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Ridgeway, WI

Wisconsin · Metropolitan Area

Ridgeway is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 599. Residents earn $71,563 per year, which is 5% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
599 Population 468/sq mi density
$71,563 Median Income $30,321 per capita
$175,500 Home Value
$903 Median Rent 21.5% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$71,563 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$175,500 home value, $903/mo rent
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,563
5% lower than US avg
Home Value $175,500
38% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.5%
24% lower than US avg
Median Rent $903
22% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.4%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.3%
25% lower than US avg

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

People

Population599
Median Age41.3 yrs
Density468/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 92%
Veterans11.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$71,563
Per Capita$30,321
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty9.3%
County GDP$2,497M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$175,500
Rent$903
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units271
Rent Burden21.5%

Health

Obesity37.4%
Uninsured6.7%
Smoking12.8%
Depression24.6%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (9°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain39.7 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,138 ft (347 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.5%
High School+94.6%
Graduate+2.2%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 50%
Commute28 min
Broadband88.5%
Libraries5

Is Ridgeway a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ridgeway receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Ridgeway stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ridgeway is $71,563, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. 9.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ridgeway is $175,500, 38% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $903 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

25.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Ridgeway experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 39.7 inches, including 41.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Ridgeway has a population of 599 with a density of 468 people per square mile. The median age is 41.3 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92%).

Population

599
Total Population
468
People / sq mi
41.3yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.3%
Female 44.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Ridgeway vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.5%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.5%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ridgeway vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ridgeway is $71,563, which is 5% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Ridgeway vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,563
5% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,321
Avg Weekly Wage$989
IRS Avg AGI$74,781

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.3%
25% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,156
County GDP$2,497M

Business (County)

Restaurants102
Healthcare81
Retail143
Manufacturing76

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,464
85% above US avg
Cost of Living94.10 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate3.68%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.9 min
Drive Alone82.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Ridgeway is $175,500, 38% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $903 (22% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$175,500
38% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$903
22% below US avg
Rent Burden21.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied81.6%
Housing Units271
Median Year Built1977

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,464
85% above US avg
Effective Rate3.68%
In Ridgeway, 37.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.7% of residents lack health insurance. 12.8% are current smokers. 24.6% report depression. 25.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ridgeway vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.4%
17% above US avg
Diabetes8.3%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure26.4%
Asthma10.6%
COPD4.9%
Cancer7.1%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking12.8%
9% below US avg
Binge Drinking22.1%
Physical Inactivity25.1%
Depression24.6%
Mental Distress16.3%
Physical Distress11.3%
Short Sleep33.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.4%
Uninsured6.7%
22% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.0%
Dental Visits69.2%
Premature Death5,852/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.2/10
Exercise Access67.1%
Healthcare Facilities81
Ridgeway has an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.7 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.3°F
12% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.7 inches
5% above US avg
Snowfall41.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,138 ft (347 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²)
Population Density468/sq mi
Coordinates42.9984°N, 89.9926°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS55045
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 25.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (24% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 0.3-point margin. 88.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49.2%
D 49.5%

Winner: Democrat by 0.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.5%
24% below US avg
High School+94.6%
Graduate Degree+2.2%
School Test Score5.81
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density468/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.5%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities81
Restaurants102
Retail Stores143

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.9 min
Drive Alone82.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.6%

Nearby Cities

Barneveld, WI 1,485 pop · 4.9 mi Dodgeville, WI 5,013 pop · 7.3 mi Spring Green, WI 1,499 pop · 13.0 mi Mount Horeb, WI 7,719 pop · 13.2 mi Mineral Point, WI 2,575 pop · 13.4 mi Black Earth, WI 1,724 pop · 15.5 mi Mazomanie, WI 1,705 pop · 15.6 mi Cross Plains, WI 4,059 pop · 19.2 mi New Glarus, WI 2,276 pop · 22.2 mi Verona, WI 14,499 pop · 22.9 mi Sauk City, WI 3,500 pop · 23.1 mi Darlington, WI 2,473 pop · 23.2 mi Prairie du Sac, WI 4,385 pop · 24.2 mi Belleville, WI 2,628 pop · 24.7 mi
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