Wisconsin cities ranks among fastest-growing in the United States
MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) – Depending on where you live in Wisconsin, it might feel like more out-of-towners have moved in.
A new analysis from personal finance site SmartAsset reveals that Madison, Eau Claire, and Appleton are among the state's fastest-growing cities, with Madison ranking 54th nationally in population growth.
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The analysis, based on recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, studied over 600 cities across the country, measuring both one- and five-year changes in population.
Among these, five cities saw their populations grow by more than 10% between 2022 and 2023, but none of those cities are in Wisconsin. However, Madison led the state with a 2.71% population increase, bringing its total to 280,307 residents in 2023, up from 272,907 in 2022—a five-year growth rate of 8.63%, the highest in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Cities with Population Growth Rates:
Nationally, population trends varied widely, with only Houston and Phoenix among the five largest U.S. cities posting population growth from 2022 to 2023, at 0.31% and 0.34%, respectively.
Meanwhile, New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago all saw population declines, with New York experiencing the most significant one-year drop of 0.93%.
Examining a broader five-year period, each of these major cities experienced population decreases, with Los Angeles seeing the sharpest decline at -4.25%.
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Despite the growth in cities like Jacksonville, Florida (9.07%) and Fort Worth, Texas (8.68%), both Florida and Texas still recorded thousands of residents moving out in 2023, according to recent Census data.
These population shifts reflect broader trends in urban migration, as people explore different regions based on factors such as affordability, employment opportunities, and quality of life.