Madison, WI Metro Area

Madison, WI · Metro Area

691,830Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 4 counties (1 central, 3 outlying), part of the Madison-Janesville-Beloit, WI combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $88,804
Median home value: $372,400
Land area: 3,310 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Dane County, WI	Central	572,674	$89,975	$394,800
Columbia County, WI	Outlying	58,272	$85,351	$283,200
Green County, WI	Outlying	37,017	$82,852	$250,200
Iowa County, WI	Outlying	23,867	$82,182	$265,000

Largest cities and towns

142 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Madison, WI	City	278,001	$78,050
Sun Prairie, WI	City	37,570	$90,942
Fitchburg, WI	City	32,619	$86,516
Middleton, WI	City	22,301	$89,524
Waunakee, WI	Village	15,687	$125,220
Verona, WI	City	15,232	$119,606
Stoughton, WI	City	13,033	$79,551
Oregon, WI	Village	11,547	$102,978
DeForest, WI	Village	11,501	$106,419
Monroe, WI	City	10,587	$69,334
Portage, WI	City	10,236	$64,722
Windsor, WI	Village	9,452	$120,048
McFarland, WI	Village	9,160	$97,500
Monona, WI	City	8,527	$87,773
Cottage Grove, WI	Village	8,513	$139,313
Mount Horeb, WI	Village	7,736	$107,856
Madison (Town), WI	Town	6,881	$35,827
Middleton (Town), WI	Town	6,807	$203,646
Columbus, WI	City	5,488	$75,427
Lake Wisconsin, WI	CDP	5,384	$124,127
Dodgeville, WI	City	5,042	$72,288
Dunn, WI	Town	4,784	$127,734
Bristol, WI	Town	4,374	$141,010
Westport, WI	Town	4,213	$83,750
Cross Plains, WI	Village	4,107	$105,145

Also in the Madison-Janesville-Beloit, WI combined area

Janesville-Beloit, WI · metro · 164,350 Baraboo, WI · micro · 66,009

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Unemployment

2.5%

College Educated

50.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$88,804

Mean Household Income

$116,645

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

50.2%

Female

49.8%

Population Split

Male50.2%

Female49.8%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German33.5%

Irish12.9%

English10.1%

Polish4.8%

Mexican4.3%

Italian3.6%

French2.2%

Scottish1.7%

African1.4%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

7.8%Foreign Born

92.2%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized42.3%

Non-Citizen57.7%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later44.2%

Before 201055.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

315,529

Median Rent

$1,354/mo

Median Home Value

$372,400

Median Year Built

1984

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

176,436

College Enrollment

27.9%

High School

17.7%

College Educated

50.1%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

21.5 min

Drive Alone Rate

65.9%

Public Transit

2.5%

Work From Home

18.8%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

19.9%

18-34 Years

27.2%

35-64 Years

37.0%

65+ Years

15.9%

Population Composition

Under 1819.9%

18-3427.2%

35-6437.0%

65+15.9%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

44.3%

Single Parent

4.8%

Living Alone

33.2%

Avg Size

2.23

Household Types

Married Couples44.3%

Single Parent4.8%

Living Alone33.2%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$51,478

SNAP Usage

8.2%

Health Insurance

96.3%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k11.5%

$25k - $50k15.4%

$50k - $100k28.8%

$100k+44.4%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

10.3%

Retail Trade

9.6%

Education & Health Care

27.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

9.7%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

96.3%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

92.1%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.6%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

97.3

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

130.1

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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