South Central

Population: 1,185,575

Top Employers

EPIC SYSTEMS
AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE
AMERICAN GIRL
SUB-ZERO
TREK BICYCLE

Average Housing Cost

  • MADISON $248,700
  • JANESVILLE $147,200
  • BELOIT $90,900
  • WHITEWATER $173,900

SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN

Education, culture-rich communities and $1 billion in yearly research

Countless national rankings confirm what many of our residents already know—South Central Wisconsin is among the best places to live, work and raise a family. The Madison region is a place where dynamic, talented, innovative and hardworking people want to be. We know this because the region is growing at a faster rate than the state and the nation.

Talented people stay here thanks to a desirable quality of life.

South Central Wisconsin offers residents and visitors alike a unique blend of urban opportunities and rural, unspoiled natural beauty, distinctive communities, and some of Wisconsin’s greatest collections of natural, educational, artistic and historical attractions.

With nearly 34% of adults age 25 and older holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher, the Madison region is home to a smart, skilled workforce, thanks in part to an educational system that features two campuses of the University of Wisconsin system, two private colleges and four strong technical colleges. The flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin educates more than 43,000 students from over 130 countries each year and awards the second highest number of doctorate degrees in the nation. UW-Whitewater has one of the largest business schools in the U.S. and the largest graduate business program in the state.

In the Madison region, you’ll discover that our people prosper—enjoying world-class healthcare, treasured arts and cultural amenities and an abundance of recreation opportunities. Come join us and experience quality of life assets that make the Madison region a desirable place to live, work and play.

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PEOPLE & PLACES IN SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN

Video thumbnail for American Players Theatre Wisconsin Stories video

"It was on my list of dream jobs for about five or six years. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, and I’ve been a lot of other places."

DAVID DANIEL • AMERICAN PLAYERS THEATRE • SPRING GREEN

Ironworks Beloit video thumbnail

“I’d say that the future of Beloit is going to come through innovation. Every space in this coworking area is going to be filled with new ideas and dreams that are going to be fulfilled finally.”

WALKER LILLARD • TALKTOR • BELOIT

Emmi Roth video thumbnail

"We have strong roots in traditional Wisconsin cheesemaking, but we also have a new generation of energetic and educated cheesemaker who are always looking for the next innovation."

MADELINE KUHN • EMMI ROTH • MONROE

Trapper Schoepp Wisconsin Stories

"I could move to Nashville, Austin, LA, New York, any of those cities, but I feel most at home here in Wisconsin. That’s really what the song is trying to say. This person who has been everywhere, but still feels the best in Wisconsin."

TRAPPER SCHOEPP

Tim Gerritson - Wisconsin Stories

"If this (game development with his current company) is going to happen – it needs to happen in Wisconsin. The state has a strong engineering background and strong education background, but also a strong artistic background. Wisconsin brings the best of these unique backgrounds together."

TIM GERRITSEN • FANTASY FLIGHT INTERACTIVE • MADISON

Madmarker Studio - Wisconsin Stories

"Wisconsin is great for it. The cost of living is amazing, the people are amazing, you have access to so many things. You don’t need to live in a Chicago, San Francisco, New York … they are great cities, but if you can get all those amenities here, at a much lower cost, why wouldn’t you?"

DAVE HEALY • MADMARKER STUDIOS • MOUNT HOREB

Sauk Prairie

Portage

DeForest-Windsor

Regional Events

Fermentation Festival

October

Reedsburg

World Dairy Expo

October

Madison

M+DEV

October

Madison

Ironman Wisconsin

November

Madison

Brat Fest

May

Madison

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT WISCONSIN

Charming small-town living with close proximity to major metro areas

Education, culture-rich communities and $1 billion in yearly research

Lake Michigan, old world charm and craft beer and Wisconsin’s largest city

Scenic landscape, high qualify of life and an abundance of recreational activities

Extraordinary quality of life, outdoor recreation and business-friendly communities

Impactful careers, family living and recreational opportunities galore​

Recreational playgrounds, safe neighborhoods and a small-town feel

Recreational playgrounds, safe neighborhoods and a small-town feel

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SOUTHEAST

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CENTRAL

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NORTH

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NORTHEAST

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SOUTHWEST

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NORTHWEST

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SOUTH CENTRAL

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WEST CENTRAL

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