RANK #408 / 996 · POP 559,891 · WI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.1%
The presence of the University of Wisconsin-Madison shapes much of Dane County, a region in south-central Wisconsin. The county seat, Madison, is the state capital and the second-largest city in Wisconsin. Commuting within Dane County is supported by public transit, including bus services that extend to surrounding towns like Fitchburg, Middleton, Monona, Sun Prairie, and Verona. The area offers extensive outdoor recreation, with over 200 miles of trails for biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing, alongside numerous parks and five lakes. This blend of urban amenities and natural scenery contributes to a distinctive community feel.
Life in the county is characterized by access to educational institutions and diverse communities. Public schools in towns such as Middleton-Cross Plains, Waunakee, and Verona are highly rated. The economy is driven by sectors like education and health services, with the University of Wisconsin's hospital system being a significant employer. Information technology and agriculture also contribute to the economic landscape. Recent developments indicate ongoing investment in commercial and residential construction, as well as growth in technology and energy sectors.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
QTS Data Center Campus
QTS Data Centers
|
$12,000M | Proposed |
|
Koshkonong Solar Energy Center
Invenergy (acquired by We Energies, WPS, MGE)
|
$279M | Under Construction |
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center
Amazon (Developer: Trammell Crow Company)
|
$245M | Under Construction |
|
Epic Systems Campus Expansion (Other Worlds, Underhill, Black Hole)
Epic Systems
|
$150M | Under Construction |
|
Sunnyside Solar Energy Center
Madison Gas and Electric (MGE)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Dane County has a Boom Town Index score of 59/100, ranking #408 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.7% and a median household income of $84,297, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Dane County is $342,900 with median rent at $1,268/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2458, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.8% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.7%. Home values changed +2.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.95% of Dane County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.