Set along the shores of Lake Michigan, the village of Caledonia has a population of roughly 25,000 and offers a slower pace of life. Farmers and trade workers from the Czech Republic settled in the area in 1849. Now, expansive fields of rotating crops and family-owned farms are proof the area’s agricultural heritage is still strong. At the same time, business parks and quick access to Interstate 94 have drawn logistics and manufacturing companies to the area. “Caledonia is pastoral and has a laid-back vibe,” says David Biehl, resident and president of the Caledonia Historical Society. “It has some really nice neighborhoods and a lot of open land. It offers some extra privacy and a sense of security. Caledonia is not inexpensive, but the peace of mind is worth the price.”
The village of Caledonia is located on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Caledonia has really nice neighborhoods and a lot of open land, as well as the Root River.
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Ranch-style homes and condos near Lake Michigan
Caledonia has a variety of home styles and townhouses. Much of the area’s housing is concentrated on the east side of town near the lake. Housing gets sparser to the west, especially near the interstate. The median price is $380,000, which is lower than the national median but higher than the Milwaukee median of $220,000.
Bungalows, split-levels, contemporary and ranch-style homes are common. Buyers can also find the occasional midcentury modern, Cape Cod or Colonial Revival home for sale. Homes in newer subdivisions often sport Craftsman and modern farmhouse elements. Single-family homes can range from about $250,000 to $600,000, while lakefront homes can cost up to $1.6 million. Condos can cost between $100,000 and $500,000, but resort-style units on the shores of Lake Michigan can cost nearly $800,000.
Mid-century modern and contemporary homes on Caledonia's lakefront cost up to $1.6 million.
Condos in Caledonia can cost between $100,000 and $500,000.
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Racine Unified School District and private schools
The area has a mix of public and private schools. Racine Unified School District serves the area and earns a C-plus from Niche. It’s the fifth-largest school district in the state and has 27 schools. The district offers advanced placement, International Baccalaureate programs, and Career and Technical Education courses. Caledonia also has private schools like Saint Rita School and Trinity Lutheran School, which both serve students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The schools do not have a Niche grade.
St. Rita Elementary School serves about 222 students in the Caledonia community of Racine, WI.
Trinity Lutheran School combines spiritual education with academic education in Caledonia, WI.
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Hiking and horseback riding at Caledonia Conservancy
The village features six parks and the Nicholson Wildlife Refuge. The Caledonia Conservancy has more than 250 acres of protected land throughout the community used for hiking, horseback riding and outdoor exploration. Trails wind through the village, and some can be used for cross-country skiing. When warmer weather hits, folks head to the Root River for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Of course, Lake Michigan is nearby for boating, swimming and fishing.
Caledonia residents can head to Linwood Park for some fishing along the Root River.
The village of Caledonia includes the Nicholson Wildlife Refuge and six other parks.
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Industry and investment in Caledonia
The area’s biggest industries include agriculture, food processing, health care, logistics and high-tech manufacturing. Industrial hubs like Caledonia Business Park and DeBack Farms Business Park have brought jobs to the village, but many residents commute to Racine, Milwaukee and elsewhere for work. The village is also next to Mount Pleasant, which will eventually be the home of a multibillion-dollar Microsoft data center.
Faith is an important part of life for many residents here. “There’s a plethora of churches in the area,” Biehl says. Caledonia and Racine have many houses of worship, including Baptist, Lutheran, Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches.
Business parks near I-94 have drawn logistics and manufacturing companies to Caledonia.
Faith is an important part of life for residents in Caledonia, with a variety of churches.
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Douglas Avenue is a commercial hub
“Unfortunately, we don’t have a cute village downtown area. It’s mostly miles of wide-open fields and miles of Lake Michigan shoreline,” Biehl says. Douglas Avenue, or State Route 32, is the main corridor for shops and restaurants in the area. The roadway has stores like Milaeger’s, which combines a nursery and garden center with home goods and boutique clothing. The store hosts events, workshops and seminars, as well as the weekly Great Lakes Farmers Market. O&H Danish Bakery is well-known for kringles, a flaky pastry made with from-scratch fillings and topped with icing. “Kringles are a requirement for any church or business meeting,” Biehl says.
Residents can grab groceries at Pick ’n Save or Piggly Wiggly. Racine has more stores and eateries, and it’s the closest spot with a small-but-active nightlife scene.
O&H Danish Bakery and Cafe draws Caledonia diners with its famous Wisconsin kringle pastry.
The owners of Vintage and Modern Book Store in downtown Racine are always around to help.
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Interstate 94 leads to Milwaukee and Chicago
Interstate 94 borders Caledonia to the west, and residents use it to commute to Milwaukee, about 20 miles north, and Chicago, roughly 75 miles southeast. For emergency medical care, residents can go to Ascension Southeast Wisconsin Hospital—Franklin. Those living on the south side of town can also receive care at Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine.
Most people drive, but the village does have a bus service provided by Ryde Racine. There are also numerous bike paths throughout Caledonia. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is 12 miles away and is served by 11 airlines. The Amtrak station in nearby Sturtevant can get passengers to Chicago in a little over an hour.
Snowy winters, an active quarry, and a new public safety HQ
Caledonia experiences warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Lake Michigan contributes to the heavy snowfall here. Milwaukee receives an average of 49 inches of snow each year, according to the Wisconsin State Climatology Office.
An active limestone quarry sits in a largely residential area on the community’s southeastern border. Residents have raised concerns about dust, noise, and heavy truck traffic in the area, as well as adverse effects on property values. The village has restrictions on the size and frequency of blasts.
According to the Caledonia Police Department’s annual report, the village’s crime rate was virtually unchanged from 2022 to 2023. The police department has made strides in recent years. A voter-approved referendum increased the budget to hire additional officers, and a combined headquarters for the police and fire departments opened in 2024.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
