DeForest, WI

Full City Profile · Wisconsin · Dane County County

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
10,853 Population 1,152/sq mi density
$106,223 Median Income $48,461 per capita
$337,500 Home Value $499,687 Zillow
$1,381 Median Rent 24.4% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
89 Violent Crime/100K 813 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$106,223 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$337,500 home value, $1,381/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
89 violent crimes/100K
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
40.7% bachelor's degree or higher
DeForest experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.1 inches. The area receives 51.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

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)

Geography

Elevation884 ft (269 m)
Area7.5 sq mi (19.4 km²)
Population Density1,152/sq mi
Coordinates43.2273°N, 89.3457°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyDane County County
Nearest AirportDane County Regional/Truax Field (MSN)
6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.1"
2% below US avg
Snowfall 51.8"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.28"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood
Good Days %72.1%
Unhealthy Days0

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0501 ppm
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)10.0 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score93.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability15.9 / 100
Community Resilience97.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively High
Hail Relatively High
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Very High
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

1 earthquake (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M2.9. Most recent: M2.9 on Mar 25, 2015.

Mar 25, 2015 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois M2.9 141 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

562 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 34 fatalities, 732 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jul 18, 1996 EF5 79 km 0
Jun 7, 1984 EF5 59 km 9
Apr 27, 1984 EF4 84 km 1
Jul 3, 1983 EF4 70 km 0
Apr 4, 1981 EF4 95 km 3
Apr 21, 1974 EF4 72 km 0
Apr 19, 1957 EF4 98 km 1
Apr 3, 1956 EF4 84 km 7
Sep 26, 1951 EF4 28 km 1
Jun 16, 2014 EF3 30 km 0
Aug 18, 2005 EF3 35 km 1
Jun 23, 2004 EF3 59 km 1
Jun 23, 2004 EF3 60 km 0
Aug 29, 1992 EF3 95 km 1
Jun 17, 1992 EF3 41 km 0
Jun 8, 1984 EF3 27 km 0
Jun 5, 1980 EF3 48 km 0
Apr 7, 1980 EF3 41 km 0
Jun 5, 1977 EF3 83 km 0
Jun 4, 1975 EF3 9 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

10 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,524 ac, 2006).

Year Name Acres Distance
2006 UNNAMED 1,524 67 km
2010 RX BURN 1,236 68 km
1994 SOMMERS 938 66 km
1988 PEACHY RD 812 64 km
2018 2018 BADGER RX BURNS 659 37 km
2019 2019 BADGER RX BURNS 627 36 km
2006 UNNAMED 612 66 km
2007 TOWER RD 2 592 64 km
2024 RX-HWY Y - SOUTH 553 57 km
2009 COLD SPRINGS 552 66 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 19°F (-7°C) 1.5 in Coldest, Driest
February 23°F (-5°C) 1.5 in
March 34°F (1°C) 2.3 in
April 46°F (8°C) 3.8 in
May 58°F (15°C) 4.1 in
June 68°F (20°C) 5.3 in Wettest
July 72°F (22°C) 4.5 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 4.2 in
September 62°F (17°C) 3.4 in
October 50°F (10°C) 2.8 in
November 37°F (3°C) 2.2 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 1.6 in

DeForest has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 19°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.3") and January the driest (1.5").

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