Founded 1839 Largest city Madison Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5 Area 3,206 km² Unemployment rate 2.9% (Apr 2015) | Named for Nathan Dane Congressional district 2nd Website www.countyofdane.com Population 509,939 (2013) County seat Madison | |
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Points of interest Olbrich Botanical Gardens Colleges and Universities University of Wisconsin‑Madison, Madison Area Technical, Edgewood College, Madison Media Institute, University of Wisconsi Destinations Madison, Middleton, Blue Mound State Park, Mount Horeb, Stoughton | ||
Dane County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2010 census, the population was 488,073, making it the second-most populous county in Wisconsin. The 2015 estimate places the county's population at 523,643. The county seat is Madison, which is also the state capital.
Contents
- Map of Dane County WI USA
- History
- Geography
- Airports
- Adjacent counties
- 2010 census
- 2000 census
- Government
- County Executives
- References
Map of Dane County, WI, USA
Dane County is part of the Madison, Wisconsin, Metropolitan Statistical Area, as well as the Madison-Janesville-Beloit Combined Statistical Area.
History
Dane County was formed in 1836 as a territorial county and organized in 1839. It was named after Nathan Dane, a Massachusetts delegate to the Congress of the Confederation who helped carve Wisconsin out of the Northwest Territory. Dane County was first settled in the 1840s by settlers from New England.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,238 square miles (3,210 km2), of which 1,197 square miles (3,100 km2) is land and 41 square miles (110 km2) (3.3%) is water.
Airports
Adjacent counties
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 488,073 people, 203,750 households, and 116,752 families residing in the county. The population density was 394 people per square mile (152/km²). There were 216,022 housing units at an average density of 174 per square mile (67/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.7% White, 5.2% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 4.7% Asian, 0.003% Pacific Islander, 2.5% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. 5.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 203,750 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out with 21.7% under the age of 18, 12.8% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.4 years. For every 100 females there were 97.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile (137/km²). There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile (58/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.96% White, 4.00% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 3.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.43% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. 3.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.4% were of German, 11.5% Norwegian, 8.9% Irish and 6.0% English ancestry.
There were 173,484 households out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.10% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.90% were non-families. 29.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.60% under the age of 18, 14.30% from 18 to 24, 32.50% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 9.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.
Government
Dane County is governed by a county executive and a County Board of Supervisors. The county executive is elected in a countywide vote. The County Executive is Joe Parisi. The Board of Supervisors consists of 37 members, each elected from single member districts. As the policy-making body of the county government, the Board of Supervisors enacts county ordinances, levies taxes, and appropriates money for services.