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Brandon Miller
Brandon Miller
December 15, 2024

Living in Lodi WI 🏘 | What to Know Before Moving to Lodi

Last Updated On: 29th January 2025, 01:52 pm

There are many things to enjoy about living in Lodi WI! Indigenous communities lived in the Lodi area for thousands of years before the Bartholomew family arrived in 1845. The family created a community that grew during the 1840s, and the town of Lodi was formally created in 1849. Lodi gets its name from the city of Lodi in Lombardy, Italy. People began moving to Lodi to start farms.

Lodi was incorporated as a city in 1941. The community grew steadily, but it only had substantial population growth in the late 1900s, as it began to industrialize. Lodi is now a quiet and family-friendly suburb of Madison popular amongst Madison professionals. The city's nickname is "Home of Susie the Duck." What is Lodi known for? Lodi is best known now for its natural beauty and outdoor activities, with convenient access to scenic landscapes and top parks.

Is Lodi a good place to live? Yes, it's a great place to live, with top outdoor attractions, delicious restaurants, and affordable homes for sale.

Living in Lodi WI may seem right up your alley. But before you start moving to Lodi, you should learn more about this community so you live comfortably in the area. Here's what to know about Lodi Wisconsin.

Where Is Lodi?

Goeres Park Outdoor Pool at sunset

Where is Lodi, and what county is Lodi in? Lodi is in Columbia County, inside the Madison metropolitan area. The city is a suburb of Madison, and it is 27 miles from Madison to Lodi. Lodi borders Dane, Lake Wisconsin, Roxbury, Poynette, and Arlington. Lodi borders Lake Wisconsin and Crystal Lake and contains Spring Creek, a small creek that feeds into Lake Wisconsin.

The city of Lodi is well-developed, with commercial and residential areas and a network of paved roads. The area around the city is less developed, and you can find numerous outdoor attractions nearby. Residents living in Lodi WI do not have access to public transportation. Most residents use their cars or walk to stores, Lodi High School, and other locations.

Lodi Population and Demographics

The Lodi population is 3,189, up by 4.6% since 2010. Lodi is one of the largest communities in Columbia County, accounting for over 5% of the county population. The population of people living in Lodi WI has risen in every decade since 1930 and has more than tripled since then. The Lodi population density is 1,789.4 people living in Lodi WI per square mile, 23.4 times higher than the Columbia County density.

Notable people living in Lodi WI include Tom Wopat, Scott McGallum, and Joseph Detmer. Lodi demographics include:

  • 51.7% male, 48.3% female
  • Median age of residents living in Lodi WI: 41.7
  • Racial and ethnic composition of residents living in Lodi WI: 93.3% White (92.2% non-Hispanic), 4.0% two or more races, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 0.8% Asian, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
  • Median household income of people living in Lodi WI: $108,168 (roughly 1.5 times higher than the state median)
  • Educational attainment of people living in Lodi WI: 99.9% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 34.0% of residents older than 25 have a bachelor's degree
  • Foreign-born population of residents living in Lodi WI: 0.0%

Lodi is one of the most affluent communities in the Madison area. 12.4% of households in the community earn over $200,000 a year, roughly 1.5 times higher than the Wisconsin rate. Only 4.6% of residents living in Lodi WI live below the poverty line, less than half the state poverty rate. Married couples head 62.6% of households in the community, with over 60% of residents currently being married. Many people start families after moving to Lodi.

Lodi is a very safe place to live in. Here are its latest crime rates, according to the FBI in 2022:

  • Overall Lodi crime rate: 685 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Lodi WI (77.9% lower than the Madison crime rate, 59.3% lower than the Wisconsin rate, 70.5% lower than the national rate)
  • Violent Lodi crime rate: 156 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Lodi WI (47.5% lower than the Wisconsin average, 57.8% lower than the national average)
  • Property crime rate: 529 offenses per 100,000 people living in Lodi WI (61.8% lower than the Wisconsin average, 72.9% lower than the national rate)

The Lodi Police Department employs six police officers who respond to all emergencies in the community.

Cost of Living in Lodi WI

Lodi cost of living statistics can be difficult to find, so you can use Madison cost of living statistics as a substitute. The Madison cost of living index is 103.9, meaning items in the area cost 3.9% higher than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in the Madison area would need to earn $119,563 a year to cover the cost of living.

Child care is the single biggest expense, costing $2,562 a month ($30,744 a year). Singles living without children can live a very affordable lifestyle. Even if you have children, your children can be students in public education institutions, helping you save thousands of dollars.

Lodi real estate can be pricey, though you have options for affordable and upscale homes. According to Redfin, the median cost of Lodi homes for sale is $543,000, with a median cost per square foot of $208. There are few if any Lodi apartments available, and prices vary significantly.

Typical Lodi* Living Expenses

  • 1 loaf of fresh white bread: $3.46
  • 1 pound of chicken fillets: $5.91
  • 1 pound of tomatoes: $2.36
  • 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.31
  • Average Lodi* utilities per month: $196.44
  • 1 pair of Nike running shoes: $99.00

Source: Numbeo

*Expenses actually for Madison

Lodi Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Lodi

Lodi does not have any formal neighborhoods. The real estate market is fairly small, with only a handful of homes sold each month. Most of the properties for sale are vacant lots you can purchase and build a home on.

Lodi homes for sale are diverse, with a wide range of amenities, footprints, and costs. You can buy a cottage near Lake Wisconsin with an open floor plan and a wooden fireplace, raising your family in a quaint and traditional home. You can also buy a recently built property with three or more bedrooms, a gourmet kitchen, and a great room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Some Lodi homes for sale cost less than $500,000, while others cost over $2 million.

The rental market in Lodi is very small. There are no notable apartment or condo complexes in the city. You can occasionally find a rental home while living in Lodi WI.

Lodi Weather and Climate

Lodi has a humid continental climate with warm and rainy summers and freezing and snowy winters. The Lodi climate is similar to the Madison climate. July is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 72 degrees and an average high of 82. Temperatures peak in mid-July and start to fall in August. January is the coldest month for Lodi weather, with an average temperature of 19 degrees and an average low of 13. Average temperatures are below-freezing between late November and early March.

Lodi receives 27.3 inches of rain and 20.4 inches of snow. December has the most precipitation, with 5.2 inches of snow and 0.7 inches of rain. However, the summer has more days of precipitation than the winter, with roughly one-third of the days in the summer being rainy. Lodi can experience severe weather, including snowstorms and rainstorms. Check the Lodi weather forecasts while living in Lodi WI.

August is the best month to visit and start moving to Lodi. 67% of days in August are sunny, and the average temperature is 69 degrees. You can stay comfortable in a short-sleeved shirt and visit great things to do in and around the area.

Things to Do in Lodi

You can find many great things to do in Lodi, including some of the best outdoor attractions in the Madison area. You can also find many great stores for adults and children alike. The Main Street Market Piggly Wiggly is a top grocery store. Other top stores include Kwik Trip, Dollar General, and Don's Marine.

Crystal Lake Campground

Crystal Lake Campground is an RV camp along the northern banks of Crystal Lake. All guests have access to boat launches and a large beach area with inflatables. Residents living in Lodi WI can get daily passes to access the lake and boat launches.

N550 Gannon Road, Lodi, WI, 53555, 608-592-5607

Smokey Hollow Campground

Smokey Hollow Campground is a family-friendly outdoor destination with a mini golf course, a jumping pillow, and a swimming pond. The campground has special events every weekend between April and October, including Christmas in July and Dr. Seuss Weekend. You and your family living in Lodi WI can stay in yurts, Conestoga wagons, and rental cabins.

W9935 McGowan Road, Lodi, WI, 53555, 608-635-4806

Treinen Farm

Treinen Farm at sunset

Treinen Farm is the top outdoor thing to do in Lodi in the fall. Treinen Farm is home to a 15-acre corn maze, a natural play area, and walking trails all throughout the farm.

W12420 WI-60 Trunk, Lodi, WI, 53555, 608-622-7001

Additional Things to Do in Lodi

The Lodi Parks Department oversees public spaces in and around Lodi. The department works with other City of Lodi departments on planning public events throughout the year, making living in Lodi WI very fun. You can use the City of Lodi events calendar to see when these Lodi events are occurring and figure out what to do in Lodi.

Lodi Restaurants

The Madison area is full of unique restaurants offering tasty and kid-friendly meals, including special dishes like beer cheese soup and Sheboygan bratwurst. You can find these meals and other treats at affordable and fun Lodi restaurants while living in Lodi WI.

Fish Tales Restaurant

Fish Tales Restaurant is a casual seafood restaurant with a range of seafood dishes, including jumbo shrimp and seared scallops. Fish Tales serves breakfast and lunch on Sundays, making Fish Tales a great place to visit with out-of-town guests while living in Lodi WI.

W12690 WI-188, Lodi, WI, 53555, 608-592-4266

Lucy's Family Restaurant

Corned beef and vegetables at Lucy's Family Restaurant

Lucy's Family Restaurant is a diner that serves a wide range of classic dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can order a dozen different three-egg omelets, wraps, and burgers for less than $12.

610 Corner Street, Lodi, WI, 53555, 608-592-3000

KD's Bar and Grill

KD's Bar and Grill is a casual bar and grill, making it the best place to get drinks in Lodi. You can also order freshly made burgers, pizza, and over a dozen different appetizers.

1434 Fair Street, Lodi, WI, 53555, 608-592-4696

Lodi Jobs

1,794 people had jobs in Lodi in 2022, up by 4.8% since 2013. Lodi has rebounded from the pandemic and has almost as many jobs as it did in 2019. Health care is the single largest sector for Lodi jobs, and it's grown steadily over the last 10 years. It accounts for 18.6% of Lodi jobs. Manufacturing is the second-biggest sector, while retail trade is the third-biggest. These three sectors combined account for nearly half of all Lodi jobs.

According to Payscale, Lodi has an average salary of $69,000 a year and an average base hourly rate of $22.26. Major employers in Lodi include Dollar General, Subway, and the US Postal Service. You can research jobs in Lodi using Indeed, and you can apply for City of Lodi jobs on the municipal government's website.

Lodi Schools

Students at a science fair at the School District of Lodi

The School District of Lodi serves all residents living in Lodi WI. The Lodi school district contains five schools:

US News ranks Lodi High School in the top 100 high schools in Wisconsin. 50% of students at Lodi High School test at or above the proficiency level in reading, 10 percentage points higher than the state rate.

Lodi does not have any colleges, universities, or private schools. The Lodi Public Library serves all families and children living in Lodi WI.

Lodi Statistics and Information

  • County: Columbia County
  • Lodi area: 1.73 square miles
  • Lodi zip code: 53555
  • Lodi area code: 608
  • Lodi elevation: 942 feet
  • Lodi time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC -5 and -6)
  • Closest airport to Lodi: Dane County Regional Airport (MSN), 21.6 miles from Lodi

Lodi Map

You can use this Lodi map to find great restaurants in Lodi, things to do, and amenities after moving to Lodi.

Start Living in Lodi WI Today

Living in Lodi WI is your pathway to success! You can enjoy a quaint city located in the country outside of Madison, with access to great outdoor destinations. You can also send your children to top schools and purchase affordable homes for sale.

Moving to Lodi isn't tricky. Dairyland Movers has a team of the best Lodi movers, having completed over 15,000 moves in the last seven years. Call 608-856-6683 for a free estimate now.

Brandon Miller
Brandon Miller
Brandon Miller is the owner of Dairyland Moving & Storage, a moving company dedicated to being responsive, friendly, and reliable, providing our customers with more than just an efficient relocation, but also a stress-free, positive experience.
Read More Posts By Brandon HERE
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