Madison
RANK #680 / 996 NAT · #29 / 29 WI · POP 559,891
1YR FORECAST: +1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
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 996 counties.
At 31/100, Dane County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $84,297 combined with job growth of +1.7% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Dane County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $342,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.25 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,268/month on average.
Dane County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.8% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.7% clip. Home values shifted +2.6% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.95% 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.