ABOUT MADISON
Why Madison? Madison has consistently been ranked as among one of the finest small cities in the United States.
Madison is not only one of the fittest cities in America, but supports one of the top Universities in the Midwest in the University of Wisconsin. More than 40,000 attend UW, and with the tentative courses going through and around the campus (as well as a population base of 200,000+), Ironman Wisconsin could feature the most spectators of any Ironman event in the world.
Here is just a sampling of what people are saying about Madison.
- #5 Fittest City in America
Shape magazine, September 2000
- #5 Best Cities for Women
Ladies Home Journal, April 2001
- Best City For Quality of Life
Business Development Outlook Magazine, September/October 1999
- #10 University for Women Athletes
Sports Illustrated for Women, August, 1999
- #1 Best Places to Live in America
Money magazine, July, 1998 & July 1996
- #1 Best Cities for Women
Ladies Home Journal, November, 1997
- #4 Best Bicycling Cities
Bicycling magazine, August 1997 & October 1995
- 10 Most Livable Places in America
The Advocate, June 24, 1997
- #9 America's Best Places to Live and Work
Employment Review magazine, June 1997
- #3 Great Places to Raise a Family
Parenting, May 1997
- #1 Healthiest City for Women
American Health, January 1997
Fast Facts on Madison
Population
- City of Madison: 200,814
- Dane County: 398,233
Weather
Average High Temperatures:
- Spring: 56.1 deg F
- Summer: 80.8 deg F
- Autumn: 59.2 deg F
- Winter: 28.4 deg F
Average Precipitation: 30.84"
Average Annual Snowfall: 42"
Geography
- Avg. elevation: 845.6 feet above mean sea level
- Topography: Rolling
- Area of County: 789,100 acres (1200 square miles)
- Area of City: 39,827 acres (62.2 square miles)
- Number of County Lakes: 35 (25 with public access)
- Area of county lakes: 21,366 acres
- Major lake names: Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, Kegonsa
- Farmland (Dane County): 569,937 acres (75% of total county)
Recreation
Local public land designated for recreational use:
- State: 17,203 acres
- County: 4,461 acres
- City: 5,800 acres
Water-related recreation areas and facilities (county):
- Canoeing: 48 miles
- Swimming: 32 areas, 92 miles of shoreline
- Boating: 40 launching sites
Land-related recreational areas and facilities (county):
Golf courses:
- Public courses: 16
- Private courses: 5
Major hiking trails: more than 150 miles
Hunting: 8,548 acres
Snowmobile trails: 240 miles
Downhill skiing: 1 area, 6 runs
Cross-country skiing: 14 areas, more than 100 miles
Sledding areas: 13 hills
Skating facilities: 40
