Real Estate Directory - Wisconsin

Population: 5,472,299 (2003 figures)
Capital city/population: Madison
Largest cities/population:

  • Milwaukee - 586,941
  • Madison - 218,432
  • Green Bay - 101,467
  • Kenosha - 92,871

Wisconsin is the 23rd largest state, with a total area of 65,499 square miles. It has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Winter temperatures may fall to -40ºF in the northern portion of the state, and rise above 90ºF during the summer months. Rainfall ranges from 28” – 34”, with snowfalls of more than 100” being recorded in the northern portions. Wisconsin was admitted into the Union on May 29, 1848. Residents enjoy the state’s 7,446 streams and rivers – stretched end to end, they would circle the equator. Door County has five state parks and 250 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan, which is more than any other county in the country.

HOUSING

Milwaukee – The city’s employment sector has grown by 11,000 jobs since 1990, much of it in the services sector. This growth has produced a housing demand, with activity averaging 3,500 homes sold annually since 2000. First-time home buyers are exceeding the demand and multiple bids are common. Homes in the $500,000 and up price range are taking longer to sell and realizing less appreciation. Homes in the city are selling for an average of $125,166. The rental market is slightly flat.

Madison – There is an overall buyer’s market in the city, with a large supply of homes in the $225,000 - $300,000 price range. Due to a slight excess, home sellers need to price their home competitively in order to realize a sale. Average price for a single-family home is $183,462. Madison offers 200 parks, over 100 miles of dedicated bike trails, great cultural opportunities and many sporting events. Money magazine named Madison the #1 mid-sized city in America.

Green Bay – Average price for a single-family home is $137,609. Green Bay offers residents and visitors a thriving community and strong business growth. Inc. Magazine designated Green Bay as the #1 medium-sized city to in which to start a business. With a huge performing arts center, museums, festivals, outdoor recreation, and great sporting events, Green Bay is a great place to live!

Kenosha – Kenosha is home to one of the nation’s fastest growing markets. Commuters have easy access to either Milwaukee or Chicago, creating a strong demand for new home construction and condominiums. The pricing structure is tight, with homes priced a little above average remaining on the market for a longer period of time. Median price for a single-family home is $178,000, which is an increase of 12% over earlier prices. Duplex and condominium prices also increased.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Principal industries include services, manufacturing, trade, government, agriculture, and tourism. Manufactured goods include food products, motor vehicles/equipment, paper products, medical instruments/supplies, printing, and plastics. Crops include corn, soybeans, peas, hay, oats, potatoes, sweet corn, snap beans, and cranberries. Total gross state product for 2004 was $211,727 million, with a per capita income for 1995 of $21,839.

SCHOOLS

The Office of the Superintendent has set aside funding to reimburse Wisconsin schools for services to children with severe disabilities. A total of $1.25 million will support Keeping the Promise, a special education program. Some students requiring special equipment or services can require three times the average expense of educating a student. This aid will help all schools who have special education students. In the public sector, student-teacher ratio for 1994 was 15:9, with an average annual teachers’ salary for 1995 of $38,571.
State-supported colleges, include the largest, the University of Wisconsin - Madison, with branch campuses at Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Kenosha (Parkside campus), Platteville, River Falls, Stevens Point, Menomonie (Stout campus), Superior, and Whitewater. There are also 13 two-year institutions. Private institutions include Marquette University –Milwaukee, Lawrence University – Appleton, Beloit College, and Ripon College. The Medical College of Wisconsin is located at Milwaukee.

HISTORY

Early Wisconsin was settled by fur traders and lead miners. After 1825, a large number of settlers began arriving in Milwaukee, with the U.S. Army maintaining key forts at Green Bay, Prairie du Chien, and Portage.

In 1836, Wisconsin was made a territory, and Madison was chosen as the capital, midway between Milwaukee and the western portion of the state. German settlers predominated, developing farms and cities that still hold a tidy look that reminiscent of their homeland.

Wisconsin supported the Union during the Civil War; afterward, economic and social growth was rapid, as railroads linked Wisconsin to the East. Meatpacking and brewing industries thrived, and Wisconsin gradually shifted to dairy production, spurred by an influx of immigrants experienced in dairy farming.

During World War II, shipbuilding flourished, and in the postwar era, industrial growth continued. In later years, the state became a pioneer in welfare reform.

RELIGION (2004)

  • Christian – 85%
    • Protestant – 55%
      • Lutheran – 23%
      • Methodist – 7%
      • Baptist – 6%
      • Presbyterian – 2%
      • United Church of Christ – 2%
      • Other Protestant or general Protestant – 15%
    • Roman Catholic – 29%
    • Other Christian – 1%
  • Other Religions – 1%
  • Non-Religious – 14%

DEMOGRAPHICS (2004)

  • White - 87.3%
  • Black - 5.7%
  • Hispanic - 3.6%
  • Asian - 1.7%
  • Mixed race - 1.2%
  • Native American - 0.9%