Middleton is a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 21,827 at the 2020 census. A suburb northwest of Madison, it is part of the Madison metropolitan area. Middleton's motto is "The Good Neighbor City."
History The first settlers were mostly of English descent, and they came to Middleton in the 1840s. It was called Peatville for the large quantities of peat extracted from its soil. The town was renamed Middleton when it was separated from the town of Madison in 1848. Many German settlers arrived to Middleton in the 1850s, and after the year 1880, the population was largely of German descent. The first Lutheran Church was founded in the area in 1852.
Middleton incorporated as a village in 1905 and it became a city in 1963. At the suggestion of its first postmaster, Harry Barnes, it was named after a community in Vermont.
Geography
Middleton is located in Dane County in south-central Wisconsin, approximately 6 miles (10 km) west-northwest of downtown Madison, the state capital.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.12 square miles (23.62 km²), of which 8.98 square miles (23.26 km²) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km²) is water.
Middleton is situated along the western shore of Lake Mendota and includes portions of the Pheasant Branch watershed, which drains into the lake.
Climate
Severe flooding occurred in August 2018, including along Pheasant Branch Creek.
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, Middleton had a population of 21,827. The median age was 39.5 years. 21.0% of residents were under the age of 18, 34.76% were between the ages of 20 and 44, 24.2% were from 45 to 64, and 18.3% were 65 years of age or older. The sex breakdown was 48.0% male and 52.0% female. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.6 males age 18 and over.
99.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.8% lived in rural areas.
There were 10,104 households in Middleton, of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.5% were married-couple households, 7.7% were cohabiting-couple households, 20.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals, 27.1% had one or more people aged 65 or older, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 10,509 housing units, of which 3.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.1%.
+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 17,280 79.2% Black or African American 792 3.6% American Indian and Alaska Native 93 0.4% Asian 1,522 7.0% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 6 0.0% Some other race 571 2.6% Two or more races 1,563 7.2% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 1,488 6.8%
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. The population density was 1,953.2 people per square mile (754.5/km2). There were 7,397 housing units at an average density of 916.2 per square mile (353.9/km2). 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. Economy
Middleton has a diversified economy that includes manufacturing, life sciences, corporate services, health care, retail, and hospitality. As part of the Madison metropolitan area, the city benefits from its proximity to the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the region's concentration of research- and technology-related employment.
Companies with major operations in Middleton include Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC), a manufacturer of lighting and rigging technology headquartered in the city; Spectrum Brands, whose principal executive offices are in Middleton; and Springs Window Fashions, which maintains its corporate office and plant in Middleton.
Life sciences and laboratory services are a significant part of the local economy. Thermo Fisher Scientific operates a clinical research and laboratory services campus in Middleton through its PPD business, and in 2024 announced an expansion of its Middleton laboratory operations.
Retail and hospitality activity is concentrated in downtown Middleton and the Greenway Station district, an open-air shopping area on the city's west side.
Business
Middleton is home to more than 2,000 businesses and has a strong concentration of manufacturing, life sciences, and technology companies within the Madison metropolitan region.
Top employers Major employers in Middleton include the following organizations:
Employer Industry Thermo Fisher Scientific (PPD clinical research division) Pharmaceutical research and laboratory services Electronic Theatre Controls Entertainment and architectural lighting technology manufacturing UW Health / UW Medical Foundation Health care and medical services Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Public education Spectrum Brands Consumer products and home goods manufacturing Springs Window Fashions Window coverings manufacturing and corporate services North Central Group Hospitality management and hotel development Humana Health insurance and health services Hy Cite Enterprises Direct sales and cookware products Fiskars Consumer goods and housewares manufacturing
Tourism and shopping
Greenway Station is a shopping mall opened in 2003. Downtown Middleton has several shops and restaurants. During the 1960s and early 1970s, the Nitty Gritty restaurant in Middleton featured live blues music, and featured B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Charlie Musselwhite, and Cheap Trick. In 1985, the Nitty Gritty was re-branded as a birthday destination, and as of 2018, over 725,000 birthdays have been celebrated there.
Arts and culture
Attractions
Middleton is the home of the National Mustard Museum. It is often featured in lists of unusual museums in the United States. 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 (when it was located in Mount Horeb). Middleton's second museum, Middleton Historical Museum (also known as Rowley House) offers information and donations by early settlers. Middleton Train Depot was built in 1856. It was an active passenger station until 1960 and a freight depot until 1975. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a visitor center.
Wisconsin Trade Center is a commercial office building made of blue glass windows and it is the tallest building in Middleton. Middleton has a garden and landscaping center called Orchids Garden Centre & Nursery.
Capital Brewery was founded in 1984 to brew German-style lager beer and has since branched to American-style ales and barrel-aged beers. Capital Brewery has won over 240 awards. The Capital Brewery Bier Garten is open from April to October and it often offers live music and food vendors. Hidden Cave Cidery, opened in 2021, is a local cidery that makes cider of Wisconsin apples.
Events
Middleton has an annual Middleton Good Neighbor Festival held on the last weekend of August next to Middleton High School, on the lawn that is affectionately called "South Beach." The festival has been held since 1964, and "The Good Neighbor Award" has been awarded to a Middleton resident since 1980. The award is given to individuals who have made a difference in the community, and embody what it means to be a Good Neighbor. The three-day festival has free live music, carnival rides, family activities, entertainment, food, parades and other activities.
Downtown Middleton Summer Fun series is typically held from July to August, and it features free music and entertainment on every Thursday. In 2021, the event included arts and crafts table for children, picnic tables, hula hoops, free beginner harmonica lessons and other activities.
National Mustard Day is an outdoor food festival held annually on the first Saturday of August in downtown Middleton. The event features live music, face painting, games and entertainment, food and free mustard samplings. National Mustard Museum has hosted and sponsored the event since 1991.
Haunted Hustle is a Halloween-themed marathon held in October. Other events in Middleton include Wine Walk, Greenway Station Farmers' Market and Prairie Chase Run/Walk. Middleton-Cross Plains Area Performing Arts Center hosts plays and dances.
Art Middleton is dedicated to providing and encouraging outdoor public art, including sculptures, murals and stained glass. Visit Middleton's website offers a Middleton's Outdoor Public Art Trail map. Middleton Arts Committee and the Middleton Community Development Authority sponsors and supports art in Middleton.
Parks and recreation Middleton maintains an extensive system of parks, trails, and conservancy lands. The city's conservancy system includes the Pheasant Branch Conservancy and the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor, which protect natural areas and provide public trail access.