DANE COUNTY
County Offices
210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Madison 608-266-4941
www.countyofdane.com
Chamber of Commerce
615 E Washington Ave
Madison 608-256-8348
www.greatermadisonchamber.com
Dane County is home to a population of more than 480,000 residents. The county seat is Madison, which is also the capital of the state. The county is made is made up of more than 60 cities, towns, and villages. Dane County is the second most populous county in Wisconsin behind Milwaukee County
Lifestyle
We have been identified as one of the ten best places to live in the United States for three consecutive years in a row by Money Magazine (2007-09). In addition, CNNMoney.com ranked us among the top 20 places to launch a business in the United States (2009).
While our urban centers provide diverse cultural opportunities, fine dining and shopping, we are also surrounded by many smaller communities that also enjoy breathtaking scenery and natural resources, as well as recreational resources that include hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, lakes and rivers. Ranked among the top most productive soils in the world, we are particularly proud of our agricultural heritage.
The gently rolling landscape of inland lakes, rivers, streams, and woodlands carved by ancient glaciers creates a scenic backdrop for Dane County’s family-oriented communities. Recreational activities abound in this varied terrain with vast acres preserved for outdoor enjoyment. The Ice Age Trail is especially popular for enjoying wild flowers and observing wildlife. Activities include picnicking, camping, hiking, backpacking, biking, boating, water sports, snowmobiling, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting in season. Other highlights include self-guided nature trails, family camping, year-round fishing, overnight horse camping, and wildlife observation. Dane County has an abundance of lakes, streams and rivers that offer a variety of water based adventures. Or for dry land recreation, CamRock County Park, located in the far southeastern corner of the County, offers excellent mountain biking trails for riders of all skill levels. Badger Prairie County Park, located just east of the City of Verona, also offers mountain bike trails that are geared more towards beginning riders. Nature walks and hiking are consistently some of the most popular outdoor recreation uses of county park lands. Dane County offers an array of hiking trail opportunities, varying in degrees of distance and difficulty. Many of these same trails also provide groomed and non-groomed cross country skiing opportunities during the winter months. CamRock, Donald, and Indian Lake County Parks offer some of the best hiking and skiing opportunities with rugged terrain and scenic views.
The good life in Dane County blends easy access to metropolitan amenities with homespun delights and local attractions. The urban lifestyle of Jackson, the friendly people, and a slower living pace combine with low property taxes and high property values for a superb quality of life. Historic sites, museums, restaurants, and libraries add to the pleasure of living in this area.
Services
With over 488,000 residents, Dane County has the fastest growing population of any county in Wisconsin. Madison, is home to the State Capitol, a new national performing arts center, as well as the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a primary economic driver for the region – UW Madison continues to be among the top recipients of federal research funding, and is the center of world class high-tech and bio-tech research and facilities.
Our vital and dynamic workforce is the result of an outstanding education system, a diverse economy, and successful partnerships between the private sector and public sectors, our technical colleges and higher education that are dedicated to ongoing training, retaining and promoting a workforce for the future. Our commuter shed spans the eight surrounding counties and includes an available labor pool to meet immediate and future staffing needs.
Internationally recognized medical and research institutions are easily accessible, and residents can choose from dozens of hospitals and clinics throughout the region, including; UW Health which represents the academic health care entities of the University of Wisconsin-Madison: UW Medical Foundation, UW Hospital and Clinics, UW School of Medicine and Public Health, American Family Children’s Hospital and UW Carbone Cancer Center. These facilities are at the forefront of research, developing new treatments and training the next generation of physicians. Then there is St. Mary’s Hospital a 440 bed hospital that offers a full range of inpatient and outpatient treatment and diagnostic services in primary care and nearly all specialties. Stoughton Hospital is an acute care hospital and is an independent community hospital owned and operated by the Stoughton Hospital Association while also being an affiliate of SSM Healthcare of Wisconsin. Stoughton Hospital delivers comprehensive healthcare to the people of Stoughton, Evansville, Oregon, McFarland, Brooklyn, Cambridge, Deerfield, Cottage Grove and surrounding areas.
Dane County affords outstanding educational opportunities at all levels, with more than 26 districts in the county. Public and private schools offer strong college preparatory, vocational and technical programs. Dane County Schools offer a variety of enrichment programs which take students beyond the normal curriculum. Academic enrichment in music, drama and art broaden the cultural awareness of local students and community. Accredited private schools that offer classes in kindergarten through grade twelve are also available. Higher education is well represented with a host of opportunities available. With the highest number of PhDs per capita, Madison ranks nationally for top places in overall education. Dane County is home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as Edgewood College, Madison Area Technical College, Herzing College, and Madison Media Institute. There are also satellite campuses of Lakeland College, Upper Iowa University the University of Phoenix, Concordia University-Wisconsin, and Cardinal Stritch University. Plus numerous other specialty colleges and trade schools.
DeForest
City Hall
306 Deforest St
Deforest 608-846-6751
www.vi.deforest.wi.us
Chamber of Commerce
201 Deforest St
DeForest 608-846-2922
www.deforestarea.com
The Village of DeForest is a thriving community located just ten minutes north of Madison. DeForest is home to a little more than 8,500 residents, who live in a quiet rural area that offers a high quality of life. Farming is one of the area’s largest industries, with farmers cultivating some of the best farmland in the state. Residents have access to all of the services that they could need. DeForest is an area with the peace and quiet of rural Wisconsin and the convenient proximity to some of Wisconsin’s best attractions, including the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison or the nearby Wisconsin Dells. Newcomers to the area will find scenic biking and walking trails, a full schedule of events at the performing arts center, festivals, two annual runs, a variety of restaurants, 26 beautiful parks and retail stores. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy nearby water sports on Madison’s lakes, Lake Wisconsin, and the lakes available at nearby State Parks; including the Mackenzie Environmental Center, Culver Natural Springs Conservancy/Token Creek Watershed, Governor Nelson State Park, and Devil’s Lake State Park. In the winter this area becomes a paradise of snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and more. Housing in the area ranges from the restored old farm house to the modern single family home. New residents will find a home for every taste and a quality of life unmatched in larger communities, all close to the urban amenities of Madison.
Fitchburg
City Hall
5520 Lacy Rd
Fitchburg 608-270-4200
http://www.fitchburgwi.gov
Chamber of Commerce
5540 Research Park Drive
Fitchburg 608-288-8284
www.fitchburgchamber.com
The City of Fitchburg, Wisconsin combines the best of city and rural life with a population of more than 25,000 residents and over 700 businesses. Nestled within 22,187 acres, approximately 35 square miles, of rolling hills, parks, and family farms, offering scenic views of Madison. The City is located ten minutes from Madison, the University of Wisconsin – Madison, the east or west sides of Madison and Interstate’s 90/94. The City of Fitchburg has more than 500 acres of parks and open spaces. The city plays host to several community events each year including the Fitchburg Days Festival, Concerts at McKee, and the Farmer’s Market. The city has the vitality of a young community, filled with vibrant neighborhoods, creative businesses and rich green spaces. The City of Fitchburg offers an unparalleled standard of living and a progressive, thriving community. As the “next door neighbor” to Wisconsin’s state capital and cultural center, Fitchburg residents have access to all that Madison has to offer, while providing safe, friendly neighborhoods and plenty of “green” space. Quality, affordable housing with diverse options is available to residents. The community is also home to excellent school districts and cultural and educational opportunities. Fitchburg also has year-round outdoor activities on five area lakes, regional bike trails and parks. Fitchburg is a great place to call home, with exceptional education, reasonably priced housing and plenty of community events throughout the year.
Madison
City Offices
210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Madison 608-266-4941
www.cityofmadison.com
Chamber of Commerce
615 E Washington Ave
Madison 608-256-8348
www.greatermadisonchamber.com
Madison is the largest city in Dane County, the county with the fastest growing population of any in Wisconsin, with a population of more than 233,000, making it the second largest city in Wisconsin, after Milwaukee. The city forms the core of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Dane County and neighboring Iowa and Columbia counties. Madison’s suburbs include DeForest, Shorewood Hills, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Maple Bluff, McFarland, Stoughton, Middleton, Monona, Oregon, Waunakee and Verona. The Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of more than 560,000.
Madison is home to the State Capitol, a national performing arts center, as well as the University of Wisconsin. This area is home to many outstanding attractions for visitors and residents alike. The city offers exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities, cultural arts, a wide range of dining options and retail opportunities which compare well to much larger cities. Housing is plentiful in Madison, from downtown apartments or lofts to suburban homes with large lots. The Madison area combines the sophistication of much larger cities with the natural beauty and ambiance of some of the nation’s most beautiful communities.
The Madison Metropolitan School District, the second largest district in Wisconsin, is one of the nations finest. Madison is one of the few districts in the country to have schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels rated as National Schools of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. The University of Wisconsin-Madison ranks first in the number of graduates who are CEOs of S&P 500 Index Companies, and was named seventh best public university in the country by US News and World Reports. Madison Area Technical College provides high quality instruction and technical experience to its students for more than 100 career areas.
As a city uniquely built on an isthmus, Madison is surrounded by 15,429 acres of lakes and has over 6,000 acres of parkland. The city’s Parks Division maintains over 260 parks, one public swimming pool, ten beaches, four golf courses, the Warner Park Community-Recreation Center, four off-leash dog exercise areas, an awarding-winning botanical garden & conservatory and 14 conservation parks. In the winter the city maintains the outdoor ice rinks and the cross-country ski trails. Residents can enjoy performances by the Madison Repertory Theater, Madison Opera and Madison Symphony, touring productions at Overture Center for the Arts, and a full schedule of performances at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s many venues.
Residents who explore the areas outside of Madison encounter charming ethnic enclaves, fascinating artistic communities and some of the state’s most interesting tourist attractions. To the west, the Spring Green area features Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin estate and the American Players Theatre. To the southwest they encounter the “mustard capital of the world” along the “trollway” of Mount Horeb, and the restored Cornish miner settlement in Mineral Point. Due east is the village of Cambridge, known as the “pottery center of the Midwest,” and Fort Atkinson, home of the famous Fireside Dinner Theatre. Madison offers big city amenities and small town charm, with rich culture, excellent shopping and endless recreational opportunities amid stunning natural beauty.
McFarland
City Hall
5915 Milwaukee St
McFarland 608-838-3153
www.mcfarland.wi.us
Chamber of Commerce
4869 Larson Beach Rd
McFarland 608-838-4011
www.mcfarlandchamber.com
McFarland is a growing community with a population of 7,700 is located southeast of Madison on Lake Waubesa. It is a suburb of Madison that maintains a friendly, small-town atmosphere while benefiting from its close proximity to the city. McFarland boasts rich recreational opportunities for fishing, boating, picnicking, canoeing, hiking, swimming and biking. The city is home to an excellent school district serving grades k-12. The city of Madison, just minutes away, offers a variety of educational and cultural opportunities, including many theatrical events, Concerts on the Square, Art Fair on the Square, the State Capitol and a myriad of offerings at the UW-Madison Campus. McFarland lies one minute south of Madison’s Beltline Highway, four minutes from Interstate 90, and just a few minutes from the University of Wisconsin, and the Dane County Regional Airport. Several major attractions are all located within an hour’s drive to the north, including the Wisconsin Dells. There’s something for everyone in the McFarland area. Big city action and small town charm.
Middleton
City Hall
7426 Hubbard Ave
Middleton 608-821-8350
www.ci.middleton.wi.us
Chamber of Commerce
7507 Hubbard Ave
Middleton 608-827-5797
www.middletonchamber.com
The City of Middleton was named the “Best Place to Live” in America in the August 2007 issue of Money Magazine. With an outstanding quality of life, the “Good Neighbor City” is a dynamic hub of commercial activity, recreation, entertainment, dining/night life and natural beauty on the western edge of Madison.. Unlike most other cities of its size, Middleton features the amenities and activity of much larger cities while maintaining its own unique small town charm with friendly and spirited people. Madison magazine recently rated it “Number One” among Dane County’s 21 suburbs. Middleton is also close to the rolling hills and farmlands of rural Wisconsin. The city’s business climate has experienced rapid expansion in employers and employment in recent years. Employment is fairly well balanced between manufacturing, trade, service and government sectors. However, Middleton retains a small-town atmosphere.
The Middleton-Cross Plains School District serves nearly 5,000 students. The students exceed state and national averages in ACT, SAT and state tests. Students are in the top one percent of the state in tenth-grade assessment scores. There is a wide-ranging curriculum options, state-of-the-art technology, plenty of “after-school” programs and sports. The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Edgewood College and Madison Area Technical College are all nearby.
Middleton offers not only a wonderful place to live and work, but also a place to relax and enjoy the abundant natural beauty of the area. Golfing, fishing, boating, picnicking, hiking, biking and swimming are all easily enjoyed in Middleton. There are three public golf courses. An Active Senior Center provides numerous opportunities and daily activities for older adults to enjoy. The Middleton Youth Center, developed by the YMCA, is a popular spot for the young people of Middleton.
Monona
City Hall
5211 Schluter Rd
Monona 608-222-2525
www.mymonona.com
Chamber of Commerce
6320 Monona Dr.
Monona 608-222-8565
https://mononaeastside.com/
Monona is a city that is completely surrounded by Madison and is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area. Even though it is surrounded by Madison, Monona is its own city. It is home to more than 8,600 residents. Monona offers businesses and residents the advantages of small-town living with the amenities of a larger urban area. A variety of educational cultural and recreational resources are available. It is located on the eastern and southern shores of Lake Monona with over four miles of Lake Monona shoreline. There is public access to Lake Monona and the Yahara River, making Monona an ideal location for people who enjoy boating, fishing and other water sports. Besides it lakefront access, the city is home to several parks. The largest park in Monona comprises more than 40 acres. It includes a public swimming pool, community center, public library, tennis courts, large playgrounds, and other city facilities. Just off the lake at the edge of the city is Olbrich Botanical Gardens, a complex that includes a 10,000-square-foot domed conservatory. The city offers many beautiful trails for bicyclists and borders a nine-hole golf course in Madison. Monona provides recreation programs for children and adults, as well as a variety of activities for seniors.
Residents take great pride in their city and this can be seen in the annual events that take place in the community. A large Memorial Day parade is held annually in Monona. The Monona Community Festival is an old-fashioned, 4th-of-July celebration that includes a parade, softball tournament, arts and crafts, fishing contest, musical entertainment and the “Tastes of Monona.” The Annual Chili Cook-Off event provides an opportunity for people to show off their chili recipes.
Small town feel, excellent city services and the convenience of its location make Monona a great place to call home.
Oregon
City Hall
117 Spring St
Oregon 608-835-3118
www.vil.oregon.wi.us
Chamber of Commerce
733 N. Main St.
Oregon 608-835-3697
www.oregonwi.com
Oregon, only 10 minutes south of Madison, has emerged as one of the fastest growing and most popular communities in Dane County. Oregon is part of the economically prosperous Madison region that recently ranked 3rd in the nation for economic strength out of 313 metro areas. Oregon is home to more than 7,700 residents. This mostly rural area offers locals a chance to relax and enjoy a quieter pace of life. This more relaxed pace of life does not mean that residents don’t enjoy high quality services or everything that they need close to home. Oregon offers nationally recognized schools which serve 3200 students. There are 3 elementary schools, a middle school and high school. Located only 10 minutes from Oregon is the University of Wisconsin, one of the nation’s leading universities. Also offered are Madison Area Technical College, Edgewood College, Upper Iowa University and Concordia University. Many offer evening and weekend programs. Oregon has nine community parks, an 18 hole golf course, a public indoor swimming pool and a 40,000 square foot fitness club. The Oregon community has a wealth of community organizations that provide service, recreational and social opportunities for area residents. Oregon offers an affordable choice when it comes to purchasing a home or finding rental housing. All of this in a community that maintains its small town charm.
Stoughton
City Hall
381 E. Main St
Stoughton 608-873-6677
https://www.ci.stoughton.wi.us/
Chamber of Commerce
532 E. Main St
Stoughton 608-873-7912
www.stoughtonwi.com
Stoughton straddles the Yahara River about 20 miles southeast of Madison. Stoughton is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is home to more than 12,600 residents.
Stoughton is known for its Norwegian heritage: It hosts a citywide celebration of Syttende Mai, the Norwegian constitution day, on the weekend closest to May 17. Nestled against the Yahara River, Stoughton boasts a vibrant downtown business section, surrounded by several historic neighborhoods, containing a wide variety of building styles, including Victorian, Arts and Crafts and Italianate. Residents can shop the many thriving shops and businesses beyond the center of town. Residents will find beautiful parks with ball diamonds, outdoor skating rinks, two sledding hills and four soccer fields. The unique freshwater pool facility features waterslides a sand play area, family picnic area and refreshments. Recent additions include a unique disc golf park, BMX dirt bike track and a skateboard park. Nearby Lake Kegonsa offers water sports enthusiasts a close to home option. The city of Stoughton offers a quality of life second to none which includes affiliated clinics, affordable housing with full city services, a strong historic preservation movement, a traditional Main Street, outdoor recreational opportunities and a potential for complimentary highway commercial/retail establishments.
The city is well known for its high-quality educational system. Approximately 5,000 children attend the senior high, two middle schools, five elementary schools and the three parochial schools. The School District provides a full range of instruction from special education to a talented and gifted program.
Stoughton is rich with cultural traditions and a strong Norwegian heritage coupled with the small town charm that families look for in a place to settle.
Sun Prairie
City Hall
300 E. Main St
Sun Prairie 608-837-2511
www.cityofsunprairie.com
Chamber of Commerce
109 E Mains St
Sun Prairie 608-837-4547
www.sunprairiechamber.com
Sun Prairie is a suburb of Madison it is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area. The 2010 US Census estimates the city’s population to be 29,364. It is the sixth-fastest growing city in Wisconsin, and the fastest-growing among cities of 10,000 or more. It is the second most populous city in Dane County after Madison. Sun Prairie’s location offers the best in small city life and the advantages of the thriving metropolis. Providing quick access to Madison, U.S. Highway 151 has three interchanges to Sun Prairie. Interstate 90/94/39 is met just outside Sun Prairie. Sun Prairie’s location makes it conveniently located for easy access to many regional attractions. Dane County Regional Airport located just 10 minutes from the city. The airport is serviced by many commercial airlines and two private companies. In addition to shopping centers and specialty stores, Sun Prairie has a great historic downtown shopping area. Sun Prairie has a wide variety of medical and professional services including medical centers, physicians, dentists, chiropractors, opticians, veterinarians and many more.
Sun Prairie is well known for its high-quality educational system. Approximately 5,000 children attend the senior high, two middle schools, five elementary schools and the three parochial schools. The Sun Prairie Area School District provides a full range of instruction from special education to a talented and gifted program.
Sun Prairie is a recreation lover’s paradise with a park system consisting of 30 parks covering almost 400 acres. The parks contain more than 13 ball diamonds, 11 outdoor skating rinks, two sledding hills and four soccer fields. The Family Aquatic Center features a zero depth swimming pool, waterslides and sand play area. The Youth Baseball Complex is home to the Parks and Recreation daytime baseball and softball programs, as well as Sun Prairie’s Little League program. Further opportunities such as golf, bowling, soccer and indoor hockey are provided by private organizations. Prairie Athletic Club and the civic theater are also popular attractions.
Sun Prairie offers residents a little of everything, small city fun, nearby urban excitement, natural beauty and so much more. This is the perfect place to call home.
Verona
City Hall
111 Lincoln St
Verona 608-845-6495
www.ci.verona.wi.us
Chamber of Commerce
205 South Main St
Verona 608-845-5777
www.veronawi.com
Verona is a suburb of Madison and is home to more than 11,500 residents. Verona is among the fastest growing municipalities in the state. Located along Highways 18/151, Verona is uniquely situated to offer residents convenient interstate and major highway arteries that make commuting easy. The city is a short 5-mile drive to the cultural and entertainment benefits of Madison. Nicknamed “Hometown USA”, Verona is proud of its diversity in employment, housing, restaurants, small businesses and shops. The city focuses its human and financial resources on delivering quality of life enhancements to its residents. This is evidenced through its 15 parks totaling more than 100 acres, an active Recreation Department that offers youth and adult programs, Fireman’s Park Beach, Senior services, a post office, a food pantry and a public library that is tied to the South Central Library System. Verona is uniquely positioned to offer the benefits of a metropolitan entertainment center one day and a hometown fair the next.
Residents find plenty of recreational opportunities in Verona including hiking, biking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing trails. Badger Prairie County Park, the largest in Dane County’s park system, borders Verona on the northeastern edge, and Military Ridge State Park trail starts its 26-mile stretch. Verona is also home to The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is one of eight national scenic trails in the United States. The serpentine trail approximates the last stopping point or terminal edge of the most recent continental glaciers, which ended their last major surge 14,000-16,000 years ago. The Verona/Ice Age Junction segment of the route travels through farm fields, woods and prairies, along a stream and past glacial kettle ponds.
Verona has many things to offer. There are lots of restaurants, shopping opportunities, recreational activities and community entertainment. Concerts in the Park are held during the summer. Throughout the year, the Verona Area Community Theater presents plays, and the Verona Performing Arts Series brings in nationally-recognized talent. In December there is a Holiday Showcase of local performers. Each year Verona holds its annual festival, Hometown Days, the second weekend in June. There is a carnival, parade, fireworks, live music, food, games and more. This annual event shows the true small town charm of Verona as friends and neighbors gather together.
Verona is a place where neighbors know each other by name, newcomers are welcomed with open arms and the community works to maintain its charm.
