
Fast Facts
- Nickname: The Badger State
- Statehood: 1848; 30th state
- Population (as of July, 2016): 5,778,708
- Capital: Madison
- Biggest City: Milwaukee
- Abbreviation: WI
- State bird: American robin
- State flower: wood violet
What are facts about Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Facts and Trivia
- Wisconsin visitors and residents enjoy the state’s 7,446 streams and rivers. ...
- Wisconsin’s Door County has five state parks and 250 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan. ...
- In 1878-1879 the Wisconsin legislature approved the creation of a state park in Vilas County. ...
- In 1900 land acquisition for Wisconsin’s first state park began. ...
Is Wisconsin a sanctuary state?
To that end we request the State Legislature declare Wisconsin a Sanctuary State. A state where no person will be persecuted or profiled based on religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, or immigration status. A state where the law is applied equally to all, where all are innocent until proven guilty.
How many US Representatives does Wisconsin have?
- Congressional Quarterly, Congress and the Nation: 1945–1964 (1965)
- Congressional Quarterly, Congress and the Nation: 1965–1968 (1969)
- Congressional Quarterly, Congress and the Nation: 1969–1972 (1973)
- Congressional Quarterly, Congress and the Nation: 1973–1976 (1977)
- Congressional Quarterly, Congress and the Nation: 1977–1980 (1981)
What are some historical facts about Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin’s GDP is around $321 billion.
- Wisconsin has a progressive income tax rate from 3.54% to 7.65%.
- Over 41% of the state is college-educated.
- $31,998 is the median income in Wisconsin.
- US News & World Report has ranked Wisconsin 6th for economic opportunity.
- Wisconsin has the 11th best higher education system out of all 50 states.

What is the state of Wisconsin best known for?
The state is one of the nation's leading dairy producers and is known as "America's Dairyland"; it is particularly famous for its cheese. The state is also famous for its beer, particularly and historically in Milwaukee, most notably as the headquarters of the Miller Brewing Company.
What is Wisconsin known as?
The state is one of America's leading dairy producers, giving it the nickname, “America's Dairyland.” Due to this renown, many cheese manufacturers are known to send their cheese to age in Wisconsin warehouses so that they can market their product as “Wisconsin-aged cheese.”
What are 3 things Wisconsin is known for?
Wisconsin is known for what it produces: dairy, lumber, and beer. In addition to this work, the state is known for its play: fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and vacationing in the Dells are some of the activities Wisconsin is famous for. Wisconsin is also known for its Native American culture.
What is unique about the state of Wisconsin?
Other Fun Facts Wisconsin is a leading producer of Ginseng in the United States. Green Bay is known as the "Toilet Paper Capital" of the world. The first ice cream sundae was concocted in Two Rivers in 1881. The Fox River is one of the few rivers in the nation that flows north.
Is Wisconsin poor?
Rich States, Poor States ranks Wisconsin 40th in the nation in all three categories.
Why is Wisconsin known as the Badger state?
THE STATE NICKNAMES: The Wisconsin miners lived, not in houses, but in temporary caves cut into the hillsides. These caves were described as badger dens and, the miners who lived in them, as badgers. This derisive nickname was brought back to Wisconsin by these miners.
Who is the most famous person from Wisconsin?
You Probably Didn't Know These 13 Famous People Are From...Greta van Susteren (Appleton) ... Golda Meir (Milwaukee) ... Dan Harmon (Milwaukee) ... Georgia O'Keefe (Sun Prairie) Martin Beek. ... Les Paul (Waukesha) Allen. ... Gene Wilder (Milwaukee) Steve. ... Harry Houdini (Appleton) John H. ... Danica Patrick (Beloit) David Shankboke.More items...•
Why is Wisconsin so great?
Wisconsin is considered a great place to live for its good schools, easily affordable big cities, beautiful natural vistas, and midwestern hospitality. The cities of Milwaukee, Eau Claire, and Appleton remain some of the top spots to raise a family in the United States.
Is Wisconsin a friendly state?
WISCONSIN — Wisconsin has been named 2019's 6th best state to live in, according to a new report. The report by WalletHub found compared all 50 states across 51 key indicators of livability, including housing costs, income growth, and quality of hospitals.
What is the motto of Wisconsin?
ForwardWisconsin / Motto'Forward' Reflecting Wisconsin's continuous drive to be a national leader, the state adopted "Forward" as the official state motto in 1851.
What are 5 facts about Wisconsin?
14 Fun Facts About WisconsinThe population of Wisconsin is 5.758 million. ... The Water Park Capital of the World. ... Wisconsin is home of the famous Frank Lloyd Wright. ... Summerfest is the world's largest music festival. ... Muscoda is the morel mushroom capital in Wisconsin. ... The famous magician Harry Houdini was raised in Appleton.More items...
What things are only in Wisconsin?
17 fantastic things you can only do in WisconsinBowl the oldest lanes in the country. ... Gorge yourself on frozen custard. ... Drink copious amounts of brandy old fashioneds. ... Spread your love for Wisconsin over at the National Mustard Museum. ... Fill your glass with Wisconsin beer history (or just beer)More items...•
What is Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is an American state situated in the north-central region of the country. The state is surrounded by Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan. It is the twenty-third largest state in the United States which occupies an area of about 65,498.4 sq miles.
What is the largest city in Wisconsin?
It is split into seventy-two counties. Milwaukee is the largest city while Madison is the capital city of Wisconsin. Wisconsin has a diverse landscape influenced by glacial action in the last ice age. The Western Upland, the Northern Highland, and a part of Central Plains comprise the western region of Wisconsin.
How many pounds of cheese does Wisconsin produce?
The state produced 2.9 billion pounds of cheese in 2014 accounting for over 25.4% of the country’s cheese. Wisconsin produces over 600 varieties of cheese, and it is the only state which requires the production process to be supervised by a licensed cheesemaker. Wisconsin is the only state in the U.S. that offers a master cheese making program.
Why is Wisconsin called America's Dairyland?
Cheese. Wisconsin is referred to as the ‘’America’s Dairyland’’ because it is the leading producer of dairy products in the country. The state has a long history of cheese production, and it is associated with dairy and cheese industry. The tradition of cheese-making dates back to the nineteenth century when European immigrants settled in ...
What are the two lakes that border Wisconsin?
The state is bordered to the east and north by two of the Great Lakes which are part of the second largest freshwater supply in the world by volume. Lake Superior forms the northern border of the state while Lake Michigan forms the northeastern boundary of the state. The state has over 1,000 miles of the Great Lake's coastline, and over 20% of their land is in the great lakes basin that host over half of the state’s population. These lakes supply water to about 1.6 million residents of the state. The lakes have fueled Wisconsin’s economic growth for years. They are the source of the state’s valuable tourism industry. Over $7billion worth of cargo passes through Wisconsin annually.
What are the western regions of Wisconsin?
The Western Upland, the Northern Highland, and a part of Central Plains comprise the western region of Wisconsin. The lowlands stretch to the shores of the Lake Michigan. The state has the second longest coastline along the Great Lakes in the country. A large number of settlers from Scandinavia and Germany immigrated to the state during ...
How many miles of Great Lakes are there in Wisconsin?
The state has over 1,000 miles of the Great Lake's coastline, and over 20% of their land is in the great lakes basin that host over half of the state’s population. These lakes supply water to about 1.6 million residents of the state. The lakes have fueled Wisconsin’s economic growth for years. They are the source of the state’s valuable tourism ...
Where is the capital of Wisconsin?
Madison, in south-central Wisconsin, is the state capital. Holstein-Friesian cows on a farm in Wisconsin. More than 12,000 years ago the area that is now Wisconsin was covered by enormous glaciers. During the Wisconsin Glacial Stage, when the ice sheet began to melt, it left behind scenic physical features, including outwash plains, ...
What is Wisconsin bounded by?
One of the north-central states, it is bounded by the western portion of Lake Superior and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to the north and by Lake Michigan to the east. The state of Illinois lies to the south, and Minnesota and Iowa lie to the west and southwest, respectively.
What is the main river in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is one of the few states in which essentially all drainage is outflowing. The principal river is the scenic, island-studded Wisconsin River, 430 miles (700 km) long, which originates on the Michigan boundary and flows southward to near Madison, where it skirts the Baraboo Range before turning west to cross the Western Upland and enter the Mississippi near Prairie du Chien. A system of reservoirs regulates its flow. Untamed rivers include the upper St. Croix, the Namekagon, the upper Wolf, the Pine-Popple, the Brule, and the Pike, all of which are in northern Wisconsin. The lower St. Croix was designated a national scenic riverway by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What are the physical regions of Wisconsin?
Wisconsin comprises six physical regions. The Northern Highland is a broad upland underlain by granitic bedrock. It contains the state’s highest point, Timms Hill (1,951 feet [595 metres]), in Price county. The Lake Superior Lowland is a narrow plain to which the surface of the Northern Highland drops abruptly. The upland slopes down gently southward to the Central Plain, or Central Sand Plain, a crescent-shaped region on sandstone stretching across the centre of the state. The Western Upland lies in the southwest corner of the state and is etched into ridges and valleys by streams that cut into the limestones and sandstones. Glaciers largely bypassed the southwestern and western sections of the state along the Mississippi; this dry upland is known as the Driftless Area. Finally, the Eastern Ridges and Lowlands region is formed by three broad, parallel limestone ridges running north-south and separated by wide and shallow lowlands. The lowest elevation in the state is in this region, along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, about 580 feet (180 metres) above sea level.
How much of Wisconsin is forested?
Most of the forests were cleared for lumber and agriculture, but by natural regrowth and reforestation about two-fifths of Wisconsin is again forested, most heavily in the Northern Highland and Central Plain.
Where does the Wisconsin River flow?
The principal river is the scenic, island-studded Wisconsin River, 430 miles (700 km) long, which originates on the Michigan boundary and flows southward to near Madison, where it skirts the Baraboo Range before turning west to cross the Western Upland and enter the Mississippi near Prairie du Chien.
What is the Western Upland?
The Western Upland lies in the southwest corner of the state and is etched into ridges and valleys by streams that cut into the limestones and sandstones. Glaciers largely bypassed the southwestern and western sections of the state along the Mississippi; this dry upland is known as the Driftless Area.
Which state has the most ghosts?
According to Wisconsin stories, Wisconsin contains more ghosts per square mile than any other state in the nation. American Birkebeiner, the largest cross country ski race in the US, brings upwards of 5,000 competitors to Cable. The largest experimental aviation event in the world is the EAA Fly-In at Oshkosh.
What is the paper capital of the world?
Green Bay is known as the "Toilet Paper Capital" of the world. The first ice cream sundae was concocted in Two Rivers in 1881. The Fox River is one of the few rivers in the nation that flows north. Practically all the natural lakes in Wisconsin have resulted from glaciers.
What is Wisconsin known for?
Nestled firmly in America’s midwestern region, we here at Eric Von Schledorn are proud to call Wisconsin our home. Folks from across the country (and world) may hear of Wisconsin and wonder, “just what is that place known for?” Well, read on to find out!
Famous Traits of the Badger State
Wisconsin is perhaps known best of all for its cheese. The state is one of America’s leading dairy producers, giving it the nickname, “America’s Dairyland.” Due to this renown, many cheese manufacturers are known to send their cheese to age in Wisconsin warehouses so that they can market their product as “Wisconsin-aged cheese.”
Successful and Popular WI Sports Franchises
Wisconsin is also known for its sports teams. Perhaps the most famous (in the U.S.) is the state’s football team, the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are one of the most popular sports teams in the country and hold the record for winning the most NFL titles.
What does Wisconsin mean?
For example, several writers interviewed elderly Indians, French residents, or fur traders who claimed it meant "Stream of a Thousand Isles," "Gathering of Waters," "muskrat house," "grassy place, " and even "holes in the bank of a stream, in which birds nest." One of those researchers concluded in frustration, "I have not found two Indians to agree on the meaning of this word."
What is the spelling of Wisconsin?
The "Ouisconsin" spelling of Wisconsin is used. View the original source document: WHI 92162. Ouisconsin: The pronunciation of the name we use today, Wisconsin, was born in 1674 when explorer Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle misread Marquette's capital letter "M", which was written by hand in cursive script.
What river inspired the name Wisconsin?
The river that inspired the name "Wisconsin" was called the "Meskonsing River" by Miami Indians. This image, entitled "Woman on High Rock," is by H.H. Bennett. View the original source document: WHI 85051
When was Wisconsin first printed?
The U.S. House of Representatives Journal was the first to print Wisconsin in the February 1, 1830 entry during discussion of "laying out a town at Helena, on the Wisconsin river, in the Territory of Michigan …".
What is the name of the river that runs through the center of the state?
"Wisconsin" (originally "Meskonsing") is the English spelling of a French version of a Miami Indian name for a river that runs 430 miles through the center of our state, currently known as the Wisconsin River. Recent scholarship has concluded that in Miami it meant, ...
What is Wisconsin known for?
Wisconsin is known for what it produces: dairy, lumber, and beer. In addition to this work, the state is known for its play: fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and vacationing in the Dells are some of the activities Wisconsin is famous for. Wisconsin is also known for its Native American culture.
What are the Wisconsin Dells famous for?
The Wisconsin Dells are famous for family outings. Some incredible water parks are in the region, along with plenty of mini-golf and go-kart options. Shopping, restaurants, and cinemas sprinkle the area, ensuring all family members will have fun.
What are the best sports to do in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is a playground for the outdoorsman. Three sports that come to mind are hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. Hunters seek deer, black bears, and fowl. Fishing for Lake Superior whitefish is common in summer for commercial and amateur fishermen.
Why is ice cream so cheap in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is known for its dairy cows and farms. Perhaps that is the reason that ice cream is cheap here, as well as abundant and delicious. Because the state is a common summertime destination for people in Chicago, Minneapolis, and throughout the area, ice cream is a part of its culture. Mars Cheese Castle is legendary in the state ...
Where to take the high speed ferry in Milwaukee?
If you’re in Milwaukee during the summer, take the Lake Express High-Speed Ferry across Lake Michigan. In a little over two hours, you’ll be in Muskegon. This little beachside village has local theater, a huge amusement park, and live music. Consequently, it’s a great side trip for those with kids.
Is it cold to kayak in Wisconsin?
Winters in this northern state are too cold to kayak. Luckily, the sea caves that Wisconsin is known for are pretty to snowshoe through, and free. However, dress warmly for your trek. I call the caves’ dangling icicles “stalacticicles”, as surely they resemble stalactites.
Is Spotted Cow still available in Wisconsin?
Nowadays, microbrews are all the rage, and boy are they satisfying. “ Spotted Cow ” from New Glarus is just one microbrew gone macro — but still available only in Wisconsin. Most microbreweries also serve food and are family-friendly, in keeping with the state’s values and ways.
What are some interesting facts about Wisconsin?
42 Interesting Facts About Wisconsin. Wisconsin is the 20 th most populous and the 23 rd most extensive of the 50 states of the United States. It is located in the north-central United States, in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. The state attained statehood on May 29, 1848, becoming the 30 th state to join the union.
When was Wisconsin founded?
It was founded in 1836 at the time that Wisconsin wasn’t a state yet but a territory. There is a historic park to the western side of Belmont Mound State Park where you can see a lodging house and Council House for the legislators at that time. Wisconsin (in red) with other bordering states. Facts about Wisconsin.
How many aircraft land at Oshkosh airport?
During the event, which takes one week, the Oshkosh control tower is the busiest on earth as close to 15,000 aircrafts land at the airport, plus approximately 500,000 visitors. All of these come here to get a glimpse of the thrilling aerobatic displays and flybys from contemporary and vintage military aircraft.
How many lakes are there in Wisconsin?
Lakes and lakes and lakes. Wisconsin has more than 15,000 lakes and 13,500 miles (21,700 kilometers) of navigable streams and rivers. Almost 3 percent of Wisconsin’s area—nearly a million acres (405,000 hectares)—is lakes.
What is the state symbol of Wisconsin?
The state symbol of Wisconsin, the badger , does not refer to the animal as most people think. Rather, it refers to the lead miners of the 1820s who traveled for work and even dug tunnels to find somewhere to sleep and stay warm—in the same way as a badger .
Where did the name Ouisconsin come from?
Linguists suspect the original name could have been taken from a Miami word “meskonsing” which loosely translates to “this river meanders through something red” or “it lies red.
Where was the Republican Party founded?
Gave Birth to the Republican Party. It was in Ripon, Wisconsin that the Republican Party was founded. The idea of the party was conceived during a meeting held at the Little White Schoolhouse on March 20, 1854. The main reason for forming the party was to fight slavery.
Where did Wisconsin get its name?
Wisconsin’s name comes from the Wisconsin River, which was called Meskousing by the Algonquian-speaking tribes. The name was recorded in 1673 by French explorer Jacques Marquette. Over time, the word was Anglicized into Ouisconsin, Wiskonsan and finally into its current spelling and pronunciation.
What is the Wisconsin badger?
Wisconsin’s state symbol, the badger, doesn’t refer to the animal but instead to the 1820s lead miners who traveled for work and dug tunnels to sleep in and keep warm, much like a badger. Celebrate the name on gameday with the UW-Madison Wisconsin Badgers!
When is peak surf season in Wisconsin?
Peak surf season, however, takes place between September and March… brrr! The first ever Flag Day was celebrated in Ozaukee County. “On, Wisconsin” was first said by Arthur MacArthur, Jr. in the Battle of Chattanooga at Missionary Ridge during the Civil War.
Who started the onion?
The Onion, arguably the most famous news satire organization, was humbly started by two University of Wisconsin-Madison students, Tim Keck and Christopher Johnson, in 1988. Thirty percent of the state’s population lives in the five-county metropolitan area around Milwaukee.
Where is Barbie from?
Barbie hails from the fictional town of Willows, Wis. For the collector and doll aficionado, a day at the Fennimore Doll & Toy Museum may be in order. Soviet satellite Sputnik IV fell out of orbit in 1962 and while most of it burned up on re-entry, a 20-pound piece of debris crashed to the ground in Manitowoc.
