Wisconsin Statutes

Wis. Stat. § 62.05 (2026)

Classes of cities

✓ current as of July 2026
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62.0562.05Classes of cities.
62.05(1)(1)Cities shall be divided into 4 classes for administration and the exercise of corporate powers as follows:
62.05(1)(a)(a) Cities of 150,000 population and over shall constitute 1st class cities.
62.05(1)(b)(b) Cities of 39,000 and less than 150,000 population shall constitute 2nd class cities.
62.05(1)(c)(c) Cities of 10,000 and less than 39,000 population shall constitute 3rd class cities.
62.05(1)(d)(d) Cities of less than 10,000 population shall constitute 4th class cities.
62.05(2)(2)Population of cities shall be determined by the last federal census, including a special federal census taken of such city, except in newly incorporated cities when a census is taken as provided by law. Cities shall pass from one class to another when such census shows that the change in population so requires, when provisions for any necessary changes in government are duly made, and when a proclamation of the mayor, declaring the fact, is published according to law.
62.05 HistoryHistory: 1995 a. 225; 1997 a. 35.
62.05 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See s. 990.001 (15), which provides that “If a statute refers to a class of city specified under s. 62.05 (1), such reference does not include any city with a population which makes the city eligible to be in that class unless the city has taken the actions necessary to pass into the class under s. 62.05 (2).”
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 20 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1980–2025 · leading case: Madison Teachers, Inc. v. Scott Walker, 2014 WI 99 (Wis. 2014).
Madison Teachers, Inc. v. Scott Walker, 2014 WI 99 (Wis. 2014). · cites it 8× “In addition to having the necessary population, the city must make any requisite modifications in government and a proclamation must be issued by the mayor or city manager and publish this change according to law.”
City of Madison v. Town of Fitchburg, 332 N.W.2d 782 (Wis. 1983). · cites it 8× “Sec. 62.05, Stats. [9] The first class consists of cities with a population of 150,000 or more.”
Nankin v. Vill. of Shorewood, 2001 WI 92 (Wis. 2001). · cites it 4× “See Wis. Stat. § 62.05 . [7] In first class cities and certain second class cities, a board of assessors will hear complaints before objections are brought before a board of review.”
City of Madison v. Town of Madison, 377 N.W.2d 221 (Wis. Ct. App. 1985). · cites it 9× “The town's position, however, is that retroactive application of sec.”
Davis Ex Rel. Davis v. Grover, 480 N.W.2d 460 (Wis. 1992). · cites it 4× “"Cities of the first class" is defined under sec. 62.05, Stats., as cities with a population of 150,000 or more.”
State Ex Rel. Castaneda v. Welch, 2007 WI 103 (Wis. 2007). · cites it 4× “Castaneda compares the language in Wis. Stat. § 62.05 (3)(a) to the language in Wis.”
Davis v. Grover, 464 N.W.2d 220 (Wis. Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 6× “*158 Section 62.05(1), Stats. The classification of a city depends on essentially two factors: the city's population and whether, when the city qualifies to pass from one class to another, a proclamation by its mayor declaring that fact is published.”
Metro. Assocs. v. City of Milwaukee, 2011 WI 20 (Wis. 2011). · cites it 2× “Wis. Stat. § 62.05 (l)(a). The City of Milwaukee, by adopting an ordinance in 2008 conforming with § 70.”
A&A Enter. v. City of Milwaukee Ex Rel. Dep't of Neighborhood Servs., 2008 WI App 43 (Wis. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 3× “See Wis. Stat. § 62.05 (l)(a) ("Cities of 150,000 population and over shall constitute 1st class cities.”
Milwaukee Police Ass'n v. Bd. of Fire & Police Commissioners, 708 F.3d 921 (7th Cir. 2013). “See Wis. Stat. § 62.05 (l)(a). First class cities have their own boards of fire and police commissioners, which have the authority to “adopt rules to govern the selection and appointment” of city police officers.”
In Re Incorporation of Town of Fitchburg, 299 N.W.2d 199 (Wis. 1980). · cites it 2× “" [3] While we do not agree with the trial court's conclusion that the Chapter 66 incorporation procedures have effected the repeal of sec. 60.81, Stats.”
Kraimer v. City of Schofield, 342 F. Supp. 2d 807 (W.D. Wis. 2004). · cites it 2× “It is classified as a 4th Class city under Wis. Stat. § 62.05 (l)(d) and is governed by an elected eight-person city council and a mayor.”
— Wis. Stat. § 62.05(1) — 2 cases
Davis v. Grover, 464 N.W.2d 220 (Wis. Ct. App. 1990). “*158 Section 62.05(1), Stats. The classification of a city depends on essentially two factors: the city's population and whether, when the city qualifies to pass from one class to another, a proclamation by its mayor declaring that fact is published.”
— Wis. Stat. § 62.05(1)(a) — 2 cases
A&A Enter. v. City of Milwaukee Ex Rel. Dep't of Neighborhood Servs., 2008 WI App 43 (Wis. Ct. App. 2008). “See Wis. Stat. § 62.05 (l)(a) ("Cities of 150,000 population and over shall constitute 1st class cities.”
Keller v. Kraft, 2005 WI App 102 (Wis. Ct. App. 2005).
— Wis. Stat. § 62.05(2) — 3 cases
City of Madison v. Town of Madison, 377 N.W.2d 221 (Wis. Ct. App. 1985). “The town's position, however, is that retroactive application of sec.”
In Re Incorporation of Town of Fitchburg, 299 N.W.2d 199 (Wis. 1980). “" [3] While we do not agree with the trial court's conclusion that the Chapter 66 incorporation procedures have effected the repeal of sec. 60.81, Stats.”
Davis v. Grover, 464 N.W.2d 220 (Wis. Ct. App. 1990). “*158 Section 62.05(1), Stats. The classification of a city depends on essentially two factors: the city's population and whether, when the city qualifies to pass from one class to another, a proclamation by its mayor declaring that fact is published.”
— Wis. Stat. § 62.05(l)(a) — 2 cases
Davis v. Grover, 464 N.W.2d 220 (Wis. Ct. App. 1990). “*158 Section 62.05(1), Stats. The classification of a city depends on essentially two factors: the city's population and whether, when the city qualifies to pass from one class to another, a proclamation by its mayor declaring that fact is published.”
Millers Nat'l Ins. v. City of Milwaukee, 503 N.W.2d 284 (Wis. Ct. App. 1993).
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