23. Wisconsin

Businesses may laud the solid education system in the Badger State, but a poor economy is threatening past gains.

Top States Wisconsin
Source: George Kavallines
Category
Score
2016 Rank
2015 Rank
Workforce 209 26 (Tie) 31
Cost of Doing Business 176 28 26
Infrastructure 199 19 5 (Tie)
Economy 161 31 30
Quality of Life 207 15 23
Technology & Innovation 146 19 (Tie) 20
Education 126 11 (Tie) 14
Business Friendliness 53 36 28 (Tie)
Cost of Living 42 23 26
Access to Capital 38 13 14
Overall 1357 23 15

Economic Profile

Governor: Scott Walker, Republican

Population: 5,771,337

GDP growth: 1.8 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2016): 4.2 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 7.9 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 7.65 percent

Gasoline tax: 51.30 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa2, positive

Major private employers: Wal-Mart, Johnson Controls

Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence

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