Wisconsin Almanac: State Facts and Figures

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Wisconsin Almanac

Official Name

Wisconsin

Capital

Madison

Nick Name

Badger State

Motto

Forward

Location & Region

43.04405 N, 089.40954 W

Midwest

Constitution Ratified

1848

Statehood

May 29, 1848

30th state

Population

5,363,675

18th

Largest City
(by population)

Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, Appleton

Bordering States

Illinois - Iowa - Michigan - Minnesota

Number of Counties

72 Counties in Wisconsin

Largest County
(by population)

Milwaukee County

940,164

242 sq mi.

Time Zone

Central Standard Time

Wisconsin Climate and Weather

The Wisconsin climate is typically continental with some modification by Lakes Michigan and Superior. The cold, snowy winters favor a variety of winter sports, and the warm summers appeal to thousands of vacationers each year. About two-thirds of the annual precipitation falls during the growing season (freeze-free period). It is normally adequate for vegetation, although drought is occasionally reported. The climate is most favorable for dairy farming; the primary crops are corn, small grains, hay, and vegetables. The rapid succession of storms moving from west to east and southwest to northeast account for the stimulating climate.

The average annual temperature varies from 39 F in the north to about 50 F in the south. The highest temperature ever recorded in Wisconsin was 114 F at Wisconsin Dells on July 13, 1936, and the lowest temperature on record was minus 55 F, reported from Couderay on both February 2 and February 4, 1996.

During more than one-half of the winters, temperatures fall to minus 40 F or lower, and almost every winter temperatures of minus 30 or colder are reported from northern stations. Summer temperatures above 90 average 2 to 4 days in northern counties and about 14 days in southern districts. During marked cool outbreaks in summer months, the central lowlands occasionally report freezing temperatures.

The long-term mean annual precipitation ranges from 30 to 34 inches over most of the Western Uplands and Northern Highlands, then diminishes to about 28 inches along most of the Wisconsin Central Plain and Lake Superior Coastal area. The higher average annual precipitation coincides generally with the highest elevations, particularly the windward slopes of the Western Uplands and Northern Highlands. Thunderstorms average about 30 per year in northern Wisconsin to about 40 per year in southern counties, and occur mostly in the summer. Occasional hail, wind, and lightning damage are also reported.

Highest Temperature

114 degrees
July 13, 1936 - Wisconsin Dells

Lowest Temperature

-54 degrees
January 24, 1922 - Danbury

Avg Temp: High - Low

82.8 degrees

5.4 degrees

Low Average Temp

Wisconsin Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet)

Mean Elevation

1,050

Highest Point

Timms Hill

1,951

Lowest Point

Lake Michigan

579

Wisconsin Land Area¹ (Square Miles)

Geographic Center

9 miles SE of Marshfield

Total Area

65,497.82

23rd

Land Area¹

54,310.10

83.00%

Water Area²

11,187.72

17.00%

Forested Land Area³

45.9%

Dimensions
(Length - Width)

310 miles

260 miles

Source: (U.S. Census, April 1, 2000)
1. Dry land and land temporarily or partially covered by water, such as marshland, swamps, etc.; streams and canals under one-eighth statute mile wide; and lakes, reservoirs, and ponds under 40 acres.
2. Permanent inland water surface, such as lakes, reservoirs, and ponds having an area of 40 acres or more; streams, sloughs, estuaries, and canals one-eighth statute mile or more in width; deeply indented embayments and sounds, and other coastal waters behind or sheltered by headlands or islands separated by less than 1 nautical mile of water, and islands under 40 acres in area. Excludes areas of oceans, bays, sounds, etc. lying within U.S. jurisdiction but not defined as inland water.
3. 1997

Provided by SHG Resources