Middleton, Wisconsin


Middleton is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, and a suburb of the state capital, Madison. Middleton's motto is "The Good Neighbor City." The population was 17,442 at the 2010 census.

History

The city was named after a community in Vermont at the suggestion of its first postmaster, Harry Barnes.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Climate

Demographics

Since 1990 there has been a population increase of over 20% in the Madison metropolitan area. This has led to Middleton being considered as the western hub of a proposed, albeit controversial, railroad corridor connecting Middleton's Greenway Station, the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, downtown Madison, and Madison's far east side.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 17,442 people, 8,037 households, and 4,453 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 8,565 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 87.1% White, 3.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 4.2% Asian, 2.3% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.6% of the population.
There were 8,037 households of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.6% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.86.
The median age in the city was 39.1 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.1% were from 25 to 44; 29.3% were from 45 to 64; and 12.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census in 2000, there were 15,770 people living in Middleton, although in 2006 that number was estimated to be as high as 16,595. The population density was 1,953.2 people per square mile. There were 7,397 housing units at an average density of 916.2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 92.08% White, 1.97% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 2.66% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.27% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. 2.82% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
According to the census, there were 7,095 households in Middleton, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.9% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.90.
The age of the population of Middleton is fairly diverse. The census states that 22.7% of the citizens there were under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $50,786, and the median income for a family was $71,514. Males had a median income of $41,070 versus $30,928 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,464. About 3.1% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

serves Middleton and the surrounding communities.
A free trolley service called Middleton Trolley runs through Middleton and has 13 stops at landmarks around Middleton.
Madison's bus service Madison Metro's routes 70, 71, 72, 73, 78 and 15 all have stops throughout Middleton.

Municipal services

The City of Middleton is served by the Middleton Police Department. The Middleton Fire Department provides fire protection services to a district consisting of the city of Middleton, as well as the neighboring Town of Middleton and portions of the towns of Springfield and Westport. The Middleton Emergency Medical Services department provides paramedic level services to the City of Middleton and the neighboring townships of Middleton and Springfield.

Education

Middleton belongs to the Middleton-Cross Plains School District. There are six elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and one alternative senior high school in the district.
Students attend either Middleton High School or Clark Street Community School.

Media

Middleton is served by Madison TV, radio, print, and other media. The Middleton Times-Tribune is a weekly community newspaper. The Middleton Review is a free community newspaper that serves the city.

Attractions

Middleton is the home of the National Mustard Museum. It was originally located in the nearby town of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, but moved to Middleton. The museum and its curator were featured on National Public Radio's Morning Edition broadcast of July 29, 2010, and Weekend Edition Saturday on February 18, 1995.
The Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy is a nature preserve of green space and wetland with prairie hills, natural springs, and Native American burial mounds. The creek drains on the east into Lake Mendota, and a hiking trail follows beside it through a forest, passing beside Parisi Park.

Rankings

In July 2009, CNN/Money magazine ranked Middleton the fourth best small town to live in the United States.

Notable people