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Madison, WI

Frequently asked questions

Madison, WI

Madison is the capital city of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. As of the 2020 census, the population was 269,840, making it the second-most populous city in Wisconsin after Milwaukee and the 80th-most populous in the United States. The Madison metropolitan area had a population of 680,796. The city is located on an isthmus and lands surrounding five lakes—Lake Mendota, Lake Monona, Lake Wingra, Lake Kegonsa, and Lake Waubesa. Madison was founded in 1836 and is named after American Founding Father and President James Madison.

As the state capital, Madison is home to government chambers including the Wisconsin State Capitol building. The University of Wisconsin–Madison, the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System, is located in the city. Other cultural institutions include the Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Overture Center for the Arts, and Wisconsin Historical Museum. Madison is home to an extensive network of parks, the most parks and playgrounds per capita of any of the 100 largest U.S. cities, and is considered a bicycle-friendly community. Madison is also home to nine National Historic Landmarks, including several buildings designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site Jacobs I House.

Residents of Madison are known as Madisonians. Madison has long been a center for progressive political activity, protests, and demonstrations, and contemporary Madison is considered the most politically liberal city in Wisconsin. The presence of the University of Wisconsin–Madison (the largest employer in the state) as well as other educational institutions has a significant impact on the economy, culture, and demographics of Madison.

As of 2021, Madison is the fastest-growing city in Wisconsin. Madison's economy features a large and growing technology sector, and the Madison area is home to the headquarters of Epic Systems, American Family Insurance, Exact Sciences, Promega, American Girl, Sub-Zero, Lands' End, Spectrum Brands, a regional office for Google, and the University Research Park, as well as many biotechnology and health systems startups. Madison is a popular visitor destination, with tourism generating over $1 billion for Dane County's economy in 2018.

Madison is located in the center of Dane County in south-central Wisconsin, 77 miles (124 km) west of Milwaukee and 122 miles (196 km) northwest of Chicago. Madison surrounds the city of Monona and the villages of Maple Bluff and Shorewood Hills. Madison shares borders with its largest suburb, Sun Prairie, and three other suburbs, Middleton, McFarland, and Fitchburg. Other suburbs include the city of Verona and the villages of Cottage Grove, DeForest, and Waunakee as well as Mount Horeb, Oregon, Stoughton, and Cross Plains.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 94.03 square miles (243.54 km²), of which 76.79 square miles (198.89 km²) is land and 17.24 square miles (44.65 km²) is water.

The city is sometimes described as The City of Four Lakes, comprising the four successive lakes of the Yahara River: Lake Mendota ("Fourth Lake"), Lake Monona ("Third Lake"), Lake Waubesa ("Second Lake"), and Lake Kegonsa ("First Lake"), although Waubesa and Kegonsa are not actually in Madison, but just south of it. A fifth smaller lake, Lake Wingra, is within the city as well; it is connected to the Yahara River chain by Wingra Creek. The Yahara flows into the Rock River, which flows into the Mississippi River. Downtown Madison is located on an isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona. The city's trademark of "Lake, City, Lake" reflects this geography. The city's lowest elevation is the intersection of Regas Road and Corporate Drive on the east side, at 836.9 ft (255.1 m). The highest elevation is located along Pleasant View Road on the far west side of the city, atop a portion of a terminal moraine of the Green Bay Lobe of the Wisconsin glaciation, at 1,190 ft (360 m).

Health and wellness are integral aspects of life in Madison, with numerous resources and facilities available to residents. The city boasts a robust network of healthcare providers, including the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, one of the top-ranked medical centers in the nation. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Madison Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Twisted Fitness Gym, Badger Fitness, and Princeton Club. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Madison, such as the Picnic Point Marsh Loop and Capital City State Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Madison, WI are Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison Children's Museum, and Wisconsin State Capitol.

Population: 280,305 (2023). ZIP code: 53704. Area codes: 608, 353. Elevation: 866 ft (264 m). Area: 101.53 sq mi (262.96 km²).

FAQs

Is Madison, WI good to live in?

Madison is in Dane County and is one of the best places to live in Wisconsin. Living in Madison offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Madison, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Madison and residents tend to have moderate political views. 

Is Madison, WI an expensive place to live?

Madison, Wisconsin's cost of living is 3% higher than the national average. Madison's housing expenses are 0% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 9% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 3% lower than the national average.

What is Madison, WI known for?

Madison is known for its superb selection of craft beverages, featured at events like Great Taste of the Midwest, Craft Beer Week, and Isthmus Beer & Cheese Festival. The Old Fashioned in Downtown Madison was voted as having Wisconsin's Best Cheese Curds. Madison is home to several James Beard award winners. Madison is one of only five platinum-level bike cities in the U.S. and has been named one of the best cities on Earth for biking.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Madison

University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics

Madison Parks and Recreation Department

Twisted Fitness Gym 

Badger Fitness 

Princeton Club

Picnic Point Marsh Loop 

Capital City State Trail

lbrich Botanical Gardens

Henry Vilas Zoo

Madison Children's Museum

Wisconsin State Capitol

Niche

Payscale

Visit Madison

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