What are the schools like in McFarland, WI?

McFarland is served primarily by McFarland School District. The district operates 3 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 4 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.2:1.

What is the median household income in McFarland?

The median household income in McFarland, WI is $91,029 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 4.0%.

What is the weather like in McFarland, WI?

McFarland has an average high temperature of 27.7°F in January and 82.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 40.2 inches and annual snowfall averages 35.5 inches.

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

Q: Is McFarland, WI affordable or expensive?

McFarland's cost of living index is 96, where 100 represents the national average. This means McFarland is 4% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $338,700 and the median rent is $1,339 per month.

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

McFarland has a violent crime rate of 62.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 822.7 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is McFarland, WI a Good Place to Live?

McFarland is a small town of 9,104 in Wisconsin, with a median household income of $91,029 and a 4.0% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 96 (US average = 100), which is 4% below the national average.

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

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

All McFarland 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

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

Metric	McFarland, WI	National Avg
Median Home Value	$338,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,339	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	74.5%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$91,029	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

McFarland's violent crime rate is 62.5 per 100,000 residents — 84% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

62.5 /100k

Property Crime

822.7 /100k

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

Schools & Education

McFarland is served primarily by McFarland School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.2:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	McFarland, WI	National Avg
School District	McFarland School District	—
Elementary Schools	3	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	4	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	17.2:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	49.9%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	97.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

McFarland sees average highs of 27.7°F in January and 82.2°F in July, with 40.2 inches of annual precipitation and 35.5 inches of snow per year.

Metric	McFarland, WI
Average High — January	27.7°F
Average High — July	82.2°F
Annual Precipitation	40.2"
Annual Snowfall	35.5"

Demographics

Metric	McFarland, WI	National Avg
Population	9,104	—
Median Age	39.6	38.9
Unemployment Rate	4.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	20.5 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	93.3%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.1%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	1.1%	18.9%
Asian	1.9%	6.3%
Under 18	25.0%	22.2%
65 and over	15.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Monona, WI 3 mi Cottage Grove, WI 6 mi Stoughton, WI 7 mi Fitchburg, WI 8 mi Maple Bluff, WI 8 mi

ZIP Codes in McFarland

McFarland, WI is covered by 1 ZIP code:

53558

McFarland vs Other Cities

McFarland, WI vs Monona, WI McFarland, WI vs Cottage Grove, WI McFarland, WI vs Stoughton, WI McFarland, WI vs Fitchburg, WI McFarland, WI vs Maple Bluff, WI

Frequently Asked Questions

Is McFarland, WI affordable or expensive?

McFarland's cost of living index is 96, where 100 is the national average. That makes McFarland roughly 4% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $338,700 and median rent is $1,339/month.

What is the crime rate in McFarland, WI?

McFarland's violent crime rate is 62.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 822.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in McFarland?

Public schools in McFarland are operated by McFarland School District. The district has 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 4 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.2:1. 49.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is McFarland, WI a good place to live?

McFarland, WI has a population of 9,104, a median household income of $91,029, and an unemployment rate of 4.0%. 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 McFarland?

McFarland averages 27.7°F in January and 82.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 40.2 inches with about 35.5 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in McFarland?

McFarland, WI is covered by 1 ZIP code: 53558.

What is the population of McFarland?

The population of McFarland, Wisconsin is 9,104 with a median age of 39.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in McFarland?

Key numbers for living in McFarland: cost of living index 96 (100 = US average), median home $338,700, median household income $91,029, crime index 26 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare McFarland side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.