Dane

As the urban center of the region, Dane County is home to the state’s capital in the City of Madison, the University of Wisconsin flagship campus, the world-class Overture Center for the Arts, and an abundance of parks, lakes, and unique neighborhoods. Home to the fastest growing population of any county in Wisconsin, Dane County boasts a highly educated workforce to power its diverse and innovative industries. With assets in information technology, life sciences, and agriculture, Madison and Dane County consistently rank among the top communities for work and play.

2010 Population: 488,073
2019 Population Estimate: 536,078

Top private-sector employers in Dane County include Epic, UW Health, American Family Insurance, Exact Sciences, CUNA Mutual, and PPD.

  • Madison (county seat): 259,673
  • Sun Prairie: 33,321
  • Fitchburg: 29,450
  • Middleton: 19,487
  • Stoughton: 13,097
  • Waunakee: 13,730
  • Verona: 13,004
  • Oregon: 10,353
  • DeForest: 10,179
  • McFarland: 8,650

Dane County Planning and Development Department


Carrie Springer

608.266.4576 | Email Carrie

Madison Region Economic Partnership

Kathy Collins, VP of Economic Development

608.571.0402 | Email Kathy

Sources: U.S. Census; Emsi; Wisconsin’s WORKnet; Municipality Population Estimates, Wisconsin Department of Administration, Demographic Services Center; Applied Geographic Solutions via LocateInWisconsin.