Madison, WI Demographics

A map of Madison's Population by Race

Madison, Wisconsin has an estimated population of 278,001, an increase from the 269,840 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 69.6% White, 9.4% Hispanic, 8.0% Asian, 7.2% Black, 5.2% Multiracial, and 0.7% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Madison, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Madison is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Wisconsin overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Madison, that probability was 49.7% in 2020 and 49.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Madison is ranked the 2nd most populous place in Wisconsin, out of 808 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Madison was ranked the 2nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Madison's White Population

193,375 residents of Madison, or 69.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Madison is lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 78.6% of the population is White. Madison ranks 754th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Madison's White population has grown by an estimated 3.5%. White residents' share of Madison's population has remained roughly unchanged at 69.6%.

Madison is more White than neighboring Fitchburg (61.6% White). Madison is less White than neighboring Maple Bluff (91% White), Shorewood Hills (74.8% White), Monona (85.7% White), and Waunakee (85.9% White).

Madison's Black Population

19,962 residents of Madison, or 7.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Madison is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 5.9% of the population is Black. Madison ranks 18th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Madison's Black population has grown by an estimated 2.1%. Black residents' share of Madison's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.2%.

Madison is more Black than neighboring Maple Bluff (0.5% Black), Shorewood Hills (2.6% Black), Monona (3.3% Black), and Waunakee (1.4% Black). Madison is less Black than neighboring Fitchburg (8.7% Black).

Madison's Asian Population

22,178 residents of Madison, or 8.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Madison is higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Madison ranks 6th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Madison's Asian population has declined by an estimated 13.2%. Asian residents' share of Madison's population has decreased from 9.5% to 8.0%.

Madison is more Asian than neighboring Maple Bluff (0% Asian), Monona (2.8% Asian), and Waunakee (1.6% Asian). Madison is less Asian than neighboring Shorewood Hills (12.5% Asian), and Fitchburg (9.9% Asian).

Madison's Hispanic Population

26,165 residents of Madison, or 9.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Madison is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 8% of the population is Hispanic. Madison ranks 92nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Madison's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 11.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Madison's population has increased from 8.7% to 9.4%.

Madison is more Hispanic than neighboring Maple Bluff (5.7% Hispanic), Shorewood Hills (4% Hispanic), Monona (2.6% Hispanic), and Waunakee (7.3% Hispanic). Madison is less Hispanic than neighboring Fitchburg (14.4% Hispanic).

Madison's Native American/Other Population

1,873 residents of Madison, or 0.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Madison is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Madison ranks 328th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Madison's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 6.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Madison's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Madison is more Native American/Other than neighboring Shorewood Hills (0.6% Native American/Other), Fitchburg (0.3% Native American/Other), and Waunakee (0.1% Native American/Other). Madison is less Native American/Other than neighboring Maple Bluff (1.3% Native American/Other).

Madison's Multiracial Population

14,448 residents of Madison, or 5.2% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Madison is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Madison ranks 104th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 808 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Madison's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 15.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Madison's population has increased from 4.7% to 5.2%.

Madison is more Multiracial than neighboring Maple Bluff (1.4% Multiracial), Monona (4.8% Multiracial), Fitchburg (5.1% Multiracial), and Waunakee (3.8% Multiracial). Madison is less Multiracial than neighboring Shorewood Hills (5.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.