Waukesha County in Wisconsin is a place that provides its residents with a high quality of life, set in beautiful surroundings. It’s a place where history marries perfectly with modern living, and people enjoy a strong sense of community. Here, we’ll take a look at why buying a home in Waukesha County might be the perfect option if you’re looking to relocate.
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Waukesha County’s Rich History
Waukesha County’s beginnings can be traced back to the 1600s but it was not until the arrival of settlers in the 1830s that the region truly began to take shape. Just two decades later, the county would experience its first surge of development, thanks to the opening of the Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad in 1851. One of the very first in the area, the railroad made transporting people and goods to and from the region much easier and would lay the foundations for transforming Waukesha into a tourism hub.
By the 1930s, industrial work would become an integral part of Waukesha’s economy, with metalworking, foundries, and machine shops popping up throughout Waukesha—effectively laying down the groundwork for the area’s future urbanization and development.
Originally populated by New England settlers, Waukesha would begin to attract immigrants from all over the world, such as Germans and Scandinavians in the early 1900s, and Puerto Ricans and Mexicans in the 1920s and 1930s.
Today, Waukesha County is home to some 408,700 residents and has evolved to become one of the most desirable places to live in Wisconsin.
Waukesha County Has An Affordable Housing Market
Located just west of Milwaukee, Waukesha County has been experiencing dynamic and robust growth in recent years, making it an attractive destination for homebuyers and investors.
Waukesha County offers a diverse set of housing options, including single-family homes, townhouses, and condominiums. These properties are made up of historic homes and modern developments, so there’s a choice that will cater to different budgets, preferences, and lifestyles.
Single-family homes make up the bulk of Waukesha County’s housing inventory, with current listings populated by properties ranging in size from just a little over 1,000 square feet to upwards of 15,000 square feet. Properties can be bought for as low as $200,000 for a single-story home or as high as $7 million for massive luxury estates.
Townhomes are also a popular option when it comes to buying a home in Waukesha County, with multiple townhomes listed all over the area. These properties tend to be found around or near urban centers, making them especially attractive to professionals working in those areas. They can also be found in more suburban locations, usually as part of gated communities. Prices for townhomes in Waukesha County start at around $250,000, with the more high-end properties selling for as much as $2 million.
Buyers looking to live in the heart of Waukesha County’s urban centers will find the area’s condos an appealing option. Condos in Waukesha County typically sell for around $400,000 although the more upscale units can easily fetch over $1 million. With many being built in the late 2010s and early 2020, condos in Waukesha County come with premium features such as large bedrooms, spacious living areas, modern kitchens and bathrooms, and large walk-in closets, as well as amenities like multi-use rooftop decks, in-house gyms, 24/7 security, parking, and easy access to restaurants, shops, and recreational areas.
For condos in places such as Oconomowoc, Lac La Belle, Summit, Okauchee, Chenequa, Nashotah, Merton, Hartland, Delafield, and Pewaukee, amenities can also include kayak and paddle boat storage, as well as direct lake access.
Given the area’s rich history, homes in Waukesha County come in an astounding variety of architectural styles. These include traditional styles like A-Frame, Cape Cod, Colonial, Ranch, Craftsman, Tudor, and Victorian architecture, as well as more modern ones such as Contemporary and Mid-Century Modern styles.
Waukesha County Has An Excellent Education System
Parents looking for quality education for their children will be delighted to know that Waukesha County has a reputation for having one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in the state.
According to Public School Review, public schools in Waukesha County have an average math proficiency score of 57% and a reading proficiency score of 53% which are considerably higher than the 37% and 39% statewide average respectively. In addition, public schools in Waukesha County have a very high overall ranking, putting them in the top 5% of Wisconsin public schools.
Some of the top-ranked public elementary schools in Waukesha County include the following:
- Mill Valley Elementary School
- Marcy Elementary School
- North Lake Elementary School
- Brookfield Elementary School
- Summit Elementary School
Waukesha County’s top-ranked public high schools based on a school’s combined math and reading proficiency test scores include the following:
- Central High School
- Eisenhower Middle/High High School
- High School Of Health Sciences.
Waukesha County is also a good place to pursue higher education, with 12 colleges and universities in the area. These include Carroll University, a private liberal arts university that has arm strong focus on health sciences, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Waukesha, which focuses on Associate and Bachelor’s Degree programs, as well as bridge programs for high school students. There’s the Herzing University-Brookfield, a top educational institution that focuses on healthcare, business, technology, legal studies, and public safety.
Aside from having top schools, Waukesha County also has programs designed to support its residents’ further literacy and education, including an excellent library system, a selection of top-tier museums, and adult enrichment classes.
Waukesha County Has A Vibrant Community Atmosphere
Another compelling reason to find your new home in Waukesha County is its warm, welcoming population and vibrant community atmosphere. Throughout the year, residents enjoy events and festivals that are not only great fun, they’re also a wonderful way for neighbors to maintain community spirit.
Some of the region’s best festivals include the following:
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Town Food Truck Festival – Held every third Wednesday of the month from May to September, Brookfield’s Town Food Truck Festival helps shine a spotlight on local food vendors and craft breweries, making it a can’t-miss event for those who enjoy good food and drink. In addition, the Town Food Truck Festival also features live music, as well as kid-friendly activities.
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Waukesha Rotary BluesFest – A celebration of the history of American Music, Waukesha Rotary BluesFest is held over two days each August, during which a lineup of national and local acts play blues, rock and roll, country, gospel, soul, jazz, folk, and roots. Aside from presenting a widely diverse lineup of musical acts for festivalgoers, the Waukesha Rotary BluesFest also has an Art Show throughout the festival’s duration, which helps to highlight emerging and established artists from the area.
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Waukesha County Fair – The Waukesha County Fair is the oldest fair in Wisconsin, with its first iteration held in 1842. Over five days in July, this annual festival celebrates the community’s rural roots and exhibits feature barnyard animals, handicrafts, local delicacies, and farm displays, as well as stages dedicated to family-friendly live entertainment.
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Waukesha Oktoberfest – Held annually at Frame Park, Waukesha Oktoberfest is marked by nonstop live music, a near-endless stream of German food, overflowing beer, and fun-filled celebrations. Now in its 6th year, Waukesha Oktoberfest is particularly famous for capping off its daily festivities with traditional German games and contests, including masskrugstemmen, a test of strength and a show of how much you love beer.
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Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts – First held in 1970 to celebrate local artists, the Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts is a major event in the Waukesha art scene, drawing visitors from all over the state and the rest of the country. Over two days, the Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts gives visitors the chance to see the best in local art, including photography, painting, drawing, textiles, jewelry, and sculptures. Aside from showcasing local artworks, the Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts also has three separate stages for musical performances, a dedicated food pavilion, and a Children’s Area.
Waukesha County Is An Excellent Location for Outdoor Activities
Waukesha County has eight parks under its Waukesha County Park System, all of which can be enjoyed throughout the seasons and provides opportunities for activities such as fishing, hiking, and even water sports.
Some of the must-visit parks and sites in Waukesha County include:
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Retzer Nature Center – Spanning 450 acres, this public nature preserve owes its existence to John and Florence Retzer, who planted over 26,000 trees, shrubs, and flowers in the area starting in 1974. Now an established educational center and park, Retzer Nature Center also has nature hiking trails that wind through prairie, forest, and wetland habitats, as well as a planetarium, an all-accessible boardwalk, and butterfly and rain gardens. In addition, Retzer Nature Center offers educational programs to visitors throughout the year.
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Muskego Park Hardwoods State Natural Area – An old-growth forest within the 193-acre Muskego Park, the Hardwoods State Natural Area is a popular spot for nature lovers who wish to see Waukesha’s wildlife up close. Some of the trees you can find in this protected area include white and red oaks, black cherry, ironwood, and the endangered blue ash. Aside from having trails for hikers and bird watchers, the park has picnic and camping spots. There’s also access to a swimming beach.
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Fox River Park – Shared by both Waukesha County and Kenosha County, Fox River Park is home to 150 acres of diverse wooded parkland and is accessible to boaters and canoers with a boat launch. Located along the eastern boundary of the quiet meandering water of its namesake river, this park has several important features such as a bermed sled hill, a little league ball diamond, and a 27-hole disc golf course.
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Menomonee Park – A massive regional park spanning 460 acres, Menomonee Park has several features that make it a favorite destination for residents and visitors alike. These include a public beach on Lannon Pond (also known as Quarry Lake), around 4 miles of hiking trails, several well-maintained picnic areas and reservable campsites, and a variety of outdoor activity areas.
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Naga-Waukee Park – Spanning 206 acres and located just north of I-94, Naga-Waukee Park offers a spectacular view of Nagawicka Lake, as well as facilities for activities such as biking, boating, camping, fishing, golfing, and hiking. In addition, the park’s oak-hickory forest and thick undergrowth are home to many different species of birds such as Baltimore orioles, hooded warblers, and great-horned owls, making it perfect for bird watchers and explorers.
Waukesha County Has A Strong Job Market
Another factor that makes investing in homes in Waukesha County a wise move is the area’s stellar economy and its strong job market.
Waukesha County is home to several key industries, with its $430 million agriculture industry being one of the most important. Waukesha County ranks among the top ten in terms of nursery and greenhouse sales in the state. Not only that, but the county is also a major player in corn and soybean production when it comes to total sales and acreage.
Aside from agriculture, Waukesha County, WI is also home to a strong manufacturing industry, healthcare & social assistance, and retail trade.
Given the strong job market in the area, Waukesha County unsurprisingly has an unemployment rate of 3.8%, which is significantly lower than the US average of 6.0%.
In addition, Waukesha County has seen the job market increase by 0.3% over the last year, with the county set to experience job growth of 33.2% over the next ten years.
Some of the largest employers in Waukesha County include:
- Kohl’s
- Fiserv
- Milwaukee Tool
- Rogers Behavioral Health – Oconomowoc
- Cielo Talent
Aside from the stability of its job market and its overall economy, Waukesha County also has relatively low taxes. For instance, Waukesha County only has a total sales tax rate of 5.1%—the sum of Wisconsin’s 5% rate and its own 0.99% rate. This, coupled with the state’s staggered income tax rate, means that professionals in Waukesha County get to keep more of their pay.
Explore homes in Waukesha County with Coldwell Banker Elite
Finding the perfect home in Waukesha County has never been easier with Coldwell Banker Elite.
Established in January 2014 by real estate veteran Jon Spheeris, Coldwell Banker Elite has an intimate understanding and knowledge of the area, which is used to provide clients with an advantage when buying or selling in Waukesha County.
As a real estate team, Coldwell Banker Elite believes in going above and beyond to provide top-tier, white-glove service to all of their clients—a feat they have managed to achieve by always putting the needs of clients first, staying current with local trends and markets, embracing innovation and change, and staying involved in their local community.
Ready to explore homes in Waukesha County? Give the Coldwell Banker Elite team a call today at 855.569.0588 or send us an email here , to get started.