DeForest (/dəˈfɔːrɪst/ də-FOR-ist) 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.

The village was named for Isaac De Forest, who in 1856 bought the land on which the village sits today. Its name was long spelled "De Forest," but has since been changed to "DeForest."

DeForest is located at 43°14′45″N 89°20′45″W / 43.24583°N 89.34583°W / 43.24583; -89.34583 (43.245751, −89.345869).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 7.49 square miles (19.40 km), of which, 7.43 square miles (19.24 km) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km) is water.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	431		—
1920	493		14.4%
1930	540		9.5%
1940	598		10.7%
1950	805		34.6%
1960	1,223		51.9%
1970	1,911		56.3%
1980	3,367		76.2%
1990	4,882		45.0%
2000	7,368		50.9%
2010	8,936		21.3%
2020	10,811		21.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,936 people, 3,400 households, and 2,446 families living in the village. The population density was 1,202.7 inhabitants per square mile (464.4/km). There were 3,499 housing units at an average density of 470.9 per square mile (181.8/km). The racial makeup of the village was 93.3% White, 2.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 1.2% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.6% of the population.

There were 3,400 households, of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.1% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the village was 35.6 years. 29% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 8.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,368 people, 2,675 households, and 2,000 families living in the village. The population density was 1,525.3 people per square mile (589.0/km). There were 2,761 housing units at an average density of 571.6 per square mile (220.7/km). The racial makeup of the village was 95.34% White, 1.48% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.19% of the population.

There were 2,675 households, out of which 44.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 31.1% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 36.2% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $55,369, and the median income for a family was $60,781. Males had a median income of $40,096 versus $28,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $21,089. About 1.7% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

The DeForest Area School District schools include:

• DeForest Area High School
• DeForest Area Middle School
• Harvest Intermediate School
• Eagle Point Elementary School
• Windsor Elementary School
• Yahara Elementary School
• Holum Center Half Day Kindergarten

In 2009, DeForest Superintendent Dr. Jon Bales was honored by the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators as Wisconsin's 2009 Superintendent of the Year.

Yahara Elementary school opened for the 1992-93 school year. Further information: Caldwell v. J. H. Findorff & Son, Inc. lawsuit.

DeForest Area Public Library serves the DeForest area, including the villages of Windsor and DeForest, and the town of Vienna. It is a member of the South Central Library System.

As of 2009, the library served a population of 17,142, with a collection of over 81,000 items, including books, serials, audios, videos and kits. Circulation topped 405,000 with 200,000 library visits, and 21,000 users of public computers.

The library building, completed in 2002, was modeled after the medieval Stavekirke to highlight the Norwegian heritage of the area. A Wisconsin artist designed the dragons that adorn the roof.

DeForest is double bypassed by I-39/90/94 to the west, with an exit at CTH-V (this area features most of the city's hotels and restaurants). US-51 also has an exit located at CTH-V, on the city's east side.

A single rail train track runs north-south through DeForest. This is only used by freight trains; no passenger rail serves DeForest.

DeForest is close to Dane County Regional Airport, which provides both commercial and general aviation flights.

• DeForest Area Historical Society
• Village of DeForest
• Sanborn fire insurance maps: 1894 1912