Dakota is a town, as well as an unincorporated community in Waushara County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,143 at the 2020 census. The town took its name from the community of the same name, which was platted for the community's first postmaster, Chapin M. Seeley, in 1853. It was likely named for the Dakota Territory, which was in the news at the time. The unincorporated community of Bannerman is also located in the town. Bannerman was originally named Bannerman Junction in 1901 as a stop on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. It was named for William and John Bannerman, two Scottish men who owned the area's granite company.

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Town numbers

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Living in Dakota

Work & commute in Dakota

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Most working residents leave Dakota for work: only 1% work in town. The top destinations are Wautoma (21%), Wautoma (6%) and Oshkosh (5%). Half commute less than 34 miles.

Wautoma

21%

Wautoma

Oshkosh

Appleton

1%Work in townlive and work in Dakota 34 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 161Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Dakota →

Health in Dakota

Health Grade C

Healthier than 32% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Wisconsin

2better than WI·12worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 18 are too close to call.

Conditions 8▼ 4 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 2▲ 5 close Mind 2▼ 3 close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

82%More adults treating high blood pressureWI 77.8% · better 87.4%More adults getting cholesterol checkedWI 85.9% · better 8.8%More adults with COPDWI 6.5% · worse

Care nearby

Thedacare Medical Center - Wild RoseWild Rose · 11 mi · ER · rural critical access

Noble Community Clinics - WautomaWautoma · 3.1 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP code 54982 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Dakota →

Natural hazards in Dakota

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 41% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🧊 Hail

4Does Dakota flood?paid flood claims since 2004 1Disasters that paid out herefederal disaster sent FEMA money to Dakota MapDakota vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Dakota →

Climate in Dakota

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Dakota has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 9°, and about 46 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

29° / 12°Winter

56° / 34°Spring

80° / 57°Summer

58° / 38°Fall