Bordered to the south by Lake Monona, Atwood is a historic waterfront community outside of Downtown Madison. Set within shouting distance of Route 151, this community allows for roughly equidistant access between Downtown and Dane County Regional Airport. “For a lot of people, what draws them to this neighborhood is the walkability and bike-ability and proximity to downtown,” says longtime resident and Realtor Tom Syring of the Lauer Realty Group. “Public transit here is also pretty good, so there are residents who come here specifically looking to park their cars and get around via other means.” Once a blue-collar locale with only a few local businesses, the area is now a thriving and vibrant place to call home. Shops, restaurants and waterfront amenities certainly draw visitors, but those who plant roots here enjoy established homes in a variety of styles. “It’s very popular with the younger crowds,” says broker associate Barrett Karabis of Real Broker LLC. “There’s a lot of stuff that you don’t find elsewhere and that’s locally owned. There’s no Target, there’s no chain restaurant, it’s all just extremely local.”
Check out Barrymore Theatre in Atwood.
Beautiful artwork can be found throughout the Atwood neighborhood.
Take a walk down Atwood Avenue in Madison, WI and check out all the vintage shops and theater.
1/3
Buyers have options, with both pricing and styles
The real estate market in Atwood is highly competitive and driven by steady demand. Homes spend 16 days on the market, on average. “This is a target destination for quite a few people looking specifically for this neighborhood because of its unique character,” Syring said. “As such, we’ve got a pretty high cost of housing on a per-square-foot basis.” The median single-family home price in Atwood is $375,000, which amounts to an average of $347 per square foot. Much of the housing options were built in the early 1900s, so there are many small cottages and bungalows. There is a diversity of housing in Atwood that checks many boxes. “Houses here aren’t that big, and they’re fairly expensive if they’re in good shape,” says Syring. Buyers can expect to see modest, no-frills Cape Cods, bungalows and craftsman homes priced between $275,000 and $400,000. More spacious builds fetch from $400,000 to $750,000. “Classic traditional houses from the turn of the 20th century with a lot of character bring a lot of people here,” says Syring. There is also a lot of infill development, with condos and apartments appearing on different lots. One- and two-bedroom condo units typically sell from $210,000 to $350,000.
Lake Monona waterfront homes offer stunning views in Atwood.
Lovely lakefront homes are available in Atwood.
Single family homes are available in Atwood.
1/3
Launching a boat on the lake or taking a walk in the Botanical Gardens
Atwood has ample green spaces in addition to its prime lakefront location. Visitors explore the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, spanning 16 acres off Lake Monona. The grounds include a tropical conservancy, a rose garden and a gilded Thai pavilion. “There’s also a bike path that goes right behind the Botanical Gardens, so you can get anywhere within the neighborhood,” says Karabis. Olbrich Park is expansive, offering a full range of athletic and recreational facilities for all seasons. Locals can also launch kayaks and small boats from this spot. For indoor fun, Goodman Community Center is an attraction for all ages. The Center hosts events like dancing and mindfulness classes for seniors. Youth programs range from sports camps to reading programs. For nearly 70 years, the Center has given back by feeding some 4,000 families annually on Thanksgiving and the like. A weekend on Atwood Avenue means enjoying its urban amenities that draw people in droves. “This is a classic American Main Street,” says Syring. The Barrymore Theatre, which first opened as a movie house in 1929, is now reborn as a local music venue. As an ionic neighborhood checkpoint, the Theatre hosts national acts with some 1,000 seats.
Spend the day with friends on Lake Monona in Madison, WI.
Residents can visit Olbrich Botanical Gardens for free and take in all the sights and smells.
1/2
A nice meal and fresh groceries in Atwood
Residents have options when it comes to dining out and shopping locally. “Monty’s Blue Plate Diner is a favorite,” says Syring. “It’s in an old gas station that was converted 30 years ago and has been popular ever since.” This spot has sweet treats on display at the counter, in addition to classic breakfast items. The Jenifer Street Market is a small grocery store that’s been operating since the 1970s. Folks can grab nearly everything they need at this locally owned business just blocks away. “It’s big enough that there are people who do the majority of their shopping there,” Syring says. “They have a walk-in beer cooler and an excellent butcher shop; it’s a neighborhood institution.”
Jenifer Street Market sells many local brands in Atwood.
Monty's Blue Plate Diner has some of the best breakfast and lunch food in town.
1/2
The Madison Metropolitan School District
Students attend class in the Madison Metropolitan School District, which gets an overall B-plus from Niche. “Some buyers are very driven by schools and appreciate the diversity in the district,” Syring says. Lowell Elementary is a community school within walking distance and gets an A-minus from Niche. White Horse Middle School gets a C-plus overall. East High School rounds out the list as the oldest school still operating in Madison, holding a B-minus rating and a solid STEM program.
Parents in the Atwood neighborhood can send their children to Lowell Elementary in Madison, WI.
Whitehorse Middle School serves many Madison neighborhoods including the Atwood neighborhood.
Madison East High School in Atwood scores a B+ rating according to Niche.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tonya Thomsen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Olbrich Park
Hawthorne Park
Elmside Circle Park
Hippo Park
Yahara Place Park
Howard Park
Hudson Park
Transit
Airport
Dane County Regional/Truax Field
7 min drive
Bus
Atwood & Division (Wb)
Bus
Milwaukee & N Marquette (Wb)
Bus
Milwaukee & Starkweather (Wb)
Bus
Milwaukee & N Bryan (Wb)
Bus
E Washington & E Johnson (Eb)
Bus
E Washington & N Marquette (Wb)
Bus
Atwood & S Fair Oaks (Wb)
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Atwood
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Atwood, Madison sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Atwood, Madison over the last 12 months is $503,486, up 16% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Opportunity to build a single family or multi-unit in one of Madison’s charming and walkable neighborhoods! Enjoy easy access to amenities, close to parks, schools, restaurants, shops, bike paths, Olbrich Gardens, Lake Monona and so much more! Currently there is a shed and coop on the lot and these will be removed.
NOW LEASING FOR MOVE-INS STARTING NOW THROUGH 8/1/2025Discover Starkweather Place, an upscale mid-century modern apartment community located on Madison's East Side in the vibrant Schenk-Atwood-Starkweather-Yahara (SASY) neighborhood. Overlooking Starkweather Creek, it offers contemporary luxury and a nature-immersed lifestyle with easy access to parks, dining, and shopping. Experience the
ASK ABOUT OUR MOVE IN SPECIALS- Contact us today for your personal tour!The Marling Apartments rests on the edge of Downtown Madison, WI and offers a superb location near the State Capitol, within walking distance of Willy Street, Schenk-Atwood, and Marquette neighborhoods. This mixed-use development includes first floor retail and office space along with our conveniently located Madison
OPENING MAY 14, 2025!Welcome to 252 Dunning, a Passive House design-certified building created for those who value thoughtful living. It’s where cutting-edge sustainability and attentive design come together to create something truly unique—a home that aligns with your values and elevates your everyday.Why 252 Dunning? Designed for Today. Built for TomorrowRadical Carbon
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tonya Thomsen,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
8,523
Median Age
40
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$84,614
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$102,868
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.4%
College Graduates
72.3%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
29.5%
% Population in Labor Force
83.1%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
12°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
44''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
100/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
82/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
49/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
