Dane County, WI Real Estate

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Dane County Wisconsin

Dane County is home to Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, and is the second most populous county in the state. Although Dane County is home to the exciting city of Madison, it is also a haven for individuals, families and businesses looking for a peaceful place to call home. Within minutes of the big city, you’ll find rolling farm fields, woods and lakes.

Real Estate in Dane County

Because Dane County is so highly populated, most of which is concentrated in downtown Madison, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are many apartments for rent and luxury condominiums for sale. Outside of the big city, there are a wide variety of houses for sale in Dane County. From new construction in modern styles to old farmhouses upgraded with current amenities, properties for sale in Dane County are as varied as the county itself.

Living in Dane County

Not surprisingly, much of the excitement in Dane County is centered in the city of Madison. For a classic day in the city, get tickets to a University of Wisconsin — Madison football game! Be sure to stop in at Ale Asylum for a brewery tour before the game! There, you’ll see the only bottling facility in Madison and be able to taste their unfiltered, all natural beers! Once you finish up the tour, cheer on the Wisconsin Badgers all day long, beginning with a traditional Dane County tailgate. Don’t leave when the game is over! Stick around for the UW Badger Band in what is known as their famous Fifth Quarter. Badger faithfuls will stay a full 50 minutes after the game has concluded to watch the Badger Marching Band perform. Even if you aren’t a football aficionado, the Badger Band makes Wisconsin football games a blast with their songs, choreographed dances and crowd involvement. After the game, stop at State Street Brats, serving Milwaukee’s Klement’s Sausage to Badger fans accompanied by an absolute salad bar full of toppings. Here’s a hint — don’t choose ketchup to top your brat! Wisconsin’s strong German roots prefer kraut or a wide array of mustards to top this juicy meal.

Hoping for a quieter way to spend the day in Dane County? Try one of the area’s orchards and farmers’ markets. The Dane County Farmers’ Market is open year-round on Saturdays. Warmer months bring an additional day of local produce on Wednesdays. The Dane County Farmers’ Market features everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to meats and cheeses, from baked goods to pickled vegetables and jams!

Once your refrigerator is full of fresh Dane County produce, head over to Madison’s State Street for plenty of other places to shop! State Street was recently named one of the Top 8 shopping districts in America by MSN and is replete with unique boutiques. In addition to the charming stores on State Street, check out West Towne Mall, which is full of your favorite stores.

Dane County also has a wealth of year-round outdoor activities maintained by its incredible Parks Division. Be sure to stroll through Lake Farm Park, a 328-acre park with a playground, hiking trails and a Native American Archaeological Trail. Lake Farm Park also features a barrier-free boat launch with its own fish cleaning facility. If you’re lucky, you just may catch and clean your own dinner in Dane County! Dane County’s dedication to accessibility is evident through their many fully accessible facilities. The wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through Token Creek County Park’s wetland marshes is gorgeous in the summer and is absolutely bursting with wildlife! Dane County truly goes above and beyond the requirements to make sure that everyone can enjoy the beauty of the county, regardless of physical abilities. Another exciting Dane County landmark is the Cave of the Mounds in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. Paved, lighted walkways guide visitors on tours through the cave, which is full of beautiful crystal formations. After your adventure in the cave, search for gemstones and fossils at the mining sluice and fossil dig areas!

Be sure to check out the Henry Vilas Zoo, a free zoo that is open to the public. Located right by the University of Wisconsin Arboretum and surrounded by a park, the Henry Vilas Zoo is the perfect place to not only see your favorite animals, but also to play and explore the natural spaces in Dane County. There are two playgrounds, a baseball diamond, a beach and a wintertime lagoon that the zoo maintains for ice-skating!

Schools in Dane County

Dane County students benefit from 16 different school districts, including top-rated Waunakee Community Schools and Middleton-Cross Plains Area Schools. In addition to Waukanee Community School District’s academic achievement, these students also excel athletically and artistically. WCSD has its own aquatic center, which provides not only a space for athletes to practice for school sponsored teams, but also teaches swim lessons to beginner swimmers and is open for public lap swim at designated times. Dane County also has plenty of options for higher education including Madison Area Technical College, Edgewood College and University of Wisconsin — Madison.

Business in Dane County

Because of Dane County’s incredibly rich soil, much of the economy was initially based around agricultural endeavors. More recently, Dane County’s economy shifted towards a more varied portfolio. Today Dane County has just under 80 commercial centers and business parks, 48 of which are located outside the city of Madison. Madison was recognized in Entrepreneur magazine as the eighth best “start-up friendly city,” highlighting its devotion to keeping small business alive in Wisconsin alongside the many employers who call Dane County home.

History of Dane County

In 1836, Dane County was formed as a territorial county. Named after the man who helped form Wisconsin out of the Northwest Territory, Nathan Dane, the county steadily grew in population throughout the years. For an interactive exploration of Dane County’s history, check out the Dane County Historical Society Historical Markers throughout the county and see where some of the most important moments in the county’s history happened! Some of these historical markers include Haney’s Tavern in Cross Plains, one of the oldest surviving buildings in the county, a remembrance of Ella Wheeler Wilcox, Wisconsin’s most famous poet, in Waunakee and a dedication to Nathan Dane, Dane County’s namesake, in Madison.

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