There’s a lot to love about Wisconsin: Madison! Cheese! The Packers! But there’s also our fair share of towns with population declines, economic stagnation, and social issues. People are fleeing those towns and it’s starting to show.
Here’s Five Fast Facts About Wisconsin Towns People Are Fleeing:
- 🍲 Potter - With a population of 236, the muskrat capital of the state has a poverty rate of 18.75%, which is almost double the state’s overall average. It has a median household income of $50,625, which is considerably lower than the state’s average.
- 🪑 Chilton - The county seat of Calumet country has seen a 5.99% population decrease since 2020. It also features a poverty rate of 10.42%. It also faces an average of 40” of snow on an annual basis. Ouch.
- 👴 Stockbridge - The average age of Stockbridge’s residents is 56. That’s not a good thing. The sturgeon capital of the world has lost 5.26% of its population since 2020, with only 648 residents. With that average age, you can probably guess what caused that decline.
- 🚤 Fon Du Lac - A popular lake destination, Fon Du Lac is shrinking. It has lost 1.18% of its population since 2020 and is faced with an aging population and lack of diversity. Young people are leaving and they’re not coming back.
- 🍺 Milwaukee - The state’s largest city is losing residents (0.61% since 2020). Why? Urban decay, income inequality, social unrest, and even political polarization. Don’t forget to talk to Alice Cooper about Milwaukee’s history.
🔥Bottom line: Cities and towns in decline are tough to hear about, especially when it’s in your own state. Some of these places may just disappear in the next decade if trends continue and that’s a scary concept.
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