Home Ideas Economy Wisconsin’s strongest population growth this decade still ranks near the bottom

Wisconsin’s strongest population growth this decade still ranks near the bottom

Wisconsin’s population increased by 30,570 in 2024, an increase of 0.52% that was primarily driven by new residents from outside the country, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Census Bureau provides annual population estimates as of July 1. This year’s increase represented the largest year-over-year increase for Wisconsin this decade. In 2021,

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Arthur covers banking and finance and the economy at BizTimes while also leading special projects as an associate editor. He also spent five years covering manufacturing at BizTimes. He previously was managing editor at The Waukesha Freeman. He is a graduate of Carroll University and did graduate coursework at Marquette. A native of southeastern Wisconsin, he is also a nationally certified gymnastics judge and enjoys golf on the weekends.
Wisconsin’s population increased by 30,570 in 2024, an increase of 0.52% that was primarily driven by new residents from outside the country, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Census Bureau provides annual population estimates as of July 1. This year’s increase represented the largest year-over-year increase for Wisconsin this decade. In 2021, the state’s population was down 0.27%, followed by a 0.38% increase in 2022 and a 0.45% increase in 2023. However, the state’s 2024 population growth, as a percentage, ranked 38th in the country. Wisconsin’s population growth of 1.1% since 2020, an increase of 66,805, is the 36th fastest growth rate in the country. The state’s 2024 growth ranked last among nearby states. Illinois was just ahead of Wisconsin with growth of 0.54% and a ranking of 36th. Michigan ranked 35th, up 0.57%; Indiana ranked 31st, up 0.64%, Minnesota ranked 27th with a 0.7% increase and Iowa was 26th with a 0.72% increase. Nationally, the population was up 1%. Growth was strongest in the South with an increase of 1.4%. The Northeast was up 0.9% and the West was up 0.9%. The Midwest, which includes Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, was up 0.6%. Wisconsin’s increase in 2024 was primarily driven by international migration, where the state saw a net increase of 22,146. All five nearby states also saw increases in international migration. In absolute terms, Illinois led the way with an increase of 112,955. Domestic migration was also a positive for Wisconsin with a net increase of 6,322 in 2024. The state’s net domestic migration increase was the strongest among nearby states. Indiana saw an increase of 4,268. The other nearby states saw a net decrease from domestic migration, including a drop of 56,235 in Illinois. The natural change in Wisconsin’s population was 2,040 with 59,445 births outpacing the 57,405 deaths. Minesota, up 11,780; Illinois, up 11,012; Indiana, up 9,159; and Iowa, up 3,829, all outpaced Wisconsin in absolute terms for natural population growth. Michigan saw a net decrease of 2,855.

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