Darlington is a city in and the county seat of Lafayette County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,462 at the 2020 census. The city is surrounded by the Town of Darlington.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code53530

Area code608

Living in Darlington

Safety in Darlington

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Darlington's police department reported only 2023 and 2024, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Darlington 1.2

Wisconsin 2.9

U.S. 3.6

Property crime per 1,000

Darlington 2.8

Wisconsin 11.9

U.S. 17.7

FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Darlington

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Darlington for work: only 19% work in town. The top destinations are Dodgeville (8%), Madison (6%) and Platteville (6%). Half commute less than 19 miles.

Dodgeville

Madison

Platteville

Monroe

19%Work in townlive and work in Darlington 19 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 1,045Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Darlington →

Health in Darlington

C⁺

Health Grade C+

Healthier than 38% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 65% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Wisconsin

2worse than WI

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 30 are too close to call.

Conditions all close Habits all close Care 1▼ 6 close Mind all close Everyday needs 1▼ 3 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

12.3%More uninsured adultsWI 8% · worse 11.8%More adults facing housing insecurityWI 9.7% · worse

Care nearby

Lafayette Hospital and ClinicsDarlington · 1.4 mi · ER · rural critical access

Dodgeville Dental ClinicDodgeville · 19.5 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Darlington · CMS · HRSAHealth in Darlington →

Natural hazards in Darlington

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 46% of U.S. communities.

🥶 Cold waves🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes

47Does Darlington flood?paid flood claims since 1978 5Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Darlington MapDarlington vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Darlington →

Climate in Darlington

Full climate →

Darlington has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 11°, and about 36 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

31° / 14°Winter

58° / 36°Spring

81° / 59°Summer

60° / 39°Fall

How much snow does Darlington get?About 36 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 4, with the last in spring around May 3.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.2° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Darlington →

Schools in Darlington

All Darlington schools →

School Grade B

The public schools Darlington’s kids attend outperform 64% of Wisconsin’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictDarlington Community School DistrictSchools3

Darlington Elementary/Middle B+Elementary · Grades PK–8 · 636 students Holy Rosary SchoolElementary · Grades PK–4 · 58 students Darlington High B-High · Grades 9–12 · 263 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within WI. Ratings are from neighbors.