Workforce Development Area Directory

WDA 10 - South Central

Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Marquette, and Sauk Counties

Board Web Directory:

Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin, Inc.

Labor Market Economist:

Franklin Otis

email or call (608) 405-4066

Franklin Otis is a Research Analyst in the Office of Economic Advisors. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and history from the University of Oklahoma-Norman as well as a master's degree in development practice from the University of California-Berkeley.

Description

The South Central Workforce Development Area (WDA) is composed of Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Marquette, and Sauk Counties. Marquette County is the farthest north. From west to east, Sauk, Columbia and Dodge Counties form the middle row. Dane and Jefferson Counties are the southernmost counties in the WDA. Together, these six counties cover roughly 4,700 square land miles, or about 8.7% of the state's total land area. With a population of 840,175, South Central contains about 14.4% of Wisconsin's residents.

Dane County's core supersector is Education and Health Services, anchored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and SSM Health Dean Medical Group, among other large employers. Many workers commute into Dane County from surrounding areas, while very few employed Dane County residents work outside the county (5.5%, lowest in the state). Manufacturing is the dominant supersector in Columbia, Dodge, Jefferson, and Marquette Counties, with Food, Fabricated Metal Product, and Machinery Manufacturing particularly prevalent among the four counties. Sauk County is one of only five Wisconsin counties where Leisure and Hospitality has the most employment; many of the largest Wisconsin Dells area hotels and waterparks are in the county.

The South Central WDA had the fastest rate of population growth from 2010-2018 among all eleven of Wisconsin's WDAs, driven largely by Dane County. It also has the lowest unemployment rate and highest labor force participation rate. From 2016-2026, the South Central WDA is projected to add 44,786 jobs, growing 8.8%. This is higher than the state's projected job growth (6.8%) and is the 2nd highest among the WDAs (Southeast, 12.9%). It is expected that by the end of the period, South Central will surpass Milwaukee County as the WDA with the most total jobs. All supersectors are expected to add jobs, with Education and Health Services accounting for over a quarter of the job growth. Professional and Business Services has the fastest expected growth rate at 17.7% (9,894 jobs).

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State Information

Occupational & Industry Employment Downloads