Dane County, Wisconsin | |
|---|---|
 Wisconsin State Capitol building in Dane County | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofWisconsin | |
| Coordinates:43°04′N89°25′W / 43.07°N 89.42°W /43.07; -89.42 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Wisconsin |
| Founded | 1836 |
| Named after | Nathan Dane |
| Seat | Madison |
| Largest city | Madison |
| Government | |
| • Executive | Melissa Agard |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,238 sq mi (3,210 km2) |
| • Land | 1,197 sq mi (3,100 km2) |
| • Water | 41 sq mi (110 km2) 3.3% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 561,504 |
• Estimate (2024) | 588,347 |
| • Density | 469.1/sq mi (181.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Website | danecounty |
Dane County is acounty in theU.S. state ofWisconsin. As of the2020 census, the population was 561,504, making it the second-most populous county in Wisconsin afterMilwaukee County.[1] Dane County is the fastest growing county in Wisconsin.[2] It contains nearly 10% of the population of Wisconsin, and it only contained 5% of Wisconsin's population in 1950.
Thecounty seat isMadison,[3] which is also the state capital. Dane County is the central county of theMadison metropolitan area, as well as the Madison–Janesville–Beloitcombined statistical area.
Dane County was formed in 1836 as a territorial county and organized in 1839.[4] It was named afterNathan Dane, a Massachusetts delegate to theCongress of the Confederation who helped carve Wisconsin out of theNorthwest Territory.[5][6] Dane County was settled in the 1840s by settlers fromNew England.[7]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 1,238 square miles (3,210 km2), of which 1,197 square miles (3,100 km2) is land and 41 square miles (110 km2) (3.3%) is water.[8]
Interstate 39
Interstate 90
Interstate 94
U.S. Route 12
U.S. Route 14
U.S. Route 18
U.S. Route 51
U.S. Route 151
Highway 19 (Wisconsin)
Highway 30 (Wisconsin)
Highway 69 (Wisconsin)
Highway 73 (Wisconsin)
Highway 78 (Wisconsin)
Highway 89 (Wisconsin)
Highway 92 (Wisconsin)
Highway 104 (Wisconsin)
Highway 106 (Wisconsin)
Highway 113 (Wisconsin)
Highway 134 (Wisconsin)
Highway 138 (Wisconsin)
Highway 188 (Wisconsin)Freight
Public Transit
Intercity
Commercial
General Aviation
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 314 | — | |
| 1850 | 16,639 | 5,199.0% | |
| 1860 | 43,922 | 164.0% | |
| 1870 | 53,096 | 20.9% | |
| 1880 | 53,233 | 0.3% | |
| 1890 | 59,578 | 11.9% | |
| 1900 | 69,435 | 16.5% | |
| 1910 | 77,435 | 11.5% | |
| 1920 | 89,432 | 15.5% | |
| 1930 | 112,737 | 26.1% | |
| 1940 | 130,660 | 15.9% | |
| 1950 | 169,357 | 29.6% | |
| 1960 | 222,095 | 31.1% | |
| 1970 | 290,272 | 30.7% | |
| 1980 | 323,545 | 11.5% | |
| 1990 | 367,085 | 13.5% | |
| 2000 | 426,526 | 16.2% | |
| 2010 | 488,073 | 14.4% | |
| 2020 | 561,504 | 15.0% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 588,347 | [9] | 4.8% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12] 1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[14]2020 census[15] | |||
In 2017, there were 5,891 births, giving a general fertility rate of 51.7 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the eighth lowest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties. Of these, 73 of the births occurred at home, the fifth highest number of home births for Wisconsin counties. 428 of the births were to mothers who held doctorate or professional degrees, more than any other Wisconsin county. These accounted for 7.3% of total births for the county, a higher percent than any other Wisconsin county and more than Ozaukee County which had 5.8% of births to mothers who held doctorate or professional degrees and ranked second.[16]
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 561,504. Thepopulation density was 469.3 inhabitants per square mile (181.2/km2). There were 248,795 housing units at an average density of 207.9 units per square mile (80.3 units/km2).[17][18]
There were 238,417 households in the county, of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.2% were married-couple households, 21.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[18]
The median age was 35.7 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.9 males age 18 and over.[18]
The racial makeup of the county was 77.6%White, 5.4%Black or African American, 0.4%American Indian and Alaska Native, 6.4%Asian, <0.1%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 3.2% from some other race, and 6.9% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.5% of the population.[17]
Eighty-six point four percent of residents lived in urban areas, while 13.6% lived in rural areas.[19] Among the 248,795 housing units, 4.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 56.3% were owner-occupied and 43.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 3.9%.[18]
At the2010 census there were 488,073 people, 203,750 households, and 116,752 families living in the county. The population density was 394 people per square mile (152 people/km2). There were 216,022 housing units at an average density of 174 units per square mile (67 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the county was 84.7% White, 5.2% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 4.7% Asian, 0.003% Pacific Islander, 2.5% fromother races, and 2.5% from two or more races. 5.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[20]Of the 203,750 households 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 30.5% of households were one person and 7.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.95.
The age distribution was 21.7% under the age of 18, 12.8% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% 65 or older. The median age was 34.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.
At the2000 census there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families living in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile (137 people/km2). There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 units per square mile (58 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the county was 88.96% White, 4.00% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 3.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.43% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. 3.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.4% were ofGerman, 11.5%Norwegian, 8.9%Irish and 6.0%English ancestry.[20]Of the 173,484 households 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.10% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.90% were non-families. 29.40% of households were one person and 7.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.
The age distribution was 22.60% under the age of 18, 14.30% from 18 to 24, 32.50% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 9.30% 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.
In 2010, the largest religious groups in Dane County by number of adherents wereCatholic at 106,036 adherents,ELCA Lutheran at 48,620 adherents,United Methodist at 9,753 adherents,non-denominational Christian at 7,448 adherents,Evangelical Free at 6,075 adherents,United Church of Christ at 5,035 adherents,Wisconsin Synod Lutheran at 4,214 adherents,Missouri Synod Lutheran at 3,921 adherents,American Baptist at 3,755 adherents, andPC-USA Presbyterian at 3,664 adherents.[21]
Dane County is governed by a county executive and a county board of supervisors. The county executive is elected in a countywide vote. The county executive isMelissa Agard. The board of supervisors consists of 37 members, each elected from single member districts. As the policy-making body of the county government, the board of supervisors enacts county ordinances, levies taxes, and appropriates money for services.
Dane County's recent growth has been driven by new job opportunities in healthcare and technology fields.[2]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 6,445 | 44.93% | 6,833 | 47.63% | 1,068 | 7.44% |
| 1896 | 9,080 | 56.10% | 6,521 | 40.29% | 585 | 3.61% |
| 1900 | 9,396 | 58.41% | 6,129 | 38.10% | 562 | 3.49% |
| 1904 | 11,041 | 63.51% | 5,679 | 32.66% | 666 | 3.83% |
| 1908 | 9,441 | 52.42% | 7,818 | 43.41% | 750 | 4.16% |
| 1912 | 5,244 | 32.27% | 9,017 | 55.49% | 1,989 | 12.24% |
| 1916 | 6,931 | 40.13% | 9,859 | 57.08% | 483 | 2.80% |
| 1920 | 22,842 | 77.46% | 4,879 | 16.55% | 1,767 | 5.99% |
| 1924 | 12,280 | 31.32% | 2,081 | 5.31% | 24,847 | 63.37% |
| 1928 | 23,680 | 54.85% | 19,126 | 44.30% | 364 | 0.84% |
| 1932 | 19,083 | 39.90% | 26,841 | 56.13% | 1,899 | 3.97% |
| 1936 | 15,233 | 28.79% | 35,856 | 67.77% | 1,819 | 3.44% |
| 1940 | 21,845 | 34.79% | 40,331 | 64.23% | 611 | 0.97% |
| 1944 | 23,021 | 37.96% | 37,076 | 61.13% | 554 | 0.91% |
| 1948 | 22,934 | 37.80% | 35,486 | 58.50% | 2,244 | 3.70% |
| 1952 | 38,724 | 50.34% | 37,987 | 49.38% | 216 | 0.28% |
| 1956 | 38,955 | 51.11% | 36,891 | 48.41% | 367 | 0.48% |
| 1960 | 43,245 | 47.78% | 47,045 | 51.98% | 212 | 0.23% |
| 1964 | 27,124 | 28.42% | 68,118 | 71.38% | 184 | 0.19% |
| 1968 | 39,917 | 38.36% | 59,951 | 57.61% | 4,193 | 4.03% |
| 1972 | 56,020 | 40.88% | 79,567 | 58.07% | 1,439 | 1.05% |
| 1976 | 63,466 | 41.60% | 82,321 | 53.96% | 6,765 | 4.43% |
| 1980 | 57,545 | 34.17% | 85,609 | 50.84% | 25,251 | 14.99% |
| 1984 | 74,823 | 43.84% | 94,659 | 55.46% | 1,203 | 0.70% |
| 1988 | 69,143 | 39.30% | 105,414 | 59.92% | 1,377 | 0.78% |
| 1992 | 61,957 | 29.49% | 114,724 | 54.60% | 33,441 | 15.92% |
| 1996 | 59,487 | 30.93% | 109,347 | 56.86% | 23,468 | 12.20% |
| 2000 | 75,790 | 32.56% | 142,317 | 61.15% | 14,632 | 6.29% |
| 2004 | 90,369 | 32.95% | 181,052 | 66.02% | 2,828 | 1.03% |
| 2008 | 73,065 | 25.82% | 205,984 | 72.80% | 3,890 | 1.37% |
| 2012 | 83,644 | 27.50% | 216,071 | 71.03% | 4,466 | 1.47% |
| 2016 | 71,275 | 23.04% | 217,697 | 70.37% | 20,382 | 6.59% |
| 2020 | 78,794 | 22.86% | 260,121 | 75.46% | 5,813 | 1.69% |
| 2024 | 85,454 | 23.35% | 273,995 | 74.88% | 6,480 | 1.77% |
Like most other counties anchored by an urban population center and a large public university, Dane County is solidly Democratic, with a long history in theprogressive movement. It has backed the Democratic presidential nominee in every election since1932 with the exception of the two nationwide landslide victories ofDwight D. Eisenhower in1952 and1956, and even then, Eisenhower's margin of victory was under 3% both times. Since then, Republicans have only crossed the 35% mark six times. Within Wisconsin, only the predominantly Native American county ofMenominee is more reliably Democratic.
At state level, the county is no less Democratic. The last Republicans the county supported at state level were GovernorTommy Thompson and TreasurerJack Voight in1994.[23][24] The last Republican Senator to carry the county wasAlexander Wiley in 1956 by less than one percent, 10 years earlier the county was the only one in the state to not vote for notorious SenatorJoseph McCarthy.[25][26] In the three-party era of 1930s-1940s, the county backedProgressive Party candidates, such as theLa Follette brothers,Orland Steen Loomis andHerman Ekern.[27][28]
School districts (all K-12) include:[29][30]
Places adjacent to Dane County, Wisconsin | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofDane County, Wisconsin,United States | ||
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| Indian reservation | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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