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Home Mortgage Rates in Wisconsin

Madison, WI Skyline at Dusk.

Wisconsin is a state that has a rich history heavy industry and fur trading, as well as being a leading dairy producer state. You'll find a broad range of site seeing destinations, national parks, lakes, big cities, and small towns. Also, Wisconsin ranks as the tenth state in the nation for low crime rates and corrections, and the seventeenth state for its educational opportunities.

People move to Wisconsin for the job opportunities and the low unemployment rate. Additionally, the home prices average below $100,000 in many areas of the state, and this is a big draw for people who want to purchase a home and further their careers. Depending on where you choose to live, you can either have a more laidback pace, or you can live in one of the bigger cities with all of the perks that comes with it.

The local region in Wisconsin is largely an outgoing, friendly demographic. The smaller towns are ideal for people who want to raise families because of their low crime rates and the good school system that is available in most areas of this state.

Historically a few of the biggest reasons why people moved away are the weather and high taxes. Wisconsin ranked as the eleventh most tax-burdened state in the nation. The long, cold, snowy winters are also another reason why people leave the state. Additionally, the larger businesses that have been a part of the state like the paper mills are rotating out of existence or getting exported to neighboring states.

Wisconsin, located in North Central United States, is one of the American states that boast steady home value prices. With over 5.7 million residents, the state has a wealth of amazing houses to choose from. Wisconsin has a strong and well balanced economy, not to mention, the countless amenities and tourist attractions that make it a great place to live. The real estate market is always busy here and houses sale at a decent pace as long as they are not priced over $500,000.

Current Wisconsin Real Estate Trends

Currently, Wisconsin's real estate market has been on a steady increase, and this has been increasing since 2013. Wisconsin's housing prices didn't hit bottom until 2011, and this is a few years behind most of the nation, who saw home prices hitting bottom around 2006 to 2008.

As the end of 2016 came, the Wisconsin Realtor Association claimed the housing market was on fire, and housing prices were climbing to levels they hadn't seen since 2004. There was more demand for homes than there was supply, and this was a driving factor for the climbing real estate prices. The trend continued into 2017, and the market is still climbing.

Historic Wisconsin Real Estate Trends

The early 1990s saw a steady climb in home prices until 1994 when there was a small spike in home prices. This small spike leveled back off until mid-2003 when the market prices began to climb at a quicker rate. These rates hit a plateau in the first quarter of 2006 that lasted until early 2007.

Housing prices in Wisconsin peaked in and began a rocky descent with several surges in housing prices followed by falls. Housing prices hit their bottom in the middle of 2012, and the market didn't really begin to recover until after 2014. Once 2014 came and went, housing prices have begun another steady climb, and 2016 saw the highest housing prices since 2004.

Madison, Wisconsin saw similar trends in the early 1990s until 1994 saw a sharp increase in housing prices. These prices rose at a quick rate, and then they leveled out and continued their steady climb. In 2000, residents of Madison saw another sharp rise in home prices that leveled off and continued to steadily climb until they hit their peak at the beginning of 2008. Housing prices fell slowly with gains and losses until they hit their low in 2012. It is good to note that while real estate prices did fall, they didn't plummet like in other parts of the country.

Wisconsin Median Home Prices

Year Wisconsin National Average
2007 $156,000 $254,400
2008 $150,000 $232,400
2009 $130,000 $208,600
2010 $133,800 $218,200
2011 $128,000 $240,100
2012 $119,000 $221,700
2013 $123,000 $251,500
2014 $126,000 $269,800
2015 $135,000 $292,000
2016 $148,000 $288,400
2017 $157,500 $315,200

Home ownership rates across the state rose from 64.2% in 1994 to 73.3% in 2004. Since then the ownership rate has slid to 67.7% in 2016.

Places to Live

Metropolitan Areas

WI Rank US Rank Metropolitan Area 2016 Pop 2010 Pop Change % △
1 3 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Metro Area 9,512,999 9,461,105 51,894 0.55%
2 16 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metro Area 3,551,036 3,348,859 202,177 6.04%
3 39 Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis 1,572,482 1,555,908 16,574 1.07%
4 86 Madison 648,929 605,435 43,494 7.18%
5 157 Green Bay 318,236 306,241 11,995 3.92%
6 171 Duluth, MN-WI Metro Area 279,227 279,771 -544 -0.19%
7 193 Appleton 234,079 225,666 8,413 3.73%
8 225 Racine 195,140 195,408 -268 -0.14%
9 248 Oshkosh-Neenah 169,886 166,994 2,892 1.73%
10 253 Eau Claire 166,614 161,151 5,463 3.39%
11 258 Janesville-Beloit 161,620 160,331 1,289 0.80%
12 302 La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN Metro Area 136,936 133,665 3,271 2.45%
13 305 Wausau 135,603 134,063 1,540 1.15%
14 348 Sheboygan 115,427 115,507 -80 -0.07%
15 373 Whitewater-Elkhorn 102,959 102,228 731 0.72%
16 379 Fond du Lac 102,144 101,633 511 0.50%
17 413 Beaver Dam 88,068 88,759 -691 -0.78%
18 429 Watertown-Fort Atkinson 84,625 83,686 939 1.12%
19 446 Manitowoc 79,536 81,442 -1,906 -2.34%
20 468 Wisconsin Rapids-Marshfield 73,107 74,749 -1,642 -2.20%
21 478 Stevens Point 70,447 70,019 428 0.61%
22 508 Baraboo 63,949 61,976 1,973 3.18%
23 509 Marinette, WI-MI Micro Area 63,772 65,778 -2,006 -3.05%
24 576 Platteville 52,214 51,208 1,006 1.96%
25 633 Shawano 45,595 46,181 -586 -1.27%
26 647 Menomonie 44,704 43,857 847 1.93%
27 818 Iron Mountain, MI-WI Micro Area 29,991 30,591 -600 -1.96%
28 836 Merrill 27,902 28,743 -841 -2.93%

Popular Wisconsin Cities

Wisconsin has over 300 cities and towns in total. The most popular cities include Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, Appleton, Waukesha, Eau Claire, Oshkosh, Janesville, West Allis, La Crosse, Sheboygan Wauwatosa and Fond du Lac.

Milwaukee

Downtown Milwaukee.

Milwaukee has a large, diverse population of 595,047 people as of the 2016 census. These numbers make it the largest city in Wisconsin, and the fifth-largest city throughout the Midwestern United States, and the 31st most populated city in the nation. Milwaukee is part of the Milwaukee Metro area, and the total population of the combined districts is 1,572,245.

This city has a strong economy with a diverse company profile across the city. It is home to the international headquarters of six Fortune 500 companies, and it still has strong ties with it's past as a beer brewing town because the Miller brewing company remains a large employer. Milwaukee's companies have consistently ranked as some of the most admired in the nation, and some of the more recognizable. The legendary Harley-Davidson Motorcycle company has its headquarters here as well, and it plays a vital role in the heritage of Milwaukee.

As Milwaukee is located in the Great Lakes region, residents of this city will typically experience rapid weather changes, but it is considered a humid continental climate. The summer weather is very warm and humid, with average temperatures at 71 degrees. The winters are very cold with moderate snowfall, and Milwaukee is considered to have the second-coldest average winter temperature at 22.3 degrees.

Milwaukee is a hub for many diverse cultures, and there are many festivals, events, and museums to visit. The city is a very popular spot for sailing on Lake Michigan, and there is a multitude of water recreational activities to enjoy, along with outdoor events like the World's Largest Music Festival, Summerfest. The Milwaukee Art Museum is thought to be the city's most prominent cultural attraction, and there are dozens of smaller museums you can tour as well. Baseball fans can take in a Brewers game.

The Milwaukee Public School system is recognized as being the largest in Wisconsin, and the 33rd largest in the United States. This city also ranked as the sixth highest number of college students per capita, and it is home to fifteen universities and technical schools. The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee can be found here, along with the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Herzing University.

The largest employer in the city of Milwaukee is Aurora Health Care, and there are 22,000 members on staff. The second-largest employer is also a health care system. Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare employes 12,000 Milwaukee residents. Finally, the large grocery store chain Roundy's finishes out the top three largest Milwaukee area employers with 8,400 staff.

The median home price in the Milwaukee is $118,200, and the homes have a $100 price per square foot. These housing prices are lower than the greater Milwaukee Metro area, as their median home prices start at $215,800, and the price per square foot is $132.

Madison

Madison Skyline.

Wisconsin's state capital and the second-largest city is Madison with a population of 252,551 people. This population count makes Madison the 82nd largest city in the United States, and it is the county seat of Dane County and a part of the Madison Metropolitan area. When you combine the population of Madison and the Madison Metro, you get a total population of 568,593 people. Aside from being the state's capital, it also has a very large college-aged population.

The local economy relies heavily on the education institution along with the health, biotech, and advertising sectors of business. The local economy experienced a boom in the early 1990s that helped Madison absorb some of the recession's damage. Many people come here to attend the colleges and stay because of the thriving economy and the variety of good paying jobs available to graduates.

Madison's climate has warm summers with high humidity, and the winters have periods of frigid temperatures and moderate to heavy snowfall amounts. Each season fluctuates because of the climate type, so some winters are warmer than others, and some summers are cooler. The average highs during the summer months are in the mid-80s, and the average lows during the winter months are in the mid-20s to low 30s.

If you walk down State Street, you'll find dozens of cafes, restaurants, and small shops lining this stretch of town between the college and the capitol building. You'll find a vibrant music scene throughout this city, and the historic Barrymore Theatre is one of the must-visit places in Madison with its music and live performances. Also, there are several festivals at varying times throughout the year including the Madison World Music Festival.

This city has been ranked second in the nation for educational institutions. The Madison Metropolitan School District has over 25,000 students enrolled in K-12, and it is a system of 46 schools. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a large public university with over 41,000 students enrolled, and there are several satellite colleges to choose from as well.

The median house price for this city is higher compared to many places in the state at $212,500, and the average price per square foot is $180. These prices reflect an 8.0% increase in the past year, with a 3.4% projected increase still to come in the future. The Madison Metro area has a median home price of $235,300 and a $173 price per square foot.

Madison, besides having a stable economy and all the conveniences of a city, is also a very safe place for your family, with really low crime rates and has been acknowledged as the safest city a couple of times.

Green Bay

Aerial View of Downtown Green Bay, WI.

The third-largest city in the state of Wisconsin is Green Bay with 105,139 residents as of 2016. Additionally, Green Bay is the third-largest city along the western shore of Lake Michigan. Historically, Green Bay is linked to the paper industry, and today this industry is still going strong.

This city's economy is strong, and it is known as Toilet Paper Capital of the World, for the Quilted Northern toilet paper company headquartered here. Insurance companies and the Oneida Nation are all major components to sustaining Green Bay's economy. People move here for the diverse job opportunities and the possibility of career advancement.

Although the city has a humid continental climate, it is tempered by Green Bay's proximity to Lake Michigan and the lake effect. There are four distinct seasons, and each season typically experiences wide temperature variations. The summers are hot and humid with the average temperatures rising to the mid-80s. The winters in this city typically have more moderate snowfall amounts, and their temperatures fall around the low 20s.

Green Bay features many performance venues and live music events are common throughout the year. The Hazelwood Historic House Museum is the only historic house that is open to public tours. Lambeau Field is home to the Packers NFL football team, and thousands of people come to watch the Green Bay Packers play in turn, this tourism supports the local businesses. ArtStreet takes place every summer in downtown Green Bay, and it features dance, music, art venues, and live performances.

There are several colleges and universities located in Green Bay including the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. There are over 6,600 full-time students enrolled in a variety of undergraduate degrees, and the university offers both Bachelor's Degrees and Master's Degrees. Another more well-known technical college you can attend in this city is the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

The largest employer in the city of Green Bay is the medical insurance company Humana with 3,167 employees. The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin is the second-largest employer, and there the Oneida Nation employs 2,690 people. The third-largest employer is the large transportation company Schneider International with 2,580 staff members.

If you're planning to move to Green Bay, you can expect to pay on average, $126,500, and this works out to around $96 per square foot. Housing prices have risen 7.2% during the last year, and they're predicted to rise an additional 3.8% in the coming year. The Green Bay Metro area has a median home price of $163,700, and that is around $108 per square foot.

Kenosha

Kenosha Harbor Lights.

The fourth-largest city in Wisconsin is the city of Kenosha with a population of 99,631 people. Although this city was once a busy hub for the manufacturing business, today it is known as a bedroom community. This means that the majority of the people who live in this city commute to different areas to work. However, there are a few smaller industrial companies located here including Snap-On Tools. The tourism industry plays a vital role in sustaining Kenosha's economy, and people come to see the Dinosaur Discovery Museum and the Jelly Belly Visitor Center. Kenosha is home to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and Carthage College. Together, they have over 6,000 students enrolled.

The median home prices in Kenosha are $141,400, and this is a price increase of 3.9%. Additionally, the price per square foot is $127.

Appleton

1967 Chevy Bel Air.

The city of Appleton has a population of 74,370 people. It is part of the Appleton Metro, and when you combine the populations, it adds up to 367,516 people. This city largely revolves around the healthcare and education industries. This smaller city is the perfect example of the areas that make up a large portion of Wisconsin. The largest employer is Affinity Health, and this health system employs over 5,700 staff members on a full and part-time basis. The second biggest employer in Appleton is Thrivent Financial with 1,800 employees. As well as the excellent employment opportunities, there are several secondary education institutions here as well. They include Lawrence University and the Fox Valley Technical College.

Each July the city hosts an old car show & swap meet which is open to cars at least 30 years old.

The median home prices in this city are $137,900, and this works out to a price per square foot of $99. The median home prices have risen by 8.6% in the past year, and they're on track to keep rising an additional 4.1% in the upcoming year. The Appleton Metro area has a median housing price of $160,400, and the price per square foot is $104.

Waukesha

Downtown Waukesha.

The city of Waukesha is a smaller Wisconsin town that is located just 20 miles from Milwaukee and 59 miles from Madison. As of 2016, Waukesha had a population of 72,363 people. You'll experience a humid continental climate in this city with hot summers and snowy, cold winters. The city's economy revolves around healthcare and education, with the largest employer being GE Healthcare. They currently have 3,700 members on their staff, and this is followed closely by the Waukesha Memorial Hospital with 2,126 employees. The University of Wisconsin-Waukesha is located in the downtown center, and it offers a two-year Associates degree program. Additionally, students can attend Carroll University for a variety of courses.

In Waukesha, the median home prices are $192,200, with a price of $136 per square foot. These prices have increased over the past year by 4.1%, and they're expected to keep increasing another 3.2% over the next year. The Waukesha County area has a median home price of $274,600, and the price per square foot is $163.

Racine

Downtown Racine.

Racine, Wisconsin is a city that sits along the shores of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Fox River. As of 2014, it had a population of 77,571, and it was nominated as one of the most affordable cities in the state of Wisconsin to purchase a home in 2017. Racine has a long history in the industrial sector, and several companies are still located here. S.C. Johnson and Son has had their headquarters here since 1936, and the Dremel Corporation is also based here. This city is home to several museums, performing arts venues, theatre companies, and dance groups that draw tourists through the city each year. The Racine Heritage Museum and the Racine Symphony Orchestra put on several tours and shows each year.

The median house price in Racine is $110,900, with the price per square foot around $103. This price is an increase of 22.7% in the past year alone, and the median housing price is predicted to rise again this year by an additional 8.1%.

Oshkosh

WW2 P64 Fighter Plane.

The city of Oshkosh is located at the mouth of the Fox River, and it has the nickname of the Sawdust City. As of 2016, the population was 66,579, and it is continuing to grow each year. The city's hottest months are June through August, and the temperature typically hovers around the mid-80s. The coldest months are December through January, with the temperature staying in the high teens and low 20s. The Oshkosh Corporation has its headquarters in this city, and it is a large transportation and trucking company. Additionally, OshKosh B'Gosh was founded here, and it manufactures coveralls for adults and children. The third-largest university in the state of Wisconsin is located in Oshkosh, and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has over 14,000 students, and it employs over 1,700 people. Since 2006, Oshkosh has seen several revivals in the cultural event sector including the Leach Amphitheater, and the Grand Opera House opening their doors for live music and events.

The Experimental Aircraft Association is based in the city & has a large museum where visitors can view the history of aviation.

Oshkosh has a median housing price of $114,900, and this is an increase of 4.4% over the past year. The price per square foot is around $103, and both the median housing prices and the price per square foot are projected to increase over the next year at a rate of 4.0%.

Eau Claire

Vintage Milk Truck.

Eau Claire is a city with a population of 68,339 people, and it is part of the larger Eau Claire-Menomonie Combined Statistical System. Their combined population is over 210,000 people. You can find this city approximately 90 miles from the Twin Cities, and it is a hub for the technology industry. There are several national and regional companies based here including Menards and Midwest Manufacturing. These companies make up a large part of the economy, along with the Mayo Clinic Health Care System. There are two public and two private colleges located in the city. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley Technical College have over 21,000 combined students enrolled on a full or part-time basis.

Since 1963 Pioneer Days has held an antique equipment and entertainment show. It now features a tractor pull and a swap meet.

The median home price in Eau Claire is around $139,900, and the price per square foot is $118. The prices have increased 9.6% over the past year, and they're projected to increase another 2.5% in the coming year. The Eau Claire metro has a median home price of $182,000 with a price per square foot of $118.

Don't Overlook Smaller Towns & Cities

In addition some of the larger cities have desirable suburbs. The city of Franklin is considered a great suburb of Milwaukee. The main reason for the popularity of Milwaukee is the availability of all the uptown amenities, yet maintaining the suburban, small town look and feel. The city of Franklin has many companies which offer appreciable pay and other employee benefits operating in the Milwaukee area. Franklin, despite being a fast-growing, bustling city, is a great place for families with best schooling systems and affordable house rates. The city is also very safe and has extremely low crime rates and boasts to have the most efficient police force.

Wisconsin has many popular cities with attractions and different cultural experiences in each one. Also, you'll find that there are recreational activities to do or see year-round, no matter which town you choose to live in. Even some of the smallest cities in the state - like the waterpark city of Wisconsin Dells - host many desirable attractions.

Downtown Wisconsin Dells.

Hales Corners, Wisconsin is yet another city, perfectly suitable for families to move into. With ample job opportunities in the surrounding area, Hales Corner is just as good as Franklin though by size it is quite smaller. The small town is known for the high affordability of houses and friendly neighborhood. The city of Neenah has an average household income amounts to $81,880. About one-third of the population in Neenah is employed in the Industrial manufacturing sector. Paper and plastic industry, printing, food production, machinery, transportation and security are the major industries contributing to the rapid development of the city. These are just few of the great places of Wisconsin. There are many other cities of Wisconsin that are equally good and reliable for a family to live in.

Wisconsin Census Data

According to the United States Census an estimated 5,778,708 people live in the state of Wisconsin. The state has 54,157.8 mi² of land area, which gave it a population density of 106.7 per mi². Here is a list of cities, towns, villages & Census Designated Places across the state with a population above 2,500, along with their estimated population as of June 2016 & the 2010 United States Census. For areas with fewer than 5,000 residents & Census Designated Places (CDP) where there was no population estimate available for 2016, the 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates data was used.

All table columns are sortable. Click on the column headers to sort by that column. Click again to sort low to high. Cities with higher levels of population growth typically see the increased demand drive faster real estate price appreciation.

Rank Geography County 2016 Pop 2010 Pop Change % △ Land mi² Pop Den mi²
1 Milwaukee Milwaukee, Washington & Waukesha 595,047 594,833 214 0.04% 96.12 6,190.67
2 Madison city Dane 252,551 233,209 19,342 8.29% 76.79 3,288.85
3 Green Bay Brown 105,139 104,057 1,082 1.04% 45.47 2,312.27
4 Kenosha Kenosha 99,631 99,218 413 0.42% 26.93 3,699.63
5 Racine Racine 77,571 78,860 -1,289 -1.63% 15.48 5,011.05
6 Appleton Outagamie, Calumet & Winnebago 74,370 72,623 1,747 2.41% 24.33 3,056.72
7 Waukesha city Waukesha 72,363 70,718 1,645 2.33% 24.81 2,916.69
8 Eau Claire Eau Claire & Chippewa 68,339 65,883 2,456 3.73% 32.04 2,132.93
9 Oshkosh Winnebago 66,579 66,083 496 0.75% 25.59 2,601.76
10 Janesville city Rock 64,159 63,575 584 0.92% 33.86 1,894.83
11 West Allis Milwaukee 60,087 60,411 -324 -0.54% 11.38 5,280.05
12 La Crosse La Crosse 52,109 51,320 789 1.54% 20.52 2,539.42
13 Sheboygan city Sheboygan 48,686 49,288 -602 -1.22% 13.97 3,485.04
14 Wauwatosa Milwaukee 47,945 46,396 1,549 3.34% 13.25 3,618.49
15 Fond du Lac city Fond du Lac 42,951 43,021 -70 -0.16% 18.82 2,282.20
16 New Berlin Waukesha 39,803 39,584 219 0.55% 36.44 1,092.29
17 Wausau Marathon 38,872 39,106 -234 -0.60% 18.78 2,069.86
18 Brookfield city Waukesha 38,016 37,920 96 0.25% 27.09 1,403.32
19 Greenfield Milwaukee 36,858 36,720 138 0.38% 11.51 3,202.26
20 Menomonee Falls village Waukesha 36,769 35,626 1,143 3.21% 32.92 1,116.92
21 Beloit city Rock 36,757 36,966 -209 -0.57% 17.37 2,116.12
22 Franklin Milwaukee 36,131 35,451 680 1.92% 34.58 1,044.85
23 Oak Creek Milwaukee 35,881 34,451 1,430 4.15% 28.45 1,261.20
24 Manitowoc Manitowoc 32,936 33,736 -800 -2.37% 17.63 1,868.18
25 Sun Prairie Dane 32,820 29,364 3,456 11.77% 12.23 2,683.57
26 West Bend City Washington 31,702 31,078 624 2.01% 14.57 2,175.84
27 Fitchburg Dane 28,875 25,260 3,615 14.31% 34.97 825.71
28 Superior Douglas 26,475 27,244 -769 -2.82% 36.96 716.31
29 Stevens Point Portage 26,423 26,717 -294 -1.10% 15.96 1,655.58
30 Mount Pleasant village Racine 26,360 26,197 163 0.62% 33.73 781.50
31 Neenah city Winnebago 25,914 25,501 413 1.62% 9.23 2,807.58
32 Caledonia village Racine 24,910 24,705 205 0.83% 45.43 548.32
33 De Pere Brown 24,893 23,800 1,093 4.59% 11.58 2,149.65
34 Muskego Waukesha 24,882 24,135 747 3.10% 31.59 787.65
35 Mequon Ozaukee 24,086 23,132 954 4.12% 46.28 520.44
36 Watertown Jefferson & Dodge 23,817 23,861 -44 -0.18% 12.11 1,966.72
37 Grand Chute Outagamie 22,409 20,919 1,490 7.12% 23.47 954.79
38 South Milwaukee Milwaukee 21,052 21,156 -104 -0.49% 4.8 4,385.83
39 Pleasant Prairie village Kenosha 20,734 19,719 1,015 5.15% 33.33 622.08
40 Germantown village Washington 20,027 19,749 278 1.41% 34.42 581.84
41 Howard village Brown & Outagamie 19,410 17,399 2,011 11.56% 18.1 1,072.38
42 Middleton city Dane 19,109 17,442 1,667 9.56% 8.98 2,127.95
43 Menasha town Winnebago 18,790 18,498 292 1.58% 12.17 1,543.96
44 Onalaska city La Crosse 18,697 17,736 961 5.42% 10.13 1,845.71
45 Marshfield Wood & Marathon 18,467 19,118 -651 -3.41% 13.46 1,371.99
46 Cudahy Milwaukee 18,200 18,267 -67 -0.37% 4.76 3,823.53
47 Wisconsin Rapids Wood 17,887 18,367 -480 -2.61% 13.82 1,294.28
48 Menasha city Winnebago & Calumet 17,856 17,353 503 2.90% 6.03 2,961.19
49 Ashwaubenon village Brown 17,274 16,963 311 1.83% 12.39 1,394.19
50 Oconomowoc city Waukesha 16,526 15,759 767 4.87% 11.54 1,432.06
51 Beaver Dam city Dodge 16,476 16,214 262 1.62% 6.79 2,426.51
52 Menomonie city Dunn 16,464 16,264 200 1.23% 13.69 1,202.63
53 Kaukauna Outagamie 15,900 15,462 438 2.83% 7.66 2,075.72
54 Bellevue village Brown 15,524 14,570 954 6.55% 14.34 1,082.57
55 River Falls Pierce & St. Croix 15,339 15,000 339 2.26% 6.52 2,352.61
56 Weston village Marathon 15,092 14,868 224 1.51% 21.55 700.32
57 Hartford city Washington & Dodge 14,605 14,223 382 2.69% 7.94 1,839.42
58 Whitewater Walworth & Jefferson 14,517 14,390 127 0.88% 8.76 1,657.19
59 Pewaukee city Waukesha 14,371 13,195 1,176 8.91% 19.5 736.97
60 Greendale village Milwaukee 14,211 14,046 165 1.17% 5.56 2,555.94
61 Chippewa Falls Chippewa 14,084 13,661 423 3.10% 11.37 1,238.70
62 Whitefish Bay village Milwaukee 13,972 14,110 -138 -0.98% 2.12 6,590.57
63 Allouez Brown 13,896 13,975 -79 -0.57% 4.61 3,014.32
64 Hudson city St. Croix 13,631 12,719 912 7.17% 6.53 2,087.44
65 Waunakee village Dane 13,607 12,097 1,510 12.48% 6.38 2,132.76
66 Shorewood village Milwaukee 13,368 13,162 206 1.57% 1.59 8,407.55
67 Stoughton Dane 13,134 12,611 523 4.15% 4.92 2,669.51
68 Verona Dane 12,969 10,619 2,350 22.13% 6.3 2,058.57
69 Glendale Milwaukee 12,779 12,872 -93 -0.72% 5.76 2,218.58
70 Suamico village Brown 12,588 11,346 1,242 10.95% 36.36 346.20
71 Plover village Portage 12,552 12,123 429 3.54% 10.35 1,212.75
72 Fort Atkinson Jefferson 12,541 12,368 173 1.40% 5.67 2,211.82
73 Platteville Grant 12,537 11,224 1,313 11.70% 5.45 2,300.37
74 Salem Kenosha 12,217 12,067 150 1.24% 29.18 418.68
75 Baraboo Sauk 12,173 12,048 125 1.04% 7.39 1,647.23
76 Brown Deer village Milwaukee 12,011 11,999 12 0.10% 4.4 2,729.77
77 Greenville Outagamie 11,874 10,309 1,565 15.18% 35.72 332.42
78 Port Washington Ozaukee 11,642 11,250 392 3.48% 5.82 2,000.34
79 Richfield village Washington 11,622 11,300 322 2.85% 35.91 323.64
80 Grafton village Ozaukee 11,568 11,459 109 0.95% 5.06 2,286.17
81 Cedarburg city Ozaukee 11,518 11,412 106 0.93% 4.83 2,384.68
82 Waupun Dodge & Fon du Lac 11,333 11,340 -7 -0.06% 4.39 2,581.55
83 Two Rivers Manitowoc 11,261 11,712 -451 -3.85% 6.09 1,849.10
84 Little Chute village Outagamie 11,250 10,449 801 7.67% 5.16 2,180.23
85 Sussex village Waukesha 10,765 10,518 247 2.35% 7.57 1,422.06
86 Monroe Green 10,723 10,827 -104 -0.96% 4.83 2,220.08
87 Marinette Marinette 10,695 10,968 -273 -2.49% 6.83 1,565.89
88 Burlington City Racine & Walworth 10,668 10,464 204 1.95% 7.5 1,422.40
89 Lisbon Waukesha 10,444 10,157 287 2.83% 27.42 380.89
90 Portage Columbia 10,365 10,324 41 0.40% 8.82 1,175.17
91 Oregon village Dane 10,264 9,231 1,033 11.19% 4.42 2,322.17
92 Elkhorn Walworth 9,853 10,084 -231 -2.29% 7.76 1,269.72
93 Sparta city Monroe 9,695 9,522 173 1.82% 6.54 1,482.42
94 DeForest village Dane 9,690 8,936 754 8.44% 7.42 1,305.93
95 Holmen village La Crosse 9,628 9,005 623 6.92% 5.2 1,851.54
96 Harrison Calumet 9,561 10,839 -1,278 -11.79% 31.93 299.44
97 Reedsburg Sauk 9,537 9,200 337 3.66% 5.83 1,635.85
98 St. Francis Milwaukee 9,466 9,365 101 1.08% 2.55 3,712.16
99 Tomah Monroe 9,405 9,093 312 3.43% 7.46 1,260.72
100 Merrill city Lincoln 9,225 9,661 -436 -4.51% 7.24 1,274.17
101 Hartland village Waukesha 9,212 9,110 102 1.12% 5.12 1,799.22
102 Shawano Shawano 9,054 9,305 -251 -2.70% 6.57 1,378.08
103 Sturgeon Bay Door 8,910 9,144 -234 -2.56% 9.82 907.33
104 New Richmond St. Croix 8,897 8,375 522 6.23% 9.18 969.17
105 Hudson town St. Croix 8,832 8,461 371 4.38% 24.63 358.59
106 Waukesha town Waukesha 8,814 9,133 -319 -3.49% 21.24 414.97
107 Oconomowoc town Waukesha 8,642 8,408 234 2.78% 28.02 308.42
108 Hobart village Brown 8,599 6,182 2,417 39.10% 32.95 260.97
109 Plymouth city Sheboygan 8,529 8,445 84 0.99% 5.26 1,621.48
110 Merton town Waukesha 8,492 8,338 154 1.85% 24.8 342.42
111 Delafield town Waukesha 8,458 8,400 58 0.69% 18.34 461.18
112 Rice Lake city Barron 8,404 8,438 -34 -0.40% 8.6 977.21
113 Delavan city Walworth 8,385 8,463 -78 -0.92% 6.76 1,240.38
114 McFarland village Dane 8,320 7,808 512 6.56% 3.55 2,343.66
115 Somers Kenosha 8,300 9,597 -1,297 -13.51% 28.29 293.39
116 Monona Dane 8,179 7,533 646 8.58% 3.26 2,508.90
117 Pewaukee village  Waukesha 8,176 8,166 10 0.12% 4.13 1,979.66
118 Mukwonago town Waukesha 8,116 7,959 157 1.97% 29.5 275.12
119 Norway Racine 8,091 7,948 143 1.80% 33.7 240.09
120 Jefferson Jefferson 8,024 7,973 51 0.64% 5.72 1,402.80
121 Ashland city Ashland & Bayfield 7,957 8,216 -259 -3.15% 13.42 592.92
122 Antigo Langlade 7,864 8,234 -370 -4.49% 6.54 1,202.45
123 Sheboygan Falls Sheboygan 7,824 7,775 49 0.63% 5.28 1,481.82
124 Lake Geneva Walworth 7,821 7,651 170 2.22% 6.54 1,195.87
125 Mukwonago village Waukesha & Walworth 7,820 7,355 465 6.32% 7.89 991.13
126 Ledgeview Brown 7,813 6,555 1,258 19.19% 17.38 449.54
127 Ripon Fond du Lac 7,764 7,733 31 0.40% 4.97 1,562.17
128 Hales Corners village Milwaukee 7,674 7,692 -18 -0.23% 3.21 2,390.65
129 Vernon Waukesha 7,649 7,601 48 0.63% 30.15 253.70
130 Beloit Rock 7,646 7,662 -16 -0.21% 26.2 291.83
131 Kronenwetter village Marathon 7,619 7,210 409 5.67% 51.7 147.37
132 Rhinelander Oneida 7,589 7,798 -209 -2.68% 8.34 909.95
133 Delafield city Waukesha 7,494 7,085 409 5.77% 9.41 796.39
134 Altoona Eau Claire 7,489 6,706 783 11.68% 4.65 1,610.54
135 Mount Horeb village Dane 7,462 7,009 453 6.46% 3.25 2,296.00
136 Washington Eau Claire 7,444 7,182 262 3.65% 54.86 135.69
137 Grand Rapids Wood 7,427 7,646 -219 -2.86% 20.18 368.04
138 Genesee Waukesha 7,336 7,340 -4 -0.05% 30.37 241.55
139 Sheboygan town Sheboygan 7,323 7,271 52 0.72% 10.79 678.68
140 New London Waupaca & Outagamie 7,170 7,295 -125 -1.71% 5.55 1,291.89
141 Algoma Winnebago 7,132 6,822 310 4.54% 8.76 814.16
142 Buchanan Outagamie 7,027 6,755 272 4.03% 15.34 458.08
143 Cottage Grove village Dane 6,996 6,192 804 12.98% 3.48 2,010.34
144 Sturtevant village Racine 6,937 6,970 -33 -0.47% 4.19 1,655.61
145 Jackson village Washington 6,933 6,753 180 2.67% 3.05 2,273.11
146 Rib Mountain Marathon 6,931 6,825 106 1.55% 24.57 282.09
147 Madison town Dane 6,881 6,279 602 9.59% 1.48 4,649.32
148 Windsor Dane 6,785 6,345 440 6.93% 28.66 236.74
149 Kimberly village Outagamie 6,739 6,468 271 4.19% 2.26 2,981.86
150 Fox Point village Milwaukee 6,691 6,701 -10 -0.15% 2.9 2,307.24
151 Lake Hallie village Chippewa 6,650 6,448 202 3.13% 14.09 471.97
152 Burlington Racine 6,519 6,502 17 0.26% 32.9 198.15
153 Waterford town Racine 6,449 6,344 105 1.66% 31.32 205.91
154 Middleton town Dane 6,257 5,877 380 6.47% 15.79 396.26
155 Elm Grove village Waukesha 6,174 5,934 240 4.04% 3.27 1,888.07
156 Brookfield town Waukesha 6,110 6,116 -6 -0.10% 5.14 1,188.72
157 Freedom Outagamie 6,092 5,842 250 4.28% 34.36 177.30
158 Twin Lakes village Kenosha 6,081 5,989 92 1.54% 8.18 743.40
159 Waupaca Waupaca 5,946 6,069 -123 -2.03% 7.82 760.36
160 Cedarburg town Ozaukee 5,945 5,760 185 3.21% 24.74 240.30
161 Lafayette Chippewa 5,916 5,765 151 2.62% 34.52 171.38
162 Lake Mills Jefferson 5,836 5,708 128 2.24% 4.06 1,437.44
163 Onalaska town La Crosse 5,786 5,623 163 2.90% 35.6 162.53
164 Prairie du Chien Crawford 5,718 5,911 -193 -3.27% 5.63 1,015.63
Rib Mountain CDP Marathon 5,714 5,651 63 1.11% 12.01 475.77
165 Milton city Rock 5,580 5,546 34 0.61% 3.53 1,580.74
166 Edgerton Rock & Dane 5,552 5,461 91 1.67% 4.14 1,341.06
Tichigan CDP Racine 5,524 5,133 391 7.62% 11.23 491.90
167 Hull Portage 5,428 5,346 82 1.53% 27.35 198.46
168 Berlin Green Lake & Waushara 5,395 5,524 -129 -2.34% 5.78 933.39
Wind Lake CDP Racine 5,384 5,342 42 0.79% 5.41 995.19
169 Waterford village Racine 5,378 5,368 10 0.19% 2.58 2,084.50
170 Rothschild village Marathon 5,347 5,269 78 1.48% 6.53 818.84
171 Delavan town Walworth 5,326 5,285 41 0.78% 24.99 213.13
172 Slinger village Washington 5,287 5,068 219 4.32% 5.29 999.43
173 Evansville Rock 5,265 5,012 253 5.05% 3.25 1,620.00
174 Dunn Dane 5,238 4,931 307 6.23% 27.99 187.14
175 Troy St. Croix 5,211 4,705 506 10.75% 37.1 140.46
176 Saratoga Wood 5,084 5,142 -58 -1.13% 49.4 102.91
177 Geneva Walworth 5,041 4,993 48 0.96% 28.63 176.07
178 North Fond du Lac village Fond du Lac 5,034 5,014 20 0.40% 2.12 2,374.53
179 Columbus Columbia & Dodge 5,030 4,991 39 0.78% 4.21 1,194.77
180 Richland Center Richland 5,017 5,184 -167 -3.22% 4.28 1,172.20
181 Bristol village Kenosha 5,008 2,584 2,424 93.81% 8.91 562.07
182 West Salem village La Crosse 4,967 4,799 168 3.50% 3.42 1,452.34
183 Mayville Dodge 4,941 5,154 -213 -4.13% 3.17 1,558.68
184 Union Grove village Racine 4,920 4,915 5 0.10% 2.47 1,991.90
185 Summit Waukesha 4,838 4,674 164 3.51% 21.2 228.21
186 Shelby La Crosse 4,818 4,715 103 2.18% 24.94 193.18
187 Little Suamico Oconto 4,793 4,799 -6 -0.13% 37.29 128.53
188 Dodgeville Iowa 4,751 4,693 58 1.24% 3.89 1,221.34
189 West Bend town Washington 4,750 4,774 -24 -0.50% 14.89 319.01
190 Bloomfield Walworth 4,707 6,278 -1,571 -25.02% 32.49 144.88
191 Trenton Washington 4,701 4,732 -31 -0.66% 32.76 143.50
192 Lawrence Brown 4,670 4,284 386 9.01% 15.39 303.44
193 Oneida Outagamie 4,663 4,678 -15 -0.32% 60.85 76.63
Okauchee Lake CDP Waukesha 4,516 4,422 94 2.13% 3.41 1,324.34
194 Saukville village Ozaukee 4,470 4,451 19 0.43% 3.8 1,176.32
195 Oconto Oconto 4,463 4,513 -50 -1.11% 6.85 651.53
196 Ixonia Jefferson 4,457 4,385 72 1.64% 35.78 124.57
197 Menominee town Menominee 4,451 4,232 219 5.17% 357.61 12.45
Lake Wisconsin CDP Columbia & Sauk 4,443 4,189 254 6.06% 12.13 366.28
198 Minocqua Oneida 4,438 4,385 53 1.21% 149.15 29.76
199 Clintonville Waupaca 4,405 4,559 -154 -3.38% 4.4 1,001.14
200 Bayside village Milwaukee & Ozaukee 4,398 4,389 9 0.21% 2.39 1,840.17
201 Campbell La Crosse 4,397 4,314 83 1.92% 3.75 1,172.53
French Island CDP La Crosse 4,397 4,207 190 4.52% 1.91 2,302.09
202 Viroqua Vernon 4,395 4,362 33 0.76% 3.8 1,156.58
203 Mauston Juneau 4,375 4,423 -48 -1.09% 4.4 994.32
204 Medford city Taylor 4,337 4,326 11 0.25% 4.51 961.64
205 Prairie du Sac village Sauk 4,313 3,972 341 8.59% 1.55 2,782.58
206 Taycheedah Fond du Lac 4,311 4,205 106 2.52% 29.98 143.80
207 Jackson town Washington 4,301 4,134 167 4.04% 33.74 127.47
208 East Troy village Walworth 4,282 4,281 1 0.02% 4.47 957.94
209 Prescott Pierce 4,229 4,258 -29 -0.68% 2.59 1,632.82
210 West Milwaukee village Milwaukee 4,174 4,206 -32 -0.76% 1.12 3,726.79
211 Cross Plains village Dane 4,148 3,538 610 17.24% 1.76 2,356.82
212 Somerset town St. Croix 4,113 4,036 77 1.91% 47.11 87.31
213 Westport Dane 4,107 3,950 157 3.97% 20.72 198.21
214 Kewaskum Washington & Fond du Lac 4,103 4,004 99 2.47% 2.45 1,674.69
215 Grafton town Ozaukee 4,084 4,053 31 0.76% 17.57 232.44
216 East Troy town Walworth 4,061 4,021 40 0.99% 27.66 146.82
217 Dover Racine 4,055 4,051 4 0.10% 35.25 115.04
218 Clayton Winnebago 4,045 3,951 94 2.38% 36.28 111.49
219 Farmington Washington 4,025 4,014 11 0.27% 36.49 110.30
220 Peshtigo town Marinette 4,025 4,057 -32 -0.79% 58.87 68.37
221 Mosinee Marathon 4,012 3,988 24 0.60% 7.77 516.34
Camp Lake CDP Kenosha 4,003 3,665 338 9.22% 4.54 881.72
222 Farmington Waupaca 3,976 3,974 2 0.05% 33.76 117.77
223 Baldwin village St. Croix 3,974 3,957 17 0.43% 2.91 1,365.64
224 Sugar Creek Walworth 3,964 3,943 21 0.53% 33.1 119.76
225 Marshall village Dane 3,938 3,862 76 1.97% 2.09 1,884.21
226 Polk Washington 3,930 3,937 -7 -0.18% 31.12 126.29
227 Beaver Dam town  Dodge 3,925 3,962 -37 -0.93% 33.08 118.65
228 St. Joseph St. Croix 3,911 3,842 69 1.80% 32.05 122.03
229 Raymond Racine 3,908 3,870 38 0.98% 35.51 110.05
230 Ottawa Waukesha 3,895 3,859 36 0.93% 32.64 119.33
231 Cottage Grove town Dane 3,878 3,875 3 0.08% 32.11 120.77
Windsor CDP Dane 3,876 3,573 303 8.48% 3.11 1,246.30
232 Bristol Dane 3,841 3,765 76 2.02% 33.49 114.69
233 Chilton Calumet 3,828 3,933 -105 -2.67% 3.97 964.23
234 North Hudson village St. Croix 3,817 3,768 49 1.30% 1.57 2,431.21
235 Holland La Crosse 3,799 3,701 98 2.65% 40.66 93.43
236 Rochester village Racine 3,782 3,682 100 2.72% 17.48 216.36
237 Erin Washington 3,768 3,747 21 0.56% 35.79 105.28
238 Lancaster Grant 3,760 3,868 -108 -2.79% 3.04 1,236.84
239 Lyons Walworth 3,702 3,698 4 0.11% 34.34 107.80
240 Kiel Manitowoc & Calumet 3,700 3,738 -38 -1.02% 2.53 1,462.45
241 Koshkonong Jefferson 3,694 3,692 2 0.05% 41.42 89.18
242 Stanley Chippewa & Clark 3,660 3,608 52 1.44% 4.18 875.60
243 Horicon Dodge 3,656 3,655 1 0.03% 3.21 1,138.94
244 Scott Brown 3,646 3,545 101 2.85% 18.14 200.99
245 Hartford town Washington 3,599 3,609 -10 -0.28% 27.4 131.35
246 Merton village Waukesha 3,592 3,346 246 7.35% 3 1,197.33
247 Combined Locks village Outagamie 3,577 3,328 249 7.48% 1.7 2,104.12
248 Omro Winnebago 3,556 3,517 39 1.11% 2.35 1,513.19
249 Star Prairie St. Croix 3,551 3,504 47 1.34% 30.62 115.97
250 Black River Falls Jackson 3,550 3,622 -72 -1.99% 4.1 865.85
251 Pulaski village Brown, Shawano & Oconto 3,544 3,539 5 0.14% 2.73 1,298.17
252 Eagle Waukesha 3,526 3,507 19 0.54% 34.08 103.46
253 Hayward Sawyer 3,517 3,567 -50 -1.40% 57.37 61.30
254 Bloomer Chippewa 3,509 3,539 -30 -0.85% 2.94 1,193.54
255 Sauk City village Sauk 3,495 3,410 85 2.49% 1.52 2,299.34
256 Addison Washington 3,460 3,495 -35 -1.00% 36.04 96.00
257 Center Outagamie 3,458 3,402 56 1.65% 34.87 99.17
258 Janesville town Rock 3,450 3,434 16 0.47% 26.79 128.78
259 Seymour Outagamie 3,443 3,451 -8 -0.23% 2.67 1,289.51
260 Lac du Flambeau Vilas 3,437 3,441 -4 -0.12% 99.11 34.68
261 Fond du Lac town Fond du Lac 3,411 3,015 396 13.13% 17.77 191.95
262 Peshtigo city Marinette 3,407 3,502 -95 -2.71% 3.03 1,124.42
263 Menomonie town Dunn 3,389 3,366 23 0.68% 41.65 81.37
264 Wheatland Kenosha 3,373 3,373 0 0.00% 23.74 142.08
265 Richmond St. Croix 3,369 3,272 97 2.96% 31.52 106.88
266 Wrightstown village Brown & Outagamie 3,353 2,827 526 18.61% 4.09 819.80
267 Burke Dane 3,344 3,284 60 1.83% 15.23 219.57
268 Waterloo Jefferson 3,333 3,333 0 0.00% 3.83 870.23
269 Wilson Sheboygan 3,332 3,330 2 0.06% 22.7 146.78
270 Neenah town Winnebago 3,323 3,237 86 2.66% 7.94 418.51
271 Barron Barron 3,311 3,423 -112 -3.27% 2.88 1,149.65
272 Arbor Vitae Vilas 3,298 3,316 -18 -0.54% 61.8 53.37
273 Pleasant Springs Dane 3,289 3,154 135 4.28% 32.86 100.09
274 Lodi town Columbia 3,278 3,273 5 0.15% 26.53 123.56
275 Brodhead Green & Rock 3,276 3,293 -17 -0.52% 1.84 1,780.43
276 Fulton Rock 3,270 3,252 18 0.55% 31.36 104.27
277 Howards Grove village Sheboygan 3,261 3,188 73 2.29% 2.31 1,411.69
278 Seymour Eau Claire 3,247 3,209 38 1.18% 31.21 104.04
279 Randall Kenosha 3,241 3,180 61 1.92% 13.21 245.34
280 Oregon town Dane 3,232 3,184 48 1.51% 30.8 104.94
281 Ellsworth village Pierce 3,229 3,284 -55 -1.67% 3.75 861.07
282 Tomahawk Lincoln 3,201 3,397 -196 -5.77% 7.76 412.50
283 Plymouth town Sheboygan 3,186 3,195 -9 -0.28% 30.21 105.46
284 Ladysmith Rusk 3,184 3,414 -230 -6.74% 4.21 756.29
285 Thiensville village Ozaukee 3,179 3,235 -56 -1.73% 1.08 2,943.52
286 Rock town Rock 3,177 3,196 -19 -0.59% 26.75 118.77
287 Wescott Shawano 3,168 3,183 -15 -0.47% 22.57 140.36
288 Sparta town Monroe 3,165 3,128 37 1.18% 48.53 65.22
289 Boscobel Grant 3,150 3,231 -81 -2.51% 3 1,050.00
290 Pleasant Valley Eau Claire 3,139 3,044 95 3.12% 54.17 57.95
291 Oakland Jefferson 3,134 3,100 34 1.10% 34.63 90.50
Lake Wissota CDP Chippewa 3,131 2,738 393 14.35% 3.75 834.93
292 New Holstein Calumet 3,129 3,236 -107 -3.31% 2.5 1,251.60
293 Brillion Calumet 3,127 3,148 -21 -0.67% 2.72 1,149.63
294 Eagle Point Chippewa 3,110 3,053 57 1.87% 60.9 51.07
295 Algoma Kewaunee 3,098 3,167 -69 -2.18% 2.47 1,254.25
296 Yorkville Racine 3,097 3,071 26 0.85% 33.62 92.12
297 Rice Lake town Barron 3,079 3,041 38 1.25% 26.34 116.89
298 Lodi city Columbia 3,059 3,050 9 0.30% 1.77 1,728.25
299 Arcadia Trempealeau 3,057 2,925 132 4.51% 2.87 1,065.16
300 Genoa City village Walworth & Kenosha 3,022 3,042 -20 -0.66% 2.34 1,291.45
301 Chase Oconto 3,012 3,005 7 0.23% 35.03 85.98
302 Paddock Lake village Kenosha 3,000 2,992 8 0.27% 2.86 1,048.95
303 Oostburg village Sheboygan 2,985 2,887 98 3.39% 1.95 1,530.77
304 Lima Sheboygan 2,983 2,982 1 0.03% 35.58 83.84
305 Stephenson Marinette 2,981 3,006 -25 -0.83% 169.49 17.59
306 Milton town Rock 2,978 2,923 55 1.88% 30.7 97.00
307 Lake Delton village Sauk 2,974 2,914 60 2.06% 7.01 424.25
308 Stockton Portage 2,953 2,917 36 1.23% 57.56 51.30
309 Merrill town Lincoln 2,946 2,980 -34 -1.14% 51.85 56.82
310 Johnson Creek village Jefferson 2,939 2,738 201 7.34% 3.02 973.18
311 Mukwa Waupaca 2,903 2,930 -27 -0.92% 31.17 93.13
312 Sherwood village Calumet 2,886 2,713 173 6.38% 3.46 834.10
313 Kewaunee Kewaunee 2,869 2,952 -83 -2.81% 3.54 810.45
314 Ellington Outagamie 2,857 2,758 99 3.59% 34.63 82.50
315 Amery Polk 2,839 2,902 -63 -2.17% 2.96 959.12
316 Brockway Jackson 2,839 2,828 11 0.39% 47.02 60.38
317 Springfield Dane 2,838 2,734 104 3.80% 35.93 78.99
318 Walworth village Walworth 2,838 2,816 22 0.78% 1.54 1,842.86
319 Oconto Falls Oconto 2,834 2,891 -57 -1.97% 2.73 1,038.10
320 Osceola town Polk 2,832 2,855 -23 -0.81% 34.62 81.80
321 Wisconsin Dells Columbia, Sauk, Adams & Juneau 2,808 2,678 130 4.85% 7.36 381.52
322 Empire Fond du Lac 2,804 2,797 7 0.25% 28.75 97.53
323 Dale Outagamie 2,790 2,731 59 2.16% 30.37 91.87
324 Alden Polk 2,761 2,786 -25 -0.90% 55.75 49.52
325 Wheaton Chippewa 2,761 2,701 60 2.22% 54.36 50.79
326 Pelican Oneida 2,748 2,764 -16 -0.58% 50.48 54.44
327 Hortonville village Outagamie 2,734 2,711 23 0.85% 3.47 787.90
328 Pine Lake Oneida 2,731 2,740 -9 -0.33% 40.1 68.10
329 Newbold Oneida 2,723 2,719 4 0.15% 78.4 34.73
330 Juneau Dodge 2,718 2,814 -96 -3.41% 1.68 1,617.86
331 Pacific Columbia 2,718 2,707 11 0.41% 19.43 139.89
332 Union Eau Claire 2,718 2,663 55 2.07% 27.06 100.44
333 Somerset village St. Croix 2,717 2,635 82 3.11% 2.75 988.00
334 Dayton Waupaca 2,714 2,748 -34 -1.24% 35.13 77.26
335 Rome Adams 2,712 2,720 -8 -0.29% 54.12 50.11
336 Pittsfield Brown 2,669 2,608 61 2.34% 32.09 83.17
337 Sevastopol Door 2,653 2,628 25 0.95% 51.69 51.33
338 Mondovi Buffalo 2,634 2,777 -143 -5.15% 3.82 689.53
339 Friendship Fond du Lac 2,631 2,675 -44 -1.64% 16.56 158.88
Lake Wazeecha CDP Wood 2,622 2,651 -29 -1.09% 3.76 697.34
340 Barton Washington 2,613 2,637 -24 -0.91% 19.1 136.81
341 Spooner Washburn 2,597 2,682 -85 -3.17% 3.29 789.36
342 Williams Bay village Walworth 2,594 2,564 30 1.17% 2.8 926.43
343 Wales village Waukesha 2,582 2,549 33 1.29% 3.28 787.20
344 Medford town Taylor 2,579 2,606 -27 -1.04% 37.17 69.38
345 Ashippun Dodge 2,563 2,559 4 0.16% 35.53 72.14
346 Luxemburg village Kewaunee 2,557 2,515 42 1.67% 2.27 1,126.43
347 Stettin Marathon 2,557 2,554 3 0.12% 36.37 70.31
348 Stanley Barron 2,538 2,546 -8 -0.31% 31.03 81.79
349 Harmony Rock 2,537 2,569 -32 -1.25% 21.64 117.24
350 Osceola village Polk 2,517 2,568 -51 -1.99% 4.19 600.72

Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2016
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division
Release Date: May 2017.

Downtown Wausau.

Qualifying for a Home Loan in Wisconsin

Conforming Mortgages

As of 2024 the conforming loan limit across the United States for single-family homes was set to $766,550, with a ceiling of 150% that amount in HERA high-cost areas where median home values are higher. High local affordability makes the $766,550 ceiling apply statewide for single unit homes. Dual unit homes have a limit of $981,500, triple unit homes have a limit of $1,186,350 & quadruple unit homes have a limit of $1,474,400. Residents looking to purchase preium properties in Madison may exceed these limits, requiting a jumbo mortgage. Jumbo loans typically have a slightly higher rate of interest than conforming mortgages, though spreads vary based on credit market conditions.

Several different types of home loans are available in the Badger State. Fixed-rate loans are very common, and the terms include thirty, twenty, fifteen, and ten years. The longer the life of the mortgage, the lower the monthly payment will be, which is why the 30-year loan is the most popular. The downside of this, however, is that the APR is higher compared to shorter-term loans. The difference can be as large as a full percentage point.

In addition to conventional 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, lenders offer a wide variety of adjustable rate mortgages (ARM’s). While these instruments have lost some of their attractiveness during the recession, there are still circumstances where they offer the only way for a borrower to qualify. Properly structured (that is, with strict limits on how much the rate can fluctuate), such loans are still a legitimate way for borrowers to purchase a home and start building equity while establishing their credit so as to qualify for conventional loans upon the ARM’s expiration. These loans provide interest rates that fluctuate, as the name implies. The APR is usually fixed for an initial term, such as three, five, seven or ten years. Then the rate adjusts depending on the performance of a referenced index rate, usually once per year; but it can change more frequently. The loan agreement may state in detail how frequently the APR can change, and it may also include a rate cap to prevent large changes.

Balloon mortgages are another route for aspiring homeowners. Balloon mortgages are when a large portion of the borrowed principle is repaid in a single payment at the end of the loan period. Balloon loans are not common for most residential buyers, but are more common for commercial loans and people with significant financial assets.

A few lenders in the Badger State offer interest-only loans, but usually only for periods of three years. These are mortgages where payments are applied only to interest for a period of time. The loan's principal isn't paid down, so the monthly payments are very low. The low monthly payments only lasts a few years, however. Typically, it's about three years. After this period, monthly payments spike because the loan's principal hasn't been reduced & the remainder of the loan must be paid off in a compressed period of time. For example, on a 3 year IO 30-year loan, the first 3 years are interest only payments, then the loan principal must be paid in full in the subsequent 27 years.

When qualifying for a loan, a credit score of 720 or better can help secure a favorable loan. Some mortgage lenders in strong markets like Madison have approved borrowers with credit scores around 640. The best rates and deals will be obtained with a score above 740. There is a lot of competition among lenders, and this environment can create nice perks for borrowers. For example, some banks will offer special deals on closing costs for borrowers who qualify. The cost might be added to the mortgage or the bank will pay the closing costs but add a few basis points to the APR.

A debt-to-income ratio of 40% and a down payment of 20% are what most banks want to see on a home loan application. They will accept worse numbers, but fees and APR's could go up as a result. Also, a down payment of less than 20% typically results in required mortgage insurance. This down payment requirement does not apply for Federal assistance programs such as FHA, in which applicants can have a lower credit score and income but still receive financing.

The piggyback loan is another type of mortgage which is simply two mortgages in one. The piggyback loan can eliminate the need for private mortgage insurance by covering 80% of the home's value with the first loan, while the second loan helps to pay for part of the down payment.

Government Programs

Federal Assistance Programs

Prospective home buyers who don't find what they're looking for at one of the state's private banks may want to take a look at some of the mortgage options the federal government offers. One of them is the loan program at the Veterans Administration, which provides mortgages with zero down. On top of that great deal, VA loans do not require private mortgage insurance. The agency does, however, charge a funding fee, and this varies from 1.2% to 3.3%. Making a voluntary down payment will reduce this charge. And in case you're wondering, yes you do have to be a qualified veteran to get one of these unbeatable deals.

If you're not a vet, you may want to consider the Federal Housing Administration's home loan services. The FHA offers loans to people who have a credit score of at least 580 and who can put at least 3.5% down. The government agency also offers mortgages for lower credit scores, but it requires more money down with these loans.

USDA loans can help people with low incomes in rural parts of the state qualify for a subsidized low-interest loan.

State & Local Assistance Programs

Wisconsin Housing Cost Reduction Initiative

The Wisconsin's Housing Cost Reduction Initiative was first introduced in 1989 to help people who were classified as moderately low and low-income purchase a safe and affordable home. The government set aside funding, and over $2.6 million has been awarded for this program. You can get funding to help pay for a down payment, the associated fees, or closing costs. You have to apply, and there are a few eligibility requirements any applicant will have to meet including:

Wisconsin's Down Payment Plus Program

  • Household income at or below 80% of the county's County Median Income
  • The homes must be single-family residences
  • The homeowner must reside at the property as their primary residence

The Down Payment Plus Program was designed to help low and extremely low-income households obtain housing, and they do this by paying a grant directly to the homeowner to cover the down payment costs. This program operates on the 3:1 rule, meaning that whatever amount the homeowner contributes the program will double it up to $6,000. So if a homeowner contributes $1,000, the program would pay out $3,000 in grant money. You'll have to meet these requirements to be eligible:

Wisconsin's Home Start Program

  • Apply for your first mortgage through a FHLBC member
  • Disclose your employment status and any fees
  • Pay a minimum of $1,000
  • Complete a homebuyer counseling program
  • Sign all of your documentation

If you're looking to purchase a home in Southern Wisconsin, the Realtors Association of Southern Wisconsin can help with this program. You'll fill out an application and provide all of the required documentation. If you're approved, you'll be given a very low-interest loan to help cover the costs of your down payment and any closing costs. This program is capped at $4,000, and you have to meet income eligibility requirements to qualify.

Additional Programs

Be sure to research local city-level programs. For instance, the City of Milwaukee offers a forgivable loan of up to $20,000 for rehabilitation of city-owned homes.

Natural Disasters

Flood Insurance

Homeowner's insurance policies typically do not cover flooding. Most of the state of Wisconsin is considered to have a very low flooding risk. Counties with relatively elevated risks are listed below.

  • low risk: Dodge, Douglas, Eua Claire, Forest, Green, Iowa, Manitowoc, Marathon, Pierce, Rock, Sheboygan, Washington
  • moderate risk: Barron, Brown, Buffalo, Chippewa, Columbia, Florence, Fond du Lac, Jackson, Jefferson, La Crosse, Oconto, Ozaukee, Pepin, Rusk, Saint Croix, Tempealeau, Waupaca, Winnebago

Home buyers with mortgages in high-risk areas are required to buy flood insurance. Most flood insurance policies are sold by the United States federal government through The National Flood Insurance Program. Under-priced flood insurance in high-risk areas act as a subsidy to wealthy homeowners.

The NFIP does not charge nearly enough to cover the expected costs of its liabilities. The assessments are not sufficient to build any buffer to cover an extraordinary year, such as what occurred with Hurricane Katrina in 2005 or Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Because homeowners don't incur the full cost of building in a flood zone we end up with more houses there than if homeowners incurred the full cost of the flood risk, which exacerbates the government's costs in the next disaster.

Homeowners who live in lower risk areas & are not required to purchase flood insurance heavily cross-subsidize homeowners who are in areas where floods are more common.

Tornadoes

The southern half of the state is considered to have a moderate to high tornado risk. A basic homeowners policy should cover financial damages from tornadoes.

Hail

Hail damage is common across the state. Damage from hail is typically covered by home insurance policies.

Wisconsin Real Estate Laws

Property Taxes

State and local property tax rates averaged about 1.61% across the state in 2016 for an assessment of $3,196. This compares against a national average of 1.24%. The average assessment in Madison was $4,871.

Wisconsin's income taxes have fallen below the national average as of 2014. The state and local income tax rate are at 10.6%, and this is the lowest they've been in decades. Previously, Wisconsin ranked as one of the top ten worst states in the nation for tax levels, so this is a huge improvement.

Community Property

Wisconsin is one of nine states that has a community property law. The goal of this law is to divide all of the assets and debts as evenly as possible between the parties, so each one leaves the marriage with close to the same amount of gains and losses. Any property or income that is bought or earned during the marriage doesn't belong to the couple, but to the marriage itself. Also, any property that is used to benefit the marriage becomes community property, even if one party had the property before they were married.

If you want something to be considered a separate asset or property, it has to be kept totally to one party and not used to benefit the marriage in any way for the duration of the marriage. This includes inheritances, vehicles, and any property or assets.

As for debts, they are divided equally among the parties, and it doesn't matter which spouse had the original debt. For example, if your spouse opened a credit card and ran up a $20,000 bill, you would most likely have to pay half of it.

When it comes to dividing the property between the parties, the courts look at these factors:

  • Marriage length
  • The property each party owned before the marriage
  • Any separate assets each party has
  • Both spouse's ages and health
  • Earning capacity

Foreclosures

Lenders in Wisconsin either use mortgage or a deed of trust. Wisconsin is a non-recourse state, however the lender is allowed to sue the homeowner in certain deficiency cases. This means if you lose the home to foreclosure and it sells at a sale for less than was owed, the lender is allowed to go after the defaulted homeowner for the remaining balance.

When it comes to foreclosures, Wisconsin is a judicial state and foreclosures go through the court systems. This lengthens the foreclosure process to around a year. The steps and a general timeline for a judicial foreclosure in Wisconsin are listed below.

Your foreclosure starts when you begin having trouble making your mortgage payments. Most lenders give you 15 days past the due date to make your payment, and on day 16 they issue a late fee. A lender can't start foreclosure proceedings until you are 120 days late on your mortgage payments, and this 120 grace period is designed to give a homeowner time to see what options they have to catch up.

The lender has to go through the court system for a foreclosure, so after 120 days they'll issue a summons and complaint to the court or a lis pendens. A lis pendens is filed with the county's Recorder of Deeds, and this paper describes the foreclosure action and identifies the property in question.

As soon as you receive the summons and formal complaint, you have exactly 20 days to file your answer. You address any problems and dispute it if you believe the summons is in error. Additionally, this is the time to bring up any defenses against your mortgage lender.

The next step is foreclosure mediation, and this is where the lender may offer a loan mediation, repayment options, a short sale, or a forbearance. The homeowner has a right to pay all of the costs to catch the mortgage up and pay any court costs at this time.

Twenty days after the lender files their lis pendens, they can ask for a judgment for foreclosure, and there are three ways they can ask for this judgment.

Judgment Types

  • Default Judgment. If the homeowner doesn't file an answer to the original foreclosure complaint within 20 days, the lender will request a default judgment.
  • Summary Judgment. The homeowner files an answer to the complaint, but the judge finds enough reasons for the foreclosure to move forward.
  • Judgment After Trial. If the foreclosure goes to trial and the lender wins the case, they'll get a judgment in their favor.

Once the lender wins the judgment, the next step is the Sheriff's Sale. They have to publish a notice of the foreclosure and the sale date three weeks prior to the actual sale. If the property is abandoned, they can do this immediately. If the property isn't abandoned and the lender waives any deficiency, there is a four-month waiting period. Finally, if the property isn't abandoned and the lender does seek a deficiency, there is a ten-month waiting period.

As soon as the sale goes through, the court will check everything for a Confirmation of Sale. They're making sure that there was no misconduct during the foreclosure process.

The final step is eviction and if the homeowner hasn't vacated the property by that time the sheriff's department will give a notice. This notice usually gives the parties occupying the home ten days to leave.

Learn More

Check out the following resources to learn more about the Wisconsin real estate market.

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