Living in McFarland WI can be an exceptional thing to do! According to Wikipedia, William Hugh McFarland established the village of McFarland in 1856, giving the community his name. It was originally a farming and ice and fish harvesting community before becoming a resort town along Lake Waubesa. People began moving to McFarland in large numbers after World War II, transforming it into a residential community.
McFarland today is a nice place to live, with a family-friendly environment, a quiet atmosphere, and great outdoor recreational opportunities. McFarland is best known for its location near Lake Waubesa, making it a destination for boating, swimming, and water activities.
Moving to McFarland may be the next item on your agenda, but you should study living in McFarland WI in more detail before you call a moving company. Here's what to know about this quaint village in Wisconsin.
McFarland is in Dane County, Wisconsin, inside the Madison metropolitan area. McFarland is in a predominantly rural and undeveloped area, but most of the community consists of well-developed cul-de-sacs and residential sectors. Northern and Central McFarland contain small commercial and industrial pockets. McFarland is on the eastern shore of Lake Waubesa and the northern shore of Mud Lake.
It is 8.7 miles from Madison to McFarland, making McFarland a suburb of Madison. McFarland borders Madison and Cottage Grove. US Route 61 and Interstate 90 connect McFarland to Madison and cities near Madison Wisconsin, including Monona. Most residents use their car for moving to McFarland. Route 616 and Route L of the Metro Transit system stop in McFarland and provide access to Madison neighborhoods like Downtown Madison and Lost Creek.
According to the US Census, the McFarland population in 2020 was 8,991, up by 15.2% since 2010. The Madison metro area had a population in 2020 of 680,904. McFarland is the 10th-most populous community in Dane County, with a bigger population than nearly all towns and most other villages in the county. McFarland has more than doubled its population since 1980. The McFarland population density in 2020 was 1,888.9 people living in McFarland WI per square mile.
Notable people living in McFarland WI include Matt Hamilton, Brad Fischer, and Nina Roth. Notable McFarland demographics include:
McFarland is a popular community among families with young children. 23.8% of residents living in McFarland WI are under the age of 18, with 3.6% being under the age of five. 49.7% of households in McFarland make at least $100,000 a year, with 13.7% making at least $200,000. Only 3.3% of people living in McFarland WI live below the poverty line, which is less than one-third of the Wisconsin rate. It's also a well-educated community, with 16.7% of residents having a post-graduate degree.
McFarland is a very safe community to live in. Here are its latest crime rates from the FBI in 2024, provided by BeautifyData:
The McFarland Police Department employs five full-time and three part-time police officers who are living in McFarland WI.
Statistics for the cost of living in McFarland WI are not commonly available online. You can use Madison cost of living and Dane County cost of living statistics to estimate your cost of living in McFarland WI. The Madison cost of living index is 103.9, meaning items in the area cost 3.9% more than the national average on average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Dane County would need to earn $122,340 a year to cover their cost of living. McFarland WI can be slightly expensive to live in, but you can find high paying jobs, and you have easy access to affordable stores and amenities.
McFarland real estate is relatively affordable, and you have options for single family homes and duplexes. According to Redfin, McFarland homes for sale have a median sale price of $427,855, with an average price per square foot of $253. The median price of McFarland homes for sale is almost equal to the national average. Statistics for the average rent in McFarland are not available.
Source: Numbeo
*Typical expenses actually for Madison
McFarland doesn't have any official neighborhoods. 132 homes for sale were sold in McFarland in 2025, nearly all of which were single family homes. Condos and townhomes do not come on the market frequently, but you do have options for duplexes, as well as standalone homes.
Most McFarland homes for sale were built in the 2000s or more recently. Some homes offer lakefront views along Lake Waubesa, but most homes are located away from the lake. Features, floor plans, and architectural styles vary, so you should hire a Realtor to look at your options. Most McFarland homes for sale have at least three bedrooms and at least 1,600 square feet, so families moving to McFarland can live comfortably. Many homes have open floor layouts, energy-efficient appliances, covered front porches, and main-floor laundry rooms. Many homes cost between $400,000 and $600,000.
McFarland is home to a few apartment and condo complexes. Waubesa Shores Condos offers two-bedroom condos with wooden floors and stone fireplaces. Woodland Commons offers studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments with vinyl tile flooring and fully equipped kitchens, with prices starting at $995 a month.
McFarland has a humid continental climate, with warm and rainy summers and freezing and snowy winters. According to Weather Spark, July is the warmest month of McFarland weather, with an average temperature of 73 degrees and an average high of 82. The weather remains warm between mid-May and mid-September, and temperatures get cooler steadily throughout the autumn. January is the coldest month of McFarland weather, with an average temperature of 20 degrees and an average low of 14 degrees.
McFarland receives an average of 28.6 inches of rain and 19.2 inches of snow per year. Despite the high amount of snow, winters in McFarland have relatively few days of precipitation. February has roughly four days of precipitation on average. The summers in McFarland are inclement, with June, July, and August each having at least 10 days of precipitation. At least 50% of days in July and August are humid, with roughly 30% being muggy or oppressive.
You can experience a few types of severe weather while living in McFarland WI, including severe thunderstorms that can create hail and tornadoes. According to HNG News, thunderstorms in 2014 downed several trees and caused power outages throughout McFarland and the surrounding area. It's important that you follow McFarland weather forecasts from local news stations like Channel 3000.
September is the best month to visit and start moving to McFarland. September has an average temperature of 62 degrees, so you can stay comfortable in a long-sleeved shirt without a heavy jacket. 65% of September days are clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy, so you can enjoy plenty of sunshine. Major attractions like McDaniel Park, the Lower Yahara River Trail, and Farwell Street are open, and you can attend community events like Friday fish fries.
You can enjoy a wide range of things to do in McFarland, including outdoor attractions and affordable stores! Pick 'n Save is the top grocery store in McFarland. You can also go shopping at Petal Patch Girl, a top gift and home goods store, and Candle Cocoon, among other locally run stores. US Route 51 serves as the primary artery for stores, so it's easy to shop in McFarland.
The Madison Curling Club is the top destination for curling in the Madison area or Dane County. Beginners can sign up for classes and join curling leagues, and you can watch curling competitions and special events, including charity events.
4802 Marsh Road, McFarland, WI, 53558, 608-838-5875
Babcock County Park is a 37-acre outdoor park with a paved biking and hiking trail, a boat launch, and a fishing pier with a cleaning station. The park contains a 25-unit campground with electricity hookups, making it the best outside point of interest for camping in the county.
4601 Burma Road, McFarland, WI, 53558, 608-224-3730
The McFarland Community Ice Arena is home to the first Olympic ice sheet in South Central Wisconsin. It's home to the McFarland High School ice hockey team, and you can go on free skates during the winter.
4812 Marsh Road, McFarland, WI, 53558, 608-838-7451
The McFarland Parks Department maintains parks, bike paths, and other public spaces in and around McFarland. The department also plans special events throughout the year. You can use the Village of McFarland Public Portal to see what events will occur.
South Central Wisconsin is well known for its dairy, fresh produce, and German comfort foods, including fried walleye and butter burgers. You can enjoy these dishes and other specialties at McFarland WI restaurants, including affordable and family-friendly restaurants in McFarland Wisconsin.
Main Moon is the top Chinese restaurant in McFarland, serving dozens of authentic chicken, shrimp, pork, and vegetarian dishes. You can order combination plates with pork fried rice, pork egg rolls, and entrees.
4850 Larson Beach Road, McFarland, WI, 53558, 608-838-9188
Palenque Mexican Bar and Grill is a modern, kid-friendly Mexican restaurant that serves burritos, soups, chimichangas, fajitas, and other classic dishes. Most menu items cost less than $15, including combination platters with three tacos, burritos, and chimichangas.
5906 US-51, McFarland, WI, 53558, 608-838-1933
Spartan Pizza is the top pizzeria in McFarland, serving freshly made pizzas, sandwiches, and burgers. You can order pizzas with gluten-free crusts, and you can order 16-inch pizzas with vegetables and meat for $25.
5813 Main Street, McFarland, WI, 53558, 608-838-8511
According to DataUSA, 5,115 people had jobs in McFarland WI in 2024, up by 0.6% from 2023. Health care, food services and accommodation, and professional services are the three biggest job sectors in McFarland. Each of these sectors accounts for at least 10% of McFarland WI jobs and has median earnings of at least $75,000 a year. According to the Village of McFarland, the median household income in McFarland is expected to increase by over $17,000 between 2025 and 2030, while the per capita income will increase by $7,500.
According to Payscale, the average base salary in McFarland is $71,000 a year, while the average base hourly rate is $20.13. Major employers in McFarland include McFarland School District, Dane Manufacturing, and Kwik Trip. You can use Indeed to research McFarland WI jobs, and you can search and apply for Village of McFarland jobs on the village government's website, including part-time positions.
The McFarland School District is the official school and public education district for all students living in McFarland WI. The McFarland School District runs four brick-and-mortar schools:
US News ranks Indian Mound Middle School in the top 200 middle schools in Wisconsin, and US News ranks McFarland High School in the top 125 Wisconsin high schools. McFarland High School has a four-year graduation rate of 100%, higher than nearly all Madison area high schools.
The school district also runs online charter schools, including Destinations Career Academy. Destinations Career Academy offers a career-focused curriculum, with students gaining workplace skills and preparing to take certification exams after graduation. McFarland is not home to any major private schools or colleges; the closest university is the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The E.D. Locke Public Library is the official public library in the community, serving all residents living in McFarland WI.
No, McFarland does not have a formal downtown district like larger cities or towns. Instead, it features a small village center primarily along U.S. Highway 51 (Main Street), where local shops, restaurants, and civic buildings are clustered. Key community spots include the McFarland Village Hall and nearby parks along Lake Waubesa. The area functions as a modest commercial and social hub, but development in McFarland is more spread out and suburban in character rather than concentrated in a walkable downtown core, as you see in cities.
McFarland has four distinct seasons, with winters being cold and snowy and summers being warm and humid. The average temperatures remain below freezing throughout the entire winter, with average lows dropping below 20 degrees in January. The average temperature in summer stays in the high 60s or low 70s, with the average high reaching 82 degrees in July. Spring and fall bring variable temperatures and moderate precipitation.
Yes, McFarland is a suburb of Madison. Located about nine miles southeast of downtown Madison in Dane County, McFarland is part of the Madison metropolitan area. Many residents living in McFarland WI commute to Madison for work, education, and services, often via U.S. Highway 51. While it maintains its own village government and school district with responsibilities for taking care of residents, its economy and daily life are closely tied to the larger Madison region.
You can use this map of McFarland WI to find the best live music venues, pizza and pasta restaurants, and things to do in the community after moving to McFarland!
Stop waiting and start living in McFarland WI now! Parents with young children love the active community with great schools and low crime rates. Retirees love the top parks, affordable attractions, and easy access with their vehicles.
Now that you know about living in McFarland WI, you can reserve an experienced and expert moving company and start moving to McFarland today. Dairyland Moving and Storage has the most experienced Madison movers, with over 15,000 successful moves. Call 608-856-6683 for a free quote now.
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