Dane County, WI

County

Add Comparison

2021 Population

555,474

2.4% 1-year growth

US Senator

Ron Johnson

Republican Party

US Senator

Tammy Baldwin

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

35.4

0.568% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

10.8%

2.04% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$78,452

4.35% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$294,500

6.32% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

316,159

2.09% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Dane County, WI had a population of 555k people with a median age of 35.4 and a median household income of $78,452. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Dane County, WI grew from 542,459 to 555,474, a 2.4% increase and its median household income grew from $75,179 to $78,452, a 4.35% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Dane County, WI are White (Non-Hispanic) (78.2%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (5.96%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.96%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.64%), and White (Hispanic) (3.42%).

None of the households in Dane County, WI reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.9% of the residents in Dane County, WI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Dane County, WI are University of Wisconsin-Madison (17,417 degrees awarded in 2021), Madison Area Technical College (3,411 degrees), and Herzing University-Madison (862 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Dane County, WI was $294,500, and the homeownership rate was 58.2%.

Most people in Dane County, WI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Dane County, WI was 2 cars per household.

Dane County, WI borders Columbia County, WI, Dodge County, WI, Green County, WI, Iowa County, WI, Jefferson County, WI, Rock County, WI, and Sauk County, WI.

Photo by Michael Leland

United States Wisconsin Madison, WI

Population & Diversity

Dane County, WI is home to a population of 555k people, from which 94.9% are citizens. As of 2021, 8.71% of Dane County, WI residents were born outside of the country (48.4k people).

In 2021, there were 13.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (434k people) in Dane County, WI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 33.1k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 27.5k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.9%

2021 Citizenship

95%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 94.9% of Dane County, WI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Dane County, WI was 95%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Dane County, WI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Dane County, WI

White (Non-Hispanic)
434k ± 674
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
33.1k ± 920
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
27.5k ± 1.21k

6.69%

Hispanic Population

37.2k people

6.69% of the people in Dane County, WI are hispanic (37.2k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Dane County, WI as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Wisconsin.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
83,507 ± 7,044 people
India
24,549 ± 3,839 people
China
15,404 ± 3,043 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Wisconsin was Mexico, the natal country of 83,507 Wisconsin residents, followed by India with 24,549 and China with 15,404.

Foreign-Born Population

8.71%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

48.4k people

8.55%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

46.4k people

As of 2021, 8.71% of Dane County, WI residents (48.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Dane County, WI was 8.55%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Dane County, WI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
7,647 ± 582
Gulf War (2001-)
4,630 ± 559
Gulf War (1990s)
2,749 ± 450

Dane County, WI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.65 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Dane County, WI employs 316k people. The largest industries in Dane County, WI are Health Care & Social Assistance (48,103 people), Educational Services (42,428 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (37,346 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($93,333), Utilities ($87,477), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($73,073).

Males in Wisconsin have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $53,441. The income inequality in Wisconsin (measured using the Gini index) is 0.443, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

316k

2021 Value

± 4,412

2.09%

1 Year growth

± 1.94%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Dane County, WI grew at a rate of 2.09%, from 310k employees to 316k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Dane County, WI, are Management Occupations (37,889 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (32,032 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (25,686 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Dane County, WI.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Wisconsin (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

316k

2021 Value

± 4,412

2.09%

1 Year growth

± 1.94%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Dane County, WI grew at a rate of 2.09%, from 310k employees to 316k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Dane County, WI, are Health Care & Social Assistance (48,103 people), Educational Services (42,428 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (37,346 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Dane County, WI, though some of these residents may live in Dane County, WI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$53,973

Median earning men ± $616

$41,197

Median earning women ± $727

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($77,565), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($76,287), and Information ($74,154).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($59,699), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($55,974), and Information ($54,443).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Wisconsin. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Wisconsin.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

4,714
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
3,776
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
3,699
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$6.76M
Manufacturing
$6.12M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$6.08M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Wisconsin to other states, or from other states to Wisconsin.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Wisconsin product (by dollars) was Other foodstuffs with $43.6B, followed by Mixed freight ($37.7B) and Machinery ($34.3B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Wisconsin products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Wisconsin.

$348B

2020 Value in Wisconsin

$614B

Projected 2050 Value in Wisconsin

76.2% growth

In 2020, total outbound Wisconsin trade was $348B. This is expected to increase 76.2% to $614B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Wisconsin trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Wisconsin to other states, or from other states to Wisconsin.

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$35.8B
Minnesota
$17.7B
Michigan
$15.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Wisconsin domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $35.8B, followed by Minnesota with $17.7B and Michigan and $15.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Wisconsin shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Dane County, WI went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 75.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (22.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.06%).

Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin are the senators currently representing the state of Wisconsin. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Wisconsin is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (75.5%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (22.9%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.06%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Dane County, WI went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 75.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (22.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.06%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Dane County, WI for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Wisconsin

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

Ron Johnson

Senator from Wisconsin

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Tammy Baldwin

Senator from Wisconsin

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin are the senators currently representing Wisconsin.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Wisconsin over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Wisconsin

Wisconsin is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Wisconsin have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Dane County, WI awarded 22,370 degrees. The student population of Dane County, WI in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 56,864 male students and 71,604 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Dane County, WI are White (15,025 and 76.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (1,368 and 6.93%), Asian (1,234 and 6.25%), and Black or African American (808 and 4.09%).

The largest universities in Dane County, WI by number of degrees awarded are University of Wisconsin-Madison (17,417 and 77.9%), Madison Area Technical College (3,411 and 15.2%), and Herzing University-Madison (862 and 3.85%).

The most popular majors in Dane County, WI are General Computer & Information Sciences (1,024 and 4.58%), Registered Nursing (666 and 2.98%), and General Economics (629 and 2.81%).

The median tuition costs in Dane County, WI are $22,960 for private four year colleges, and $6,752 and $21,780 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Dane County, WI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 61.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 26.5%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 128,468 (44.3% men and 55.7% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 128,468 students enrolled in Dane County, WI, 44.3% men and 55.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 80,198 records, of which 57.1% were women and 42.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Computer & Information Sciences
681 degree-majors awarded
General Economics
629 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
472 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Dane County, WI was General Computer & Information Sciences with 681 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Dane County, WI according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Wisconsin-Madison
17,417 degrees awarded
Madison Area Technical College
3,411 degrees awarded
Herzing University-Madison
862 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Wisconsin-Madison with 17,417 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 9,289 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Dane County, WI, which is 0.71 times less than the 13,081 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 15,025 degrees mean that there were 11 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,368 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($22,960) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($909) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,563) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

Measure

In 2021, 0.664% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.589% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.4M), Some college (1.03M), and Bachelors Degree (900k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Dane County, WI was $294,500 in 2021, which is 1.2 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $277,000 to $294,500, a 6.32% increase. The homeownership rate in Dane County, WI is 58.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Dane County, WI have an average commute time of 21.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Dane County, WI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Dane County, WI is $78,452. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Dane County, WI was Census Tract 9.01 with a value of $178,750, followed by Census Tract 102 and Census Tract 7, with respective values of $165,250 and $140,758.

In 2022, 15.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Dane County, WI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.33%.

Housing

Property

$294,500

Median Property Value 2021

±$3,235

$137,425

Median Property Taxes

±$2,295

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Dane County, WI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Dane County, WI compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

58.2%

Homeownership

2021

62.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 58.2% of the housing units in Dane County, WI were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 59%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Dane County, WI compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9.01
Census Tract 102
Census Tract 7

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Dane County, WI was Census Tract 9.01 with a value of $178,750, followed by Census Tract 102 and Census Tract 7, with respective values of $165,250 and $140,758.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Dane County, WI colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$78,452

Median Household Income

± $1,065

236k

Number of Households

± 3,890

In 2021, the median household income of the 236k households in Dane County, WI grew to $78,452 from the previous year's value of $75,179.

The following chart displays the households in Dane County, WI distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Dane County, WI is from Wisconsin.

0.443

2021 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

0.445

2020 Wage GINI in Wisconsin

In 2021, the income inequality in Wisconsin was 0.443 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.429% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Wisconsin was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Wisconsin in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Wisconsin across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (69.1%)
Worked At Home (12.1%)
Carpooled (6.35%)

In 2021, 69.1% of workers in Dane County, WI drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (12.1%) and those who carpooled to work (6.35%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

21.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Dane County, WI have a shorter commute time (21.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 0.975% of the workforce in Dane County, WI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Dane County, WI compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Dane County, WI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Dane County, WI have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 15.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Dane County, WI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.33%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

10.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Dane County, WI (58.4k out of 542k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Dane County, WI is White, followed by Hispanic and Asian.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 8.6% of the children was living in poverty in Dane County, WI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 5.4%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 227 in Dane County, WI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 15.9 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

96.2% of the population of Dane County, WI has health coverage, with 65.3% on employee plans, 8.51% on Medicaid, 10.2% on Medicare, 11.2% on non-group plans, and 0.972% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Wisconsin was $8,702 in 2014. This is a 6.26% increase from the previous year ($8,189).

Primary care physicians in Dane County, WI see 769 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.774% decrease from the previous year (775 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1364 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 224 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

769 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Dane County, WI

Primary care physicians in Dane County, WI see an average of 769 patients per year. This represents a 0.774% decrease from the previous year (775 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Dane County, WI in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.1% under 18 years, 27.3% between 18 and 34 years, 36.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

3.76%

Uninsured

65.3%

Employer Coverage

8.51%

Medicaid

10.2%

Medicare

11.2%

Non-Group

0.972%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Dane County, WI grew by 3.55% from 3.63% to 3.76%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Dane County, WI changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 38.9 in Dane County, WI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Dane County, WI.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 32.8% in Dane County, WI.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Dane County, WI.

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