Welcome to Wisconsin

Your life in the Badger State begins

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Welcome to Wisconsin

From the Great Lakes coastline to the rolling hills of the Northern Highland to the bluffs of the Driftless Area, Wisconsin has diverse geography. The state is bordered by Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior. With 65,497.82 square miles of total area, Wisconsin is the 23rd largest state by total area, but the 20th most populous. Although Milwaukee is the largest city, the state capital finds its home in Madison.

Known as America’s Dairyland, Wisconsin is well-known for its cheese and dairy products, producing a quarter of America’s cheese. Aside from dairy, however, Wisconsin is rich in history, too. The Little White Schoolhouse in Ripon was the first meeting place of the Republican Party and still stands to this day.

Tourism drives much of Wisconsin’s economy with destinations, such as The Dells of the Wisconsin Rivers, the House on the Rock, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and more. Nicknamed “cheeseheads,” Wisconsinites are known to be a friendly bunch and welcome visitors. It’s not hard to see why some visitors make their stay more permanent.

Wisconsin Self-Storage Facts

Wisconsin's self-storage industry has seen a steady expansion over the last several years as self-storage operators seek secondary and tertiary markets for building new locations. Nationwide levels of self-storage development are in the midst of record setting heights, but activity is expected to moderate in the coming years. For now it means self-storage renters in Wisconsin can expect competitive monthly rates and a better selection of high-end self-storage options near them.

Below is an overview of the current state of the Wisconsin self-storage market:

Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in Wisconsin:

1,203

Wisconsin is home to about 1,203 self-storage facilities.

32,849,560

Wisconsin self-storage facilities cover 32,849,560 square feet of storage space.

5.72

Wisconsin storage facilities offer 5.72 square feet of storage per person, which is slightly higher than the national average of 5.4 square feet per person.

Reasons to Move to Wisconsin

1

The cheese. With over 600 varieties, Wisconsin produces three million pounds of cheese every year. It’s no surprise that its the only state to have a licensed Master Cheesemaker program like those in Europe. Cheese curds are a standard at nearly every Wisconsin restaurant, and they don’t disappoint!

2

Fresh farm-to-table food. Wisconsin eateries bring a new meaning to the idea of homegrown, farm-fresh food. Farm-to-table restaurants are sprouting up all over the state, setting up camp in both big cities and small towns. Whether it’s fresh dairy, fish, beef, or pork, Wisconsin is a foodie’s treasure trove.

3

Affordability. With housing costs well below the national average, Wisconsin is an incredibly affordable place to live. Larger cities, such as Madison and Milwaukee, drive the average cost of living up. However, it’s 20% cheaper to live in many Wisconsin communities than it is anywhere else in the country.

4

Summertime festivals. Despite the harsh winters, summertime in Wisconsin is a never-ending party where hundreds of big-label music acts serve as entertainment. From Milwaukee’s Summerfest to Oshkosh’s five-day Country USA, major music festivals abound in America’s Dairyland.

5

Waterpark capital. Wisconsin seems to subscribe to the mindset that we’re all still kids on the inside. With indoor and outdoor waterparks designed for the entire family, the state has been dubbed as “The Waterpark Capital of the World.” Mainly it’s The Dells that won this particular title, but you can be sure there will be no shortage of waterpark fun when visiting Wisconsin.

6

Madison. Few cities are coveted as much as the state capital, Madison. This city consistently makes “best places to live” lists and is considered one of the best college towns in the U.S. Surrounded by numerous state parks and two lakes; Madison is easy on the eyes, as well.

7

The love of sports. For Wisconsinites, “tailgating season” doesn’t exist—it’s always a good time to tailgate! On the flip side, the streets turn hauntingly desolate when a Packers away-game is on TV. The bottom line is that Wisconsin loves its sports and the Greenbay Packers are at the top of most cheeseheads' list. Mainly, to live in Wisconsin, you must be comfortable wearing a hat that looks like cheese.

8

Outdoor adventures. What greets you on the other side of a bitter Wisconsin winter is a multitude of outdoor adventures. Comfortable summertime nights create the perfect atmosphere for sleeping under the stars or gathering around a warm fire to drink a cold brew. Plus, with 47 state parks and 15,000 lakes, the fun you can have in the sun is a fair trade-off for the bleak Wisconsin winters.

9

Freshwater fun. Wisconsin leads the way in freshwater technology, supplying 21% of the world’s freshwater. Many graduate school programs are dedicated to the study of freshwater. With over 150 water-related companies, Wisconsin takes its freshwater serious. But it’s not all business; you can surf in Sheboygan and never have to wash any salt off of your skin.

10

Architecture. Whether you’re admiring Santiago Calatrava’s “wings” on the Milwaukee Art Museum or Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, Wisconsin doesn’t fail in delivering stunning architecture. Wright grew up in Wisconsin, so it’s not uncommon to see his handiwork peppered across the state. Aside from Wright, many opera houses and churches offer turn-of-the-century ornate interiors, as well.

Moving to Wisconsin

According to an estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Wisconsin is 5.83 million in 2019, landing it as the 20th most populous state. For every square mile, there are 105 people. With a growth rate of .33%, Wisconsin continues a steady increase in population. It may even exceed its next population milestone of six million people by 2020. People are steadily moving into the state for many reasons, such as employment, family, and culture. However, Wisconsin prides itself on being immigrant-friendly, so it serves as a haven for plenty of foreigners and refugees. Many semiskilled people tend to find work quicker in Wisconsin than in any other region.

Wisconsin Economic Outlook

Wisconsin has a GDP of nearly $350 billion with a healthy and diverse job market supporting its steady success. Whether it’s innovative advancements in agriculture or world-class life sciences, America’s Dairyland leads the way in several industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate as of September 2019 was 3.2% and has risen slightly since the first quarter.

The economic outlook for Wisconsin is promising as the state plays in various sectors continually, which diversifies the professional outlook more than some states. Hospitals and universities naturally dominate the business landscape in the state with the University of Wisconsin leading the way. The forecast is that the GDP will continue to grow at a steady rate of 1.8%, experiencing sustained growth in the process.

Overall, the cost of living in Wisconsin is 2% lower than the national average. However, in some cities, it’s even more economical. Groceries and the internet cost less in Wisconsin versus the rest of the country, as well, making Wisconsin an ideal state in which to relocate. The trend is that most families and individuals seem to make enough money to live a decent lifestyle in America’s Dairyland.

The following outlines Wisconsin’s top five sectors of real value added by GDP:

$56.3 billion
Financial, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing
$56.04 billion
Manufacturing
$30.76 billion
Professional and business services
$30.04 billion
Government and government enterprises
$29.64 billion
Educational services, health care, and social assistance

Who are Wisconsin's Largest Employers?

EMPLOYER
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
University of Wisconsin
39,000
Menard Inc
10,000
University-Wi Hosp-Clinics
10,000
Epic
9,700
UW University Hospital
7,447

Places to live in Wisconsin

With 65,497.82 square miles to explore, Wisconsin offers a pleasant place to call home for those who need room to breathe. Mid-sized cities, such as Kenosha and Racine, are well-known for their family-friendly approach to living. However, the following three major cities offer unique outlooks, too.

Milwaukee

As a hip millennial city, Milwaukee doesn’t disappoint when it comes to things to do. Hosting several music festivals each year, its 1,575,101 residents are passionate about having a good time. The city is filled with award-winning restaurants, a vibrant music and arts scene, and dozens of lakefront museums. Milwaukee embraces history and tradition but has an up-and-coming vibe to it.

Cost of living
3% lower than the national average
Median home price
$123,600
Average rent
$1,199/month
Average apartment size
852 square feet

Madison

As the state capital, Madison is also known as one of the best college towns in which to reside. The Dane County Farmers’ Market offers some of the best fresh food in the state, and they set up every Wednesday near the Capitol Square. Aside from the brilliant views of the nearby lakes, Madison also teems with culture, too. The Madison Public Library has nine branches, offering everything from educational programs to hands-on workshops to a vast amount of quality books.

Cost of living
7% higher than the national average
Median home price
$256, 600
Average rent
$1,250/month
Average apartment size
845 square feet

Green Bay

More than a sports-crazy city, Green Bay is known as one of the oldest settlements in Wisconsin. Its residents enjoy a lifestyle centered around nature with hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing all popular activities in the area. Although the Green Bay Packers football team is frequently the main focus, this city offers far more than brats and beer.

Cost of living
9% lower than the national average
Median home price
$146,600
Average rent
$754/month
Average apartment size
867

Moving to Wisconsin Resources