Wisconsin is a constituent state in the United States of America. In Terms of area, Wisconsin is the 25th largest state among the 50 U.S. states. It covers a total area of 65,498 square miles (1,69,640 sq. km) with a land area of 54,153 square miles.   According to the 2020 United States census, it has a population of approximately 58,93,718 residents, making it the 20th most populous state in the United States. Madison is the capital city (In which the functions of state government are carried out) as well as the county seat of Dane county and Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. 

            The Midwestern U.S. state, Wisconsin was admitted to the union as the 30th state on 29th May, 1848. Wisconsin shares its borders with Lake Superior, Illinois, Minnesota, Lake Michigan, and Michigan to the North, South, West, East, and Northeast respectively. The U.S. state of Wisconsin was divided into 72 counties.  According to the 2022 United States census, Milwaukee County is the most populous county at 918,661 residents (estimated), and Menominee county is the least populous county with 4,197 residents (estimated). In terms of area Marathon County is the largest county and Pepin County is the smallest county among the 72 counties of Wisconsin, United States. Each county has its own county seat, which is the capital city of the county, where the county’s administration is placed. Each county is authorized by the Wisconsin Constitution to make and enforce local governance that does not conflict with general laws. The county government includes a board of county commissioners, County executives, and all other elected officials. 

            The U.S. state of Wisconsin has fascinating history. The state is often referred to as the “Badger State”. The Badger state is also known as “ America’s Dairyland”, due to it being one of the country’s leading dairy producers, particularly for its Cheese. The U.S. state Wisconsin is also famous for its beer companies, particularly in Milwaukee and is also leading producer of Ginseng. The state is known for its iconic landmarks, including Wisconsin state capitol, Scenic Door County, Apostle Islands, and the Wisconsin Dells. Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Tourism industries are major contributors to the State’s economy. 

         Here we are going to discuss some of the most remarkable counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin & some interesting facts about them. The 72 counties of Wisconsin along with their County Seat and population listed below. 

 72 Counties of Wisconsin

County Name	County Seat	Population
Adams County	Friendship	21,226
Ashland County	Ashland	16,039
Barron County	Barron	46,843
Bayfield County	Washburn	16,608
Brown County	Green Bay	2,70,036
Buffalo County	Alma	13,391
Burnett County	Siren	17,036
Calumet County	Chilton	52,718
Chippewa County	Chippewa Falls	66,807
Clark County	Neillsville	34,691
Columbia County	Portage	58,193
Crawford County	Prairie du Chien	16,007
Dane County	Madison	5,68,203
Dodge County	Juneau	88,282
Door County	Sturgeon Bay	30,526
Douglas County	Superior	44,144
Dunn County	Menomonie	45,651
Eau Claire County	Eau Claire	1,06,837
Florence County	Florence	4,688
Fond du Lac County	Fond du Lac	1,03,836
Forest County	Crandon	9,381
Grant County	Lancaster	51,276
Green County	Monroe	36,816
Green Lake County	Green Lake	19,220
Lowa County	Dodgeville	23,865
Iron County	Hurley	6,224
Jackson County	Black River Falls	20,836
Jefferson County	Jefferson	85,784
Juneau County	Mauston	26,866
Kenosha County	Kenosha	1,67,817
Kewaunee County	Kewaunee	20,623
La Crosse County	La Crosse	1,20,294
Lafayette County	Darlington	16,877
Langlade County	Antigo	19,559
Lincoln County	Merrill	28,376
Manitowoc County	Manitowoc	81,172
Marathon County	Wausau	1,37,958
Marinette County	Marinette	41,988
Marquette County	Montello	15,779
Menominee County	Keshena	4,197
Milwaukee County	Milwaukee	9,18,661
Monroe County	Sparta	46,109
Oconto County	Oconto	39,633
Oneida County	Rhinelander	38,212
Outagamie County	Appleton	1,92,127
Ozaukee County	Port Washington	93,009
Pepin County	Durand	7,410
Pierce County	Ellsworth	42,532
Polk County	Balsam Lake	45,709
Portage County	Stevens Point	70,718
Price County	Phillips	14,179
Racine County	Racine	1,95,846
Richland County	Richland Center	17,090
Rock County	Janesville	1,64,060
Rusk County	Ladysmith	14,186
Sauk County	Baraboo	65,777
Sawyer County	Hayward	18,559
Shawano County	Shawano	40,886
Sheboygan County	Sheboygan	1,17,841
St. Croix County	Hudson	96,017
Taylor County	Medford	19,975
Trempealeau County	Whitehall	30,899
Vernon County	Viroqua	31,060
Vilas County	Eagle River	23,763
Walworth County	Elkhorn	1,05,380
Washburn County	Shell Lake	16,911
Washington County	West Bend	1,37,688
Waukesha County	Waukesha	4,10,434
Waupaca County	Waupaca	51,488
Waushara County	Wautoma	24,999
Winnebago County	Oshkosh	1,70,718
Wood County	Wisconsin Rapids	73,993

Dane County

           Dane County is located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. According to the 2020 United States Census, the county is the second most populous (after Milwaukee) among the 72 counties of the U.S. state of Wisconsin, with a population of 561,504 residents. It has an area of 1,238 square miles (3,210 sq. km). Madison is the county seat and the state capital, which is also the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. 

           Dane County offers numerous parks, lakes, and more recreational areas, including Cave of the Mounds, which is a famous tourist attraction in the county. The county is home to Wisconsin state Capitol, prominent colleges and universities, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which is one of the well known public research universities in the United States. Madison County is known for being a hub of education and politics. Agricultural processing and technology sector provides a major contribution to the county’s local economy.  

Milwaukee County

           Milwaukee County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The county has a population of 9,39,489 residents, as of the 2020 census. It is also the most densely populated county in the state. The county has an area of 1,189 square miles (3,080 sq. km). The county is home to the Wisconsin state’s most populous city Milwaukee, which is the county seat. It is also the largest city in the county. Like the other counties in the state, Milwaukee County also has a county government structure and an elected County Executive and board of commissioners. South Shore Beach and North Point Water Tower are the popular tourist attractions in the county. Milwaukee County is famous for its breweries. The county’s economy is associated with the brewing and manufacturing industries, which is a major contribution to the county’s local economy.

Waukesha County

             Waukesha County is located in Southeastern Wisconsin, United States. It is the third most populated county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, having a population of 406,978 residents according to the 2020 Census. It has an area of 581 square miles (1500 sq. km). Waukesha is the county seat and also the largest city in the county. Like the other counties in the state, Milwaukee County also has a county government structure and an elected County Executive and board of commissioners. The county offers parks, lakes, and more recreational areas. It is home to historical museums and several educational institutions including Carroll University. Waukesha County has a diverse economy with Manufacturing and retail sectors.     

Door County

            Door County is situated in the easternmost region of Wisconsin, United States. It has an area of 2,370 square miles (6,400 sq. km). According to the 2020 United States Census, the county has a population of 30,066 residents. Sturgeon Bay is the County Seat of Door County. The county is also referred to as the “Cape of the Midwest.”  The county is known for its tourist destinations, attracting visitors to its popular towns including Sturgeon Bay, Fish Creek, and Sister Bay, and famous tourist attractions including Eagle Tower, Rock Island State Park, and Coastal Byway. Like the other counties in the state, Door County also has a county government structure and an elected County Executive and board of commissioners. 

Brown County

           Brown County is located in the northeastern region along the western side of Lake Michigan in the U.S. state, Wisconsin, United States. According to the 2020 United States Census Brown County was the fourth most populous county among 72 counties in Wisconsin, with a population of 2,68,740 residents. It has an area of 616 square miles (1,600 sq. km). Green Bay is the county seat and one of the major cities in the state. The county has several natural reserves. Like the other counties in the state, Brown County also has a county government structure and an elected County Executive and board of commissioners. Manufacturing and Agriculture industries support the county’s local economy.  

Kenosha County

        Kenosha County is situated corner of the Southeastern region of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. According to the 2020 census, Kenosha County is the eighth-most populous county among the 72 counties of Wisconsin, United States, having a population of 1,69,151 residents. It has an area of 754 square miles (1,950 sq. km). The city of Kenosha is the county seat and shares the same name as the county name, which is the fourth largest city in the state. Like the other counties in the state, Kenosha County also has a county government structure and an elected County Executive and board of commissioners. Once the county was known as a ‘Manufacturing Town’, with the strong presence of the Transportation industry. Manufacturing and retail were the major contributors to the County’s economy.  

St. Croix County

             St. Croix County is located in the western part of St. Croix County, United States. It has an area of 736 square miles (1,910 sq. km). The county has a population of 93,536 residents. St.Croix County is the fastest-growing county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Hudson is the county seat of St. Croix County, United States. Like the other counties in the state, St. Croix County also has a county government structure and an elected County Executive and board of commissioners. The county is known for its famous tourist attractions including Willow River State Park, 45th Parallel Spirits, LakeFront Park, white sand beaches, and World-class recreational areas. Agricultural-related businesses are the major contributors to the county’s local economy. 

La Crosse County

              La Crosse County is located in the western region of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It has an area of 480 square miles (1,200 sq. km). According to the 2020 United States census, La Crosse County has a population of 120,784 residents.  La Crosse is the county seat and the largest city in the county. Like the other counties in the state, La Crosse County also has a county government structure and an elected County Executive and board of commissioners. 

Eau Claire County

            Eau Claire County is located in the west-central part of the Wisconsin, U.S. state. It has an area of 645 square miles (1,670 sq. km). According to the 2020 United States census, the county has an area of 1,05,710 residents. Like the other counties in the state, Eau Claire County also has a county government structure and an elected County Executive and board of commissioners. Eau Claire is the county seat and the largest city.       

 

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Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How many counties does the U.S. state of Wisconsin have?

The U.S. state of Wisconsin has 72 counties.

• What is the most populated county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin?

Milwaukee County is the most populous & fastest-growing County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin.

• What is the least populated county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin?

 Menominee County is the least populous county in Wisconsin, United States.

• What is the capital city of Wisconsin?

  Madison is the County Seat of Dane County and the Capital city of Wisconsin, United States.