The "Good Neighbor City" is known for top-rated schools and proximity to Madison
Middleton is a small city just west of Madison in south central Wisconsin. Nicknamed “The Good Neighbor City,” Middleton’s population has grown by just over 25% as of the 2020 census and is now home to nearly 22,000 residents. Numerous parks dot the city, with the Pheasant Branch Creek Conservatory providing over 680 acres of wetland and prairie in and around Middleton. Proximity to Madison and a top-rated school district are two major factors in Middleton’s appeal. “The proximity to Madison is special,” says Mary Browning, a broker associate with Compass Realty. “Although lots of towns are close, in Middleton it feels like part of Madison. That physical proximity is one of the top benefits.”
Middleton parents may send their teenagers to Middleton High School, which earned an A rating from Niche.
If you're up for unpaved paths, you can enjoy a long nature walk at Pheasant Branch Conservatory.
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Steep competition but stable investments in the housing market
The median home price in Middleton is $530,000 for single-family homes, significantly higher than the national median of $420,000 and the Madison median of $440,000. “There are only 30 active properties listed right now, and almost all are to-be-built,” Browning says. “Something under 2000 square feet, with 3 beds and 2 baths and not much yard, is $500,000.”
A range of home styles from across the decades populate the area. “Near Downtown Middleton, there are older houses, like old Victorians,” says Laura Callahan. a Realtor with First Weber Realtors. “There’s a nice variety of neighborhoods. Fox Ridge, Stonefield. In Middleton Hills there are bungalows and Prairie style homes.” Regardless of neighborhood, the competitive market keeps values high. “You never lose money on a house in Middleton,” Callahan says. “It’s been recession-proof because of the demand, even in 2008.”
Middleton’s desirable reputation extends beyond the local area. “It’s the most requested area for my out-of-state clients,” Callahan says. “Even folks in Madison want to move there to get into Middleton Schools.”
Gorgeous Victorian-style houses can be found in and around Downtown Middleton.
Prairie-style architecture is among one of the most distinctive home styles in Middleton.
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Pheasant Branch Conservancy brings prairie restoration into the heart of Middleton
Pheasant Branch Conservancy provides over 680 acres of conserved woodland for residents. “It’s a huge draw,” Browning says. “People love it. It’s enormous. It winds through Middleton with bike paths along a creek.” Lakeview Park is a city park near Lake Mendota, which residents can enjoy in all seasons, whether summer boating trips or winter ice-fishing. North of Middleton around Lake Mendota is Governor Nelson State Park, which offers a boat launch, picnic areas and 8 miles of trails through restored prairie habitat. Quarry Skate Park allows locals to practice their skateboard or rollerblading tricks on the 10,000-square-foot collection of rails, ramps and concrete obstacles.
The Quarry Skate Park in Downtown Middleton can be enjoyed by all ages, and is open from 8am to sunset daily.
Lake View Park in Middleton, WI has a brand new playground for children to run and play.
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One of the most highly rated districts in Wisconsin
The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District receives an A-plus grade, rates as the best district in the Madison area and the second-best district in Wisconsin on Niche. “They’re known for their AP program,” Callahan says. “Some kids graduate with like 26 college credits.” Several schools have recently been updated, including Middleton High School, Kromrey Middle School, and the newly constructed Pope Farm Elementary School, which opened in 2020. “The facilities are top-notch,” Browning says.
Middleton High School boasts two football fields and a running track.
Children in the Fox Ridge community can attend Kromrey Middle School in Middleton, which has a student-to-teacher ratio of 12 to 1.
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Good Neighbor Festival showcases local spirit
In addition to school plays and student talent shows, the performing arts center at Middleton High School hosts Middleton’s Community Concert Series. In downtown, Capital Brewery throws an annual Oktoberfest. College sports fans can head to Wisconsin’s campus to cheer on the Badger athletic teams, who compete in the Big Ten.
Middleton’s annual Good Neighbor Festival occurs each August. “It’s quite a big deal,” Browning says. The festival hosts live music, bingo, food and drink vendors, a carnival and a parade over the course of three days. A resident has been honored with the “Good Neighbor Award” since 1980.
After a long day, you can grab a drink or two at Capital Brewery in Downtown Middleton.
Middleton residents are not far from Camp Randall Stadium, where Badgers games bring thousands to watch.
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Proximity to Madison and employment opportunities
PPD, Inc, a pharmaceutical research company, is the largest employer in Middleton. Electronic Theater Controls and UW Medical Foundation are two other significant employers. The school district also employs over 900 full-time people. American Girl has its corporate headquarters in Middleton as well. The two largest employers in the overall Madison area are the University of Wisconsin and Epic Systems, a medical software company headquartered in Verona, Wisconsin.
Madison’s Beltline Highway is accessible from several parts of Middleton, such as Greenway Station and University Avenue. University Avenue provides a straight route to downtown Madison and the University of Wisconsin, both under 7 miles east. U.S. Highway 12 heads north to the towns of Reedsburg and Baraboo, eventually connecting with Interstates 90 and 94 near Wisconsin Dells. The Dane County Regional Airport is 12 miles northeast.
UW Health has its West Madison clinic about 3 miles south of downtown Middleton. UW Health’s University Hospital is about 5 miles away toward downtown Madison.
New green space in Downtown Middleton.
Downtown Middleton has continued to develop in recent years, and now old favorites like the Village Green stand next to newer shops and restaurants. “Downtown Middleton has definitely seen a resurgence over recent years,” Browning says. “They just put in a lovely park right in the downtown called Stone Horse Green, and it draws people to downtown.” The green space was designed to provide an outdoor gathering space downtown during the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Mustard Museum, a kitschy and unusual shop with a vast array of mustards for purchase downtown. Greenway Station on Parmenter Street is an outdoor shopping center with high-end retailers, big-box stores and chain restaurants.
The National Mustard Museum in Downtown Middleton has hundreds of mustards at the tasting bar.
The performance stage at Stone Horse Green Park in Downtown Middleton is where musicians and actors shine in the summer months.
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Important to know
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, Middleton’s violent crime rate is well below both the national average and Wisconsin’s state average. It has held relatively steady over the past five years. Middleton’s property crime rate is more volatile and sometimes gets close to the national average, though it has remained below it for the past five years. Property crime rates tend to be higher in the summer than in winter.
Middleton summers tend to be warm and humid, while winters are cold and snowy, with an average annual snowfall of about 43 inches. In the late summer of 2018, parts of Middleton, including the Conservancy and the Greenway Station area, had intense floods, as did other parts of the Madison metro. Middleton won a state award for its flood restoration work in 2024.
On average, homes in Middleton, WI sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Middleton, WI over the last 12 months is $538,250, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
