Careers, Jobs and Education Resources for: Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Wisconsin Rapids is a city in Wood County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 18,435 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Wood County. Together with surrounding communities, the Wisconsin Rapids micropolitan area was, according to the 2000 census, home to 48,123 people. The city forms one of the core areas (the other is at Marshfield) of the United States Census Bureau's Marshfield-Wisconsin Rapids Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Wood County (2000 population: 75,555). (from wikipedia)Wisconsin Fast Facts:
Location, Location, Location…: Wisconsin is located in the north-central part of the country and borders two of the five Great Lakes and four states: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota.
Cities: Wisconsin’s capital is Madison, while its largest city is Milwaukee.
Behind the Name: Wisconsin has been nicknamed both “The Badger State” in reference to small homes of lead miners in the 1830s that shared a striking resemblance to badger huts, as well as “The Dairy State,” referring directly to the state’s large production of dairy products.
A Closer Look: Wisconsin’s main attractions for out-of-state visitors are its variety of outdoor recreation opportunities; it boasts over 15,000 lakes and miles of deep, cool woods.
Did You Know? The United States acquired the Wisconsin territory after the American Revolution in 1783, but it remained under de facto British control until after the War of 1812. (1) [Ed. Note: And we thought today’s government bureaucracy was slow…]
Wisconsin Careers and Employment:
Population: 5,627,967 (4.9% increase since 2000) – 50.3% Female, 49.7% Male (2008 U.S. Census Bureau).
Business Environment: Ranked 43rd in Forbes Magazine’s “Best States for Business,” 2008.
Top Industries: In terms of paid employees, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau study: (1) manufacturing; (2) retail trade; (3) health care and social assistance; (4) accommodation and food services; and (5) construction.
Taxes: Income Tax, 4.6% to 6.75% and Sales Tax, 5% (Federation of Tax Administrators).
Cost of Living: 95.8 in relation to the “National Average” of 100 (Federal Cost of Living Index).
Quality of Life: Ranked 23rd of 50 states by CNBC, 2009.
Weather: Average Temperature (In °F) – Jan: 13.18; Apr: 43.17; July: 69.11; Oct: 46.63 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
K-12: Ranked 15th of 50 states in “Academic Achievement” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
Wisconsin Economics:
In General: Traditionally known as a farm state, Wisconsin’s economy is led by manufacturing, agriculture, and health care.
Service Industry: The service industry employs a significant portion of the Wisconsin workforce (32%), primarily in community, business and personal services such as private health care, law firms, hotels and repair shops.
Agriculture: Dairy products account for over half of Wisconsin’s total agricultural receipts, ranking second in the U.S. behind California in total dairy production. Wisconsin produces about one-third of the cheese made in the United States and is a leading butter-producing state. [Thus, the reason for the apt historic football term “cheese-heads” in reference to pro football’s Green Bay Packers].
Manufacturing: Machinery (engines and turbines, power cranes and other construction machinery, heating and cooling equipment and metalworking machinery) is Wisconsin’s leading manufactured product.
Mining: Used in the construction industry, gravel and crushed stone represent Wisconsin’s most important mined products.
A Closer Look: Milwaukee is one of the Midwest’s important financial centers, home to the two largest banking companies in Wisconsin and one of the biggest insurance companies in the United States.
Did You Know? How about a cold one? Beer is Wisconsin’s most important processed beverage product.
Wisconsin Education:
In General: Though Wisconsin actually has more lakes than colleges, many institutions of higher learning within the state typically make "top-college" lists. There are 38 institutions of higher learning in the state of Wisconsin, which are surrounded by many vocational and technical schools across the state.
In the Rankings: U.S. News and World Report rankings: National Rankings – University of Wisconsin, Madison (#35), Marquette University (#77); Liberal Arts Rankings – Lawrence University (#56), Beloit College (#60).
Online Education: There are myriad accredited online universities offering degrees in the state of Wisconsin.
A Closer Look: Wisconsin boasts a large system of 16 technical colleges, where students can earn two-year degrees in over three hundred areas of study.
Did You Know? Historically, the state’s education system has advocated the “Wisconsin Idea,” which emphasizes service to the people of the state.
Sources: In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include: the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; Netstate.com; Education-Portal.com; USCollegeSearch.org; and Wikipedia.com.