Living in Baraboo WI means getting a little bit of everything that makes Wisconsin special. The city sits among the Baraboo Bluffs, close to Devil’s Lake and the Wisconsin River, yet Madison is less than an hour away.
Families appreciate the community feel and outdoor recreation; young professionals get an easy connection to larger employment hubs, and retirees can enjoy a slower pace without giving up things to see and do. It’s a place where a quiet morning can turn into a full day outdoors.
If Baraboo sounds like the right fit, you can request a moving quote from our local team or call 608‑200‑3459 to talk through your move to Baraboo.
Baraboo is the county seat and largest city in Sauk County, with a long history as the principal city of the area’s circus era, thanks to the Ringling Brothers Circus and its former headquarters here.
Today, the local economy leans on manufacturing, services, and tourism, with residents enjoying easy access to Devil’s Lake State Park, the Wisconsin Dells region, and the rugged landscapes of the Driftless Area. So day‑to‑day life in Baraboo Wisconsin offers plenty of outdoor and cultural options.
Baraboo’s historic core has well‑maintained historical buildings, churches, and civic landmarks, and organizations like the Sauk County Historical Society and Circus World keep the town’s distinctive culture very visible.
If you’re moving to Baraboo WI, you’ll find that the community’s size, walkable downtown Baraboo, and mix of neighborhoods, schools, parks, and employers make it one of those great places where you can still know your neighbors and be recognized at local shops.
The Kickapoo people lived in the Baraboo area for hundreds of years until White settlers arrived in 1838. They formed a village called Adams, which expanded to include a sawmill and cabins. In 1852, the village was renamed after the Baraboo River. The state government incorporated Baraboo as a village in 1866 and then as a city in 1882. People began moving to Baraboo in large numbers starting in the 1860s, with the community developing successful commercial sectors.
Baraboo is in Sauk County, inside the Madison metro area. It is 39.2 miles from Baraboo to Madison, making Baraboo a distant suburb of Madison. Baraboo borders various cities and communities in the Madison area, including West Baraboo, North Freedom, and Merrimac.
Baraboo is in the middle of the Baraboo Range (sometimes called the Baraboo Hills), a mountain range.
Baraboo does not have a formal public transportation system. Sauk County offers on-demand transportation services for people in Baraboo WI, over 60 and adults living in Baraboo WI, with disabilities. US Route 12 runs through the community and connects to Wisconsin Dells and other cities near Madison, so you can drive while living in Baraboo WI, or when moving to Baraboo.
Baraboo is roughly 48–50 miles from Madison, depending on your exact route. Typical drive times run from 1 hour to 1 hour 5 minutes via US‑12 in normal conditions. This makes Baraboo a realistic option for people who like moving to Baraboo WI, but commute occasionally or regularly to Madison for work, appointments, or big‑city amenities.
Baraboo is about 100–105 miles northwest of Milwaukee. Most drivers cover the trip in roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, often using a combination of I‑90/94 and connecting highways.
What is the population of Baraboo Wisconsin? According to the US Census, the Baraboo WI population in 2023 was 12,554, up by 4.2% since 2010. Baraboo is the county seat for Sauk County, and it's the largest community in Sauk County. Baraboo accounts for roughly one-fifth of the countywide population, though the county is growing at a faster rate than Baraboo.
The Baraboo WI population density is 1,709.2 people per square mile.
Notable people living in Baraboo WI include Daryl Morey, Nancy Lange, and Aldo Leopold.
The Ho-Chunk Nation has a strong presence in Baraboo, with many residents owning buildings and organizing special events in the community. Veterans also have a strong presence in Baraboo, with nearly 900 residents in Baraboo WI having veteran status. Many women start moving to Baraboo to have children, with 10.6% of women aged 15 to 50 having children in 2022 in Baraboo.
Yes, living in Baraboo is quite safe given that crime rates are lower than nearby cities and the national average.
Here are the latest crime rates in Baraboo, according to the FBI in 2022:
The Baraboo Police Department employs 29 police officers who respond to all emergencies in town.
If these numbers line up with the community you’re looking for, reach out to Dairyland Moving & Storage at 608‑200‑3459 or online for a customized quote for moving to Baraboo WI.
Because Baraboo is located near Madison, we’re referencing Madison-area cost of living data to provide a useful estimate of expenses in Baraboo WI, including housing and everyday costs.
The Madison cost of living index is 103.9, meaning items in the area cost 3.9% more than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in the Madison area would need to earn $114,970 a year.
Child care is by far the largest expense in the Madison metro area, costing $2,236 a month ($26,832 a year), so you can save a lot of money if you're relocating to Baraboo WI, without children.
Baraboo real estate is affordable, even if you're buying homes for sale in Baraboo. According to Redfin, the median price of homes for sale in Baraboo WI is $312,000, with an average cost per square foot of $181. According to RentCafe, the average cost of Baraboo apartments is $1,409 a month, roughly $350 less than the national average.
Source: Numbeo
Baraboo does not have officially designated residential neighborhoods with defined boundaries. However, you can find real estate throughout the city, including in the downtown area.
161 homes for sale in Baraboo WI, were sold in 2024, nearly all of which were single-family homes. Many homes for sale in Baraboo WI are mid-sized properties, with three or four bedrooms and 1,500 to 2,500 square feet. Prices vary significantly, even for homes of similar size and with similar features. Some cost less than $200,000, while others cost over $500,000.
Baraboo only has a few homes for rent or Baraboo apartments available. Lake Delton Apartment Homes is the most notable complex for Baraboo apartments, offering studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. However, Lake Delton Apartment Homes is currently at full occupancy.
When you’ve found the right home or apartment in Baraboo, let our Baraboo movers handle the packing, loading, and transport so you can focus on settling into your new neighborhood.
Baraboo has a warm-summer humid continental climate, with warm and rainy summers and freezing and windy winters, similar to the Madison climate. According to Weather Spark, July is the hottest month in Baraboo weather, with an average temperature of 72 degrees and an average high of 82.
January is the coldest month in Baraboo weather, with an average temperature of 19 degrees and an average low of 13. Average lows are below freezing between early November and early April.
Baraboo can experience extreme thunderstorms, which occasionally can lead to flash floods and tornadoes.
September is the best month for visiting and moving to Baraboo.
Baraboo typically receives around 42 inches of snow per year on average, which is on the higher side for southern Wisconsin. Climate data show that January is usually the snowiest month, with average snowfall over an inch and nearly 10 days with snow each month in the heart of winter.
Planning on moving to Baraboo WI in one of the milder months? Call 608‑200‑3459, and we’ll help you choose the best moving date around Baraboo’s seasonal weather patterns.
Festival Foods is the top grocery store in Baraboo, offering affordable groceries and household goods. You can buy farming equipment and home goods at Blain's Farm and Fleet and Red Shed Garden and Gifts. Top locally run stores include Baraboo Toy Soldier Shoppe and Miniature, and Just Imagine Toys.
Devils Lake State Park is the most popular state park in Wisconsin. The park covers over 10,000 acres and contains nearly 30 miles of hiking trails, a 360-acre lake, and 500-foot bluffs. You can visit the park throughout the year and participate in hikes, educational programs, and lectures.
S5975 Park Road, Baraboo, WI, 53913, 608-356-8301
Circus World is a 64-acre complex dedicated to circus history. You and your kids can view thousands of unique artifacts, including the world's largest collection of circus wagons. Circus World is also home to a permanent circus tent with daily circus performances.
550 Water Street, Baraboo, WI, 53913, 608-356-8341
Baraboo Country Club is a country club with an 18-hole golf course, an indoor clubhouse, and an on-site pro shop. It's home to special events throughout the year, including golf tournaments and private banquets.
401 Mine Road, Baraboo, WI, 53913, 608-356-8195
The City of Baraboo Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department protects natural spaces in Baraboo and plans special events throughout the year, including 5k runs, theatrical performances, and athletics programs. You can use the Baraboo events page to see what events are upcoming in Baraboo.
Wisconsin may be best known for its cheese. But Baraboo restaurants offer a wide range of dishes with fresh ingredients at family-friendly and romantic eateries.
Broadway Diner is a restored 1954 diner with a unique retro atmosphere. It offers comfort food and classic American dishes like burgers and omelettes for less than $15, making it one of the most affordable Baraboo restaurants.
304 Broadway Street, Baraboo, WI, 53913, 608-356-3287
Tumbled Rock Brewery is the top restaurant in Baraboo for drinks and dates. The brewery offers dozens of fresh brews, cocktails, wines, and bottled beers. The brewery also offers an extensive food menu with shareable items, vegetarian dishes, and brunch specials like eggs Benedict and buttermilk pancakes.
S5718 State Road 136 & DL, Baraboo, WI, 53913, 608-448-4340
The Log Cabin Restaurant is a family-friendly restaurant well known for its comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. The Log Cabin Restaurant offers slow-cooked meats like ribs, roast beef, and turkey as well as freshly made pies, bread, and pastries.
1215 8th Street, Baraboo, WI, 53913, 608-356-8034
According to DataUSA, 6,661 people have jobs in Baraboo WI, up by 10.1% since 2013. Manufacturing is the single biggest job sector in Baraboo, accounting for 18.6% of Baraboo jobs. Retail trade, health care, and food services are the next three biggest job sectors. Each of these four sectors has median earnings of over $65,000 a year, with manufacturing jobs in Baraboo WI, paying over $100,000 a year.
Top employers in Baraboo include the Ho-Chunk Nation, Grede, and Nike. According to Payscale, the average salary in Baraboo is $69,000 a year with an average hourly wage of $20.44. You can research Baraboo jobs using Indeed, and you can apply for City of Baraboo jobs on the city government's website.
The School District of Baraboo (also known as the Baraboo school district) serves all students in Baraboo WI. You can use the Baraboo school district map to see which schools your child is zoned for. Each school receives high marks from US News and has strong test scores. US News ranks Willson Elementary School as the best elementary school in Baraboo. 47% of Willson Elementary School students test at or above the proficiency level in mathematics, seven percentage points higher than the state average.
Baraboo has one middle school, Jack Young Middle School. It also has one high school, Baraboo High School, which US News ranks in the top 200 high schools in Wisconsin. Baraboo High School is home to dozens of athletic and extracurricular teams, including sports teams in the fall, winter, and spring.
The Community Christian School of Baraboo is one of the most notable private schools in Baraboo, offering a non-denominational Christian education. The Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library is the official public library serving all residents in Baraboo WI.
Baraboo is situated in south‑central Wisconsin along the Baraboo River, about 35–45 miles northwest of Madison. It is in Sauk County, just south of the Wisconsin Dells area and close to the bluffs and forests that mark the edge of the Driftless region. This location makes Baraboo a convenient base for commuting to Madison, visiting the Dells, or exploring nearby state parks and natural areas.
There’s a surprisingly deep list of things to do in Baraboo for a city of its size. Circus World Museum interprets circus history and offers seasonal big‑top shows. Devil’s Lake State Park is one of Wisconsin’s premier hiking, climbing, and camping destinations. You can browse local gift shops, art galleries, and cafés, and tour the Al. Ringling Theatre, or visit the Van Orden Mansion and History Center. These attractions showcase the city’s blend of circus heritage, natural beauty, and small‑town charm that defines much of everyday life here.
Baraboo is very close to Wisconsin Dells; the two communities are often paired in trip plans. Travel guides and local sources put the distance at about 12 miles, which usually translates to 15–20 minutes of driving time in normal traffic. That short hop makes it easy for Baraboo residents to work in the Dells tourism corridor or enjoy its waterparks and attractions while still coming home to a smaller city.
Top attractions include Circus World Museum on the old Ringling grounds, Devil’s Lake State Park for hiking and water access, the International Crane Foundation, and the Al. Ringling Theatre. You can also stroll downtown Baraboo to shop, eat at locally owned restaurants, visit small museum spaces run by the Sauk County Historical Society, and attend festivals that highlight the town’s circus roots and Ho‑Chunk and European‑American heritage.
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of Baraboo city is 12,556. This makes Baraboo the largest city in Sauk County and the center of a small micropolitan area that includes nearby rural and suburban communities. The city is big enough to support its own hospital, schools, and a busy commercial strip. Yet small enough that local elections for offices like mayor and council still feel very personal and community‑driven.
Baraboo offers a mix of chain hotels, independent motels, and resort‑style stays. Options include properties like Best Western Baraboo Inn, Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, and smaller local motels. Nearby “Baraboo‑area” resorts, such as Club Wyndham Glacier Canyon in the Dells area, provide waterpark and family‑resort experiences within a short drive. Depending on your budget, you can choose simple roadside lodging near US‑12 or more upscale suites closer to the Dells entertainment strip.
You can use this Baraboo Wisconsin map to find the best restaurants in Baraboo WI, amenities, and medical clinics in Baraboo!
Living in Baraboo WI means small‑town streets, real history, and quick access to Devil’s Lake and the Dells. That too, at a price point that’s easier on most budgets than Madison. When you’re ready to move, having a crew that actually knows Baraboo’s hills, older homes, and winter conditions makes a big difference on moving day.
Dairyland Moving & Storage is a licensed, insured Wisconsin moving company based nearby that regularly handles moves in and around Baraboo. Our team is local, experienced, and well‑reviewed, so they’re used to the kind of tight driveways, farmhouse roads, and weather you’ll find here. You can request a quote through Baraboo Movers or call 608‑200‑3459 for a clear estimate and a move plan tailored to your Baraboo relocation.
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