Wisconsin: government, population and official figures

Wisconsin is a state of the United States, number 21 of 51 by population. Wisconsin had an estimated 5,972,787 residents on 1 July 2025, 1.7% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 21st largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.26%, 15th slowest-growing of 51.

Who runs Wisconsin?

The governor is Tony Evers. Governor's office. Phone: 1-608-266-1212. Address: P.O. Box 7863 Madison , WI 53707.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Wisconsin: The economy of Wisconsin (gross domestic product) was worth $478.8 billion in 2025 at current prices, 1.6% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 21st largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 3.6% on 2024.
• Health in Wisconsin: Life expectancy at birth in Wisconsin was 78.1 years in 2022, 16th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Wisconsin: 90.3% of public high school students in Wisconsin graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 3rd highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Wisconsin: The Census Bureau estimates that 10.3% of people in Wisconsin lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 599,615 people; joint 15th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Wisconsin: Wisconsin's state government took in $50.5 billion in fiscal year 2024, $8,478 per resident, 16th lowest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Wisconsin

• Wisconsin
• Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
• Department of Children and Families
• Consumer Protection
• Department of Corrections
• Local governments
• District Attorney Office Addresses by County
• Department of Public Instruction
• Elections and Voting
• Emergency Management
• Department of Health Services
• Department of Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Wisconsin

1. Milwaukee 562,407 (2025)
2. Madison 286,233 (2025)
3. Green Bay 106,675 (2025)
4. Kenosha 99,239 (2025)
5. Racine 77,908 (2025)
6. Appleton 75,452 (2025)
7. Eau Claire 72,465 (2025)
8. Waukesha 70,872 (2025)
9. Oshkosh 67,460 (2025)
10. Janesville 66,929 (2025)
11. West Allis 60,119 (2025)
12. La Crosse 50,784 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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