3 Wisconsin Cities Made The ‘Dirtiest In America’ List

The Dirtiest Cities in America: How Does Wisconsin Rank?

When it comes to pollution, some cities take the cake—and then toss the wrapper onto the street. A new study by LawnStarter ranked over 300 cities across the U.S. to determine which ones are America’s dirtiest, factoring in air pollution, water quality, waste management, and general resident dissatisfaction.

So, where do Wisconsin cities land on this grimy spectrum? Spoiler: we’re not exactly sparkling.

Milwaukee: Wisconsin’s Filthy Overachiever

MORE: WI City Ranks #7 in U.S. for Highest STD Rates – Guess Which One?

Get our free mobile app

Coming in at No. 72, Milwaukee proudly takes the title of Wisconsin’s dirtiest city. From beer festivals to discarded bratwurst casings, this city knows how to pile on the fun and, apparently, the trash. It’s not top 10-level dirty, but hey, it’s something!

Madison: Too Clean to Brag, Too Dirty to Ignore

Ah, Madison. Ranked at No. 186, the city that gave us the State Capitol and Bucky Badger is somehow too bland to be truly filthy. Sure, we have some litter and car exhaust, but it’s all very… controlled. You could say we’re the Goldilocks of grime—just dirty enough to avoid perfection, but too clean to be cool.

Green Bay: Apparently Cleaner Than Lambeau’s Turf

MORE: Wisconsin Spot Named Best ‘Hidden Gem Destination’ in the State

Way down at No. 280, Green Bay barely made the list. Maybe it’s the fresh air from the bay or the fact that Packers fans channel all their energy into cheese curds instead of polluting their city, but Green Bay is practically a shiny beacon of cleanliness compared to Milwaukee.

America’s Top 10 Dirtiest Cities

If you thought Wisconsin was bad, take a look at the real champions of filth. The top 10 dirtiest cities in America are:

1. San Bernardino, CA
2. Detroit, MI
3. Reading, PA
4. Newark, NJ
5. Ontario, CA
6. Phoenix, AZ
7. Trenton, NJ
8. Las Vegas, NV
9. Houston, TX
10. Baytown, TX

These cities are putting in the hard work to ensure their air, water, and streets are as questionable as possible. Congrats, San Bernardino, on being the reigning champion of grime!

If you'd like to see this filthy list in its entirety click here.

MORE: 4 Of Guy Fieri’s Favorite Wisconsin Joints On Triple D