Madison

Madison
City
View of Madison's skyline
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  The City of Four Lakes
Madison Location in the United States
Coordinates: 43°4′N 89°24′W Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed.
Country	United States
State	Wisconsin
County	Dane County
Founded	1836
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
• Mayor	Satya Rhodes-Conway
Area
• Total	97.60 sq mi (252.78 km2)
• Land	94.03 sq mi (243.54 km2)
• Water	3.57 sq mi (9.24 km2)
Elevation	876 ft (267 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	269,840
• Density	2,800/sq mi (1,100/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes	53701-53794
Area code(s)	608
Website	www.cityofmadison.com

Madison is the capital city of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. As of the 2020 census, Madison's population was 269,840, making it the second-largest city in Wisconsin after Milwaukee. It was founded in 1836 on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona and was named after James Madison, the fourth President of the United States.

History

Madison's history began in 1836, when former federal judge James Duane Doty purchased over a thousand acres of swamp and forest land on the isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, with the intention of building a city in the newly formed Wisconsin Territory. Madison was chosen as the territorial capital in 1836 and incorporated as a city in 1856.

Geography

Madison is located at 43°4′N 89°24′W. The city covers an area of 252.78 square kilometers, with 243.54 square kilometers of land and 9.24 square kilometers of water. It is known as "The City of Four Lakes," comprising the chain of Lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, and Kegonsa.

Government

Madison operates under a mayor-council system. The current mayor is Satya Rhodes-Conway. The city is known for its strong progressive political culture.

Economy

Madison's economy is driven by education, healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing. The University of Wisconsin–Madison has a significant impact on the city's economy, both as an employer and through its influence on the city's cultural and social landscape.

Education

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is the flagship institution of the University of Wisconsin System. It is a major research university and has a profound influence on the city's culture and economy. Madison also hosts several other higher education institutions, including Madison Area Technical College and Edgewood College.

Culture

Madison is known for its vibrant cultural scene, including the Wisconsin Film Festival, Madison Symphony Orchestra, and numerous galleries and theaters. The city also hosts an array of events and festivals, such as the annual Art Fair on the Square.

Transportation

Madison is served by the Dane County Regional Airport and has an extensive network of bike paths and bus routes. The city is also working on improving its public transportation infrastructure, including the potential development of a light rail system.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Madison had a population of 269,840. The racial makeup of the city was diverse, with a significant percentage of White, African American, Asian, and Hispanic residents.

See also

• List of people from Madison, Wisconsin
• Madison Metropolitan School District
• State of Wisconsin