Wealth Index
Wealthier than 93% of counties in Wisconsin
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Dane County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $89,074 | $75,766 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $69,608 | $60,217 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 4.5% | 4.7% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 16.3% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Dane County is about 18% higher than in Wisconsin. Income has been growing slower in Dane County (4.5%/yr) than in Wisconsin (4.7%/yr).
About 16% of adults in Dane County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the Wisconsin average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Dane County, Wisconsin grew by 48.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $89,074 in 2023. That's an average of about 4.5% per year.
Economic Inequality in Dane County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Dane County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.519 | 0.516 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $74,937 | $65,881 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $63,770 | $53,174 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 14.9% | 19.3% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Dane County, it is 0.519, about the same as Wisconsin's 0.516, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 18% more than women's income in Dane County, Wisconsin. Over a 35-year career, a 18% wage gap accumulates to roughly $390,845 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Dane County, Wisconsin has narrowed from about 20% to 15% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $746 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Dane County | Wisconsin Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 3.3% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 17.8% | 11.6% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 18 | 22 |
Approximately 7,915 people are unemployed in Dane County, Wisconsin.
The average commute time in Dane County is 20 minutes, longer than the 18 minutes in Wisconsin.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Dane County, Wisconsin has fallen from 5.4% to 2.4% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Dane County, Wisconsin has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than Wisconsin, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Dane County, Wisconsin.
How Rich Is Dane County, Wisconsin?
Dane County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $89,074, about 18% higher than the Wisconsin average of $75,766.
What is the current median household income in Dane County, Wisconsin?
As of 2023, the median household income in Dane County, Wisconsin is $89,074.
What was the median household income in Dane County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Dane County, Wisconsin was $89,074.
What was the median household income in Dane County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Dane County, Wisconsin was $75,220.
What is the Gini coefficient in Dane County, Wisconsin?
The Gini coefficient in Dane County is 0.519. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Dane County, Wisconsin?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Dane County, Wisconsin has narrowed from about 20% to 15% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $746 since 2009.