01
Location
Neighboring states: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota.
Local timeMadison ·
U.S. States / Midwest · Card 050
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state in the Midwest. Its capital is Madison.
Find Wisconsin
● State capital · Gold highlights Wisconsin.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
At a glance
- Capital
- Madison
- Postal abbreviation
- WI
- Population
- 5,972,787July 1, 2025 · Census estimate
- Total area
- 169,635 km²65,496 square miles · land and water
- Statehood
- May 29, 1848State number 30
- Currency
- U.S. dollar (USD)
Sources: Census · population · Census · area
Wisconsin in context
Gold shows Wisconsin. The dot marks Madison.
Alaska and Hawaii are shown in separate insets at different scales.Geography & flag
02
Landscape & places
The Apostle Islands include Lake Superior islands and shoreline with sea caves, beaches and forests.
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Land and water
The total area includes 140,268 km² of land and 29,367 km² of water, according to Census area measurements.
State flag
The state coat of arms on blue, with Wisconsin above and 1848 below.
Sources: Census · geographic reference · Census · area measurements · National Park Service · Apostle Islands
History & statehood
Wisconsin was part of the Northwest Territory. Wisconsin Territory was organized in 1836 from Michigan Territory and initially included much more land than the modern state. Wisconsin entered the Union in 1848.
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Wisconsin Territory organized
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Iowa Territory separated
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Statehood · State number 30
Sources: Congressional Research Service · statehood · U.S. Census Bureau · historical geography · National Park Service
Economy
Main activities
In 2025, manufacturing was the largest of the broad industry groups compared here by current-dollar output. Other major groups included real estate and rental and leasing, professional and business services, and educational services, health care, and social assistance.
Total economic output was $473.0 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Largest industry groups · 2025
- Manufacturing: 15.6%
- Real estate and rental and leasing: 12.2%
- Professional and business services: 10.1%
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance: 10.0%
Share of total current-dollar GDP. These figures measure output, not employment.
Sources: BEA · annual GDP by state, SAGDP2
Population & economic trends
Population, 2020–2025
Millions of people5.972025 · millions of people
July 1 resident population estimates, using the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 series.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
View data table
| Year | People |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 5,897,371 |
| 2021 | 5,882,128 |
| 2022 | 5,903,472 |
| 2023 | 5,930,350 |
| 2024 | 5,957,168 |
| 2025 | 5,972,787 |
Real GDP, 2010–2025
Billions of chained 2017 dollars359.602025 · billions of chained 2017 dollars
Real GDP measures economic output adjusted for inflation. The chart uses BEA’s chained 2017 dollars.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
View data table
| Year | Millions of chained 2017 dollars |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 287,652.9 |
| 2011 | 293,664.0 |
| 2012 | 299,007.6 |
| 2013 | 301,550.5 |
| 2014 | 309,425.8 |
| 2015 | 315,687.8 |
| 2016 | 319,272.3 |
| 2017 | 321,886.8 |
| 2018 | 328,832.4 |
| 2019 | 333,256.8 |
| 2020 | 324,014.4 |
| 2021 | 334,848.6 |
| 2022 | 341,875.2 |
| 2023 | 347,108.2 |
| 2024 | 354,382.1 |
| 2025 | 359,603.1 |
Government
Wisconsin has three branches of state government. The governor leads the executive branch. A Senate and Assembly form the legislature, which passes state laws and budgets. State courts interpret and apply the law.
Sources: USAGov · Wisconsin
Knowledge check
Three questions about Wisconsin.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
What is the capital of Wisconsin?
Sources & notes
Prepared 27 September 2026. Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025, July 1 estimates for 2020–2025. Real GDP: BEA annual state accounts, SAGDP9, millions of chained 2017 dollars; industry shares: SAGDP2, current dollars. Data downloaded 27 September 2026. Area measurements include land and water.
Sources: Census · population estimates · BEA · state GDP · Census · area measurements · Natural Earth · map data
The capital clock shows current local time. Statistical figures are dated estimates and may be revised.