RANK #828 / 1001 NAT · #29 / 29 WI · POP 572,674
1YR FORECAST: +0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
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.
Dane County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.5% matches the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.1x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Dane County scores just 16/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #828 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +0.5% and median household income of $89,975 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Dane County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $394,800 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.23 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,398/month on average.
Dane County's population is growing — up +1.4% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.5%). Home values shifted +2.5% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.87% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Dane County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.