The population was 16,708 at the 2020 census, making it the largest city primarily located in Dodge County.

[5] It is the principal city of the Beaver Dam Micropolitan Statistical area which is included in the larger Milwaukee–Waukesha–Racine CSA.

Beaver Dam was first settled by Thomas Mackie and Joseph Goetschius in 1841; by 1843, it had a population of almost 100.

[8] That same year the Milwaukee Railroad reached the area, encouraging further growth.

The camp held 300 German prisoners in a tent city encampment where the Wayland Academy field house now stands.

[11] Beaver Dam has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb).

Since 1996, the average annual snowfall in Beaver Dam has been 63.5 inches (161 cm).

33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

31.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The Beaver Dam Unified School District provides public education in the area.

The Beaver Dam campus of Moraine Park Technical College is located in the city.

[23] The following events are held each year in Beaver Dam:[25] January: March: April: May: June: July: August: October November: December: Beaver Dam is represented by Glenn Grothman (R) in the United States House of Representatives, and by Ron Johnson (R) and Tammy Baldwin (D) in the United States Senate.