About Madison

Meriter serves metropolitan Madison and Dane County, a vibrant area that is home to approximately 426,000 people. Meriter's secondary service area is a 17-county region in southcentral Wisconsin - mainly rural areas served by primary care hospitals. Madison is a progressive, cosmopolitan city of over 200,000, home to the world-class University of Wisconsin, the seat of state government, and an eclectic, electric atmosphere. Madison offers both small town charm and a range of cultural and recreational opportunities usually found in much larger cities. Dane County's overall level of education is second-to-none when compared to the rest of the U.S. That's due mainly to the presence of UW-Madison, along with nationally recognized primary school systems whose students consistently earn ACT scores higher than state and U.S. averages. Other facts about Madison: Healthcare is one of Madison's strengths with four general hospitals, more than 20 major medical clinics and UW-Madison's medical, nursing and pharmacy schools.   Madison is home to a variety of large private businesses, including Oscar Mayer Foods and the world headquarters of American Family Insurance, Rayovac Corporation, and Cuna Insurance Company.   Madison has four lakes, over 200 parks, a 1,200-acre Arboretum located within city limits and nearly 100 miles of bikeways.   Popular attractions include the Civic Center, the Madison Art Center, Elvehjem Museum of Art, Children's Museum, Olbrich Botanical Gardens and the Henry Vilas Zoo.   Madison has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the United States.   Madison ranks second in the nation in per capita book purchases.   Madison is the only city in North America built on an isthmus.

National Recognition

Through the years, the national media have heralded the Madison area as one of America's most desirable places to live. In the mid-1950s, Life magazine trumpeted Madison's virtues in a cover story as a great place to raise a family. That designation has stuck over the years. Recently, in ranking Madison among its top 10 environmentally friendly cities, Environmental News Network said:

"If there's an ideal size urban area - large enough to have cultural, recreational and educational assets but still radiate small-town values - Madison is it. Home to one of the best universities in the heartland of the nation (University of Wisconsin), comfortably arrayed around two large lakes and only a few hours drive from Chicago or the Twin Cities, the capital city has no trouble making 'best' places lists every year."

What have others said about Madison in recent years?

The bizjournals.com site named Madison the "Nation's Smartest City" in 2008. Prevention Magazine named Madison its "Best Walking City" in 2007.

Prevention Magazine named Madison its "Best Walking City" in 2007.

Child Magazine ranked Madison #6 in its list of the 10 Best Cities for Families. Child bases its rankings on education, medical care, fresh air and cultural enrichment opportunities.

Ladies Home Journal, in 2002, rated Madison as the #1 city for women among those with populations under 300,000 in its Best of America issue. LHJ takes into account educational achievement, low crime rate, child-care quality and the presence of women in local government.

A & E Network recently recognized Madison as one of the "Top Ten Cities To Have It all." Money ranked Madison the #1 "Mid-size City in the Midwest" in 1998, this on the heels of #7 and #1 rankings in Money's "Best Places to Live in America" series in 1997 and 1996, respectively.

See a full listing of awards on the visitmadison.com Web site.

5/5/2008