Midwest’s Best Metros for Tech Workers: Madison Widens Lead Over Ann Arbor

Madison Pulls Away From Ann Arbor to Secure 3rd Consecutive Midwest Tech Title

Madison, Wis., claimed the top spot for the third consecutive ranking — and, this time, by a considerably wider margin. In the previous ranking, Madison and Ann Arbor, Mich., finished neck and neck with Madison ahead by less than one point. This time around, Madison opened up a lead of more than six points over Ann Arbor and the rest of the competition.

Specifically, the Badger State capital remains the most concentrated Midwest metro for tech jobs, and that advantage has grown. Now, Madison’s tech job density has climbed to 77.7 per 1,000. To put that into perspective, 31,600 out of roughly 406,000 working-age residents work in tech-related roles. Moreover, no other metro on the list surpasses 50 tech jobs per 1,000. Plus, as a specialized bio health hub, it’s creating opportunities for graduates of the University of Wisconsin and attracting talent inflow, as well. At the same time, tech company density has also improved with Madison overtaking Minneapolis to move into second place, up from third in the last ranking. Additionally, Madison was runner-up in the quality-of-life index, placing second in educational attainment with more than half of residents holding at least a bachelor’s degree, as well as posting the second-lowest unemployment rate on the list...

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RSK: Way to go Madison. yet another #1 ranking. And of course this could lead to more expansion of companies and that could mean leasing opportunities.