Madison city, Wisconsin Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Madison city, Wisconsin has a total population of 275,568, the 2nd largest city in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $76,983, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Madison city is the 2nd largest city in Wisconsin with a population of 275,568.
- 59.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Wisconsin.
Madison city Quick Facts
How Madison city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 36 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Madison city Rankings in Wisconsin
Explore Wisconsin Rankings
Other Cities in Dane County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Prairie city | 36,455 | $90,521 | 6.1% | $339,800 |
| Fitchburg city | 31,566 | $85,420 | 7.5% | $389,400 |
| Middleton city | 22,235 | $85,526 | 7.7% | $457,400 |
| Waunakee village | 14,927 | $128,750 | 3.7% | $490,300 |
| Verona city | 14,499 | $119,148 | 1.9% | $382,800 |
| Stoughton city | 13,063 | $78,517 | 6.9% | $283,900 |
| Oregon village | 11,384 | $100,695 | 5.0% | $361,200 |
| DeForest village | 10,853 | $106,223 | 7.0% | $337,500 |
| McFarland village | 9,230 | $93,810 | 2.5% | $363,400 |
| Windsor village | 8,992 | $115,111 | 6.4% | $399,900 |
Cities Similar to Madison city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee city | 569,756 | $51,888 | $172,000 | 26.6% | 23.3% |
| Green Bay city | 106,585 | $62,546 | $191,500 | 25.6% | 16.5% |
| Kenosha city | 99,147 | $68,532 | $210,500 | 28.9% | 13.8% |
| Appleton city | 74,873 | $77,450 | $211,500 | 37.0% | 8.5% |
| Waukesha city | 70,779 | $81,651 | $286,600 | 40.7% | 10.3% |
Population Overview
Madison city is a major urban center located in Wisconsin, within Dane County. The total population is 275,568. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 807 cities and towns in Wisconsin.
Age Demographics
The median age in Madison city is 31.8 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Madison city is $76,983. This is 2% higher than the state median of $75,670. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 2% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.2%. This is 53% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 3.3%. The median home value is $346,900. Housing costs are 40% higher than the state median of $247,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 46.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 67.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Madison city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (7.9% vs 2.9%).
Education
59.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Madison city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 81% higher than the state rate of 32.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.7%. Notably, 25.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Madison city, Wisconsin is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Wisconsin state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 807 Census-designated places in Wisconsin. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Madison city, Wisconsin?
Madison city, Wisconsin has a population of 275,568 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Madison city, WI?
The median household income in Madison city is $76,983, which is 2% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Madison city, WI?
The poverty rate in Madison city is 16.2%. This means approximately 42,877 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Madison city, Wisconsin?
Madison city's population is 70.3% White, 7.0% Black, 9.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Madison city, WI?
The median home value in Madison city is $346,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Madison city, Wisconsin?
59.2% of adults (25+) in Madison city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.