15. Wisconsin

This state ranks high in school performance, but businesses aren't thrilled with the steep regulations.

Wisconsin State Flag painted on grunge wall
PromesaArtStudio | iStock | Getty Images
Category
Score
2019 Rank
2018 Rank
Grade
Workforce 251 20 22 C
Economy 226 20 19 B
Infrastructure 183 24 23 B-
Cost of Doing Business 210 20 21 B+
Quality of Life 168 26 24 C-
Education 122 5 14 A-
Technology & Innovation 103 19 20 B-
Business Friendliness 92 26 24 C
Access to Capital 38 25 25 C
Cost of Living 28 23 24 C+
Overall 1421 15 17 -

Economic Profile

Governor: Tony Evers, Democrat

Population: 5,813,568

GDP growth (Q4 2018): 2.1%

Unemployment rate (May 2019): 2.8%

Top corporate tax rate: 7.9%

Top individual income tax rate: 7.65%

Gasoline tax: 32.90 cents/gallon

Bond rating (Moody's/S&P): Aa1, stable/AA, stable

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 (excluding 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence