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The 10 Worst Cities for Women in Wisconsin for 2026
As we enter 2026, women in the United States continue to face numerous challenges in the workplace and beyond. Despite advancements in gender equality, disparities in pay, representation in leadership, and access to essential services remain prevalent. In Wisconsin, these issues vary significantly from one city to another, impacting women’s overall quality of life.
Following a review of the state, we have pinpointed the cities where women encounter the most significant obstacles. Below, we reveal the rankings and the criteria that led to these conclusions.
The 10 Worst Cities to Be a Woman in Wisconsin
These rankings highlight the cities in Wisconsin where women face the most significant challenges. Read on to explore the reasons behind these rankings or jump to the end to discover the best cities for women in the state.
Methodology – How We Determined the Worst Cities for Women in Wisconsin
Each city was ranked based on four key factors:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Women’s Earnings per Male Dollar Earned (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
Data for these metrics were sourced from the Census’ American Community Survey. By dividing the median income for male workers by that of female workers, we calculated how much women earn for every dollar earned by men.
To assess the percentage of women living in poverty, we focused on those living alone, ensuring that our analysis specifically highlighted women’s economic challenges without the influence of household income from spouses or family members.
We also examined women’s representation in management roles, recognizing the importance of leadership opportunities for women’s advancement in the workplace. Finally, we analyzed health insurance rates among women to understand access to essential healthcare services.
Only cities in Wisconsin with populations exceeding 5,000 were included in our analysis.
1. Ashland
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.59
Women in Management: 29.2%
Women in Poverty: 18.3%
Women Uninsured: 7.7%
Ashland ranks as the worst city for women in Wisconsin due to low scores across all metrics. Women in Ashland face high rates of poverty and lack of health insurance, revealing significant challenges in their daily lives.
2. Reedsburg
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.66
Women in Management: 27.4%
Women in Poverty: 15.8%
Women Uninsured: 6.4%
Reedsburg ranks as the second worst city for women, with high poverty rates and low management representation contributing to the challenges faced by women in the area.
3. Marinette
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.56
Women in Management: 39.0%
Women in Poverty: 21.2%
Women Uninsured: 4.7%
Women in Marinette face significant hurdles, with a notable percentage living in poverty and a relatively low percentage in management roles.
4. Neenah
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.61
Women in Management: 32.4%
Women in Poverty: 15.1%
Women Uninsured: 4.1%
Neenah ranks fourth, with a concerning percentage of women living in poverty and lacking health insurance.
5. New London
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.65
Women in Management: 29.3%
Women in Poverty: 14.3%
Women Uninsured: 4.5%
New London is the fifth worst city for women, offering limited opportunities compared to larger cities while still presenting challenges for women.
6. Watertown
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.70
Women in Management: 26.3%
Women in Poverty: 12.6%
Women Uninsured: 6.1%
At number six, Watertown presents a challenging situation for women, with a significant number facing poverty and a lack of representation in management.
7. Mukwonago
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.58
Women in Management: 36.5%
Women in Poverty: 8.6%
Women Uninsured: 6.7%
Mukwonago is a challenging environment for women, with significant barriers related to earnings and health insurance coverage.
8. Wisconsin Rapids
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.66
Women in Management: 38.2%
Women in Poverty: 17.6%
Women Uninsured: 4.9%
Wisconsin Rapids is not the best place for women, as evidenced by the substantial percentage living in poverty and the income gap compared to their male counterparts.
9. Whitewater
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.86
Women in Management: 32.5%
Women in Poverty: 37.7%
Women Uninsured: 7.2%
In Whitewater, the challenges for women are stark, with a high percentage living in poverty and a significant pay gap still evident.
10. Rice Lake
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.62
Women in Management: 42.9%
Women in Poverty: 17.7%
Women Uninsured: 4.8%
Rice Lake comes in tenth place, where women still face hurdles, particularly regarding poverty and income disparity.
Summary on the Worst Cities to Be a Woman in Wisconsin
The cities highlighted in this analysis represent the most challenging environments for women in Wisconsin. Although many cities in the state struggle with gender inequalities, these locations present the most significant barriers to women’s economic success and overall well-being.
While the rankings indicate a clear disparity in earnings and opportunities, it is essential to recognize that individual experiences will vary. However, the collective challenges faced by women in these cities illustrate persistent issues that need to be addressed.
For further insights, explore the detailed rankings below.
Detailed List of the Worst Cities for Women in Wisconsin
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashland | $0.59 |
| 2 | Reedsburg | $0.66 |
| 3 | Marinette | $0.56 |
| 4 | Neenah | $0.61 |
| 5 | New London | $0.65 |
| 6 | Watertown | $0.70 |
| 7 | Mukwonago | $0.58 |
| 8 | Wisconsin Rapids | $0.66 |
| 9 | Whitewater | $0.86 |
| 10 | Rice Lake | $0.62 |
| 11 | Eau Claire | $0.68 |
| 12 | Sparta | $0.67 |
| 13 | Menomonie | $0.85 |
| 14 | Lake Geneva | $0.79 |
| 15 | New Richmond | $0.64 |
| 16 | Little Chute | $0.64 |
| 17 | Two Rivers | $0.68 |
| 18 | Fond Du Lac | $0.64 |
| 19 | Beloit | $0.70 |
| 20 | Edgerton | $0.64 |
| 21 | Delafield | $0.52 |
| 22 | Fox Crossing | $0.62 |
| 23 | Elkhorn | $0.71 |
| 24 | Slinger | $0.55 |
| 25 | Wausau | $0.81 |
| 26 | Milton | $0.59 |
| 27 | La Crosse | $0.67 |
| 28 | Cedarburg | $0.50 |
| 29 | Janesville | $0.66 |
| 30 | Superior | $0.72 |
| 31 | Appleton | $0.71 |
| 32 | Twin Lakes | $0.67 |
| 33 | Kenosha | $0.71 |
| 34 | Hartford | $0.73 |
| 35 | Manitowoc | $0.63 |
| 36 | Delavan | $0.68 |
| 37 | Antigo | $0.69 |
| 38 | Ripon | $0.63 |
| 39 | West Bend | $0.59 |
| 40 | Stevens Point | $0.66 |
| 41 | Somers | $0.78 |
| 42 | Oshkosh | $0.70 |
| 43 | Hartland | $0.49 |
| 44 | Sheboygan | $0.67 |
| 45 | Rib Mountain | $0.54 |
| 46 | Howard | $0.65 |
| 47 | Bellevue | $0.70 |
| 48 | Merrill | $0.69 |
| 49 | St. Francis | $0.83 |
| 50 | Green Bay | $0.75 |
| 51 | Chippewa Falls | $0.73 |
| 52 | Lake Hallie | $0.74 |
| 53 | Milwaukee | $0.81 |
| 54 | Mequon | $0.44 |
| 55 | Onalaska | $0.72 |
| 56 | South Milwaukee | $0.71 |
| 57 | Salem Lakes | $0.64 |
| 58 | Plover | $0.64 |
| 59 | Racine | $0.78 |
| 60 | Sussex | $0.62 |
| 61 | Windsor | $0.55 |
| 62 | Weston | $0.71 |
| 63 | Platteville | $1.07 |
| 64 | Waukesha | $0.67 |
| 65 | Marshfield | $0.71 |
| 66 | Sturgeon Bay | $0.72 |
| 67 | Port Washington | $0.62 |
| 68 | Waupun | $0.74 |
| 69 | Madison | $0.75 |
| 70 | Berlin | $0.57 |
| 71 | Shawano | $0.78 |
| 72 | Tichigan | $0.54 |
| 73 | Fitchburg | $0.79 |
| 74 | Hobart | $0.68 |
| 75 | Lake Mills | $0.85 |
| 76 | Kaukauna | $0.69 |
| 77 | Caledonia | $0.61 |
| 78 | Pleasant Prairie | $0.58 |
| 79 | River Falls | $0.74 |
| 80 | Waunakee | $0.63 |
| 81 | Sheboygan Falls | $0.67 |
| 82 | Kimberly | $0.69 |
| 83 | Prairie Du Chien | $0.79 |
| 84 | Waupaca | $0.69 |
| 85 | Burlington | $0.60 |
| 86 | Portage | $0.76 |
| 87 | West Allis | $0.76 |
| 88 | Wind Lake | $0.71 |
| 89 | Fort Atkinson | $0.67 |
| 90 | Muskego | $0.59 |
| 91 | De Pere | $0.70 |
| 92 | Oconomowoc | $0.67 |
| 93 | Shorewood | $0.70 |
| 94 | Menasha | $0.71 |
| 95 | Ashwaubenon | $0.72 |
| 96 | Plymouth | $0.74 |
| 97 | Elm Grove | $0.44 |
| 98 | Beaver Dam | $0.76 |
| 99 | Mount Pleasant | $0.60 |
| 100 | Cudahy | $0.79 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
