Middleton, Wisconsin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Middleton, Wisconsin
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Middleton depot
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| Motto(s):
"The Good Neighbor City"
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Location of Middleton in Dane County, Wisconsin.
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| County | Dane |
| Government | |
| • Type | City Council/Mayor |
| Area | |
| • City | 9.07 sq mi (23.49 km2) |
| • Land | 8.94 sq mi (23.14 km2) |
| • Water | 0.14 sq mi (0.35 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • City | 21,827 |
| • Density | 2,242.19/sq mi (865.73/km2) |
| • Metro | 561,505 (88th) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
53562
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| Area code(s) | 608 |
| FIPS code | 55-51575 |
Middleton is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. It's a busy place with a population of 21,827 people, according to the 2020 census. Middleton is like a neighbor to Madison, the capital city of Wisconsin. It's a suburb, which means it's a smaller town right outside a bigger city. Middleton is known as "The Good Neighbor City."
Contents
- History of Middleton
- Middleton's Geography and Climate
- People of Middleton
- Economy and Jobs in Middleton
- Arts and Culture in Middleton
- Parks and Recreation in Middleton
- Education in Middleton
- Media in Middleton
- Transportation and Services in Middleton
- Notable People from Middleton
- Images for kids
- See also
History of Middleton
The first people to settle in Middleton arrived in the 1840s. Most of them came from England. Back then, the area was called Peatville. This was because a lot of peat, a type of soil, was dug up from the ground.
In 1848, the village was separated from the town of Madison and renamed Middleton. Many settlers from Germany came to Middleton in the 1850s. By 1880, most of the people living there were of German descent. The first Lutheran Church in the area was started in 1852.
Middleton officially became a village in 1905. Later, in 1963, it grew and became a city. The first postmaster, Harry Barnes, suggested the name Middleton. He named it after a community in Vermont.
Middleton's Geography and Climate
Middleton covers about 9.12 square miles (23.6 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. The city is located about 6 miles (10 kilometers) west-northwest of Madison, the capital of Wisconsin.
Middleton's Weather
Middleton experiences different seasons throughout the year. Summers are warm, and winters are cold with snow.
| Climate data for Middleton, Wisconsin | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 23 (−5) |
29 (−2) |
41 (5) |
54 (12) |
67 (19) |
77 (25) |
81 (27) |
78 (26) |
70 (21) |
58 (14) |
42 (6) |
29 (−2) |
54 (12) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 6 (−14) |
12 (−11) |
23 (−5) |
35 (2) |
46 (8) |
56 (13) |
60 (16) |
58 (14) |
50 (10) |
38 (3) |
25 (−4) |
13 (−11) |
35 (2) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.14 (29) |
1.14 (29) |
2.18 (55) |
3.61 (92) |
3.47 (88) |
4.50 (114) |
4.03 (102) |
4.05 (103) |
3.25 (83) |
2.42 (61) |
2.37 (60) |
1.32 (34) |
33.48 (850) |
| Source: The Weather Channel | |||||||||||||
In August 2018, Middleton experienced severe flooding. This included areas along Pheasant Branch Creek.
People of Middleton
Middleton has grown quite a bit over the years. Here's how its population has changed:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 285 | — | |
| 1880 | 295 | 3.5% | |
| 1910 | 679 | — | |
| 1920 | 791 | 16.5% | |
| 1930 | 983 | 24.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,358 | 38.1% | |
| 1950 | 2,110 | 55.4% | |
| 1960 | 4,410 | 109.0% | |
| 1970 | 8,246 | 87.0% | |
| 1980 | 11,851 | 43.7% | |
| 1990 | 13,289 | 12.1% | |
| 2000 | 15,770 | 18.7% | |
| 2010 | 17,442 | 10.6% | |
| 2020 | 21,827 | 25.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Middleton's Population in 2020
In 2020, there were 21,827 people living in Middleton. There were also 10,104 households. Most residents (86.1%) were White. Other groups included African American (5.3%), Asian (8.4%), and people of two or more races (6.3%). About 6.8% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Middleton was 39.5 years old. About 22.7% of residents were under 19. Also, 18.3% were 65 or older. The city had slightly more females (52.0%) than males (48.0%).
Economy and Jobs in Middleton
Middleton has a strong economy with many different types of jobs.
Businesses in Middleton
The biggest job sector in Middleton is manufacturing. This means making things in factories. Other important job areas include retail (stores), technology, education, healthcare, and finance. In 2019, about 17% of workers had jobs in manufacturing.
Many residents in Middleton have college degrees. Over 2,000 companies are located in the city. This includes the main office for American Girl dolls and an office for Electronic Theater Controls.
Shopping and Fun in Middleton
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Greenway Station is a shopping center that opened in 2003. Downtown Middleton also has many unique shops and restaurants. The Nitty Gritty restaurant, which opened in the 1960s, used to have live blues music. Famous musicians like B.B. King even played there! Today, it's a popular spot for birthday celebrations.
Top Employers in Middleton
Many companies provide jobs in Middleton. Here are some of the largest employers as of 2019:
| # | Employer | Full-time employees | Part-time employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PPD, Inc | 1,400 | N/A |
| 2 | Electronic Theatre Controls | 938 | 16 |
| 3 | UW Medical Foundation | 800 | 0 |
| 4 | Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District | 924 | 280 |
| 5 | Spectrum Brands | 448 | 3 |
| 6 | Springs Window Fashions | 550 | 0 |
| 7 | American Girl | 294 | 87 |
| 8 | North Central Group | 348 | 197 |
| 9 | Humana | 285 | 0 |
| 10 | Fiskars | 280 | 6 |
Arts and Culture in Middleton
Middleton offers many interesting places to visit and fun events.
Attractions to See
Middleton is home to the National Mustard Museum. This museum is famous for being one of the most unusual museums in the United States! It used to be in a different town but moved to Middleton. The museum has even been featured on National Public Radio.
Middleton also has the Middleton Historical Museum, also called Rowley House. It shares information about the early settlers. The Middleton Train Depot was built in 1856. It was a train station for many years and is now a visitor's center. It's even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Wisconsin Trade Center is the tallest building in Middleton. It's an office building with cool blue glass windows. If you like plants, you can visit Orchids Garden Centre & Nursery.
Middleton also has local places that make drinks. Capital Brewery started in 1984 and makes different kinds of beer. They have a Bier Garten that's open in warmer months with live music. Hidden Cave Cidery, which opened in 2021, makes cider from Wisconsin apples.
Fun Events in Middleton
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Every year, Middleton holds the Middleton Good Neighbor Festival. It happens on the last weekend of August at Firemen's Park. This festival has been going on since 1964. It includes free live music, carnival rides, family activities, and parades. An award called "The Good Neighbor Award" is given to someone who has made a big difference in the community.
The Downtown Middleton Summer Fun series offers free music and entertainment on Thursdays from July to August. In 2021, this event had arts and crafts for kids and even free beginner harmonica lessons!
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Sunflower Days is a special event at Pope Farm Conservancy. It's usually a 10-day event between July and August. You can see 9.5 acres of beautiful sunflowers! In 2017, about 90,000 people visited.
National Mustard Day is an outdoor food festival held in downtown Middleton. It happens on the first Saturday of August. The event has live music, face painting, games, and free mustard samples! The National Mustard Museum has hosted this event since 1991.
Other events include the Haunted Hustle, a Halloween-themed marathon in October. There's also a Wine Walk, a Farmers' Market, and the Prairie Chase Run/Walk. The Middleton-Cross Plains Area Performing Arts Center hosts plays and dances.
Public Art in Middleton
Middleton loves to show off outdoor public art. You can find sculptures, murals, and stained glass around the city. Visit Middleton's website has a map to help you find all the public art. The Middleton Arts Committee helps support art in the city.
Parks and Recreation in Middleton
Middleton has many places to enjoy nature and stay active.
The Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy is a nature preserve. It has green spaces, wetlands, hills, natural springs, and even ancient Native American burial mounds. You can hike along the creek through a forest.
The Pope Farm Conservancy opened in 2006. It's a park with walking trails, wildlife, sunflower fields, and areas where prairies are being restored.
Lake Mendota is a very popular spot. People love to go fishing, swimming, and do other water activities there. Middleton also has a skate park called Quarry Skate Park. Lake Mendota County Park offers camping, picnic areas, and volleyball courts.
If you like golf, Middleton has the Pleasant View Golf Course. It's been named the "Best Golf Course in Madison Area" multiple times! You can also find trails for skiing, biking, and hiking. The Walter R. Bauman Aquatic Center is an outdoor pool facility with waterslides and water play equipment.
Education in Middleton
Middleton is part of the Middleton-Cross Plains School District. This district has seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools.
Students attend either Middleton High School or Clark Street Community School. In 2021, Middleton High School was named the best high school in Dane County by U.S. News & World Report. It was also ranked 11th best in the entire state of Wisconsin! The report showed that 96% of students at Middleton High School graduate.
Elementary Schools
- Elm Lawn Elementary School
- Park Elementary School
- Pope Farm Elementary School
- Northside Elementary School
- Sauk Trail Elementary School
- Sunset Ridge Elementary School
- West Middleton Elementary School
Middle Schools
- Glacier Creek Middle School
- Kromrey Middle School
High Schools
- Middleton High School
- Clark Street Community School
Media in Middleton
Middleton gets its news and entertainment from Madison's TV, radio, and newspapers. The Middleton Times-Tribune is a weekly newspaper for the community. The Middleton Review is another free community newspaper.
Transportation and Services in Middleton
Middleton has different ways to get around and important services for its residents.
Getting Around Middleton
Middleton Municipal Airport (C29) is a small airport for general aviation. For bigger flights, people use Dane County Regional Airport in nearby Madison.
Metro Transit provides bus service in Middleton, connecting it to Downtown Madison.
The Wisconsin and Southern Railroad runs through Middleton, carrying freight trains.
Major roads like US Route 12 and US Route 14 serve Middleton, including the end of the West Beltline Highway.
City Services
The Middleton Police Department keeps the city safe. The Middleton Fire Department helps protect the city and nearby towns from fires. The Middleton Emergency Medical Services department provides paramedic services. The Middleton Public Library offers books, movies, music, and places to study.
Notable People from Middleton
Many interesting people have come from Middleton, including athletes, politicians, and artists.
- Matt Blanchard, NFL Quarterback
- Gary Close, basketball coach
- Casey Cramer, football player
- Tracey DeKeyser, ice hockey coach
- Jon Erpenbach, Wisconsin State Senator
- Russ Feingold, Former United States Senator from Wisconsin
- Frank Gault, Wisconsin State Representative
- Ryan Groy, football player
- Pauline Kruger Hamilton, photographer
- Aaron Hohlbein, MLS player
- Ed Janus, journalist
- Jill Karofsky, Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
- Jerry Kleczka, politician
- Paul Kowert, double bassist
- Josh Lambo, football player
- Joe Parisi, Dane County executive
- Bob Skoronski, professional football player
- Rose Schuster Taylor, writer and naturalist at Yosemite
- Otto F. Toepfer, Wisconsin State Representative
- Al Toon, football player
- Nick Toon, football player
- Edo de Waart, conductor and music director
Images for kids
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Middleton Emergency Medical Services
See also
In Spanish: Middleton (Wisconsin) para niños
