Population 31,970 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Fitchburg
Household size in Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.48 | 2.43 | 2.45 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.42 | 2.41 | 2.47 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.31 | 2.39 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.14 | 2.30 | 2.40 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.34 | −0.13 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Fitchburg is a place of small households, averaging 2.14 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.48 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 200 Wisconsin cities with 5,000+ people, only 15 have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.6 | 37.0 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 37.1 | 37.9 | 39.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 36.1 | 38.3 | 40.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 36.3 | 38.9 | 41.4 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.7 | +1.9 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Fitchburg is 36.3 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 34.6, as it has nationally. Only seven of the 200 Wisconsin cities with 5,000+ people are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.6% | 8.7% | 10.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.2% | 8.8% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.9% | 8.0% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.3% | 8.2% | 9.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.3% of households in Fitchburg, well below the national share of 11.6%. The picture is much the same across the Madison area. The single-parent share has fallen 2.3 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Fitchburg
Renters in Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.5% | 35.1% | 30.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 48.3% | 38.3% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 51.4% | 38.9% | 33.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 48.9% | 39.7% | 32.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.4 pts | +4.5 pts | +1.6 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is far more common in Fitchburg than nationally: 48.9% of households rent their homes, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 32.7% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has risen 4.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 200 Wisconsin cities with 5,000+ people, only four have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.3% | 8.9% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.2% | 6.3% | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 5.7% | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 3.1% | 5.5% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −9.2 pts | −3.4 pts | −1.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 3.1% of homes in Fitchburg are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 9.2 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 200 Wisconsin cities with 5,000+ people, only 13 have a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1987 | 1976 | 1970 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1989 | 1978 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1989 | 1979 | 1972 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1993 | 1983 | 1974 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +7 | +5 | +6 |
Fitchburg has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1993, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1987 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the east, while the northwest has the oldest housing. Only 17 of the 200 Wisconsin cities with 5,000+ people have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $890 | $868 | $758 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,048 | $950 | $821 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,183 | $1,072 | $904 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,463 | $1,366 | $1,139 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$572 | +$498 | +$380 | +$606 |
Rent in Fitchburg runs $1,463 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Locally, though, rents here are higher than in the Madison area as a whole ($1,366). Rent has climbed $572 a month since 2006–10, up 64%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 31.3% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Fitchburg
Bachelor's degrees in Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.4% | 41.3% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 47.4% | 43.6% | 28.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 50.9% | 46.9% | 30.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 56.8% | 50.6% | 33.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.4 pts | +9.3 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fitchburg is highly educated: nearly six in ten adults 25 and older (56.8%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 11.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 200 Wisconsin cities with 5,000+ people, only 13 have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.7% | 93.8% | 89.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.2% | 94.4% | 90.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.5% | 95.2% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.4% | 95.1% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.6 pts | +1.3 pts | +3.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Fitchburg: 94.4% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. That is in line with the rest of the Madison area. The share with a diploma has edged up 0.6 points since 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Fitchburg
| Period | Fitchburg | Madison area | Wisconsin | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.1% | 5.0% | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 5.5% | 7.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.7% | 2.6% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.7% | 2.6% | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −2.4 pts | −3.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Fitchburg has been strong: just 2.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.5 points, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Fitchburg compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitchburg | 2.14 | 36.3 | 8.3% | 48.9% | 3.1% | 1993 | $1,463 | 56.8% | 94.4% | 2.7% |
| Madison area | 2.30 | 38.9 | 8.2% | 39.7% | 5.5% | 1983 | $1,366 | 50.6% | 95.1% | 2.6% |
| Shorewood Hills | 2.37 | 37.4 | 4.6% | 45.7% | 4.0% | 1980 | $1,857 | 91.2% | 98.9% | 1.6% |
| Paoli | 2.76 | 43.7 | 4.9% | 7.0% | 4.3% | 1990 | $1,732 | 59.9% | 99.3% | 1.0% |
| Verona | 2.32 | 37.9 | 5.6% | 34.4% | 4.7% | 2005 | $1,770 | 69.4% | 98.6% | 1.5% |
| Monona | 2.14 | 44.7 | 8.6% | 39.5% | 5.6% | 1963 | $1,476 | 57.5% | 97.1% | 2.3% |
| Oregon | 2.51 | 40.6 | 10.7% | 23.3% | 3.0% | 1991 | $1,482 | 50.6% | 97.7% | 1.9% |
| McFarland | 2.48 | 41.0 | 12.9% | 21.3% | 2.6% | 1992 | $1,587 | 51.7% | 98.4% | 2.7% |
| Middleton | 2.27 | 41.3 | 8.3% | 45.2% | 4.9% | 1989 | $1,552 | 65.6% | 96.0% | 2.5% |
| Maple Bluff | 2.43 | 45.2 | 5.1% | 15.4% | 7.1% | 1960 | $1,862 | 82.4% | 99.3% | 1.0% |
| Ashton Corners | 2.28 | 52.3 | 4.5% | 22.3% | 3.1% | 1990 | $1,313 | 58.5% | 95.8% | 3.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Woodstock, IL · Geneva, IL · Glenside, PA · East Haven, CT · Gloucester, MA · Derby, KS · Imperial, MO · Dade City, FL · Sun City Center, FL · Tewksbury, MA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Fitchburg. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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