Rank #20 by Population · Updated April 2026
Wisconsin Population 2026
The population of Wisconsin is 5,892,023 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 20th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $75,670, the median home value is $247,400, and the median age is 40.1.
Wisconsin's population has grown 155.4% since 1910 (2,333,860 → 5,960,975).
5,892,023
Population
109
People / sq mi
$75,670
Median Income
40.1
Median Age
Wisconsin covers 54,168 sq mi of land at a density of 108.8 people per square mile.
About Wisconsin
The poverty rate is what most separates Wisconsin from the typical US state: 6.6% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Wisconsin is a US state with a population of 5,892,023. It ranks #20 among US states by population.
Median household income is $75,670, near the US median of $78,538. Only 6.6% of residents live in poverty, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $247,400, with typical rent around $1,045.
Degree attainment is mid-range for US states: 32.8% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is below the national 14.0% at 11.6%, and the average commute runs about 22 minutes each way.
Wisconsin, #20 by population
Wisconsin Population History (1910-2024)
The state of Wisconsin had a population of 2,333,860 in 1910 and 5,960,975 in 2024, a 2.6× growth over 114 years. The peak was 5,960,975 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.69%.
5,960,975
Population (2024)
2,333,860
Population (1910)
5,960,975
Peak (2024)
0.69%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 2,333,860 |
| 1920 | 2,632,067 |
| 1930 | 2,939,006 |
| 1940 | 3,137,587 |
| 1950 | 3,434,575 |
| 1960 | 3,951,777 |
| 1970 | 4,417,731 |
| 1980 | 4,705,767 |
| 1990 | 4,891,769 |
| 2000 | 5,363,675 |
| 2010 | 5,686,986 |
| 2020 | 5,893,718 |
| 2020 | 5,897,375 |
| 2021 | 5,881,608 |
| 2022 | 5,903,975 |
| 2023 | 5,930,405 |
| 2024 | 5,960,975 |
Age Distribution
Male: 50.1% · Female: 49.9%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 81.3% |
| Black or African American | 6.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 0.7% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.8% |
Economy & Income
$75,670
Median Household Income
$42,019
Per Capita Income
6.6%
Poverty Rate
2.2%
Unemployment Rate
$99,059
Mean Household Income
63.3%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
Wisconsin's overall price level is 94.1 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 5.9% lower the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, Wisconsin's median household income of $75,670 has the buying power of $80,419 in average-priced areas.
94.1
Price Level (US = 100)
$80,419
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$75,670
Nominal Median Income
Education
93.4%
High School Graduate+
32.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
60,049
Live Births (2022)
10.2
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
63.2%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 81.7% |
| Black or African American | 10.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 11.6% |
Housing
$247,400
Median Home Value
$1,045
Median Rent
2,750,750
Total Housing Units
67.9%
Owner-Occupied
32.1%
Renter-Occupied
11.1%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
91.2% of Wisconsin residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in Wisconsin:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 101,410 | 1.82% |
| 2 | Hmong | 14,883 | 0.27% |
| 3 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 7,826 | 0.14% |
| 4 | German | 5,785 | 0.10% |
| 5 | Other Asian/Pacific | 3,770 | 0.07% |
| 6 | Tagalog (incl. Filipino) | 2,600 | 0.05% |
| 7 | Arabic | 2,090 | 0.04% |
| 8 | Vietnamese | 2,086 | 0.04% |
| 9 | Thai, Lao, or other Tai-Kadai | 1,746 | 0.03% |
| 10 | Polish | 1,589 | 0.03% |
Commute
1.2%
Drive Alone
2.7%
Carpool
11.6%
Work From Home
22.2 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwaukee | 569,756 |
| 2 | Madison | 275,568 |
| 3 | Green Bay | 106,585 |
| 4 | Kenosha | 99,147 |
| 5 | Racine | 77,155 |
| 6 | Appleton | 74,873 |
| 7 | Waukesha | 70,779 |
| 8 | Eau Claire | 69,274 |
| 9 | Oshkosh | 66,247 |
| 10 | Janesville | 65,813 |
| 11 | West Allis | 59,588 |
| 12 | La Crosse | 51,791 |
| 13 | Sheboygan | 49,812 |
| 14 | Wauwatosa | 47,718 |
| 15 | Fond du Lac | 44,491 |
| 16 | Brookfield | 41,592 |
| 17 | New Berlin | 40,384 |
| 18 | Wausau | 39,893 |
| 19 | Menomonee Falls | 38,963 |
| 20 | Greenfield | 37,361 |
Counties in Wisconsin
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwaukee County | 927,656 | $62,118 |
| 2 | Dane County | 564,777 | $88,108 |
| 3 | Waukesha County | 409,040 | $104,100 |
| 4 | Brown County | 269,425 | $77,490 |
| 5 | Racine County | 196,888 | $75,331 |
| 6 | Outagamie County | 191,537 | $82,857 |
| 7 | Winnebago County | 171,357 | $72,873 |
| 8 | Kenosha County | 168,413 | $79,412 |
| 9 | Rock County | 163,944 | $74,390 |
| 10 | Marathon County | 138,067 | $76,185 |
| 11 | Washington County | 137,320 | $95,851 |
| 12 | La Crosse County | 120,262 | $70,704 |
| 13 | Sheboygan County | 117,783 | $71,898 |
| 14 | Eau Claire County | 106,328 | $71,834 |
| 15 | Walworth County | 105,447 | $77,359 |
| 16 | Fond du Lac County | 104,053 | $73,154 |
| 17 | St. Croix County | 94,819 | $102,482 |
| 18 | Ozaukee County | 92,345 | $96,734 |
| 19 | Dodge County | 88,818 | $73,992 |
| 20 | Jefferson County | 85,867 | $80,604 |
Compare Wisconsin
Rankings for Wisconsin
Read more about Wisconsin
A complete guide to Wisconsin demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
Wisconsin Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in Wisconsin
Congressional districts in Wisconsin
Largest school districts in Wisconsin
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about Wisconsin
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Frequently Asked Questions
Wisconsin has a population of 5,892,023 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 20th-most populous state in the United States.
Wisconsin is gaining population, with a +155.4% change over the available historical Census record. Wisconsin's population has grown 155.4% since 1910 (2,333,860 → 5,960,975).
The median household income in Wisconsin is $75,670, with a per capita income of $42,019. 6.6% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
81.3% of Wisconsin's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 6.1% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 1.8% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
Wisconsin is 81.3% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 1.8% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in Wisconsin is 40.1 years. The population is 50.1% male and 49.9% female.
Wisconsin's population has grown 155.4% since 1910 (2,333,860 → 5,960,975).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Wisconsin's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.