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- Population: 9,104
- Median home value: $338,700
- Median rental price: $1,339

- Top schools nearby: Forest Edge Elementary School (grade A−), McFarland High School (grade A−), Meadow View Elementary (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

#11. McFarland, Wisconsin

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- Population: 4,053
- Median home value: $336,400
- Median rental price: $1,240

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Middleton High School (grade A+), Glacier Creek Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+), St. Maria Goretti Catholic School (grade A), Westside Christian School (grade unavailable)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

#10. Cross Plains, Wisconsin

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- Population: 7,567
- Median home value: $361,100
- Median rental price: $1,453

- Top schools nearby: Sun Prairie East High School (grade A), Forest Edge Elementary School (grade A−), Monona Grove High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−), Lakeside Lutheran High School (grade B)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

#9. Cottage Grove, Wisconsin

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- Population: 35,847
- Median home value: $313,200
- Median rental price: $1,313

- Top schools nearby: Sun Prairie East High School (grade A), Forest Edge Elementary School (grade A−), Prairie View Middle School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−), Wisconsin Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

#8. Sun Prairie, Wisconsin

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- Population: 8,592
- Median home value: $366,600
- Median rental price: $1,150

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Forest Edge Elementary School (grade A−), Monona Grove High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#7. Monona, Wisconsin

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- Population: 1,327
- Median home value: $777,000
- Median rental price: $1,250

- Top schools nearby: Forest Edge Elementary School (grade A−), Emerson Elementary School (grade A−), East High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

#6. Maple Bluff, Wisconsin

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- Population: 29,826
- Median home value: $377,600
- Median rental price: $1,284

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), West High School (grade A), Verona Area International School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

#5. Fitchburg, Wisconsin

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- Population: 14,040
- Median home value: $353,000
- Median rental price: $1,407

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Verona Area International School (grade A), Verona Area High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+), St. Maria Goretti Catholic School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

#4. Verona, Wisconsin

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- Population: 14,794
- Median home value: $442,700
- Median rental price: $1,179

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Waunakee Intermediate School (grade A), Waunakee Community Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Abundant Life Christian School (grade A−), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

#3. Waunakee, Wisconsin

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- Population: 2,085
- Median home value: $875,000
- Median rental price: $1,870

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Memorial High School (grade A), West High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

#2. Shorewood Hills, Wisconsin

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- Population: 21,864
- Median home value: $438,700
- Median rental price: $1,326

- Top schools nearby: Pope Farm Elementary School (grade A+), Middleton High School (grade A+), Memorial High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Madison Country Day School (grade A+), Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), St. Ambrose Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.

#1. Middleton, Wisconsin