Madison, Wisconsin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Madison
State capital city
Madison Isthmus Wisconsin State Capitol Olbrich Botanical Gardens Madison Museum of Contemporary Art University of Wisconsin–Madison
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Nickname(s):  Madtown, Mad City, The City of Four Lakes, 77 Square Miles Surrounded by Reality
Madison Location in Wisconsin Show map of Wisconsin Madison Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
County	Dane
Municipality	City
Founded	1836
Chartered	1846
Incorporated	1856
Named for	James Madison
Government
• Type	Mayor-council
Area
• City	101.53 sq mi (262.96 km2)
• Land	79.57 sq mi (206.09 km2)
• Water	21.96 sq mi (56.88 km2)
Elevation	873 ft (266 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	269,840
• Estimate  (2023)	280,305
• Rank	US: 77th WI: 2nd
• Density	3,391/sq mi (1,309/km2)
• Urban	450,305 (US: 89th)
• Urban density	3,008/sq mi (1,161/km2)
• Metro	680,796 (US: 87th)
• CSA	910,246 (US: 61st)
• Demonym	Madisonian
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Zip Codes	ZIP Codes 53701–53708, 53711, 53713–53719, 53725, 53726, 53744, 53774, 53777, 53782–53786, 53788, 53790–53794
Area code	608, 353
FIPS code	55-48000
GNIS feature ID	1581834

Madison is the capital city of Wisconsin, a state in the United States. It is also the main city of Dane County. In 2020, about 269,840 people lived there. This makes Madison the second-largest city in Wisconsin, right after Milwaukee. It's also the 77th largest city in the whole U.S.

The city's main area is built on a narrow strip of land called an isthmus. It is surrounded by five beautiful lakes: Lake Mendota, Lake Monona, Lake Wingra, Lake Kegonsa, and Lake Waubesa. Madison was founded in 1836. It was named after James Madison, who was the fourth President of the U.S.

As the state capital, Madison is home to important government buildings, like the Wisconsin State Capitol. The main campus of the University of Wisconsin System, called University of Wisconsin–Madison, is also here. Other fun places to visit include the Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Madison has many parks, more than most big U.S. cities. It's also a great place for biking.

Madison has nine National Historic Landmarks. Some of these were designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. One of his houses, the Herbert and Katherine Jacobs First House, is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. People who live in Madison are called Madisonians.

Madison is known for its progressive ideas and political activities. It is considered a very liberal city in Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin–Madison and other schools have a big impact on the city's jobs, culture, and people. Madison is the fastest-growing city in Wisconsin. Its economy includes technology, healthcare, and insurance companies. Many visitors come to Madison, bringing in over $1 billion for the local economy.

History of Madison

Madison's story began in 1829. A judge named James Duane Doty bought a lot of land between two lakes. He wanted to build a city there. In 1836, when Wisconsin became a territory, leaders needed to pick a capital city. Doty worked hard to convince them to choose Madison. He even offered gifts to the lawmakers!

Doty named the city Madison after James Madison, who had just passed away. He named the streets after the 39 people who signed the U.S. Constitution. Even though Madison was just a plan on paper, it was chosen as the capital. This was because it was located in the middle of other growing areas.

How Madison Grew

Construction for the Wisconsin capitol building started in 1837. The lawmakers first met there in 1838. Madison became a village in 1846, with 626 people. When Wisconsin became a state in 1848, Madison stayed the capital. The University of Wisconsin–Madison was also started there the next year.

A railroad connected to Madison in 1854. Madison officially became a city in 1856, with a population of 6,863. The original capitol building was replaced in 1863. The second one burned down in 1904. The capitol building you see today was built between 1906 and 1917.

During the American Civil War, Madison was an important center for the Union Army. A place called Camp Randall was used to train soldiers. It was also a hospital and a prison for captured soldiers. After the war, Camp Randall became part of the University of Wisconsin. Camp Randall Stadium was built there in 1917.

Exploring Madison's Geography

Madison is in the middle of Dane County. It's about 77 miles (124 km) west of Milwaukee. The city completely surrounds Monona, Maple Bluff, and Shorewood Hills. Madison also shares borders with its neighbors like Sun Prairie and Middleton.

The city covers about 94 square miles (243 square kilometers). About 77 square miles (199 square kilometers) is land, and 17 square miles (44 square kilometers) is water.

Madison is often called The City of Four Lakes. These are Lake Mendota, Lake Monona, Lake Waubesa, and Lake Kegonsa. They are all part of the Yahara River. There's also a fifth smaller lake, Lake Wingra, inside the city. Downtown Madison is on a narrow strip of land between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. This is why the city's saying is "Lake, City, Lake."

Madison's Neighborhoods

Madison has over 120 official neighborhood groups. Each area has its own feel. For example, the west side used to be more for office workers. The east side was more for factory workers. Students live near the University of Wisconsin campus.

Popular Commercial Areas

Hilldale Area

The Hilldale area includes a few neighborhoods. It has winding streets and feels a bit like the suburbs. This area also has the Hilldale Shopping Center. Here you can find restaurants and popular stores.

Capitol Square Area

The Capitol Square area is Madison's main business district. It has tall apartment buildings, restaurants, and shops. You'll find museums here, plus the Wisconsin State Capitol building. Many public events happen around the Capitol Square. These include the Dane County Farmers' Market and Concerts on the Square.

State Street

State Street connects the University of Wisconsin campus to the Capitol Square. It's full of restaurants, coffee shops, and stores. Only people walking, buses, and bikes are allowed on State Street. It's a lively place for students and visitors. You can find many places for live music and shows, including the Overture Center for the Arts.

Park Street Area

The Park Street area is in the south of Madison. It has different neighborhoods and is known for its diverse community. You can find many ethnic restaurants and special grocery stores here. The houses in this area are often smaller and closer together.

Monroe Street

The Dudgeon-Monroe neighborhood is close to downtown. Monroe Street is a commercial area with local shops, coffee houses, and art galleries. It hosts a neighborhood jazz festival. You can also rent paddle boats at Wingra Park on Lake Wingra.

Willy Street Area

The Marquette neighborhood is on the east side of Madison. Willy (Williamson) Street has unique local shops, restaurants, and entertainment. You can also find art galleries and the Willy Street Cooperative. This area is known for its festivals, like the Waterfront Festival and the Willy Street Fair. It's a hub for Madison's artistic and free-spirited culture.

Madison's Climate

Madison has a climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold, with snow and temperatures often below freezing. Summers are warm, with average highs in the 80s °F (27–28 °C). It can reach 90 °F (32 °C) about 12 days a year. Most of the rain falls in the summer.

People and Communities

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1840	172		—
1850	1,525		786.6%
1860	6,611		333.5%
1870	9,176		38.8%
1880	10,324		12.5%
1890	13,426		30.0%
1900	19,164		42.7%
1910	25,531		33.2%
1920	38,378		50.3%
1930	57,899		50.9%
1940	67,447		16.5%
1950	96,056		42.4%
1960	126,706		31.9%
1970	171,809		35.6%
1980	170,616		−0.7%
1990	191,262		12.1%
2000	208,054		8.8%
2010	233,209		12.1%
2020	269,840		15.7%
2023 (est.)	280,305		20.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

Population in 2020

In 2020, Madison had 269,840 people. About 71% of the people were white, 7.4% black, and 9.5% Asian. About 8.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in the city was 30.9 years. About 17.5% of residents were under 18 years old. Many people, about 19.6%, were between 18 and 24 years old. This is because of the large university in the city.

Madison's Hmong Community

Madison is home to a community of Hmong people. In 2022, there were about 1,985 Hmong people living in the city.

Surrounding Areas

The Madison metropolitan area includes Madison and nearby counties. In 2020, about 680,796 people lived in this larger area.

Religions in Madison

Madison is a diverse city with many different religions. It is the main city for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Madison. Many Christian churches are in the city, including Lutheran, Baptist, and Methodist churches.

There are also Sikh Gurdwaras, Hindu temples, mosques, and synagogues. The city has a community center for the Baháʼí Faith and a Quaker Meeting House. The First Unitarian Society of Madison has a historic building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Madison's Economy

Madison's economy is strong in government, education, technology, and healthcare. It also has a good amount of farming and food production. Many businesses come to Madison because of its highly educated workforce. About 48.2% of adults in Madison have at least a bachelor's degree.

The University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Wisconsin state government are the biggest employers. Epic Systems, a healthcare software company, is the largest private employer. Madison is also home to big insurance companies like American Family Insurance.

The Onion, a funny newspaper, started in Madison. So did the pizza chains Glass Nickel Pizza Company and Rocky Rococo.

Making Things and Farming

The Madison area is where three well-known bicycle brands are made: Trek, Mongoose, and Pacific Cycle. Luxury appliance companies like Sub-Zero & Wolf Appliance are also based here. Other companies include American Girl dolls and Lands' End clothing.

Because of its good soil, Madison supports food production. Big food companies like Hormel Foods and Frito-Lay have facilities here. The famous meat producer Oscar Mayer used to be a big part of Madison for many years.

Arts and Culture in Madison

Fun Places to Visit

The Memorial Union is a popular spot on Lake Mendota. It has unique "terrace chairs" that are a symbol of the city. The Union hosts concerts, plays, and has restaurants.

The Henry Vilas Zoo is a 28-acre (0.11 km²) public zoo. It's one of the few free zoos in North America. Over 750,000 people visit every year.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens has a 16-acre (0.06 km²) outdoor garden and a large greenhouse. It has a special Thai sala, which was a gift from Thailand.

Art lovers can visit the Chazen Museum of Art and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Madison also has many smaller art studios and galleries. Other museums include the Wisconsin Historical Museum and the Madison Children's Museum.

Madison's Architecture

Madison's buildings show many different styles. You can see modern designs by Frank Lloyd Wright and grand Beaux-Arts buildings. The Wisconsin State Capitol is a famous example. The Overture Center for the Arts is a modern building designed by César Pelli.

There's a state law that limits how tall buildings can be downtown. This is to make sure you can always see the Wisconsin State Capitol building. The Capitol dome looks like the U.S. Capitol dome.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Designs

Madison has eight buildings designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He grew up in Wisconsin and studied at the university. His designs in Madison include the Monona Terrace convention center. His Herbert and Katherine Jacobs First House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Art Deco Style

Downtown Madison has many buildings in the art deco style. The State Office Building is the tallest office building in the city. It was built in 1931. The Orpheum Theater on State Street is another great example of Art Deco.

Madison's Food Scene

Madison's food is influenced by its farms and history. Dairy products are very popular. You'll find delicious cheese curds, often fried or "squeaky." Hot and spicy cheese bread is another local favorite. Beer cheese soup is a cozy winter dish.

The Dane County Farmers' Market is held around Capitol Square on Saturday mornings. It's the largest market in the country where farmers sell their own products. This has led to many "farm-to-table" restaurants in Madison.

Madison also has many Wisconsin-style supper clubs. These often serve a "Friday fish fry" and "Saturday prime rib." The city's German and Hmong history also influences the food. You can find many Laotian and Hmong restaurants.

Food Events

Madison hosts the World's Largest Brat Fest. Over 200,000 bratwurst sausages are sold during this festival on Memorial Day weekend. The Great Taste of the Midwest is a popular craft beer festival. Tickets for this event sell out very quickly.

Music and Entertainment

Madison has a lively music scene. Many places offer live music every night. Bigger shows happen at the Orpheum Theatre or the Overture Center. During summer, the Memorial Union Terrace has live music five nights a week.

Many music festivals take place in Madison during the summer. Concerts on the Square is a weekly event where the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra plays free concerts. People bring picnics and listen on the capitol lawn. Other festivals include the Waterfront Festival and the Willy Street Fair.

The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps is a competitive group based in Madison. The University of Wisconsin Marching Band performs at many local events. Madison is also known for its independent rock music. The band Garbage formed in Madison in 1994.

Nightlife and Fun Events

Most of Madison's nightlife is downtown. There are many bars, restaurants, and places for live shows. State Street is popular with students and visitors. The Williamson (Willy) Street Neighborhood also has many fun spots. Big parties like the Mifflin Street Block Party and Freakfest Halloween Party attract thousands of people.

Performing Arts

The Overture Center for the Arts is home to many professional groups. These include the Madison Opera, the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and the Madison Ballet. The city also has smaller theater groups. The Bartell Theatre is a former movie theater now used for live plays.

Madison has one comedy club, Comedy on State. There are also improv groups and open mic nights for comedy.

Other Cultural Events

Madison used to host Rhythm and Booms, a big fireworks show. Now, a similar event called Shake The Lake happens downtown.

The Wisconsin Film Festival is held every April. This event shows many different kinds of films.

Madison's official bird is the plastic flamingo. This was chosen in 2009 after students put 1,008 plastic flamingos on Bascom Hill in 1979. The flamingo is even in the logo of the city's soccer team, Forward Madison FC.

Sports in Madison

Club	Sport	League	Venue	Founded
Wisconsin Badgers	Various	NCAA	Camp Randall Stadium, Kohl Center	1849
Madison Night Mares	Softball	Northwoods League	Warner Park	2024
Madison Mallards	Baseball	Northwoods League	Warner Park	2001
Madison Radicals	Ultimate	AUDL	Breese Stevens Field	2013
Madison Capitols	Ice Hockey	United States Hockey League	Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena	2014
Forward Madison FC	Soccer	USL League One	Breese Stevens Field	2018
Forward Madison FC	Soccer	USL Super League	Breese Stevens Field	2025
LOVB Madison	Volleyball	League One Volleyball	Wisconsin Field House, Alliant Energy Center	2024

Madison is famous for its support of the University of Wisconsin–Madison sports teams. These teams are called the Wisconsin Badgers. The Wisconsin Badgers football team plays at Camp Randall Stadium. Over 83,000 fans can watch games there. The men's basketball and ice hockey teams play at the Kohl Center.

The Madison Capitols ice hockey team returned to Madison in 2014. They play their games at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena. In 2018, Forward Madison FC became Madison's first professional soccer team. They play at Breese Stevens Field.

Madison is also home to the Madison Mallards baseball team. They play in the summer at Warner Park.

Amateur Sports

Madison has several sports leagues for fun. The Madison Radicals are a professional ultimate frisbee team.

The city hosts many endurance races. These include the Crazylegs Classic and Ironman Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Rugby Club has won national championships. The Madison Curling Club won the Women's US National Championship in 2014.

The Blackhawk Ski Club helps young people learn ski jumping and cross-country skiing. Some of its members have even gone to the Olympics! Since 2017, the CrossFit Games have been held in Madison.

Parks and Outdoor Fun

Madison has a lot of park space, about 6,431 acres (26 km²). This is about 13.5% of the city's total area. Some parks include James Madison Park with lake views and Frank W. Hoyt Park. Garner Park hosts an "Opera in the Park" event. Warner Park is home to the Madison Mallards baseball team.

Goodman Pool is Madison's public outdoor swimming pool. The University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum protects forests and prairies. The Lakeshore Nature Preserve keeps native plants and animals safe along Lake Mendota.

In winter, people enjoy ice boating, ice skating, ice hockey, and cross-country skiing. In warmer months, you can go sailing on the lakes, biking, and hiking.

Madison is known for its many bike paths and lanes. It's a very bike-friendly city. In 2015, Madison was given the highest award for being a Bicycle Friendly Community.

Education in Madison

The Madison Metropolitan School District serves the city's students. It is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin. There are five public high schools: Vel Phillips Memorial, Madison West, Madison East, La Follette, and Malcolm Shabazz City High School.

Private high schools include Abundant Life Christian School and Edgewood High School. Madison Country Day School is a private school without religious ties.

Madison is home to the main campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It also has Edgewood College and Madison Area Technical College. Nearly 65,000 students attend colleges in Madison. The University of Wisconsin has about 50,000 students.

Media and News

Print Publications

Madison has many newspapers and magazines. The Wisconsin State Journal is published in the mornings. The Capital Times is online daily and has two print editions a week. These two papers are run together.

Isthmus is a free weekly newspaper. The Onion, a funny satirical newspaper, started in Madison. Student newspapers like The Daily Cardinal and The Badger Herald are also published. Other local magazines focus on music, politics, and sports.

The magazine The Progressive is still published in Madison. It was started in 1909 by Robert M. La Follette, Sr., a famous Wisconsin politician.

Radio Stations

Madison has many radio stations. Some are owned by big companies like iHeartMedia. Others are local, like Mid-West Family Broadcasting.

There are also two community radio stations run by volunteers: WORT and WSUM. WORT offers diverse music and talk shows. WSUM is a student radio station run by university students.

Wisconsin Public Radio's station, WHA, was one of the first radio stations in the country. It broadcasts popular shows like Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?.

TV Channels

Madison has six commercial TV stations. It also has two public television stations. WHA-TV is a public station owned by the University of Wisconsin. The Madison City Channel covers city government news.

Getting Around Madison

Transportation Options

Madison is served by the Dane County Regional Airport. It handles almost 2.2 million passengers each year. Most smaller planes use Middleton Municipal Airport. Metro Transit runs bus routes throughout the city and to some nearby towns.

Madison is a leading city for biking. About 5.3% of workers biked to work in 2014. In 2016, most Madison residents, about 65.7%, drove alone to work. About 8.6% used public transportation.

Train Services

Passenger train service to Chicago used to be available until 1971. The closest Amtrak station is in Columbus, about 28 miles (45 km) away. It has daily trains to Chicago and other cities.

Plans to bring Amtrak service back to Madison were discussed in 2021. This would connect Madison to Chicago via Milwaukee. The city is looking into possible locations for a new train station. Freight trains still serve Madison.

Bus Services

Regional buses connect Madison to other big cities like Milwaukee, Chicago, and Minneapolis–Saint Paul. Companies like Badger Bus and Greyhound Lines offer routes. Van Galder Bus Company provides transportation to Chicago airports.

Major Highways

Interstate 39 (I-39), I-90, and I-94 run along the east side of Madison. These highways connect Madison to other cities in Wisconsin and beyond.

U.S. Highway 151 (US 151) goes through downtown Madison. It connects the city to Dubuque, Iowa and Fond du Lac. US 12, also called the Beltline, is a big highway that goes around the south and west sides of Madison.

Famous People from Madison

Many interesting people have come from Madison. You can find a list of them in the "List of people from Madison, Wisconsin" article.

Fun Nicknames for Madison

Madison has several nicknames, including:

• Mad City
• Madtown
• The Berkeley of the Midwest
• 77 square miles surrounded by reality
• Four Lakes City
• People's Republic of Madison

Madison's Sister Cities

Madison has "sister city" relationships with other cities around the world. These partnerships help promote cultural exchange and understanding.

• Arcatao, El Salvador (1986)
• Bahir Dar, Ethiopia (2019)
• Camagüey, Cuba (1994)
• Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany (1988)
• Kanifing, Gambia (2016)
• Mantua, Italy (2001)
• Obihiro, Japan (2003)
• Tepatitlán de Morelos, Mexico (2012)
• Vilnius, Lithuania (1988)

Images for kids

• 

  View from Capitol dome taken between 1880 and 1899

• 

  Madison, Wisconsin skyline

See also

In Spanish: Madison (Wisconsin) para niños