Cottage Grove, WI

Wisconsin · Metropolitan Area

Cottage Grove is a small city in Wisconsin with a population of 7,906. Residents earn $132,717 per year, which is 77% above the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
7,906 Population 1,686/sq mi density
$132,717 Median Income $54,634 per capita
$401,900 Home Value $464,715 Zillow
$1,500 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
46 Violent Crime/100K 1,283 property/100K
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$132,717 median income, 0.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$401,900 home value, $1,500/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
46 violent crimes/100K (88% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
54.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $132,717
77% higher than US avg
Home Value $401,900
43% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 46/100K
88% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 54.5%
62% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,500
29% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.2%
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.3%
73% lower than US avg

How Cottage Grove Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population7,906
Median Age40.0 yrs
Density1,686/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

A+
Median Income$132,717
Per Capita$54,634
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty3.3%
County GDP$62,806M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$401,900
Rent$1,500
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$464,715

Crime

F
Violent46/100K
Property1,283/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault46/100K
Burglary76/100K

Health

Obesity32.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.0%
Heart Disease4.2%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain37.1 in/yr
Elevation911 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+54.5%
High School+98.2%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 23% / D 75%
Commute24 min
EV Stations2
Libraries27

Is Cottage Grove a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cottage Grove receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Cottage Grove stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cottage Grove is $132,717, which is significantly higher than the national average — 77% above $75,149. This places Cottage Grove among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. Only 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cottage Grove is $401,900, 43% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,500 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Cottage Grove is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 46 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,283 per 100,000, 35% below the national average.

Education

Cottage Grove is a highly educated community — 54.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Cottage Grove experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.1 inches, including 51.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Cottage Grove has a population of 7,906 with a density of 1,686 people per square mile. The median age is 40.0 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84%).

Population

7,906
Total Population
1,686
People / sq mi
40.0yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
4.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Cottage Grove vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.0%
20% above US avg
Spanish6.0%
55% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cottage Grove vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cottage Grove is $132,717, which is 77% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Cottage Grove vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$132,717
77% above US avg
Per Capita Income$54,634
Avg Weekly Wage$1,432
IRS Avg AGI$103,538

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.3%
73% below US avg
Establishments (County)18,084
County GDP$62,806M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,425
Healthcare1,603
Retail1,634
Manufacturing517

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,743
150% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.18%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.3 min
Work from Home18.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Cottage Grove is $401,900, 43% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,500 (29% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $464,715.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$401,900
43% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$464,715
Median List Price$430,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$430,900
$/Sq Ft$229
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio100.9%
Price Drops7.7%
Inventory39

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,500
29% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,733

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$797
1 Bedroom$872
2 Bedrooms$1,097
3 Bedrooms$1,405
4 Bedrooms$1,572

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,743
150% above US avg
Effective Rate2.18%
In Cottage Grove, 32.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.0% report depression. 18.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Cottage Grove vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.2%
0% below US avg
Diabetes7.1%
Heart Disease4.2%
High Blood Pressure23.9%
Asthma10.0%
COPD3.9%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.4%
Physical Inactivity18.7%
Depression25.0%
Mental Distress14.8%
Physical Distress9.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.2%
Checkup Rate73.2%
Premature Death5,427/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.0/10
Exercise Access94.2%
Healthcare Facilities1,603
Cottage Grove has a violent crime rate of 46 per 100,000 residents, 88% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,283 per 100,000 (35% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Cottage Grove vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent45.8/100K
88% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault45.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,283.2/100K
35% below US avg
Burglary76.4/100K
Theft1,191.6/100K
Vehicle Theft15.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)34

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Cottage Grove has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.0°F
13% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.1 inches
2% below US avg
Snowfall51.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation911 ft (278 m)
Area4.7 sq mi (12.1 km²)
Population Density1,686/sq mi
Coordinates43.0922°N, 89.2053°W
County FIPS55025
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 54.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (62% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 51.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 23.4%
D 75.1%

Winner: Democrat by 51.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+54.5%
62% above US avg
High School+98.2%
School Test Score5.81
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,686/sq mi
Total Area4.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries27
Healthcare Facilities1,603
Restaurants1,425
Retail Stores1,634

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)34
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.3 min
Work from Home18.5%

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