Dane County, WI

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Population

542,364

1.11% growth

Median Age

35.3


Median Household Income

$71,582

0.949% decline

Poverty Rate

12.4%


Number of Employees

311,345

2.28% growth

Median Property Value

$275,200

4.52% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2018, Dane County, WI had a population of 542k people with a median age of 35.3 and a median household income of $71,582. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Dane County, WI grew from 536,416 to 542,364, a 1.11% increase and its median household income declined from $72,268 to $71,582, a -0.949% decrease.

The population of Dane County, WI is 79.1% White Alone, 6.43% Hispanic or Latino, and 5.82% Asian Alone. N/A% of the people in Dane County, WI speak a non-English language, and 94.9% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Dane County, WI are University of Wisconsin-Madison (12,367 degrees awarded in 2017), Madison Area Technical College (3,196 degrees), and University of Wisconsin Colleges (1,504 degrees).

The median property value in Dane County, WI is $275,200, and the homeownership rate is 57.9%. Most people in Dane County, WI commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 19.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Dane County, WI is 2 cars per household.

Photo by Michael Leland

United StatesWisconsinMadison, WI

Economy

The economy of Dane County, WI employs 311k people. The largest industries in Dane County, WI are Health Care & Social Assistance (50,166 people), Educational Services (43,489 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (31,930 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($80,186), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($76,818), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($66,466).

Median household income in Dane County, WI is $71,582. Males in Dane County, WI have an average income that is 1.36 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,745. The income inequality in Dane County, WI (measured using the Gini index) is 0.441, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$71,582

2018 value

± $1,545

-0.949%

1 Year Growth

± 3.29%

Households in Dane County, WI have a median annual income of $71,582, which is more than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $72,268 in 2017, which represents a -0.949% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Dane County, WI compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Wisconsin.

$64,874

Average Male Salary

± $1,364

$47,745

Average Female Salary

± $994

In 2018, full-time male employees in Wisconsin made 1.36 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Wisconsin by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Wisconsin.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races

    $62,272 ± $34,034

  2. White

    $49,813 ± $828

  3. Two or More Races

    $48,430 ± $8,009

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Wisconsin workers was American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races. These workers were paid 1.25 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Wisconsin by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Dane County, WI is from Wisconsin.

0.441

2018 Wage GINI

0.452

2017 Wage GINI

In 2018, the income inequality in Wisconsin was 0.441 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 2.52% decline from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even.

The 2018 the GINI for Wisconsin was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Wisconsin in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Wisconsin across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 102

  2. Census Tract 9.01

  3. Census Tract 101

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Dane County, WI was Census Tract 102 with a value of $155,417, followed by Census Tract 9.01 and Census Tract 101, with respective values of $126,429 and $124,583.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Dane County, WI colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

12.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Dane County, WI (63k out of 509k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    42,947 ± 1,549

  2. Hispanic

    8,859 ± 716

  3. Black

    8,119 ± 768

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Dane County, WI is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

311k

2018 Value

± 8,821

2.28%

1 Year growth

± 3.89%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Dane County, WI grew at a rate of 2.28%, from 304k employees to 311k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Dane County, WI, are Management Occupations (36,868 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (34,077 people), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (23,734 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Dane County, WI.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Dane County, WI, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (36,868 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (34,077 people), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (23,734 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Dane County, WI has an unusually high number of residents working as Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (2.94 times higher than expected), Computer & Mathematical Occupations (1.8 times), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (1.37 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Dane County, WI, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($75,245), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($74,857), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($73,454).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

311k

2018 Value

± 8,821

2.28%

1 Year growth

± 3.89%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Dane County, WI grew at a rate of 2.28%, from 304k employees to 311k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Dane County, WI, are Health Care & Social Assistance (50,166 people), Educational Services (43,489 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (31,930 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Dane County, WI, though some of these residents may live in Dane County, WI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Dane County, WI, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (50,166 people), Educational Services (43,489 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (31,930 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Dane County, WI has an unusually high number of Educational Services (1.52 times higher than expected), Information (1.46 times), and Finance & Insurance (1.39 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Dane County, WI, by median earnings, are Utilities ($80,186), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($76,818), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($66,466).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Wisconsin to other states, or from other states to Wisconsin.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Other foodstuffs

    $41.9B

  2. Machinery

    $30.3B

  3. Mixed freight

    $29.6B

In 2015, the top outbound Wisconsin product (by dollars) was Other foodstuffs with $41.9B, followed by Machinery ($30.3B) and Mixed freight ($29.6B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Wisconsin products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Wisconsin state.

$356B

2020 Value

$493B

Projected 2045 Value

38.5% growth

In 2020, total outbound Wisconsin trade was $356B. This is expected to increase 38.5% to $493B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Wisconsin trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Wisconsin to other states, or from other states to Wisconsin.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. Illinois

    $31.3B

  2. Minnesota

    $29.3B

  3. Michigan

    $11.1B

In 2015, the top outbound Wisconsin domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $31.3B, followed by Minnesota with $29.3B and Michigan and $11.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Wisconsin shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

95.9% of the population of Dane County, WI has health coverage, with 64.9% on employee plans, 8.15% on Medicaid, 9.6% on Medicare, 12.3% on non-group plans, and 1% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Dane County, WI was $8,702 in 2014. This is a 6.26% increase from the previous year ($8,189).

Primary care physicians in Dane County, WI see 793 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.377% decrease from the previous year (796 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1476 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 274 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Adams County and Menominee County have the highest prevalence of diabetes (13.1%). Additionally, Menominee County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (45.1%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

793 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Dane County, WI see an average of 793 patients per year. This represents a 0.377% decrease from the previous year (796 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Dane County, WI in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Wisconsin.

$8,702

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$5,159

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,057

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,608

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Wisconsin (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 6.26%, from $8,189 to $8,702.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

4.06%

Uninsured

64.9%

Employer Coverage

8.15%

Medicaid

9.6%

Medicare

12.3%

Non-Group

1%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Dane County, WI grew by 14.2% from 3.55% to 4.06%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Dane County, WI changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Adams County

    13.1% prevalence

  2. Menominee County

    13.1% prevalence

  3. Marquette County

    12.4% prevalence

Adams County and Menominee County have the highest prevalence of diabetes in Wisconsin, at 13.1%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Wisconsin by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Dane County, WI is home to a population of 542k people, from which 94.9% are citizens. As of 2017, 8.34% of Dane County, WI residents were born outside of the country (44.7k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Dane County, WI is composed of 429k White Alone residents (79.1%), 34.8k Hispanic or Latino residents (6.43%), 31.6k Asian Alone residents (5.82%), 27.6k Black or African American Alone residents (5.08%), 15.8k Two or More Races residents (2.92%), 2.41k American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.444%), 836 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.154%), and 169 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0312%).

Age

Age by Nativity

35

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

36

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.9

In 2018, the median age of all people in Dane County, WI was 35.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 35, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 36. But people in Dane County, WI are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Dane County, WI residents was 35.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

8.34%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

44.7k people

8.03%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

42.7k people

As of 2017, 8.34% of Dane County, WI residents (44.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Dane County, WI was 8.03%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Dane County, WI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Wisconsin.

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    82,867 ± 7,017 people

  2. India

    24,020 ± 3,797 people

  3. China

    15,072 ± 3,010 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Wisconsin was Mexico, the natal country of 82,867 Wisconsin residents, followed by India with 24,020 and China with 15,072.

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Citizenship

94.9%

2018 Citizenship

94.9%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 94.9% of Dane County, WI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Dane County, WI was 94.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Dane County, WI compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    429k ± 618

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    34.8k ± 3.32k

  3. Asian Alone

    31.6k ± 1.95k

In 2018, there were 12.3 times more White Alone residents (429k people) in Dane County, WI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 34.8k Hispanic or Latino and 31.6k Asian Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Dane County, WI as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    7,433 ± 983

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    4,243 ± 1,088

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    2,835 ± 807

Dane County, WI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.75 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2017, universities in Dane County, WI awarded 18,847 degrees. The student population of Dane County, WI is skewed towards women, with 34,443 male students and 40,184 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Dane County, WI are White (13,793 and 80.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (887 and 5.19%), Asian (843 and 4.93%), and Black or African American (582 and 3.4%).

The largest universities in Dane County, WI by number of degrees awarded are University of Wisconsin-Madison (12,367 and 65.6%), Madison Area Technical College (3,196 and 17%), and University of Wisconsin Colleges (1,504 and 7.98%).

The most popular majors in Dane County, WI are Other Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, & Humanities (1,482 and 7.86%), Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (787 and 4.18%), and Registered Nursing (567 and 3.01%).

The median tuition costs in Dane County, WI are $20,750 for private four year colleges, and $4,750 and $12,321 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Biological Sciences

    523 degrees awarded

  2. General Economics

    478 degrees awarded

  3. General Psychology

    359 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Dane County, WI was General Biological Sciences with 523 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Dane County, WI according to their major.

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. University of Wisconsin-Madison

    12,367 degrees awarded

  2. Madison Area Technical College

    3,196 degrees awarded

  3. University of Wisconsin Colleges

    1,504 degrees awarded

$4,750

Median In-State Public

$20,750

Median Private

In 2017, the Dane County, WI institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Wisconsin-Madison with 12,367 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

8,267

Degrees Awarded to Men

10,580

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 8,267 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Dane County, WI, which is 0.781 times less than the 10,580 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Dane County, WI by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    13,793 degrees awarded

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    887 degrees awarded

  3. Asian

    843 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Dane County, WI were to White students. These 13,793 degrees mean that there were 15.6 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 887 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Dane County, WI was $275,200 in 2018, which is 1.2 times larger than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $263,300 to $275,200, a 4.52% increase. The homeownership rate in Dane County, WI is 57.9%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Dane County, WI have an average commute time of 19.9 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Dane County, WI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$275,200

2018 Median

± $5,429

$263,300

2017 Median

± $5,891

In 2018, the median property value in Dane County, WI grew to to $275,200 from the previous year's value of $263,300.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Dane County, WI compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Dane County, WI the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

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Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$71,582

Median Household Income

± $1,545

226k

Number of Households

± 7,248

In 2018, the median household income of the 226k households in Dane County, WI declined from $71,582 from the previous year's value of $72,268.

The following chart displays the households in Dane County, WI distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Dane County, WI distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Dane County, WI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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Rent vs Own

57.9%

2018 Homeownership

58.6%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 57.9% of the housing units in Dane County, WI were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 58.6%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Dane County, WI compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Commute Time

19.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Dane County, WI have a shorter commute time (19.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 0.942% of the workforce in Dane County, WI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Dane County, WI compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    74.9%

  2. Carpooled

    6.22%

  3. Walked

    6.05%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Dane County, WI was Drove Alone (74.9%), followed by those who Carpooled (6.22%) and those who Walked (6.05%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Dane County, WI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Dane County, WI have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

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