The Atlas of Ethnic Diversity in Wisconsin
By Kazimierz Zaniewski and Carol Rosen. 
University of Wisconsin Press, 1998. Bibliography, and index. 
235 pp. $65 cloth.

The stated purpose of The Atlas of Ethnic Diversity in Wisconsin is to 
provide “a geographic and demographic overview of the state’s many 
ethnic groups.” The authors have accomplished this much, and more. 
This is not merely a compendium of maps; numerous charts and the 
explanatory text provide valuable context, particularly with respect 
to migration. 

The atlas covers sixty-two ethnic groups combined into ten regional 
sub-divisions. These regional subdivisions are: African, Asian/Pacific 
Islander, Central/South American, North American, Central European, 
Eastern European, Northern European, Southern European, Western European, 
and Middle-Eastern. Each regional subdivision is discussed in a separate 
chapter that covers the distribution, demographic, migratory, and 
socioeconomic characteristics of the regions’ ethnic groups. Thus 
African Americans and Sub-Saharan Africans are in the African chapter. 
Native Americans, Canadians and self-identified “Americans” (76,000 of them) 
are in the “North American” Chapter. 

 In each chapter there is an insightful background discussion followed 
by several pages of maps and charts on each ethnic group. One page 
includes a 1:3 million scale county base map with both percentage 
of total population by census tract (choropleth), and total population 
by census tract (graduated circle) portrayed. This map has an inset 
large-scale graduated circle map of the ethnic groups’ U.S. distribution. 
A map in the same format for Milwaukee County is provided for each ethnic 
group. Tables indicate the counties with the highest percentage and highest 
number of that ethnic group. Histograms, population pyramids, and pie charts 
present data on place of residence (urban, suburban, rural), population 
composition, educational attainment, nativity, year of entry to the U.S., 
household income in 1989, and employment by industry.

The atlas has three appendices. One is a series of sixteen histograms focusing 
on a single census variable (foreign born, sex ratios, etc.). These histograms 
have the ethnic groups on the vertical axis and the percent of population on 
horizontal axis; “Wisconsin’s average” is shown to facilitate cross-comparisons. 
A second presents tables on population by ethnic origin for the U.S. and Wisconsin. 
A third consists of reference maps for Milwaukee County and Wisconsin. The 
bibliography contains a superb collection of references. 

There was an 8-year lag between the 1990 U.S. census and the publication date, 
and data from earlier censuses is not presented. Nevertheless, the 1990 data 
does provides a benchmark to access population change in coming years. The 
color scheme is inconsistent since it varies between chapters and sometimes 
clashes with the black outline and purple fill used for the graduated circles. 
Graduated circles do not effectively present data on ethnic groups with small 
numbers (i.e. Hmong, or Pakistani) or for the most numerous groups (i.e. Germans 
or Hispanics). Maps of statewide “ethnic diversity” are potentially misleading, 
because an area such as Northern Wisconsin is denoted as having “high diversity” 
although it is populated mainly by Germans and five flavors of Scandinavians. Given 
the cosmopolitan character of Dane County (home of the University of Wisconsin), 
with significant numbers of many groups largely absent from the rest of the state 
(Koreans, Albanians, Iranians, etc), a detailed map of this county would have been 
appropriate. Also the map of Native Americans does not show locations of reservations 
or name tribal groups, and the former data is easily available.

In spite of these issues, this atlas is valuable and thought provoking: The impact 
of Belgians on land use (dairy farms), place names, and architecture stands out. 
As does the dramatic contrast between African American and Sub-Saharan African 
socioeconomic characteristics. Did similar climates predispose Fins and Swedes 
to settle in Wisconsin’s most northerly counties? Is it a coincidence that 
Washington Island has such a high percentage of an island people (Icelanders)? 
Why are there so many Luxemburgers in one county (1,557 in Ozaukee County)? 
Population pyramids reveal unusual patterns: the high percentage of males in the 
20-50 cohort for middle-easterners and the high percentage of Portuguese females 
in the 20-50 cohort. Does the high percentage of younger Koreans reflect adoptions 
or large new families? 

In conclusion, The Atlas of Ethic Diversity in Wisconsin is recommended for 
educators, public officials, demographers, marketers, librarians, and others 
who should be cognizant of ethnic tapestries. The atlas also provides an example 
for geographers in other states of what can be created using available methods 
and data-sets.
	

Donald P. Albert
Mark Leipnik
Assistant Professors, Sam Houston State University