Madison, WI local economy

Madison, WI ranks in the 98th percentile of United States metros as of September 2026, with momentum rising over the past 12 months.

New business applications or registrations was 8,823 in January 2025, up 9.5% from January 2024. Dwelling units authorized by permit was 665 in July 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How does Madison, WI rank among United States metros?

Madison, WI ranks in the 98th percentile of United States metros as of September 2026, with momentum rising over the past 12 months.

What is the new business applications or registrations in Madison, WI?

New business applications or registrations in Madison, WI was 8,823 in January 2025.

What is the dwelling units authorized by permit in Madison, WI?

Dwelling units authorized by permit in Madison, WI was 665 in July 2026.

What is the payrolled or covered employment in Madison, WI?

Payrolled or covered employment in Madison, WI was 405,560 in January 2026.

Nearby and related

• United States overview
• Rochester, MN
• Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
• Midland, TX
• Springfield, IL
• Boulder, CO
• Sioux Falls, SD-MN
• Carson City, NV
• Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
• Bozeman, MT
• Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Sources and methodology

• U.S. Census Bureau — Business Formation Statistics (BFS)
• U.S. Census Bureau — Building Permits Survey (BPS), CBSA monthly
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), national all-industry

Method: 2026.09. Updated 2026-09-10. Coverage: 100% of weighted components available.

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