Moving to Wisconsin

Wisconsin, otherwise known as ‘The Badger State’, is a amazing state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to WI, we have organized a detailed list of some important facts and useful factoids to help make your move an easy transition.

Geography

Located in the East North Central Region of the country, Wisconsin is bordered by Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota. With a total land area of over 65,497.82 Square Miles, it comes in as the 23rd largest state.

Population

Currently, the population of WI is 5,778,708 making it the 20th most populated state in the union and the 25th most densely populated. The state capital, Madison, has a population of 220332. which is the 16th largest capital in the country.

Notable Wisconsinites

Wisconsin is home to several famous and some infamous people such as, Don Ameche a prominent actor is from Kenosha and Roy Chapman Andrews a prominent naturalist and explorer is from Beloit. Others include people like John Bardeen a inventor and Carrie Catt a woman suffragist .

Climate

Wisconsin is located in the interior of North America, exposing it to a climate with large ranges in temperature. The southern part of the state experiences cold winters and mild to hot summers, while the north experiences frigid winters and generally cool summers with brief bouts of excessive heat. The lack of mountains to the north or south allows for incursions of bitterly cold air masses from the Arctic, as well as warm and humid air masses from the Gulf of Mexico, further increasing the range of conditions that can affect the state. The winter season is dominated by dry and cold air with occasional intrusions of milder air from the west and south. The summer is characterized by frequent warm air masses, either hot and dry continental air masses from the arid west and southwest, or warm and moist air from the south. However, periodic intrusions of cooler air from Canada provide breaks from summer heat. The state has borders along Lake Superior to the north and Lake Michigan to the east, and the proximity to the lakes provides a moderating effect on temperature for locations along the shorelines. Average annual temperatures vary from 39°F in the north to 50°F in the south.

Schools & Education

Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Wisconsin’s educational system.

Overall Grade: C+

Wisconsin spends on average $12206.00 per pupil, which is greater than the national average ($11,900). WI ranks #12 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While WI ranks #12 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 88.40%%.

Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Wisconsin ranks #20 with over 45.70% of children attending a early educational program.

Taxes

The current income tax rate for Wisconsin is 7.65% which ranks 39th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. WI’s rate is $38.19 which ranks 40th in the US.

Currently, WI sales tax is $19.93 for which it comes in as 17th compared to other states.

Sports

Wisconsin fans are not only passionate but also very dedicated to their local major league teams. Wisconsin is home to the following teams: the Green Bay Packers, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Milwaukee Bucks .

Utility Companies

Before you move to Wisconsin, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in WI.

Other Resources

For more information about moving to Wisconsin, visit their website at http://www.wisconsin.gov/