Madison.

The state is the nation's top producer and consumer ofbratwurstand is also a major producer and consumer ofsummer sausage. Wisconsin is the country's leading producer ofcranberries, which is also the state's official fruit.^[205]Dane County Farmers' Marketin Madison is the largest producers-only farmer's market in the nation.^[206][207]

The Friday nightfish fry, often battered and friedperchorwalleye, is traditional throughout Wisconsin, while in northeast Wisconsin andDoor Countythefish boilis more popular. Thesupper clubis another common phenomenon of Wisconsin culinary heritage and often a destination for fish frys, which usually feature a portion of fish with various sides; fried food such as french fries and onion rings are common, potato pancakes served with applesauce, along with condiments of tartar sauce andcole slaw(or crimson slaw, a variety of cole slaw that incorporates Wisconsin cranberries^[208]) and garnishes of parsley and lemon wedges.Beer cheese soupis usually made from a variety of beer and cheddar or colby cheese with sausage, potatoes, and green onions.

Booyahis another common Wisconsin meal, found especially in the Northeast region of the state. Recipes vary but common ingredients usually involve chicken or other meats—beef, pork, oroxtailare most often used—as well as a mirepoix of vegetables, commonly onion, celery, carrots, cabbage, peas, potatoes, and rutabaga. The ingredients are all cooked together in a "booyah kettle" over low heat for several days.^[209]

The southeastern city ofRacineis known for itsDanishkringle, a sweet flaky pastry often served as a dessert. The recipe was brought by Danish immigrants to the region in the 1800s and became the official state pastry of Wisconsin in 2013.^[210][211]TheWisconsin State Fairis known for its giantcream puffs.^[212][213]

Thebutter burgeroriginated in Wisconsin, most likely inSolly's GrilleinGlendale.^[214]Culver'sis a midwesternfast casual food restaurant chainoriginally fromSauk Cityand currently headquartered inPrairie du Sacknown for serving butter burgers, fried cheese curds, and frozen custard.La Croix Sparkling Wateroriginates fromLa Crosse.

Drinking has long been considered a significant part of Wisconsin culture, and the state ranks at or near the top of national measures of per-capita alcohol consumption, consumption of alcohol per state, and proportion of drinkers. Consumption per-capita per-event, however, ranks low among the nation; number of events (number of times alcohol is involved) is significantly higher or highest, but consumption at each event smaller, marking Wisconsin's consumption as frequent and moderate.^[215]Factors such as cultural identification with the state's heritage of German immigration, the long-standing presence of major breweries in Milwaukee, and a cold climate are often associated with the prevalence of drinking in Wisconsin.

Many large breweries were founded in Wisconsin, largely in Milwaukee, which gained the epithet "Brew City" before the turn of the century.Miller Brewing Company,Pabst Brewing Company,Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company, andJacob Leinenkugel Brewing Companyall began as local businesses before entering national markets. Several other popular craft brews include Ale Asylum,^[216]Capital,Sprecher, andNew Glarus, the latter being well known for the Spotted Cow Farmhouse Ale only sold in Wisconsin.^[217]

In Wisconsin, the legal drinking age is 21, except when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse who is at least 21 years old. Age requirements are waived for possessing alcohol when employed by a brewer, brewpub, wholesaler, or producer of alcohol fuel. The minimum legal age to purchase alcohol is 21, with no exceptions.^[218]The Absolute Sobriety law states that any person not of legal drinking age (currently 21) may not drive after consuming alcohol.^[219]

On September 30, 2003, thestate legislature, reluctant to lower a DUI offense from BAC 0.10 to 0.08, did so only as a result of federal government pressure.^[220]TheWisconsin Tavern Leagueopposes raising the alcoholic beverage tax. TheMilwaukee Journal Sentinelseries "Wasted in Wisconsin" examined this situation.^[221]

Wisconsin's music festivals include Eaux Claires,^[222]Country Fest, Country Jam USA, theHodag Country Festival, Porterfield Country Music Festival, Country Thunder USA in Twin Lakes,^[222]and Country USA. Milwaukee hostsSummerfest, dubbed "The World's Largest Music Festival", every year. This festival is held at the lakefrontHenry Maier Festival Parkjust south of downtown, as are a summer-long array ofethnicmusical festivals. TheWisconsin Area Music Industryprovides an annual WAMI event where it presents an awards show for top Wisconsin artists.^[223]

The varied landscape of Wisconsin makes the state a popular vacation destination for outdoor recreation. Winter events include skiing, ice fishing andsnowmobile derbies. Wisconsin is situated on two Great Lakes and has many inland lakes of varied size; the state contains 11,188 square miles (28,980 km²) of water, more than all but three other states—Alaska, Michigan, and Florida.^[224]TheWisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuarywas established in 2021 in the waters of Lake Michigan off Wisconsin and is the site of a large number of historically significantshipwrecks.^{[225][226][227]}

Outdoor activities are popular in Wisconsin, especially hunting and fishing. One of the most prevalent game animals is thewhitetail deer. Each year in Wisconsin, well over 600,000 deer-hunting licenses are sold.^[228]In 2008, theWisconsin Department of Natural Resourcesprojected the pre-hunt deer population to be between 1.5 and 1.7 million.

Wisconsin is represented by major league teams in three sports: football, baseball, and basketball.Lambeau Field, located inGreen Bay, Wisconsin, is home to theNational Football League'sGreen Bay Packers. The Packers have been part of the NFL since the league's second season in 1921 and are the smallest city franchise in the NFL, and the only one owned by shareholders statewide. The Packers are one of the most successful small-market professional sports franchises in the world and have won 13 NFL championships, including the first two AFL-NFL Championship games (Super BowlsIandII),Super Bowl XXXIandSuper Bowl XLV, earning the city of Green Bay the nickname "Titletown USA". The state's support of the team is evidenced by the 81,000-person waiting list for season tickets to Lambeau Field.^[229]

TheMilwaukee Bucksof theNational Basketball Associationplay home games at theFiserv Forum. The Bucks won the NBA Championship in 1971 and 2021.^[230]

TheMilwaukee Brewers, the state's only major league baseball team, have played inAmerican Family Fieldin Milwaukee since 2001. In 1982, the Brewers won theAmerican LeagueChampionship, marking their most successful season. Before the Brewers, Milwaukee had two prior Major League teams. The first team, also called the Brewers, played only one season in the newly founded American League in 1901 before moving to St. Louis and becoming the Browns, who are now theBaltimore Orioles. Milwaukee was also the home of theBravesfranchise when they moved from Boston from 1953 to 1965, winning theWorld Seriesin 1957 and theNational Leaguepennant in 1958 before they moved to Atlanta.^[231]

The state also has minor league teams in hockey (Milwaukee Admirals) and baseball (theWisconsin Timber Rattlers, based inAppletonand theBeloit Sky Carpof theHigh-Aminor leagues). In addition to these affiliated minor league teams, Wisconsin has twoAmerican Association of Professional Baseballteams, being theMilwaukee Milkmenbased inFranklin,^[232]and theLake Country DockHoundsbased inOconomowoc.^[233]Wisconsin is also home to nineNorthwoods Leagueteams. TheMadison Mallards, theLa Crosse Loggers, theLakeshore Chinooks, theEau Claire Express, theFond du Lac Dock Spiders, theGreen Bay Rockers, theKenosha Kingfish, theWausau Woodchucks, and theWisconsin Rapids Raftersall play in a collegiate all-star summer league. In addition to the Packers, Green Bay is also the home to anindoor footballteam, theGreen Bay Blizzardof theIFL. The state is home to the seven-time MISL/MASL ChampionMilwaukee Wave.^[234]Wisconsin is also home toForward Madison FC, which is a professional soccer team that plays in theUSL League One. The Northern Elite Football League consists of many amateur semi-pro teams from Wisconsin.

Wisconsin also has manycollege sportsprograms, including theWisconsin Badgersof theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madisonand theMilwaukee Panthersof theUniversity of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. TheWisconsin Badgers footballformer head coachBarry Alvarezled the Badgers to threeRose Bowlchampionships, including back-to-back victories in 1999 and 2000. The Badger men's basketball team won the national title in1941. The Badgers claimed a historic dual championship in 2006 when both thewomen'sandmen'shockey teams won national titles. TheMarquette Golden Eaglesof theBig East Conference, the state's other major collegiate program, is known for itsmen's basketball team, which, under the direction ofAl McGuire, won the NCAA National Championship in1977. Many other schools in the University of Wisconsin system compete in theWisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conferenceat theDivision IIIlevel. The conference is one of the most successful in the nation, claiming 107 NCAA national championships in 15 different sports as of March 30, 2015.^[235]

TheMilwaukee Mile, an oval track opened in 1903, is the oldest operating motorsports venue in the world, having hosted theIndyCar SeriesandNASCAR Xfinity Series.^[236]Road AmericanearElkhart Lakehosts races in theIndyCar Series,IMSA SportsCar Championship,Sports Car Club of AmericaGT World Challenge AmericaandTrans-Am Seriesand theMotoAmericaSuperbike Championship as of 2024. TheWorld Championship Snowmobile Derbyis held atEagle River, Wisconsin. The world championshipoff-road racingevent is held atCrandon International Off-Road Raceway.

Wisconsin is home to the nation's oldest operatingvelodromeinKenoshawhere races have been held every year since 1927.^[237]

Sheboyganis home toWhistling Straitsgolf club which has hostedPGA Championshipsin 2004, 2010 and 2015 and theRyder Cupgolf competition between USA and Europe in 2020.^[238]TheGreater Milwaukee Open, later named theU.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, was a PGA Tour tournament from 1968 to 2009 held annually inBrown Deer. In 2017,Erin Hills, a golf course inErin, Wisconsin, approximately 30 miles northwest of Milwaukee, hosted theU.S. Open.^[239]

Wisconsin is traditionally known as the "Badger State" due to its early history inleadmining. Many of the state's first settlers were drawn by the prospect of mining in southwest Wisconsin, a mineral-rich region which had been contested betweenNative Americansand the U.S. Some of the miners lived burrowed within hillsides either due to lack of time or finances to build above-ground structures during the winter. Similar to theAmerican badgerusing its claws to dig holes, the miners were nicknamed "badgers". TheUniversity of Wisconsin–Madisonadopted the badger as a mascot in 1889 after the nickname; the badger was named Wisconsin's state animal in 1957.^[240]

• Index of Wisconsin-related articles
• List of people from Wisconsin
• Outline of Wisconsin
• Impeachment in Wisconsin

• Martin, Lawrence (1916).The Physical Geography of Wisconsin.University of Wisconsin Press.ISBN978-0-299-03475-7. RetrievedSeptember 14,2010.

• Barone, Michael; Cohen, Richard E. (2005).The Almanac of American Politics, 2006. Washington, DC.ISBN978-0-89234-112-2.{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Cross, John A. and Kazimierz J. Zaniewski.The Geography of Wisconsin(University of Wisconsin Press, 2022)online review
• Current, Richard (2001).Wisconsin: A History. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press.ISBN978-0-252-07018-1.
• Gara, Larry (1962).A Short History of Wisconsin. Madison, WI: State Historical Society of Wisconsin.
• Holmes, Fred L. (1946).Wisconsin. 5 vols. Chicago, IL.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)Detailed popular history and many biographies.
• Nesbit, Robert C. (1989).Wisconsin: A History(Rev. ed.). Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.ISBN978-0-299-10800-7.
• Pearce, Neil (1980).The Great Lakes States of America. New York: Norton.ISBN978-0-393-05619-8.
• Quaife, Milo M. (1924).Wisconsin, Its History and Its People, 1634–1924. 4 vols.Detailed popular history & biographies.
• Raney, William Francis (1940).Wisconsin: A Story of Progress. New York: Prentice-Hall.
• Robinson, Arthur H.; Culver, J. B., eds. (1974).The Atlas of Wisconsin.
• Sisson, Richard, ed. (2006).The American Midwest: An Interpretive Encyclopedia. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.ISBN978-0-253-34886-9.
• Tuttle, Charles R (1875),An Illustrated History of the State of Wisconsin: Being a Complete Civil, Political, and Military History of the State from its First Exploration down to 1875, Madison, WI: B. B. Russell.
• Van Ells, Mark D. (2009).Wisconsin [On-The-Road Histories]. Northampton, MA: Interlink Books.ISBN978-1-56656-673-5.
• Vogeler, I. (1986).Wisconsin: A Geography. Boulder: Westview Press.ISBN978-0-86531-492-4.
• Wisconsin Cartographers' Guild (2002).Wisconsin's Past and Present: A Historical Atlas.
• Works Progress Administration (1941).Wisconsin: A Guide to the Badger State.Detailed guide to every town and city, and cultural history.

See additional books atHistory of Wisconsin

• Official website
• Wisconsin(PDF)(map). United States Government. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on December 12, 2019.{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help)(Archived December 12, 2019)
• "Wisconsin state symbols". State of Wisconsin. Archived fromthe originalon December 20, 2014. RetrievedDecember 14,2014.
• "Wisconsin State Legislature".
• "Court System". Wisconsin.
• "Wisconsin State Facts". USDA.
• Wisconsin Health and Demographic DataLa Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium
• Energy Profile for Wisconsin—Economic, environmental, and energy data
• Wisconsin Historical Society
• The State of Wisconsin Collectionfrom theUW Digital Collections Center
• Wisconsin Free Speech Legacy
• Wisconsin Department of Tourism
• "Traveling by public transit",Travel Information, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, archived fromthe originalon August 8, 2011, retrievedJuly 31,2011.
• Geographic data related toWisconsinatOpenStreetMap
• WisconsinatCurlie
• Wisconsin(Maps), The American Geographical Society Library.

Preceded by Iowa

List of U.S. states by date of statehood Admitted on May 29, 1848 (30th)

Succeeded by California

44°N90°W / 44°N 90°W /44; -90 (State of Wisconsin)