Fastest growing cities in Wisconsin
Population growth in the United States is slowing. From 2010 to 2020, the population grew by just 7.4%—the lowest rate since the 1930s. Declining birth rates, an aging population, and fewer immigrants are all contributing to historically slow growth rates. But depending on where you are in the country, it might not always feel that way.
In every state, there were cities that experienced cumulative population gains over the course of the decade. But when you look at the growth rates from year to year, cities across the country are following a similar trajectory. Small, medium, and large cities all saw declining growth since 2016. Some of the largest cities—those with populations over 1 million—have actually seen a decrease in overall population, not just slower population growth.
Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing cities in Wisconsin using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cities are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020.
Many cities experienced their most significant growth within the first few years of the decade. Experts postulate that the housing bubble burst in tandem with economic hardships of the Great Recession pushed many people of home-buying age to the cities. A decade later, in the wake of the pandemic, the U.S. is in a similar position.
#20. Hudson
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,422
--- #1,860 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 19.6%
--- #130 among cities in Wisconsin, #5,711 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 14,755
--- #61 largest city in Wisconsin, #2,967 largest city nationwide
#19. Bristol
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,629
--- #1,744 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 102.6%
--- #9 among cities in Wisconsin, #834 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 5,192
--- #146 largest city in Wisconsin, #6,383 largest city nationwide
#18. Franklin
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,758
--- #1,680 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 8.1%
--- #275 among cities in Wisconsin, #9,802 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 36,816
--- #21 largest city in Wisconsin, #1,193 largest city nationwide
#17. Oconomowoc
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,938
--- #1,610 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 19.2%
--- #133 among cities in Wisconsin, #5,795 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 18,203
--- #47 largest city in Wisconsin, #2,473 largest city nationwide
#16. Pewaukee
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +2,951
--- #1,605 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 22.8%
--- #108 among cities in Wisconsin, #5,012 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 15,914
--- #54 largest city in Wisconsin, #2,788 largest city nationwide
#15. Appleton
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,024
--- #1,572 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 4.2%
--- #364 among cities in Wisconsin, #12,156 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 75,644
--- #6 largest city in Wisconsin, #508 largest city nationwide
#14. Howard
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,215
--- #1,495 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 19.2%
--- #134 among cities in Wisconsin, #5,806 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 19,950
--- #41 largest city in Wisconsin, #2,261 largest city nationwide
#13. Brookfield
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,266
--- #1,461 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 8.6%
--- #267 among cities in Wisconsin, #9,574 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 41,464
--- #16 largest city in Wisconsin, #1,047 largest city nationwide
#12. Menomonee Falls
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,306
--- #1,448 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 9.4%
--- #258 among cities in Wisconsin, #9,172 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 38,527
--- #19 largest city in Wisconsin, #1,138 largest city nationwide
#11. Waunakee
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,322
--- #1,438 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 28.7%
--- #74 among cities in Wisconsin, #4,011 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 14,879
--- #59 largest city in Wisconsin, #2,947 largest city nationwide
#10. Oak Creek
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,428
--- #1,393 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 10.4%
--- #243 among cities in Wisconsin, #8,709 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 36,497
--- #23 largest city in Wisconsin, #1,204 largest city nationwide
#9. Green Bay
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,435
--- #1,389 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 3.3%
--- #388 among cities in Wisconsin, #12,718 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 107,395
--- #3 largest city in Wisconsin, #302 largest city nationwide
#8. Verona
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,997
--- #1,227 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 39.8%
--- #48 among cities in Wisconsin, #2,856 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 14,030
--- #64 largest city in Wisconsin, #3,095 largest city nationwide
#7. Hobart
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,218
--- #1,175 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 70.4%
--- #18 among cities in Wisconsin, #1,417 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 10,211
--- #90 largest city in Wisconsin, #3,989 largest city nationwide
#6. Eau Claire
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,288
--- #1,156 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 6.6%
--- #310 among cities in Wisconsin, #10,623 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 69,421
--- #8 largest city in Wisconsin, #573 largest city nationwide
#5. Middleton
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,663
--- #1,072 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 27.2%
--- #86 among cities in Wisconsin, #4,243 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 21,827
--- #37 largest city in Wisconsin, #2,088 largest city nationwide
#4. Windsor
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,881
--- #1,042 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 126.0%
--- #5 among cities in Wisconsin, #636 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 8,754
--- #103 largest city in Wisconsin, #4,502 largest city nationwide
#3. Fitchburg
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,143
--- #983 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 21.0%
--- #121 among cities in Wisconsin, #5,390 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 29,609
--- #27 largest city in Wisconsin, #1,512 largest city nationwide
#2. Sun Prairie
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +8,159
--- #643 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 29.3%
--- #70 among cities in Wisconsin, #3,924 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 35,967
--- #24 largest city in Wisconsin, #1,220 largest city nationwide
#1. Madison
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +40,604
--- #73 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 17.7%
--- #149 among cities in Wisconsin, #6,200 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 269,840
--- #2 largest city in Wisconsin, #80 largest city nationwide
