Though cheese is popular pretty much everywhere, the Midwest might enjoy it the most, as the region consumed more than 1 billion pounds of cheese in 2021. However, when it comes to cheese production, one particular Midwestern state reigns supreme.

Wisconsin produced about 3.5 billion pounds of cheese in 2021, over a billion pounds more than the runner-up state, California. Wisconsin first became the cheese production champion in 1910 and has held onto the title ever since, thanks to its 100+ cheese factories.

Wisconsin produced 877 million pounds of specialty cheese in 2021, including nearly 39 million pounds of cheddar, 107 million pounds of feta, and more than 83 million pounds of parmesan. The state boasts 1,200 cheesemakers who collectively make more than 600 different kinds of cheese.