Find a Job You Really Want In
Top 10 Cities in Wisconsin with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026
If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your career but love your hometown, you may be searching for new job opportunities nearby. Understanding the job market in your city is crucial, especially in today’s rapidly evolving employment landscape. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of the cities in Wisconsin boasting the lowest unemployment rates, indicating strong job availability.
Many individuals settle in a location due to employment opportunities. However, if you’re considering a move to Wisconsin for various reasons—whether lifestyle choices or career aspirations—it’s essential to know which areas offer the best job prospects.
Utilizing the latest demographic data from the Census, we focused on cities in Wisconsin with populations exceeding 10,000. Analyzing this data allowed us to identify the cities with the lowest unemployment rates, highlighting the top contenders:
- Sussex(Jobs)
- Verona(Jobs)
- Muskego(Jobs)
- Franklin(Jobs)
- Grafton(Jobs)
- Pewaukee(Jobs)
- Allouez(Jobs)
- New Berlin(Jobs)
- Waunakee(Jobs)
- Hudson(Jobs)
For employers, a low unemployment rate is a strong indicator of a healthy community, making Sussex the standout city in Wisconsin for job seekers and businesses alike.
Continue reading to learn how we identified these cities with the most promising job markets in Wisconsin.
For more information about job opportunities in Wisconsin, explore:
How We Determined the Cities in Wisconsin with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To pinpoint Wisconsin’s cities with the lowest unemployment rates, we focused on locations with populations exceeding 10,000. This approach left us with 86 cities from which to draw insights.
We analyzed the most recent unemployment data from the American Community Survey, allowing us to rank these cities based on their employment rates. The unemployment rate serves as a key indicator of the job market, offering insights into the potential for job seekers, whether they are relocating within the state or moving from outside Wisconsin.
We ranked the cities from one to 86, with one representing the city with the lowest unemployment. In cases of ties, the larger city received precedence.
If your city isn’t featured in the top ten, scroll down to the end of the article for a complete overview. Otherwise, read on to discover how these cities achieved their impressive rankings.
1. Sussex
Population: 10,632
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
Sussex tops our list with an impressive unemployment rate of just 1.9%, making it the prime location for job seekers in Wisconsin.
Living here comes with the benefit of having numerous job opportunities at your fingertips.
2. Verona
Population: 11,353
Unemployment Rate: 2.0%
Verona holds the second spot with a low unemployment rate of 2.0%, proving to be a strong contender for those looking to establish a fulfilling career.
3. Muskego
Population: 24,387
Unemployment Rate: 2.9%
Taking the bronze medal, Muskego boasts an unemployment rate of 2.9%, making it an attractive destination for job seekers.
4. Franklin
Population: 35,920
Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
Franklin ranks fourth, with a population of 35,920 residents. It’s a solid choice for those beginning their job search in Wisconsin.
5. Grafton
Population: 11,539
Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
Grafton claims the fifth position with an unemployment rate of 3.4%, showcasing a stable job market for its residents.
6. Pewaukee
Population: 13,599
Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
Pewaukee comes in sixth with a respectable unemployment rate of 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market.
7. Allouez
Population: 13,948
Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
Allouez shares the seventh spot, also with an unemployment rate of 3.5%, making it a viable option for job seekers.
8. New Berlin
Population: 39,712
Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
New Berlin ranks eighth, demonstrating a competitive job market that attracts both residents and newcomers.
9. Waunakee
Population: 12,613
Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
Waunakee solidifies its place at ninth with a 3.6% unemployment rate, making it an appealing location for job hunters.
10. Hudson
Population: 13,023
Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
Hudson rounds out the top ten with a 3.6% unemployment rate, still impressive among the 86 cities considered.
Conclusion: Unemployment Across Wisconsin
These ten cities in Wisconsin represent the best opportunities for job seekers, supported by their low unemployment rates. If you’re considering moving to Wisconsin, these locations should be at the top of your list.
For further insights into various cities and states across the U.S., visit Zippia. Additionally, if you’re a recent college graduate contemplating relocation, check out which states are most welcoming to new graduates.
Here’s a quick look at the cities in Wisconsin with the highest unemployment rates:
- Beloit
- Milwaukee
- Racine
Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Wisconsin
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| Sussex | 1 | 1.9% |
| Verona | 2 | 2.0% |
| Muskego | 3 | 2.9% |
| Franklin | 4 | 3.1% |
| Grafton | 5 | 3.4% |
| Pewaukee | 6 | 3.5% |
| Allouez | 7 | 3.5% |
| New Berlin | 8 | 3.5% |
| Waunakee | 9 | 3.6% |
| Hudson | 10 | 3.6% |
| Waupun | 11 | 3.7% |
| Hartford | 12 | 3.7% |
| Glendale | 13 | 3.9% |
| Monroe | 14 | 3.9% |
| Neenah | 15 | 4.0% |
| River Falls | 16 | 4.0% |
| Mequon | 17 | 4.1% |
| Little Chute | 18 | 4.1% |
| Wauwatosa | 19 | 4.1% |
| Appleton | 20 | 4.1% |
| Whitefish Bay | 21 | 4.1% |
| Menomonee Falls | 22 | 4.2% |
| Oconomowoc | 23 | 4.3% |
| Shorewood | 24 | 4.4% |
| Kaukauna | 25 | 4.5% |
| Sun Prairie | 26 | 4.5% |
| Brookfield | 27 | 4.7% |
| Bellevue | 28 | 4.9% |
| Germa | 29 | 4.9% |
| West Bend | 30 | 5.0% |
| Richfield | 31 | 5.0% |
| Waukesha | 32 | 5.1% |
| Oak Creek | 33 | 5.2% |
| Onalaska | 34 | 5.2% |
| Stoughton | 35 | 5.2% |
| Platteville | 36 | 5.3% |
| Middleton | 37 | 5.3% |
| Madison | 38 | 5.3% |
| Oshkosh | 39 | 5.3% |
| Marshfield | 40 | 5.6% |
| Menasha | 41 | 5.6% |
| Weston | 42 | 5.6% |
| Howard | 43 | 5.7% |
| Port Washington | 44 | 5.7% |
| Suamico | 45 | 5.9% |
| De Pere | 46 | 5.9% |
| Brown Deer | 47 | 5.9% |
| Cedarburg | 48 | 5.9% |
| Greenfield | 49 | 6.0% |
| Beaver Dam | 50 | 6.0% |
| Fitchburg | 51 | 6.0% |
| La Crosse | 52 | 6.2% |
| Portage | 53 | 6.2% |
| Eau Claire | 54 | 6.2% |
| Marinette | 55 | 6.3% |
| Greendale | 56 | 6.3% |
| Mount Pleasant | 57 | 6.5% |
| Fort Atkinson | 58 | 6.6% |
| West Allis | 59 | 6.7% |
| Manitowoc | 60 | 6.9% |
| Burlington | 61 | 7.0% |
| Superior | 62 | 7.1% |
| Ashwaubenon | 63 | 7.1% |
| Plover | 64 | 7.2% |
| Pleasant Prairie | 65 | 7.2% |
| Green Bay | 66 | 7.2% |
| Chippewa Falls | 67 | 7.3% |
| Wisconsin Rapids | 68 | 7.4% |
| Menomonie | 69 | 7.4% |
| Caledonia | 70 | 7.4% |
| Fond Du Lac | 71 | 7.5% |
| Elkhorn | 72 | 7.8% |
| Sheboygan | 73 | 7.9% |
| Janesville | 74 | 7.9% |
| Two Rivers | 75 | 8.1% |
| Whitewater | 76 | 8.2% |
| Watertown | 77 | 8.2% |
| Wausau | 78 | 8.3% |
| Stevens Point | 79 | 8.8% |
| South Milwaukee | 80 | 9.0% |
| Baraboo | 81 | 9.1% |
| Cudahy | 82 | 9.5% |
| Kenosha | 83 | 10.6% |
| Racine | 84 | 11.8% |
| Milwaukee | 85 | 11.8% |
| Beloit | 86 | 13.2% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
