Wisconsin’s population is estimated to shrink at a growing rate over the upcoming decades, according to a projection from the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
According to the report, most Wisconsin counties will face a declining population by 2050. In total, it’s a projected loss of nearly 200,000 people in the next three decades.
Researchers say projected population decreases across most Wisconsin counties are associated with decreasing fertility rates or an increasing aging population, or a combination of both factors.
The state Department of Administration developed the population projections based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 counts. Here’s a breakdown of the report:
Milwaukee County’s population is projected to decline, says DOA
The sun sets on the Milwaukee skyline and Marquette University in Milwaukee on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022. – Mike De Sisti / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee County’s population is projected to decline by more than 9% by 2050, according to the DOA report.
An estimated 916,000 people lived in Milwaukee County in 2023, which is already 125,000 fewer people than 50 years ago. The city lost more than a fifth of its residents during that time period.
The DOA projections also come at a time when Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson has a plan, known as Growing MKE, to encourage population growth to 1 million Milwaukeeans. The plan mainly focuses on updates to housing and proposed changes to zoning to increase density.
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Wisconsin counties with fastest decline in population:
Here’s a look at the Wisconsin counties with the fastest estimated decline in population by 2050, according to DOA projections:
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Florence County: -31% estimated population decline
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Adams County: -29.1% estimated population decline
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Richland County: -28.7% estimated population decline
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Rusk County: -27.7% estimated population decline
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Forest County: -26.1% estimated population decline
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Crawford County: -25.9% estimated population decline
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Price County: -24.9% estimated population decline
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Shawano County: -24.6% estimated population decline
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Langlade County: -24.5% estimated population decline
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Polk County: -22.1% estimated population decline
Where is Florence County, Wisconsin?
Florence County, Wisconsin, is located in on the far northeast part of the state. According to the report, it is estimated to face over a 31% decline in its population by the 2050s.
Wisconsin counties with fastest population growth in population:
Here’s a look at the Wisconsin counties with the fastest estimated growth in population by 2050, according to the DOA:
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Dane County: 38.8% estimated population increase
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Trempealeau County: 33.9% estimated population increase
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Eau Claire: 12.2% estimated population increase
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Brown County: 11.5% estimated population increase
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St. Croix: 10.1% estimated population increase
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Clark County: 8.7% estimated population increase
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Jackson County: 7% estimated population increase
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Outagamie County: 6.2% estimated population increase
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Vernon County: 2.6% estimated population increase
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Calumet County: 1.1% estimated population increase
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin population expected to shrink by 200k by 2050, says DOA