Middleton, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Middleton is a city in Dane County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. It is a western suburb
of the state capital, Madison
but it was actually founded before Madison. It got its name from Middletown, Connecticut
; the "w" being dropped was due to a paper work error made by long time historian Edward Kromrey (namesake of the local middle school). Middleton's motto is "The Good Neighbor City".
In July 2007, CNN/Money and Money magazine considered Middleton the best place to live in the United States. In July 2009, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Middleton the fourth best place to live in the United States.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 8.1 square miles (21.0 km2), of which 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2)(0.25%) is water.
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.
Since 1990 there has been a population increase of over 20% in the Madison metropolitan area. This has led to Middleton being considered as the western hub of a proposed, albeit controversial, 13 miles (20.9 km) railroad corridor connecting Middleton's Greenway Station, the University of Wisconsin–Madison
campus, downtown Madison, and Madison's far east side.
The American Girl
, Capital Brewery
, Springs Window Fashions, and Electronic Theatre Controls
company headquarters are located in Middleton. Middleton is also home to Morey Field
, a multi-runway, general aviation
airport.
Middleton is the site of Middleton Hills, a nationally recognized Parade of Homes
neighborhood, based on the principles of New Urbanism
. Founded by the late Marshall Erdman
and designed by architects Andres Duany
and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk
, Middleton Hills is credited as being the first such neighborhood in Wisconsin.
(ETC), is located here.
, 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).
The Imperial Garden restaurant, founded in 1981, has been voted the Best of Madison: Best Chinese Restaurant for 28 straight years,
Dane County, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile . There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is a western suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of the state capital, Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
but it was actually founded before Madison. It got its name from Middletown, Connecticut
Middletown, Connecticut
Middletown is a city located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state, 16 miles south of Hartford. In 1650, it was incorporated as a town under its original Indian name, Mattabeseck. It received its present name in 1653. In 1784, the central...
; the "w" being dropped was due to a paper work error made by long time historian Edward Kromrey (namesake of the local middle school). Middleton's motto is "The Good Neighbor City".
In July 2007, CNN/Money and Money magazine considered Middleton the best place to live in the United States. In July 2009, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Middleton the fourth best place to live in the United States.
Geography
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 8.1 square miles (21.0 km2), of which 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2)(0.25%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
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
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.45% Native American, 2.66% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.27% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.54% from two or more races. 2.82% of the population were Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Since 1990 there has been a population increase of over 20% in the Madison metropolitan area. This has led to Middleton being considered as the western hub of a proposed, albeit controversial, 13 miles (20.9 km) railroad corridor connecting Middleton's Greenway Station, the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
campus, downtown Madison, and Madison's far east side.
Climate
Economy
American Girl (company)
American Girl is an American line of 18-inch dolls released in 1986 by Pleasant Company. The dolls portray ten-year-old girls of a variety of ethnicities living in various times throughout American history. They are sold with accompanying books told from the viewpoint of the girls...
, Capital Brewery
Capital Brewery
Capital Brewery is a brewery located in Middleton, Wisconsin. Founded on March 14, 1984, by Madison, Wisconsin entrepreneur Ed Janus, it is in a former egg processing plant. The company first began production in spring, 1986, and now produces 22,000 barrels of beer annually. It produces 16 distinct...
, Springs Window Fashions, and Electronic Theatre Controls
Electronic Theatre Controls
Electronic Theatre Controls is a privately held corporation with global headquarters in Middleton, Wisconsin, United States. An international manufacturer of entertainment and architectural lighting systems, ETC offers professional lighting fixtures, lighting control consoles, dimming equipment...
company headquarters are located in Middleton. Middleton is also home to Morey Field
Middleton Municipal Airport
Middleton Municipal Airport , also known as Morey Field, is a General aviation airport located five miles northwest of Middleton, a city in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. It has two runways....
, a multi-runway, general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
airport.
Middleton is the site of Middleton Hills, a nationally recognized Parade of Homes
Parade of Homes
The Parade of Homes is a showcase of new homes held annually in several regions throughout the United States. Alternatively known as the Tour of Homes in some locales, it is often presented by the local Home Builders Association or Building Industry Association . The Parade of Homes typically...
neighborhood, based on the principles of New Urbanism
New urbanism
New Urbanism is an urban design movement, which promotes walkable neighborhoods that contain a range of housing and job types. It arose in the United States in the early 1980s, and has gradually continued to reform many aspects of real estate development, urban planning, and municipal land-use...
. Founded by the late Marshall Erdman
Marshall Erdman
Marshall Erdman was a Lithuanian-American builder and colleague of Frank Lloyd Wright.-Early life:Erdman was born Mausas Erdmanas on September 29, 1922, in Tverai, Lithuania...
and designed by architects Andres Duany
Andrés Duany
Andrés Duany is an American architect and urban planner.Duany was born in New York City but grew up in Cuba until 1960. He attended The Choate School and received his undergraduate degree in architecture and urban planning from Princeton University...
and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk
Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk
Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk is an American architect and urban planner of Polish aristocratic roots based in Miami, Florida...
, Middleton Hills is credited as being the first such neighborhood in Wisconsin.
Notable people
- Gary CloseGary CloseGary Close is an assistant coach on the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team.-Biography:A native of Moorestown Township, New Jersey, Close is married with two children. Close is a graduate of Arizona State University...
, basketball coach - Casey CramerCasey CramerCasey Ross Cramer is a former American football fullback. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
, football player - Tracey DeKeyserTracey DeKeyserTracey DeKeyser is an assistant coach with the Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey team.-Biography:A native of Ashton, Ontario, DeKeyser and her husband, Darren, were married in 2008. She attended Cornell University, where she was a co-captain on the women's ice hockey team and a member of the...
, ice hockey coach - Jon ErpenbachJon ErpenbachJon B. Erpenbach is a Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 27th district since 1999.-Early life, education and career:...
, Wisconsin State Senator - Russ FeingoldRuss FeingoldRussell Dana "Russ" Feingold is an American politician from the U.S. state of Wisconsin. He served as a Democratic party member of the U.S. Senate from 1993 to 2011. From 1983 to 1993, Feingold was a Wisconsin State Senator representing the 27th District.He is a recipient of the John F...
, United States Senator from Wisconsin - Aaron HohlbeinAaron HohlbeinAaron Hohlbein is an American soccer player who currently plays for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
, MLSMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
player - Ed JanusEd JanusEd Janus is a writer, independent audio journalist and oral historian. He has lived in Madison, Wisconsin for over 40 years where he is well known for having brought baseball and world-renowned beers to that city....
, journalist - Al ToonAl ToonAlbert Lee Toon, Jr. is a former professional American football player. He was selected by the New York Jets in the 1st round of the 1985 NFL Draft...
, football player - Edo de WaartEdo de WaartEdo de Waart is a Dutch conductor, and the Music Director of both the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra....
, conductor and music director
Notable companies
The 325000 square feet (30,193.5 m²) world headquarters of one of the world's largest theatrical lighting manufacturers, Electronic Theatre ControlsElectronic Theatre Controls
Electronic Theatre Controls is a privately held corporation with global headquarters in Middleton, Wisconsin, United States. An international manufacturer of entertainment and architectural lighting systems, ETC offers professional lighting fixtures, lighting control consoles, dimming equipment...
(ETC), is located here.
Attractions
Middleton is the home of the National Mustard Museum. It was originally located in the nearby town of Mount Horeb, WisconsinMount Horeb, Wisconsin
Mount Horeb is a village in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,009 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, 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).
The Imperial Garden restaurant, founded in 1981, has been voted the Best of Madison: Best Chinese Restaurant for 28 straight years,
External links
- Middleton, Wisconsin website
- Middleton - Cross Plains Area School District website
- Middleton Chamber of Commerce
- Middleton Public Library
- Middleton Hills after 10 years: Lessons Learned. Dane County, Planning Forum
- New Developments and New Urbanism: The Middleton Hills Case Study. American Planning Association, 2001 National Planning Conference.
- "Big Box Need Not be Ugly" Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Wisconsin Engineering: Living for the Future: Sustainable Development