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CITY · 2020 ACS

Madison

Wisconsin · 269,840 residents · 83.088 sq mi
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The short version

Madison has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $67,565. Population has grown 30% since 2000. 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $262,400. At a median age of 32.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 32.0
US median: 38.8
More educated
59% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
269,840
+30%since 2000
from 208,054 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
3,248 / sq mi
+30%since 2000
from 2,504 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
32.0
+5%since 2000
from 30.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
183K209K235K261K287K1990201020202024Madison
2024278K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$67,565
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,941 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$39,595
+69%since 2000
from $23,498 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
45.0%
+13.3 ptssince 2009
from 31.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
16.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 15.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information8.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade7.9%
US avg: 10%
Other services7%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3.3%
US avg: 2%
Wholesale trade2.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$262,400
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $137,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,147
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $644 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
44.7%
−3.1 ptssince 2000
from 47.7% in 2000
55.3% rent
Afford Score
3.9
+18%since 2000
from 3.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Madison on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic82%(170,509)
Black5.8%(11,987)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(8,512)
Asian5.8%(12,000)
Other0%
Diversity Score35.7%(74,329)
2020
White, non-Hispanic69.2%(186,764)
Black7.2%(19,557)
Hispanic / Latino8.7%(23,408)
Asian9.5%(25,547)
Other4.3%(11,729)
Diversity Score60.8%(164,129)
Diversity Score
61
+70%since 2000
from 36 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
58.5%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 48.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.9%
+3.5 ptssince 2000
from 92.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
26.2%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 20.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.8 min
+77%since 2000
from 11.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
62.5%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 64.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
11.5%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.8%
−3.1 ptssince 2011
from 5.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
71.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 72.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
55.7%
−18.6 ptssince 2009
from 74.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
50.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
11.9%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.8%
−88.4 ptssince 2013
from 92.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Neighborhoods in Madison

CapitolHill Farms, University NeighborhNeighborhoods in Madison
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Compare Madison to nearby cities

MADISON VS
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Home value$484,200+85%
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MADISON VS
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MADISON VS
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MADISON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Madison, Wisconsin?

Madison, Wisconsin has about 269,840 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Madison, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Madison, Wisconsin earns about $67,565 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Madison, Wisconsin expensive?

In Madison, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $262,400, and the typical rent is about $1,147 a month.

How educated are people in Madison, Wisconsin?

About 58.5% of adults age 25 and over in Madison, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Madison, Wisconsin?

About 16.4% of people in Madison, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Madison, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Madison, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 78,578 residents, a change of about 41 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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