City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Madison, WI

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Madison - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

275,568
Residents
$76,983
Median income
$346,900
Median home
$1,694
Median rent (state)

Madison - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Madison places in the 58th percentile for household income and the 29th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

58th
percentile, household income
71st
percentile, home value
67th
percentile, median rent
29th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Madison, WI

275,568 people live in Madison, Wisconsin - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Madison brings in $76,983 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.6%. Typical homes in Madison are valued around $346,900, and the median resident age is 31.8 years. 59.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 68.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 2,812 residential building permits were authorized in Madison (Building Boom), up 70% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2121.0 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Wisconsin run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Wisconsin scores 94.1 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,694 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Wisconsin's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). The average commute for Madison workers runs 15.9 minutes, with 57.6% driving alone and 18.2% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 93.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

275,568 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$76,983 /yr

Poverty 6.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Madison compare to other US cities?

Madison measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 58% higher than other cities
Home value 71% pricier than other cities
Median rent 67% pricier than other cities
Safety 29% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Wisconsin alone, Madison ranks #178 of 202 Wisconsin cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Madison's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Wisconsin, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

58thIncome percentile
29thSafety percentile

58th percentile nationally for median household income · 29th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Madison's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Madison's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 39 Avg. percentile National median
Madison's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Madison's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$346,900 29th percentile more affordable than 29% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Madison $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Madison, WI Madison, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Madison, WI-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Madison, WI median $76,983/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Madison, WI's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Madison, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 59.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
275,568
Median Income
$76,983
Median Home Value
$346,900
Median Age
31.8
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Labor force participation
68.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
59.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2121.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
256.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1865.0
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
57
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
265,000 residents270,000 residents275,000 residents280,000 residents285,000 residents290,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 274,851 residents 286,233 residents ▲ +4.1%
Madison's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
2,812
housing units authorized
Single-Family
250
detached homes
Multifamily
2,562
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
10.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1,658
2020 2,185
2021 3,626
2022 2,360
2023 2,620
2024 2,812

Permit volume increased 70% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.9 minutes
Drive Alone
57.6%
Carpool
5.9%
Public Transit
5.8%
Walk
8.2%
Work from Home
18.2%
Other
4.3%

Based on 158,679 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Wisconsin - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Wisconsin state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Wisconsin state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Madison sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.1
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,694/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Wisconsin

Green Bay
106,585 people
Kenosha
99,147 people
Racine
77,155 people
Appleton
74,873 people
Waukesha
70,779 people
Eau Claire
69,274 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Madison's 275,568 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Chula Vista, CA
275,030 people
Buffalo, NY
276,397 people
Chandler, AZ
278,123 people
Gilbert, AZ
271,118 people
North Las Vegas, NV
270,773 people
Reno, NV
268,959 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Madison's $76,983 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Excelsior Estates, MO
$76,985 median income
Glasgow, MT
$76,985 median income
Bellwood, IL
$76,990 median income
Whitewater, CA
$76,974 median income
Kanosh, UT
$76,974 median income
Salem, NY
$76,993 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Madison, WI Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Madison, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 73.0% 7.1% 8.0% 9.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.3% White 73.0% Black or African American 7.1% Asian 8.0% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.1% Two or more races 9.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Madison compares to nearby Wisconsin cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Madison (this city) 275,568 $76,983
Green Bay 106,585 $62,546
Kenosha 99,147 $68,532
Racine 77,155 $55,705
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Madison, WI?

What is the population of Madison, WI? +

The population of Madison, WI stands at 275,568 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Madison, WI? +

Madison households earn a median of $76,983 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Madison? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Madison; the closest available measure is the Wisconsin state average, a cost of living index of 94.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Wisconsin vary by metro area.

Is Madison, WI safe? +

Madison has a total crime rate of 2121.0 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Madison, WI? +

Madison's median home value sits at $346,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.