Madison Is Best Mid-Sized City for Gen Z in 2025; Midwest & South Pack Top 20 List
#1 – Madison, Wis.
Madison tops the list of best mid-sized cities for Gen Z thanks to a strong mix of education enrollment, early-career opportunities and the kind of outdoor livability that the city is known for. About 15.2% of Madison’s 280,000 residents fall into the Gen Z bracket — the highest share in the study — largely driven by the University of Wisconsin – Madison and Madison College, where more than half of 20- to 24-year-olds are enrolled in school.
But, as Gen Z ages into the workforce, career opportunities matter just as much. To that end, Madison ranks third nationally for graduate-suitable jobs with 31% of roles requiring some college or training, but less than four years’ experience. That’s backed by a strong local pipeline from higher education into the job market, supported by the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub — one of the federally funded hubs receiving $50 million for workforce development and biotech research and development.
Then, there’s the outdoors — another strength. Madison ranks second nationally for park access with 10.3 parks per 10,000 residents. For a generation that values work/life balance and green space, that’s a meaningful stat. Add to that the city’s infrastructure for car-free living: 16.4% of locals walk, bike or take public transit, which places Madison in the top five for green commuting, too.
