Middleton, Wisconsin

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 village 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

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Middleton is located about 6 miles West/Northwest of Madison, the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin.

Climate

Severe flooding occurred in August 2018, including along Pheasant Branch Creek.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 21,827 people and 10,104 households. The racial makeup of the city was 86.1% White, 5.3% African American, 1.5% Native American, 8.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and 6.3% from Some Other Race alone or in combination with one or more other races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.8% of the population.

There were 10,104 households, of which 41.5% were married couples living together, 7.7% were cohabiting couples, 30.0% had a female householder with no spouse present, 20.8% had a male householder with no spouse present. 26.0% of households had individuals under the age of 18 and 27.1% had individuals 65 years of age or older.

The median age in the city was 39.5 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 19; 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 of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

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 (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

Business

The largest industry sector in Middleton is manufacturing. Other major job sectors are retail trade, technology, educational services, health care, management of companies, finance and accommodations. In 2019, 17% of workers were employed in the manufacturing sector with 3,037 jobs. As of 2016, over 65% of Middleton residents have associate, bachelors or advanced degrees and 44.7% of residents are employed in positions which earn more than $75,000 per year. Over 2,000 companies are located in Middleton, including American Girl's corporate headquarters and one of Electronic Theater Controls' worldwide offices.

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.

Top employers

As of 2019 the top employers in the city are:

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's 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 beer

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