Signals
Midland
Watertown-Fort Atkinson
Growth
21 · Bottom 9%
vs31 · Bottom 20%
Climate
60 · Bottom 28%
vs57 · Bottom 16%
Physical resilience
79 · Top 15%
vs82 · Top 13%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs97 · Top 42%
Access
94 · Top 18%
vs86 · Top 32%
Economic stability
70 · Top 25%
vs95 · Top 1%
Measured values
| Metric | Midland | Watertown-Fort Atkinson | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,757 | 86,003 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $77,705 | $83,750 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $43,622 | $41,881 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 162/sq mi | 155/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $195,400 | $274,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,016 | $1,035 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 78.1% | 73.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.6% | 28.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.7% | 8.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 121 | 197 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.4 | 2.3 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -62.9% | -51.7% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 82°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 16°F | 11°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 32.1" | 38.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 17 mi | 30 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.8 min | 26.6 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 41.8 | 41.5 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Midland
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind.
Watertown-Fort Atkinson
Elevated or high exposure: hail, tornado.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Midland
66
Your Score
61
Area Score
Watertown-Fort Atkinson
74
Your Score
—
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Midland, MI Metro Area · Watertown-Fort Atkinson, WI Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology