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Dane County

WI · Pop. 564,777 · Mixed County

24/100Homestead Score

Dane County sits in Wisconsin across 1,196 square miles, home to 564,777 people at 472.2 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, haylage. A median home price of $366,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.71% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.9°F and average winter lows of 12.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Unitypoint Health - Meriter is 0.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 1.71%
Growing Season: 174 days
Broadband: 98.5%
Density: 472.2/sq mi

Pros

  • Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Unitypoint Health - Meriter, with an emergency room, is just 0.8 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, haylage means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
  • A low unemployment rate of 2.6% reflects a stable local job base.
  • A low poverty rate of 10.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • An effective property tax rate of 1.71% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
  • A median home price of $366,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.

At a glance

Dane County, WI is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
24/100
Median home price
$366k
Property tax
1.71%
Growing season
174 days (zone 5b)
Annual rainfall
37.3"
Broadband
98.5%
Nearest hospital
Unitypoint Health - Meriter, 0.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate1.71%
Median Household Income$88,108
Poverty Rate10.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$366K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5b
Growing Season174 days
Annual Rainfall37.3 inches
Avg Summer High80.9°F
Avg Winter Low12.4°F
Top CropsCorn, Soybeans, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought4/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado10/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalUnitypoint Health - Meriter (0.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities10

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage98.5%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate2.6%
Ag EconomyStrong

Homesteading in Dane County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Dane County?
Dane County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 174-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.9°F, and average winter lows of 12.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $366,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.71%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 98.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Unitypoint Health - Meriter is 0.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 10 hospitals in the county.

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Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.