Back in the spring, I looked at some of the fastest growing cities in the state of Iowa. The data I found cited Ankeny, IA as the city that has experienced exponential growth in the Hawkeye State over the last couple years. I decided to pivot north, and look at some of the fastest growing cities in Wisconsin.

The website A-Z-Animals looked at ten cities in Wisconsin that experienced growth in population over the last 10 years. We know that Wisconsin offers both scenic, small town, and big city beauty, where you're venturing to Lake Geneva, Chippewa Falls, or Milwaukee. Here a few of the fastest growing cities in Wisconsin:

Madison, WI Comes Out on Top:

Madison, WI has seen incredible growth over the last ten years, per A-Z-Animals:

  • Between 2010 and 2020, the population of Madison increased by over 40,604
  • There was a 17.7% population increase between 2010 to 2020
  • Population in 2020: 269,840
  • Second largest city in Wisconsin

The reason for Madison’s exponential growth rate is the University of Wisconsin–Madison, which is the largest employer in the state. However, other educational institutions also have a massive impact on the economy, demographics of the town, and culture. Madison has held the title of fastest-growing town in Wisconsin since 2021. - per A-Z-Animals

Photo Credit: benkrut, Getty Images
Photo Credit: benkrut, Getty Images
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Obviously, the University of Wisconsin-Madison greatly benefits the city of Madison, but even outside of that, the city has experienced a rapid rise of new faces over the last several years.

Sun Prairie, WI Makes for a Close Second:

Sun Prairie, WI wasn't far behind Madison on A-Z-Animals' roundup. The town of 35,000+ is just about an hour and a half from Platteville, WI, and is the second most populous city in Dane County after Madison.

  • Between 2010 and 2020, the population of Sun Prairie increased by over 8,159
  • There was a 29.3% population increase between 2010 to 2020
  • Population in 2020: 35,967
  • 24th largest city in Wisconsin
Dunbar Beach in Wisconsin. Photo Credit: Balezuk
Dunbar Beach in Wisconsin. Photo Credit: Balezuk
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Fitchburg, WI Rounds Out the Top Three:

Dane County is three-for-three when it comes for having some of the fastest growing cities in the entire state of Wisconsin. Wikipedia describes Fitchburg, WI as an ideal place to raise a family:

Fitchburg consists of a mix of suburban neighborhoods closer to the border with the city of Madison, commercial and industrial properties, and more rural properties in the southern portion of the city.

 

  • Between 2010 and 2020, the population of Fitchburg increased by over 5,143
  • There was a 21.0% population increase between 2010 to 2020
  • Population in 2020: 29,609
  • 27th largest city in Wisconsin

See the full list of fastest growing Wisconsin cities on A-Z-Animals' website.

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