Madison, WI town hall & government
Madison spent $754.5 million in the year to December 31, 2024, about $2,765 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Madison's government.
Who runs Madison
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Madison's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Property taxes 35%
- Fees & charges 16%
- From the state 15%
- From the federal government 10%
- Interest, fines & other 8%
- Utility sales 8%
- From other local governments 3%
- Sales taxes 2%
- Other taxes & licenses 2%
Who works for Madison
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Madison Metropolitan School District
Madison's K–12 school district, shared with Maple Bluff and Shorewood Hills. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from Wisconsin districts overall: 39% local, 50% state, 11% federal
- Local 59%
- State 29%
- Federal 12%
Of the $18,827 per pupil, $10,476 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Also serving Madison: Sun Prairie Area School District ($15,847 per pupil) · Middleton-Cross Plains School District ($15,643 per pupil) · McFarland School District ($13,217 per pupil).
Which schools Madison kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Madison pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Madison's government
Who represents Madison
Madison is represented in Congress by Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin and Representative Mark Pocan. Tony Evers is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.