With a population of more than 260,000, Madison is Wisconsin’s state capital and the hub of a large metropolitan area. Built on an isthmus and surrounded by lakes, UW–Madison and the city of Madison seamlessly blend together, creating opportunities and an atmosphere unlike any other campus.
As both a midsize city and college town, Madison has all the action and amenities of a major metro area without the inconveniences. Milwaukee and Chicago are short drives away, and the Dane County Regional Airport directly connects Madison to major cities around the country. With a robust arts and dining scene, thousands of acres of natural areas, top-rated health care and school systems, and a thriving economy and technology sector, Madison has been recognized as a “Best Place to Live” by numerous publications.
Madison during the seasons
Browse a visual display of Madison’s vibrant arts and culture scene throughout the year.
Madison by the Numbers
- 664,865: Madison metro population
- No. 1 best place to live in America (Livability, 2021)
- 20 minutes: average commute
- 200+ miles of off-road paths and trails
- 1 of 5 platinum-level bicycle cities in the nation
- 5 lakes and 12 beaches
- 260 parks comprising 6,000 acres
- 15 designated dog parks
Madison, WI, Rankings
#1 Cities with best work-life balance (smartasset.com, 2020)
#1 Best college football town in America (Sports Illustrated, 2019)
#1 Best places in the U.S. for Raising Children (diversitydatakids.com, 2020)
#2 Best cities for bikes (peopleforbikes.org, 2020)
#2 Happiest cities in America (menshealth.com, 2020)
#2 Best places for outdoor enthusiasts to live and work (smartasset.com, 2020)
#4 Greenest cities in the U.S. (zippia.com, 2020)