Bordering states
Michigan vs Wisconsin
Short answer
- MI
- 10,140,459
- WI
- 5,960,975
The two states, county by county
Both maps share one density scale, so the same shade means the same number of people per square mile on either side of the border. Darker counties are denser. Select a county to open its page.
Michigan
Wisconsin
- < 23
- < 42
- < 76
- < 191
- ≥ 191
Side by side
| Measure | Michigan | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Residents, 2024 | 10,140,459 | 5,960,975 |
| Rank by population | 10th | 20th |
| Land, sq mi | 56,611 | 54,168 |
| People per sq mi | 179.1 | 110.0 |
| County-equivalents | 83 | 72 |
| Median county residents | 38,041 | 41,821 |
| Median county income | $60,410 | $70,174 |
| Most populous county | Wayne County | Milwaukee County |
| Largest county by land | Marquette County | Marathon County |
| Capital | Lansing | Madison |
| Daylight at capital, June 21 | 15 h 20 min | 15 h 22 min |
| Census division | East North Central | East North Central |
Population and density
Michigan has 10,140,459 residents, 70% more than Wisconsin's 5,960,975. Michigan ranks 10th and Wisconsin 20th of the 50 states and DC. Michigan is the more crowded, with 179.1 people per square mile against 110.0, 63% more.
Land area
Michigan has 56,611 square miles of land, about the same as Wisconsin's 54,168. The largest county-equivalent in Michigan is Marquette County at 1,809 square miles; in Wisconsin it is Marathon County at 1,545.
Counties
Michigan is divided into 83 county-equivalents and Wisconsin into 72, so an average Michigan county covers 682 square miles against 752. The typical county in Michigan has 38,041 residents, against 41,821 in Wisconsin. The most populous are Wayne County (1,771,063) and Milwaukee County (924,740).
7 county names appear on both sides of the border: Chippewa, Crawford, Iron, Jackson, Marquette, Menominee, Monroe. Use the FIPS code, not the name, when joining data across the two states.
Household income
The median county in Wisconsin has a household income of $70,174, 16% above Michigan's $60,410. The highest county incomes are Livingston County ($103,737) in Michigan and St. Croix County ($103,731) in Wisconsin, from SAIPE 2023.
Capitals and daylight
Lansing and Madison are 245 miles apart in a straight line; from Lansing the initial bearing is 277°, W. On June 21, 2026, Lansing gets 15 h 20 min of daylight and Madison 15 h 22 min; on December 21 the figures are 9 h 02 min and 9 h 00 min. Month by month tables are on the Lansing and Madison daylight pages.
Where they sit
Both are in the Census East North Central division of the Midwest region. By county internal points, Michigan spans 2 UTM zones and Wisconsin 2.
Questions people ask
Which is bigger, Michigan or Wisconsin?
Michigan, with 56,611 square miles of land against 54,168, 1.05 times as large.
Which has more people, Michigan or Wisconsin?
Michigan has 10,140,459 residents, 70% more than Wisconsin's 5,960,975.
How far is Lansing from Madison?
245 miles in a straight line, heading W (277°) from Lansing.
Do Michigan and Wisconsin have counties with the same name?
Yes, 7: Chippewa, Crawford, Iron, Jackson, Marquette, Menominee, Monroe.
Sources and data as of
Data as of: Census Vintage 2024 population estimates, 2024 Gazetteer land area and internal points, SAIPE 2023 median household income.
- 01Census Vintage 2024 county population estimates
- 02Census 2024 Gazetteer, counties
- 03Census SAIPE 2023 state and county estimates
- 04Census Bureau regions and divisions of the United States (last verified 2026-09-30)
How every number is computed: methodology. Spotted a wrong figure? Report an error.