DeForest, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, DeForest, Wisconsin had a total population of 11,501, the 84th largest village in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $106,419, which is 37% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Wisconsin.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
DeForest Quick Facts
How DeForest 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 | 10,853 | 11,501 | +6.0% |
| Median household income | $106,223 | $106,419 | +0.2% |
| Median home value | $337,500 | $359,600 | +6.5% |
How DeForest 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+)
DeForest 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 |
| Windsor | 9,452 | $120,048 | 4.5% | $425,600 |
| McFarland | 9,160 | $97,500 | 3.8% | $390,100 |
Cities Similar to DeForest
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 11,547 | $102,978 | $417,200 | 50.3% | 4.7% |
| Hobart | 10,610 | $103,440 | $414,000 | 50.6% | 4.2% |
| Sussex | 12,066 | $119,041 | $430,600 | 51.2% | 4.5% |
| Little Chute | 11,754 | $87,538 | $245,800 | 28.2% | 5.7% |
| Lisbon | 10,736 | $123,720 | $414,500 | 42.3% | 3.2% |
Population Overview
DeForest is a small city located in Wisconsin, within Dane County. The total population is 11,501. It ranks as the 84th most populous out of 808 Census-designated places in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in DeForest is 40.7 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in DeForest is $106,419. This is 37% higher than the state median of $77,485. It is also 32% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.7%. This is 46% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.5%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $359,600. Housing costs are 35% higher than the state median of $266,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 77.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 67.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in DeForest is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.9%. The Black or African American population (2.3%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
41.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% 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 97.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for DeForest, 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 DeForest, Wisconsin?
DeForest, Wisconsin has a population of 11,501 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in DeForest, WI?
The median household income in DeForest is $106,419, which is 32% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in DeForest, WI?
The poverty rate in DeForest is 5.7%. This means approximately 655 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of DeForest, Wisconsin?
DeForest's population is 81.3% White, 2.3% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in DeForest, WI?
The median home value in DeForest is $359,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is DeForest, Wisconsin?
41.7% of adults (25+) in DeForest hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.