Dodge County, Wisconsin: commercial real estate data.
Dodge County, Wisconsin had an estimated 88,635 residents on July 1, 2024, down 0.8 percent since the 2020 census base of 89,386, across 876 square miles. County output reached $5.05 bn in 2024, 1,693 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 49 7(a) approvals worth $30.8 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Dodge County
How many people live in Dodge County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202488,742
- Households35,910
- Average household size2.47
- Median household income$75,929
- Median age43.0
- Median gross rent$988 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$231,900
- Home value to household income3.1 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income15.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher20.3 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree5.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over64,592
- Population under 1817,235
- Share under 1819.4 percent
- Population 65 and over16,859
- Share 65 and over19.0 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6454,648
- Civilian labor force47,071
- Unemployment rate3.8 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over65.8 percent
- Rank by population among Wisconsin counties19th of 72
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included676th of 3,222
Dodge County is the 19th largest of 72 Wisconsin counties by population. A median home costs 3.1 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 19.4 percent against 19.0 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Dodge County
Is Dodge County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202488,635
- Census 2020 base population89,386
- Population change since the 2020 census base-0.84 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024134
- Births, 2024730
- Deaths, 20241,048
- Natural change, 2024-318
- Net domestic migration, 2024232
- Net international migration, 2024218
- Total net migration, 2024450
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024125
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents2141st of 3,144
The county has lost 0.84 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Dodge County
Where are people moving to Dodge County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving2,478
- People arriving, from those returns4,153
- Tax returns filed by households leaving2,357
- Net household movement121
- Adjusted gross income arriving$147.2 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$11.4 m
- Average income of an arriving household$59,387
- Average income of a leaving household$57,586
- Largest single originJefferson County (313 households)
- Largest single destinationFond du Lac County (340 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 313 | 590 | $18.6 m |
| Washington County | 277 | 479 | $22.3 m |
| Fond du Lac County | 257 | 417 | $12.2 m |
| Dane County | 240 | 399 | $14.6 m |
| Waukesha County | 225 | 367 | $13.8 m |
| Milwaukee County | 151 | 250 | $8.1 m |
| Columbia County | 149 | 267 | $7.9 m |
| Winnebago County | 46 | 66 | $1.8 m |
Households arriving report $1,801 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Jefferson County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Dodge County
What is the Dodge County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$5.05 bn
- County GDP, 2023$4.86 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20243.9 percent
- GDP change over five years31.7 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Wisconsin areas BEA publishes23rd of 72
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes714th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$56,881
Output grew 3.9 percent in the latest year and 31.7 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Dodge County
Employment by industry in Dodge County
- Covered employment, annual average36,662
- Establishments reporting2,002
- Average annual pay$59,552
- Average weekly wage$1,145
- Manufacturing, employment11,118
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$66,847
- Health care and social assistance, employment3,819
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$53,637
- Retail trade, employment3,287
- Retail trade, average annual pay$29,348
- Construction, employment2,944
- Construction, average annual pay$92,060
- Accommodation and food services, employment2,019
- Transportation and warehousing, employment1,701
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 11,118 | 142 | $66,847 |
| Health care and social assistance | 3,819 | 318 | $53,637 |
| Retail trade | 3,287 | 192 | $29,348 |
| Construction | 2,944 | 231 | $92,060 |
| Accommodation and food services | 2,019 | 166 | $18,331 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 1,701 | 109 | $60,023 |
| Other services, except public administration | 1,105 | 137 | $59,806 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 911 | 16 | $133,343 |
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 11,118 jobs, 30.3 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Dodge County
How many businesses are in Dodge County?
- Establishments, all industries1,693
- Employment at those establishments33,265
- Annual payroll$2.23 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents19.1
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Dodge County
Building permits in Dodge County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024197
- Declared construction value permitted$66.5 m
- Single family units authorized185
- Multifamily units authorized12
- Multifamily share of units6.1 percent
- Average declared value per unit$337,749
- Units authorized per 1,000 households5.5
Single-family homes are 93.9 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Dodge County
SBA loans in Dodge County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded49
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$30.8 m
- Average 7(a) approval$627,869
- Median 7(a) approval$350,000
- 10th percentile approval$78,400
- 90th percentile approval$1,454,240
- Largest single approval$4,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)566
- Jobs per approval11.6
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active21
- Distinct industries receiving approvals35
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer36.7 percent
- Loans on real estate terms18
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter28
- Franchise loans6
- Franchise share of approvals12.2 percent
- Leading industry by approval countMasonry Contractors (4)
- 504 approvals recorded27
- 504 gross approval dollars$26.3 m
- Average 504 approval$973,333
- Median 504 approval$632,000
- Distinct CDCs active2
- 504 jobs per approval6.8
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved7.0
- Most active CDCWBD, Inc. (26)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$57.0 m
The average approval of $627,869 sits well above the median of $350,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. 36.7 percent of approvals run on real estate terms of 240 months or more, so this is a market where SBA credit is buying buildings, not just funding operations.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Dodge County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Dodge County
Do SBA loans in Dodge County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded10
- Paid in full10
- Charged off0
- Status: Paid in full10
- Status: Exempt from disclosure29
- Status: Cancelled7
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed3
Only 10 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Dodge County
SBA lending by place in Dodge County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending18
- Beaver Dam, approvals9
- Rubicon, approvals6
- Iron Ridge, approvals5
- Lomira, approvals4
- Watertown, approvals4
- Mayville, approvals3
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Dam | 9 | $6,693,700 |
| Rubicon | 6 | $2,687,000 |
| Iron Ridge | 5 | $4,240,000 |
| Lomira | 4 | $3,456,000 |
| Watertown | 4 | $2,525,000 |
| Mayville | 3 | $940,200 |
| Juneau | 3 | $726,700 |
| Fox Lake | 2 | $1,883,200 |
| 10 other borrower cities | 13 | $7,613,800 |
Beaver Dam accounts for 9 approvals against 6 in Rubicon. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Dodge County
How large is Dodge County?
- Land area876 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Wisconsin counties22nd of 72
- Width, east to west30.6 mi
- Height, north to south30.3 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary7
- Residents per square mile of land101
- Establishments per square mile1.93
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Dodge County
Flood risk in Dodge County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Dodge County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 550094
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book17
- Of those, participating in the NFIP16
- NFIP participation rate94.1 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 7
- Communities carrying a CRS class2
- Radon levels in Dodge County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Dodge County (community 550094), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Dodge County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 7, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 94.1 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Dodge County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Dodge County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202488,742
- Households35,910
- Average household size2.47
- Median household income$75,929
- Median age43.0
Common questions
Dodge County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Dodge County, Wisconsin?
The Census Bureau estimates 88,635 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 88,742, in 35,910 households, ranking 19th of 72 Wisconsin counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Dodge County's population growing?
The population has fallen 0.84 percent since the 2020 census base of 89,386, to 88,635 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 730 births against 1,048 deaths, with net migration of 450. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Dodge County?
$75,929. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $231,900, which is 3.1 times income, and median gross rent is $988 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Dodge County?
1,693 establishments, employing 33,265 people with an annual payroll of $2.23 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Dodge County?
Manufacturing is the largest private sector at 11,118 jobs, 30.3 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 36,662 jobs at an average annual pay of $59,552, or $1,145 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Dodge County?
49 7(a) approvals totaling $30.8 m since FY2020, across 21 lenders, with a median approval of $350,000, plus 27 504 approvals worth $26.3 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Dodge County?
197 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $66.5 m. Multifamily was 6.1 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Dodge County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Dodge County come from?
The largest single origin is Jefferson County, with 313 households. Arriving households report an average income of $59,387 against $57,586 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Dodge County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Dodge County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Dodge County
Cities and places in Dodge.
23 Census places lie wholly or partly in Dodge County. All 23 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | city | 22,774 | 4 | 34.2 percent here, 65.8 percent Jefferson County |
| Beaver Dam | city | 16,565 | 9 | Wholly in this county |
| Hartford | city | 15,821 | None recorded | 6.2 percent here, 93.8 percent Washington County |
| Waupun | city | 11,174 | 1 | 52.4 percent here, 47.6 percent Fond du Lac County |
| Mayville | city | 5,228 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Horicon | city | 3,814 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Lomira | village | 2,675 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Juneau | city | 2,625 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Fox Lake | city | 1,780 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Randolph | village | 1,642 | 1 | 75.9 percent here, 24.1 percent Columbia County |
| Theresa | village | 1,378 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Kekoskee | village | 1,067 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Hustisford | village | 1,008 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Ashippun | CDP | 919 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Iron Ridge | village | 909 | 5 | Wholly in this county |
| Reeseville | village | 895 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Brownsville | village | 595 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Neosho | village | 536 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Clyman | village | 354 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Lowell | village | 312 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Burnett | CDP | 270 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Rubicon | CDP | 127 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Lebanon | CDP | 85 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 2 of the county's 49 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Dodge County, the largest being Waterloo (1), Oconomowoc (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.