Head Editor Emma Waldinger explains the inspiration for this cover story in the April issue Editor’s Note.
Behind Madison’s reputation as a “best place to live” are some ugly realities of life in Wisconsin’s capital city — from skyrocketing rents to deteriorating lake health to a stalled-out legislature. We’re putting the spotlight on the public health crises, environmental hazards and transportation headaches shaping life on the isthmus. But cataloging the “worst of Madison” ultimately comes from a place of love — because you can’t make a city better without first being honest about where it falls short.
We’ve Got Drinking Problems
Wisconsin’s reputation as one of the drunkest states in the country is a badge many Wisconsinites wear with honor. Our historic brewing tradition, passion for sports and high bars-per-capita ratio lend themselves to a robust drinking culture where alcohol consumption is the norm at social gatherings.
As such, our cities and counties tend to dominate lists of the most drunk places in America, and national statistics reflect that. In national surveys conducted from 2018 to 2023, Wisconsin’s rate of binge drinking exceeded the national median, with about 20% of Wisconsinites reporting binge drinking (which health officials define as five standard drinks in a few hours for men, four for women) in the past month…