Beaver Dam
RANK #8 / 996 NAT · #1 / 29 WI · POP 89,032
1YR FORECAST: +5.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +47%
Horicon Marsh, the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States, is a defining feature of Dodge County, Wisconsin, offering extensive opportunities for birdwatching, hiking, and photography. Located in southeastern Wisconsin, Dodge County is centrally positioned with access to larger metropolitan areas like Milwaukee and Madison. Commutes to these cities are feasible via major highways such as US 151 and I-41. The county's landscape blends rural tranquility with developed areas, featuring numerous parks and lakes like Beaver Dam Lake and Fox Lake, which provide year-round outdoor recreation.
Life in Dodge County offers a balance of community and access to nature. The area is home to families, with public schools generally performing above average. Ten public school districts operate within the county, including a nationally recognized blue ribbon school. Economic activity is diverse, with agriculture being a significant sector, and the county is a statewide leader in agricultural product sales. Recent economic developments include investments in data centers and infrastructure, contributing to the local economy and job market.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.7x 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Meta Data Center Campus
Meta
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
Energy Infrastructure Upgrades (supporting Meta Data Center)
Meta (financing), Alliant Energy (utility work)
|
$200M | Under Construction |
|
Springfield Solar Project
Alliant Energy
|
$100M | Completed |
|
Beaver Dam Solar Project
Alliant Energy
|
$50M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Dodge County ranks #8 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 99/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.9% and a median household income of $71,747 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Dodge County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $201,000, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $929/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Dodge County are both close to flat — population -0.3% YoY and jobs +0.9%. Home values shifted +8.1% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.63% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Dodge County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +8.1% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Dodge County is now valued at $201,000. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.