Madison Named Best City in U.S. for Aging

The Milken Institute, a Los Angeles-based think tank, just released its first-of-its-kind index of the “Best Cities for Successful Aging,” and 11 Wisconsin metro areas are on the list, including Madison, which was ranked number one.

The index measures and ranks the performance of 352 U.S. metropolitan areas in promoting and enabling successful aging. Madison topped the list for large metro areas, while Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis was ranked number 29.

Nine Wisconsin metro areas named to the “small metro” list include La Crosse/Onalaska (39), Eau Claire (45), Wausau (94), Appleton (114), Sheboygan (132), Oshkosh/Neenah (149), Racine (161), Green Bay (165), and Fond du Lac (183).

AARP knows that more nine out of 10 people over age 50 want to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. Lists like these celebrate the places that are making that possible and shine a light on what communities can do to improve.

The study reveals how well U.S. cities are providing the infrastructure, amenities, and opportunities both to serve and benefit from the country’s fastest-growing age segment.

It examines 84 separate factors, including health and wellness, crime rates and weather, economic and job conditions, housing, transportation, and social engagement factors that help create safe, affordable and connected communities.

Click here to read “Best Cities for Successful Aging” and explore the interactive data site.