Why visit DeForest
Townapedia lists 39 parks and trails, 16 places to eat, 5 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include DeForest Farmers’ Market, Lake Windsor Country Club and Marvin and Marie Schweers Dog Park.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82°F; January lows average 9°F, and about 43 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in DeForest
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About DeForest
DeForest is a village in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Yahara River. The population was 10,811 at the 2020 census. A suburb north of Madison, it is part of the Madison metropolitan area.
From the Wikipedia article DeForest, Wisconsin (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
DeForest Farmers’ Market
Farm and orchard · 1.2 mi
120 South Stevenson Street, DeForest
Tu 15:30-18:30
Parks, trails and playgrounds39
Marvin and Marie Schweers Dog Park
Park · 2.0 mi
Public dog park administered by the Village of DeForest. Daily hours 5am-10pm. Permit required to bring dog on park grounds. Dogs must...
620 N Stevenson St, DeForest
Mo-Su 05:00-22:00
27 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes16
Arandas Mexican Restaurant
Restaurant · Mexican · 1.2 mi
142 Market Street
Su-Fr 11:00-20:00; Sa 11:00-22:00
Starbucks
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.9 mi
4886 County Highway V, DeForest
Mo-Su 05:00-19:00
4 more on the map.
Where to stay5
History
Before European settlement, the area now known as DeForest was home to Native American peoples, notably the Ho-Chunk Nation. The Wisconsin River valley and its tributaries provided vital resources and travel routes for these early inhabitants.
DeForest traces its origins to 1854 when Isaac DeForest, a Belgian-American settler, arrived in the area and acquired extensive land holdings primarily for wheat farming. Recognizing the potential for community development, he platted the land in 1856, laying the foundation for the village that would bear his name. Despite initial success, the post-Civil war decline in wheat prices led DeForest to sell his land in 1868 and relocate to Kansas; however, the village retained his name and continued to grow.
Its name was long spelled "De Forest," but has since been changed to "DeForest."
The arrival of the Chicago and North Western Railway in the late 19th century significantly impacted DeForest's growth. The railway provided essential connections for transporting agricultural products, particularly grains and dairy, to broader markets. DeForest was officially incorporated as a village in 1897. The early 20th century saw steady growth, with agriculture, small-scale manufacturing, and local trade forming the backbone of the economy.
From the History section of DeForest, Wisconsin on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Churches and places of worship1
Shopping3
Gas and EV charging12
Schools, colleges and libraries28
DeForest Area High School
School · 1.3 mi
815 Jefferson Street, DeForest
Healthcare2
UW Health DeForest-Windsor Clinic
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.5 mi
4131 Meridian Drive, Windsor
Unity Point - Meriter DeForest-Windsor Clinic
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.7 mi
4200 Savannah Drive, DeForest
Map of DeForest
108 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26°F | 9°F | 1.2 in | 10.7 in |
| Feb | 31°F | 12°F | 1.4 in | 11.2 in |
| Mar | 43°F | 23°F | 2.0 in | 5.3 in |
| Apr | 57°F | 34°F | 3.7 in | 1.9 in |
| May | 69°F | 46°F | 4.2 in | 0.1 in |
| Jun | 79°F | 56°F | 5.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 82°F | 60°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 80°F | 58°F | 3.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 73°F | 49°F | 3.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 60°F | 38°F | 2.8 in | 0.3 in |
| Nov | 44°F | 26°F | 2.2 in | 2.4 in |
| Dec | 32°F | 16°F | 1.4 in | 10.7 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Arlington (5 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Dane County has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2020-04-04: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2018-10-18: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, And Landslides (Flood)
- 2011-04-05: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm (Snowstorm)
- 2008-06-14: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2008-03-19: Record Snow And Near Record Snow (Snowstorm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 6 miles away.
- Windsor 3 mi east, about 5 min by car
- Waunakee 6 mi southwest, about 9 min by car
- Sun Prairie 6 mi southeast, about 10 min by car
- Arlington 7 mi north, about 12 min by car
- Maple Bluff 8 mi south, about 13 min by car
- Dane 8 mi west, about 13 min by car
- Madison 11 mi southwest, about 17 min by car
- Baraboo 26 mi northwest, about 41 min by car
- Beaver Dam 31 mi northeast, about 50 min by car
- Beloit 52 mi south, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Lord of Love Lutheran Church DeForest, WI - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Ryan Funeral Home - DeForest-Windsor Chapel - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Farm South of DeForest - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Ace® DeForest - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Walgreens Deforest - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- BP Stop-N-Go DeForest Station - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- DeForest Post Office 53532 - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Christ Lutheran Church DeForest, WI - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Farm near Deforest - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Farm North of DeForest - panoramio - Corey Coyle, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- DeForest Municipal Building - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- DeForest Christmas Lights - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- DeForest Village Hall, Wikideas1, CC0
- DeForest Area Fire and EMS District - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- DeForest Area Public Library - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- DeForest Police Department - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- St. Olaf Catholic Church Deforest, WI - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- DeForest Holiday Lights - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- 2014 DeForest Christmas Lights - panoramio (3), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- 2014 DeForest Christmas Lights - panoramio (2), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- DeForest Veterans Memorial - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- 2014 DeForest Christmas Lights - panoramio (1), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- DeForest Fallen Veterans Memorial at Christmas - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Deforest High School Football Stadium - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- DeForest Tower 2 - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Deforest High School - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Driving range-3, Wikideas1, CC0
- 2014 Windsor Christmas Lights - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Driving range-2, Wikideas1, CC0
- 2014 Windsor Christmas Lights - panoramio (1), Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Inside Vagina, BuffyRose, CC0
- Windsor Tower - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- 280. Norway Grove Lutheran Church (20117832111), Nasjonalbiblioteket from Norway, No restrictions
- Manzetti Family's Christmas Lights - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Club 51 - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- BB Jacks - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- Rude's Lanes - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
- De Forest Tower 2 - panoramio, Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.