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Suburb
Madison

DeForest

#17 in Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in Madison Area
  • A-
    Overall Grade
  • Suburb of Madison, WI
  • 33 reviews
    A-
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?Data Sources
    1. Public Schools
      B+
    2. Crime & Safety
      B
    3. Housing
      B
    4. Nightlife
      B-
    5. Good for Families
      A-
    6. Diversity
      B
    7. Jobs
      A-
    8. Weather
      C
    9. Cost of Living
      B
    10. Health & Fitness
      B+
    11. Outdoor Activities
      A-
    12. Commute
      B
    DeForest is a suburb of Madison with a population of 9,936. DeForest is in Dane County and is one of the best places to live in Wisconsin. Living in DeForest offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In DeForest there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in DeForest and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in DeForest are above average.
    About DeForest...
    Population
    9,936
    Suburb of
    Madison
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    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $220,600
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $971
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Sparse Suburban
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      25%
    • Own
      75%
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    DeForest Rankings

    Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.
    See All DeForest Rankings

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    B
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      74.3
      282.7
    • Murder
      0
      6.1
    • Rape
      9.3
      40.7
    • Robbery
      9.3
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      55.7
      500.1
    • Theft
      789.5
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      55.7
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    B
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      16%
    • 10-17 years
      11%
    • 18-24 years
      8%
    • 25-34 years
      14%
    • 35-44 years
      15%
    • 45-54 years
      15%
    • 55-64 years
      12%
    • 65+ years
      10%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      10%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      26%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      37%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      25%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      2%
      13%
    More About DeForest Residents

    Working in DeForest

    Jobs
    A-
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $81,211
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in DeForest
    More about Jobs in DeForest

      Top Public Schools Serving DeForest

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      DeForest Reviews

      33 reviews
      All Categories
      The community is super friendly no matter what part of town you live in. It's also a very young community with a lot of kids. The people who are on the older side are those who have families that lived here for generations. The schools have been upgrading and expanding a lot over the years, and the education kids are receiving is very high-quality. This town is constantly looking to the future while simultaneously enjoying the present. New organizations are forming as the town becomes more diverse in their interests. There is something for everyone to do here.
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      DeForest is an ever-growing community a short drive from Madison. My experience has been extremely positive! We were welcomed to the neighborhood and have been enjoying everything the village has to offer. There are a few great restaurants and expansion is under way for a new one. There are great classes offered for community members and many family activities year-round- splash pad, park trails, snowshoeing, parades, and many more great activities! Houses pop up on the market regularly and get scooped up very quickly. Being close to Madison, Sun Prairie, and Waunakee means many great shops and jobs are nearby and easily accessible. The easy access to the interstate means the Dells are a quick half hour away! A great community for young families and growing families.
      The school system tries very hard to accommodate for its students, however there are many racial issues that are rarely addressed within the community. There are many small businesses but only a handful of them remain open long term.
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