City profile · Wisconsin · Census ACS 2023

Middleton, WI

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

22,235
Residents
$85,526
Median income
$457,400
Median home
$1,694
Median rent (state)

Middleton - the verdict

Nationally, Middleton sits in the 67th percentile for household income and the 64th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

67th
percentile, household income
82nd
percentile, home value
67th
percentile, median rent
64th
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: Middleton, WI

Middleton is a small city in Wisconsin, home to 22,235 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Middleton brings in $85,526 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.7%. Home values in Middleton run a median of $457,400, and the median resident age is 38.9 years. About 62.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 67.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 448 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 362% from five years earlier. Middleton reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 997.8 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,694 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Wisconsin run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Middleton workers runs 16.2 minutes, with 72.0% driving alone and 19.3% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 93.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

22,235 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Wisconsin

Median Household Income

$85,526 /yr

Poverty 6.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.1 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Wisconsin average

How does Middleton compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 67% higher than other cities
Home value 82% pricier than other cities
Median rent 67% pricier than other cities
Safety 64% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Wisconsin, Middleton ranks #106 of 202 Wisconsin cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Middleton against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Wisconsin only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Wisconsin-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Middleton's strongest outlier among Wisconsin cities

Among the 754 Wisconsin cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Middleton ranks #20 - the 97th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Middleton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#183 of 753
76th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Gross Rent
#24 of 761
94th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
#20 of 754
97th percentile in Wisconsin
Poverty Rate
#311 of 761
59th percentile in Wisconsin
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#22 of 761
97th percentile in Wisconsin

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Wisconsin only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

67thIncome percentile
64thSafety percentile

67th percentile nationally for median household income · 64th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Middleton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Middleton'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 52 Avg. percentile National median
Middleton'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 Middleton's home value compares nationally

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

$457,400 18th percentile more affordable than 18% 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%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Middleton $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 - Middleton, WI Middleton, WI's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Middleton, 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 Middleton, WI median $85,526/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%
Middleton, 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 Middleton, WI. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 62.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.0%

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

Population
22,235
Median Income
$85,526
Median Home Value
$457,400
Median Age
38.9
Poverty Rate
6.7%
Labor force participation
67.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
62.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
997.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
107.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
890.7
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
9
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
21,500 residents22,000 residents22,500 residents23,000 residents23,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 22,071 residents 23,115 residents ▲ +4.7%
Middleton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
448
housing units authorized
Single-Family
77
detached homes
Multifamily
371
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
20.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 97
2020 508
2021 144
2022 407
2023 4
2024 448

Permit volume increased 362% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.2 minutes
Drive Alone
72.0%
Carpool
3.8%
Public Transit
1.2%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
19.3%
Other
2.2%

Based on 12,282 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 Middleton 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

Watertown
22,873 people
Pleasant Prairie
21,515 people
Germantown
20,940 people
South Milwaukee
20,547 people
Howard
20,261 people
Muskego
25,156 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Middleton's 22,235 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Perry, GA
22,243 people
Ruston, LA
22,224 people
Rancho San Diego, CA
22,264 people
Evans, CO
22,265 people
Payson, UT
22,205 people
Sapulpa, OK
22,268 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Middleton's $85,526 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

St. Charles, MO
$85,522 median income
Rialto, CA
$85,521 median income
Tillson, NY
$85,521 median income
Southview, PA
$85,521 median income
Holiday Valley, OH
$85,536 median income
Lower Allen, PA
$85,537 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Middleton, 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 Middleton, WI - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 78.9% 6.5% 7.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.6% White 78.9% Black or African American 3.0% Asian 6.5% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.0% Two or more races 7.3% 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 Middleton 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
Middleton (this city) 22,235 $85,526
Watertown 22,873 $68,333
Pleasant Prairie 21,515 $103,903
Germantown 20,940 $104,337
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WI FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Middleton, WI?

What is the population of Middleton, WI? +

Middleton, WI has a population of 22,235 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Middleton runs $85,526, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Middleton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Middleton; 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 Middleton, WI safe? +

Middleton has a total crime rate of 997.8 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Middleton, WI? +

Homes in Middleton carry a median value of $457,400, 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

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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.