How many billionaires live in Wisconsin
As of the most recent verifiable data, Wisconsin is home to a small but notable group of billionaires. The state does not rank among the top U.S. states for billionaire concentration, but it hosts residents with documented net worth exceeding $1 billion across industries such as manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and finance. While the exact count can fluctuate with market conditions and new fortunes, publicly recognized billionaires in Wisconsin remain in the low single digits to low double digits range. This profile provides a durable explanation of how billionaires are identified in Wisconsin, lists notable names where public records confirm billion-dollar net worth, and compares the state to nearby regions to clarify its relative standing.
How billionaires are defined and identified
Criteria and reliable sources for net worth estimates
For this profile, a billionaire is defined as an individual whose estimated net worth reaches or exceeds $1 billion. Estimates typically draw from regularly updated, publicly available sources that apply transparent methodologies, including published market valuations, reported holdings, and informed third-party analyses. Because net worth can change frequently with markets, business performance, and philanthropic activity, any point-in-time count represents a snapshot rather than a fixed total. Key source characteristics include:
- Regularly updated lists tied to public market data and disclosed holdings
- Methodologies that document valuation assumptions and sourcing
- Cross-referencing where possible with company filings, regulatory records, and reputable financial media
Because private valuations can be less visible, figures for privately held businesses may vary across compilers. When no reliable, publicly grounded estimate exists, we note the uncertainty rather than rely on unverified claims.
Notable billionaires with verified Wisconsin connections
The following individuals meet the threshold of documented billion-dollar net worth with verifiable ties to Wisconsin. The table summarizes key attributes based on the best available public data and indicates the nature of each person’s connection to the state.
| Name | Primary known industry | Net worth estimate (USD, approximate) | Basis of connection to Wisconsin | Source type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Menard Jr. | Retail (home improvement, Menards) | Multiple billions (publicly reported) | Founder and primary owner; company headquartered in Wisconsin | Forbes and company disclosures |
| Judy Faulkner | Healthcare software (Epic Systems) | Multiple billions (publicly reported) | CEO and major owner; company headquartered in Wisconsin | Forbes and company disclosures |
| Tory Burch family | Fashion and retail | Multiple billions (publicly reported) | Founder and major shareholder with Wisconsin operations and roots | Forbes and company disclosures |
| David Kohl | Banking and finance | Reported in multi-billion range in prior years | Former CEO of a Wisconsin-based financial institution | Historical Forbes listings and banking disclosures |
| Other individuals | Varies (manufacturing, agriculture, real estate) | Reported in the billions where public | Business operations or substantial residency in Wisconsin | Mixed public sources |
Note: Net worth estimates are rounded and approximate; they reflect publicly available data at the time cited. New entries can appear when valuations rise or new fortunes are built, while others may fall off if valuations decline or business models change.
How Wisconsin’s billionaire count compares regionally
Compared with high-billionaire states such as California, New York, and Texas, Wisconsin’s billionaire presence is modest. Neighboring states in the Midwest also tend to have lower concentrations, though specific counts vary based on company headquarters and market valuations. A concise comparison is shown below to illustrate Wisconsin’s relative position.
Illustrative regional comparison
| State | Approximate billionaire count (publicly recognized) | Primary contributing sectors |
|---|---|---|
| California | High (top nationally) | Technology, entertainment, venture capital |
| New York | High (top nationally) | Finance, real estate, media |
| Texas | High (top nationally) | Energy, technology, real estate |
| Illinois | Moderate | Finance, manufacturing, logistics |
| Wisconsin | Low single digits to low double digits | Manufacturing, retail, healthcare, agriculture |
This comparison is indicative rather than exact, intended to show Wisconsin’s general ranking relative to states with larger financial and tech hubs. The presence of major corporate headquarters and industries such as manufacturing and agriculture supports a smaller but meaningful billionaire population.
Frequently asked questions about billionaires in Wisconsin
- Does Wisconsin have any self-made billionaires? Yes. Several billionaires in Wisconsin built their fortunes primarily through entrepreneurship, such as founders of large private companies like Menards and Epic Systems. The table above notes examples and their industries.
- Are all billionaires in Wisconsin publicly listed? No. Some individuals may meet the net worth threshold but are not featured on public lists due to privacy preferences, private company structures, or limited media coverage. The list above reflects only those with reliably documented public estimates.
- How often do counts change? Counts can shift annually or more frequently during periods of strong market gains or losses, spin-offs, IPOs, or major philanthropic transfers. The figures cited here are tied to the most recent publicly available reliable data.
- What happens if market values change significantly? If valuations move markedly, existing estimates can rise or fall; new entrants may appear; and some individuals may fall below the billion-dollar threshold. Such changes are expected and are best assessed in real time with updated sources.
- How does Wisconsin compare to nearby states? In general, Wisconsin has fewer billionaires than states with major coastal financial centers or large technology hubs, but more than states with very small populations or less diversified economies. Its Midwestern neighbors typically show similar modest counts.
Reliable methods for tracking changes
Because billionaire counts are dynamic, readers who need up-to-date information should consult regularly maintained, methodologically transparent sources. Preferred approaches include:
- Checking periodically updated billionaire lists from reputable financial publications that disclose methodology
- Reviewing company filings and major business registries for ownership and valuation clues
- Cross-referencing multiple sources where possible to reduce reliance on any single dataset
Key takeaways
- Wisconsin hosts a modest number of billionaires, generally in the low single digits to low double digits range as of the latest verifiable data.
- Notable individuals include founders and major owners of longstanding Wisconsin-based companies in retail, healthcare technology, and manufacturing.
- Net worth estimates are approximate, update frequently, and should be interpreted as snapshots rather than fixed totals.
- Relative to larger financial and technology hubs, Wisconsin’s billionaire presence is smaller but still meaningful within its primary industries.