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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Dane County

Wisconsin · 561,504 residents · 1,196.496 sq mi
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The short version

Dane County is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $75,179. Population has grown 32% since 2000. 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $277,000.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.7
US median: 38.8
More educated
52% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
561,504
+32%since 2000
from 426,526 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
469 / sq mi
+32%since 2000
from 356 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.7
+8%since 2000
from 33.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
347K408K470K532K593K1990201020202024Dane County
2024573K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$75,179
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $49,223 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,755
+67%since 2000
from $24,985 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
50.1%
+11.5 ptssince 2009
from 38.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.0%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information9.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade9%
US avg: 10%
Other services7.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance3.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Arts, entertainment, food3.1%
US avg: 2%
Professional, scientific, technical2.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$277,000
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $146,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,118
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $641 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
56.3%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 57.6% in 2000
43.7% rent
Afford Score
3.7
+24%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Dane County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic87.4%(372,597)
Black3.9%(16,829)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(14,387)
Asian3.4%(14,651)
Other0%
Diversity Score25.4%(108,325)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic76%(426,721)
Black5.3%(29,742)
Hispanic / Latino7.5%(41,954)
Asian6.3%(35,592)
Other4.1%(23,198)
Diversity Score49.9%(280,181)
Segregation Score31.5%(177,098)
Diversity Score
50
+96%since 2000
from 25 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
32
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
52.4%
+11.8 ptssince 2000
from 40.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.2%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 92.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
21.1%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 15.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.3 min
+76%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
71.4%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 73.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.1%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.5%
−2.9 ptssince 2011
from 5.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
71.6%
−2.4 ptssince 2011
from 74.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
52.8%
−18.3 ptssince 2009
from 71.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Female
50.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Foreign born
8.5%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.6%
−89.4 ptssince 2013
from 93.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Dane County

Delaware County
Pop 580,937
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Pop 588,026
South Central Connecticut Planning Region
Pop 578,741
Bristol County
Pop 593,640
Places similar to Dane County
Head to head

Compare Dane County to nearby counties

DANE COUNTY VS
Columbia County
Income$85,351+14%
Home value$283,200+2%
Population58,132−90%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DANE COUNTY VS
Green County
Income$82,852+10%
Home value$250,200−10%
Population37,227−94%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DANE COUNTY VS
Rock County
Income$75,673+1%
Home value$231,600−16%
Population166,472−72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
DANE COUNTY VS
Jefferson County
Income$83,750+11%
Home value$274,100−1%
Population86,505−85%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Dane County, Wisconsin?

Dane County, Wisconsin has about 561,504 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Dane County, Wisconsin?

The typical household in Dane County, Wisconsin earns about $75,179 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Dane County, Wisconsin expensive?

In Dane County, Wisconsin, the median home is worth about $277,000, and the typical rent is about $1,118 a month.

How educated are people in Dane County, Wisconsin?

About 52.4% of adults age 25 and over in Dane County, Wisconsin hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Dane County, Wisconsin?

About 11.0% of people in Dane County, Wisconsin live below the federal poverty line.

Has Dane County, Wisconsin grown since 1990?

Yes, Dane County, Wisconsin has grown since 1990. The population has added about 194,419 residents, a change of about 53 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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