Dane County, WI Population Statistics: Density Map Data
Analyze local population trends, population density map, housing costs, and the local economy.
Area Snapshot Statistics
Key statistics on population, economy, housing, and commuting compared to state and national averages. Explore interactive maps for deeper analysis.
Population: density and quick facts
| Metric | Dane County | Wisconsin Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 563,266 | 5,859,674 | 334,821,731 |
| Population density (per sq mi) | 455.1 | 89.4 | 85.8 |
| Population growth (%/yr) | 1.27% | 0.33% | 0.57% |
| Median age | 36.2 | 40.1 | 37.1 |
| Households | 245,712 | 2,445,541 | 128,459,983 |
Population in Dane County grew by 16.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching 564,720 in 2023.
Population Growth 2009–2023
Race & Ethnicity
Economy
Dane County has a the economy index of B, which means it is quite prosperous.
| Metric | Dane County | Wisconsin Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $89,074 | $75,766 | $78,145 |
| Income growth (%/yr) | 4.54% | 4.67% | 5.07% |
| Unemployment rate | 2.4% | 3.3% | 5.2% |
The median household income in Dane County is about 18% higher than in Wisconsin.
Housing
| Metric | Dane County | Wisconsin Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $341,150 | $176,921 | $242,182 |
| Median rent | $1,345 | $1,045 | $1,342 |
| Homeownership rate | 57.7% | 67.9% | 65.1% |
The median home price in Dane County is about 21.1 years' worth of rent — buying at the median price costs roughly as much as paying the median rent of $1,345 per month for that long.
Commute Time & Mobility
Commuters in Dane County spend about 40 minutes on the road round trip each working day. Over a typical 250-day work year, that adds up to roughly 168 hours, about 7.0 full days, spent commuting.
| Metric | Dane County | Wisconsin Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way commute (min) | 20.2 | 18.8 | 22.5 |
| Round-trip commute (min) | 40.4 | 37.6 | 44.9 |
| Yearly time spent (hours) | 168 | 156 | 187 |
| Estimated yearly cost | $5,218 | $4,851 | $5,803 |
| Work from home | 17.8% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Highway traffic (vehicles/day) | 9,216 | 6,703 | 8,813 |
| Local road traffic (vehicles/day) | 1,378 | 811 | 1,355 |
Fastest commutes among counties in
Wisconsin:
Ashland County (12.5 min), Door County (13.8 min), Eau Claire County (15.3 min).
Slowest:
Oconto County (26.4 min), Pierce County (25.0 min), Columbia County (23.8 min).
The average commute time in Dane County is 20 minutes, longer than the 19 minutes in Wisconsin.
Estimated yearly cost applies a single national wage rule of thumb (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average hourly earnings), not a measurement of wages in this area. Traffic volume figures come from proprietary Ticon and TrafficZoom data.
Education & Households
Dane County has a education index of A+, which means it is exceptionally educated.
| Metric | Dane County | Wisconsin Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 49.1% | 29.7% | 31.6% |
| Average household size | 2.24 | 2.35 | 2.54 |
Highest education index among counties in
Wisconsin:
Dane County (0.4), Ozaukee County (0.4), Waukesha County (0.4).
Lowest:
Clark County (0.2), Adams County (0.2), Juneau County (0.2).
Health
Dane County has a health index of A, which means it is very healthy.
| Metric | Dane County | Wisconsin Avg | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 80.6 | 79.6 | 78.3 |
| Self-rated poor health | 9.1% | 13.2% | 16.3% |
| Smokers | 12.8% | 18.5% | 19.0% |
Highest health index among counties in
Wisconsin:
Dane County (0.8), Waukesha County (0.8), Ozaukee County (0.8).
Lowest:
Menominee County (0.8), Clark County (0.8), Forest County (0.8).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dane County, Wisconsin.
What is the population of Dane County, Wisconsin?
The population of Dane County, Wisconsin is 563,266, compared to the U.S. total of 334,821,731.
What is the population density of Dane County, Wisconsin?
The population density of Dane County, Wisconsin is 455.1 people per square mile, compared to the U.S. average of 85.8 people per square mile.
What is the median household income in Dane County, Wisconsin?
The median household income in Dane County, Wisconsin is $89,074, compared to the U.S. median of $78,145.
What is the median home price in Dane County, Wisconsin?
The median home price in Dane County, Wisconsin is $341,150, compared to the U.S. median of $242,182.
What is the unemployment rate in Dane County, Wisconsin?
The unemployment rate in Dane County, Wisconsin is 2.4%, compared to the U.S. average of 5.2%.