Where Does WI Rank Among America’s Top States For Businesses?

WISCONSIN — A new analysis by CNBC ranks Wisconsin at No. 33 when it comes to the best states to do business in.

For its America’s Top States for Business rankings released Tuesday, CNBC scored states in 86 areas across 10 broad categories of competitiveness, with a maximum possible score of 2,500 points. The categories were weighted based on how frequently the states use them to sell business opportunities in economic development marketing materials.

“That way, our study ranks the states based on the attributes they use to sell themselves,” CNBC explained of its methodology, developed in consultation with a diverse group of business and policy experts, and the states themselves.

Wisconsin was ranked 33 with just over 1,200 points, a tumble from last year's ranking of No. 23.

Data sources used in the economic profile included workforce, infrastructure, education and more. Wisconsin ranked high in some sections but lower in others.

The top corporate tax rate in the state is 7.9 percent, while the unemployment rate is around 2.4 percent. Gas is taxed at 51.3 cents per gallon. CNBC took statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau and several other organizations.

According to CNBC, the top 10 states for business are:

1. North Carolina
2. Virginia
3. Tennessee
4. Georgia
5. Minnesota
6. Texas
7. Washington
8. Florida
9. Utah
10. Michigan

See the full rankings via CNBC.