What are the schools like in DeForest, WI?

DeForest is served primarily by De Forest Area School District. The district operates 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.9:1.

What is the median household income in DeForest?

The median household income in DeForest, WI is $97,381 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 2.2%.

What is the weather like in DeForest, WI?

DeForest has an average high temperature of 26.4°F in January and 82.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 35.5 inches and annual snowfall averages 42.6 inches.

DeForest, WI Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is DeForest, WI affordable or expensive?

DeForest's cost of living index is 96, where 100 represents the national average. This means DeForest is 4% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $287,300 and the median rent is $1,278 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in DeForest, WI?

DeForest has a violent crime rate of 80.4 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 812.9 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is DeForest, WI a Good Place to Live?

DeForest is a small city of 10,767 in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $97,381 and a 2.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 96 (US average = 100), which is 4% below the national average.

Strengths: DeForest stands out for an affordable cost of living, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A-), a well-educated population, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether DeForest is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All DeForest city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 95.8

DeForest's overall cost of living index is 95.8, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in DeForest costs roughly 4% less than the average American city.

Metric	DeForest, WI	National Avg
Median Home Value	$287,300	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,278	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	78.5%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$97,381	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

DeForest's violent crime rate is 80.4 per 100,000 residents — 79% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

80.4 /100k

Property Crime

812.9 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

DeForest is served primarily by De Forest Area School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.9:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	DeForest, WI	National Avg
School District	De Forest Area School District	—
Elementary Schools	3	—
Middle Schools	2	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.9:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	40.6%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	97.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

DeForest sees average highs of 26.4°F in January and 82.2°F in July, with 35.5 inches of annual precipitation and 42.6 inches of snow per year.

Metric	DeForest, WI
Average High — January	26.4°F
Average High — July	82.2°F
Annual Precipitation	35.5"
Annual Snowfall	42.6"

Demographics

Metric	DeForest, WI	National Avg
Population	10,767	—
Median Age	37.2	38.9
Unemployment Rate	2.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	23.8 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	83.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.6%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	7.0%	18.9%
Asian	2.7%	6.3%
Under 18	27.4%	22.2%
65 and over	12.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Windsor, WI 4 mi Arlington, WI 6 mi Waunakee, WI 6 mi Dane, WI 7 mi Sun Prairie, WI 8 mi

DeForest vs Other Cities

DeForest, WI vs Windsor, WI DeForest, WI vs Arlington, WI DeForest, WI vs Waunakee, WI DeForest, WI vs Dane, WI DeForest, WI vs Sun Prairie, WI

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DeForest, WI affordable or expensive?

DeForest's cost of living index is 96, where 100 is the national average. That makes DeForest roughly 4% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $287,300 and median rent is $1,278/month.

What is the crime rate in DeForest, WI?

DeForest's violent crime rate is 80.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 812.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in DeForest?

Public schools in DeForest are operated by De Forest Area School District. The district has 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.9:1. 40.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is DeForest, WI a good place to live?

DeForest, WI has a population of 10,767, a median household income of $97,381, and an unemployment rate of 2.2%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in DeForest?

DeForest averages 26.4°F in January and 82.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 35.5 inches with about 42.6 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of DeForest?

The population of DeForest, Wisconsin is 10,767 with a median age of 37.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in DeForest?

Key numbers for living in DeForest: cost of living index 96 (100 = US average), median home $287,300, median household income $97,381, crime index 28 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare DeForest side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.