Dane County, Wisconsin

Dane County
Wisconsin State Capitol building in Dane County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°04′N 89°25′W / 43.07°N 89.42°W / 43.07; -89.42
Country United States
State Wisconsin
Founded1836
Named afterNathan Dane
SeatMadison
Largest cityMadison
Government
  ExecutiveMelissa Agard
Area
  Total
1,238 sq mi (3,210 km2)
  Land1,197 sq mi (3,100 km2)
  Water41 sq mi (110 km2)  3.3%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
561,504
  Estimate 
(2024)
588,347
  Density450/sq mi (180/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitedanecounty.gov

Dane County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 561,504, making it the second-most populous county in Wisconsin after Milwaukee County. Dane County is the fastest growing county in Wisconsin. It contains nearly 10% of the population of Wisconsin, and it only contained 5% of Wisconsin's population in 1950.

The county seat is Madison, which is also the state capital. Dane County is the central county of the Madison metropolitan area, as well as the Madison–JanesvilleBeloit combined statistical area.