Dane County, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
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 according to Census 2000.
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.
, the county has a total area of 1238 square miles (3,206.4 km²), of which 1202 square miles (3,113.2 km²) is land and 36 square miles (93.2 km²) (2.94%) is water.
Dane County Villages
Dane County Towns
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 4.00% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.33% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.45% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.43% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.79% from two or more races. 3.37% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 34.4% were of German, 11.5% Norwegian, 8.9% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 6.0% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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 legislature. The county legislature known as the Board of Supervisors consists of 37 members each elected from single member districts. The county executive is elected in a countywide vote.County executives of Dane County, Wisconsin
The list of county executives of Dane County, Wisconsin. The list may not be complete.- Jonathan B. BarryJonathan B. BarryJonathan B. Barry is an American Democratic politician, businessman, and farmer from Wisconsin.Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Barry graduated from Shorewood High School. In 1967, he graduated from University of Wisconsin–Madison. He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly 1977-1981 and was on...
- Richard J. PhelpsRichard J. PhelpsRichard J. Phelps is an American politician from Wisconsin.Phelps received his bachelors and law degrees from University of Wisconsin–Madison. Phelps served as Dane County, Wisconsin County Executive for nine years. He is a senior vice president of M&I Bank. His wife was Hannah Rosenthal, an...
- Kathleen FalkKathleen FalkKathleen Falk is an American politician who was the County Executive of Dane County, Wisconsin, serving from 1997 until 2011. In 2006, she was the Democratic Party nominee for the office of Attorney General of Wisconsin. She was an Assistant Attorney General and Public Intervenor in the Wisconsin...
- Joe ParisiJoe ParisiJoseph T. 'Joe' Parisi is a Madison, Wisconsin Democratic Party politician who had served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2005 until 2011, but in April 2011 was elected as Dane County county executive; he took office on April 18. 2011....
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 1238 square miles (3,206.4 km²), of which 1202 square miles (3,113.2 km²) is land and 36 square miles (93.2 km²) (2.94%) is water.
Major highways
Adjacent counties
Cities, villages and towns
Dane County CitiesDane County Villages
Dane County Towns
Township (United States)
A township in the United States is a small geographic area. Townships range in size from 6 to 54 square miles , with being the norm.The term is used in three ways....
Unincorporated communities
Further reading
- Durrie, Daniel S. A History of Madison, the Capital of Wisconsin; including the Four lake country. Madison: Atwood & Culver, 1874.
- Madison, Dane County and Surrounding Towns. Madison: W. J. Park, 1877.
- Biographical Review of Dane County, Wisconsin. Chicago: Biographical Review Publishing Company, 1893.