Cottage Grove, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin had a total population of 8,513, the 115th largest village in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $139,313, which is 80% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 80% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Wisconsin.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.6% — among the lowest in Wisconsin.
- 60.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Wisconsin.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.9%.
Cottage Grove Quick Facts
How Cottage Grove Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,906 | 8,513 | +7.7% |
| Median household income | $132,717 | $139,313 | +5.0% |
| Median home value | $401,900 | $449,700 | +11.9% |
How Cottage Grove Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 37 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cottage Grove Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Dane County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 278,001 | $78,050 | 16.4% | $372,900 |
| Sun Prairie | 37,570 | $90,942 | 6.2% | $365,700 |
| Fitchburg | 32,619 | $86,516 | 9.3% | $417,200 |
| Middleton | 22,301 | $89,524 | 7.6% | $484,200 |
| Waunakee | 15,687 | $125,220 | 2.8% | $515,900 |
| Verona | 15,232 | $119,606 | 1.4% | $420,400 |
| Stoughton | 13,033 | $79,551 | 7.1% | $293,500 |
| Oregon | 11,547 | $102,978 | 4.7% | $417,200 |
| DeForest | 11,501 | $106,419 | 5.7% | $359,600 |
| Windsor | 9,452 | $120,048 | 4.5% | $425,600 |
Cities Similar to Cottage Grove
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | 8,514 | $130,978 | $415,500 | 49.4% | 3.0% |
| Kronenwetter | 8,395 | $115,044 | $273,300 | 34.3% | 6.7% |
| Windsor | 9,452 | $120,048 | $425,600 | 43.5% | 4.5% |
| Mukwonago | 8,415 | $98,273 | $366,200 | 37.4% | 4.2% |
| Vernon | 7,481 | $120,000 | $434,700 | 43.0% | 3.0% |
Population Overview
Cottage Grove is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Dane County. The total population is 8,513. It ranks as the 115th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cottage Grove is 37.5 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cottage Grove is $139,313. This is 80% higher than the state median of $77,485. It is also 73% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.6%. This is 65% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 0.9%. This is 73% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $449,700. Housing costs are 69% higher than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 69.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cottage Grove is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.8% of the population. Asian residents account for 6.1%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 5.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.1% vs 2.9%).
Education
60.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Cottage Grove in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 81% higher than the state rate of 33.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.7%. Notably, 23.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cottage Grove, Wisconsin is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin?
Cottage Grove, Wisconsin has a population of 8,513 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cottage Grove, WI?
The median household income in Cottage Grove is $139,313, which is 73% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cottage Grove, WI?
The poverty rate in Cottage Grove is 3.6%. This means approximately 311 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin?
Cottage Grove's population is 84.8% White, 1.6% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cottage Grove, WI?
The median home value in Cottage Grove is $449,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Cottage Grove, Wisconsin?
60.4% of adults (25+) in Cottage Grove hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.