Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
The best of Caledonia’s subject grades is a B+ for history; the weakest is a D for hazard risk. On hazard risk, just 4 of Wisconsin’s 879 towns do worse. Most errands need a car: it is less walkable than 70% of U.S. towns. 16% of the land in Caledonia is conserved, above both Wisconsin’s towns (3.8%) and U.S. towns (4.3%). The biggest park or preserve is Pine Island State Wildlife Area, at 3,587 acres. On civic life, just 46 of Wisconsin’s 869 towns do worse. Caledonia has fewer than 2,500 residents, so it gets subject grades but no overall grade.
Where Caledonia beats most towns.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Wisconsin), ordered by how far Caledonia is from typical.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Census counts: 1,031 in 1990, 1,495 in 2020. The archive holds 1 old photo or paper and 4 maps from 1895 on.
1 place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Explore the history →Who provides power, water and the rest in Caledonia, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
Ordered by what stands out in Caledonia.
Caledonia’s FEMA risk score is 84 of 100, above both the Wisconsin town median (23 of 100) and the median of U.S. towns (44 of 100). Since 1980, 26 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Caledonia.
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Most working residents leave Caledonia for work: only 2% work in town. 14% of Caledonia residents live below the poverty line. Jobs based in Caledonia fell to 334 in 2023, 419 fewer than in 2013.
| Caledonia | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below the poverty line | 14% | 6.4% | 9.6% |
| Working residents who work in town | 2% | 8.3% | 8% |
| Median household income | $98,000 | $87,000 | $80,000 |
| Average trip to work | 26 minutes | 22 minutes | 25 minutes |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Adults 18 to 34 are 13% of residents (22% statewide); adults 35 to 64 are 47% of residents (38% statewide). 15% of residents are under 18 in Caledonia. 35% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 33% across Wisconsin.
| Caledonia | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 15% | 21% | 22% |
| Median age | 48.7 years | 42.1 years | 40.5 years |
| Aged 65 or older | 25% | 20% | 18% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 35% | 32% | 29% |
48% women, 52% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±3.2 points. Across Wisconsin, 49.9% of residents are women.
| Caledonia | WI | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 8.8% | 11.2% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 5.8% | 10.2% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 5.2% | 9.3% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 7.7% | 12.6% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 12.1% | 12.7% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 19.1% | 11.8% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 15.9% | 13.8% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 17% | 11.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 8.5% | 7.3% | 7% |
| No diploma | 5.1% | 6.4% | 10.4% |
| High school | 25.2% | 29.4% | 26% |
| Some college | 23.9% | 19.5% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 10.4% | 11.3% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 23.5% | 22% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 11.8% | 11.4% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 1,500, single groups can be off by several points
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pine Island State Wildlife Area | — | 3,587 |
| 2. Baraboo River Waterfowl Production Area | — | 899 |
| 3. Lost Lake State Natural Area | — | 198 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Caledonia has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. July afternoons reach 82°, January nights drop to 10° and about 39 inches of snow falls in a winter.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Caledonia beats the Wisconsin average on 0 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 3.
| Caledonia | Wisconsin towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 76% | 78% | 79% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 29% | 26% | 25% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 20% | 16% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 14% | 13% | 14% |
| What stands out | Caledonia | WI |
|---|---|---|
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 13.7% | 9.9% |
| More smokers | 16.2% | 13.6% |
| More adults with COPD | 7.6% | 6.5% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Caledonia. Close and well known come first.
29 mi Stadium & arenaCamp Randall Stadium
9 mi Park & preserveIce Age Trail
17 mi Canyon & gorgeDells of the Wisconsin River
9 mi State parkDevil's Lake State Park15 mi Theme parkNoah's Ark Water Park
29 mi Stadium & arenaKohl CenterCamp Randall Stadium: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain · Ice Age Trail: MDuchek, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Dells of the Wisconsin River: atramos, CC BY 2.0 · Devil's Lake State Park: CrispAir at en.wikipedia, CC BY 3.0 · Kohl Center: Pbrown111 at English Wikipedia, Public domain
None within 15 miles of Caledonia; the nearest are
About 2 of every 100 Caledonia residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Wisconsin.
Where Caledonia’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
Town in Wisconsin, United States
Caledonia is a town in Columbia County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,495 at the 2020 census. The unincorporated community of Durwards Glen is located in the town.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B−.
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