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Bay Creek

Bay Creek

Neighborhood in Madison, Wisconsin

Dane County 53715

$506,139 Average Value
$356 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

Up-and-coming near-Southside enclave

There's no dispute about where Bay Creek is on the map: The neighborhood overlooks Monona Bay and Lake Monona from 10 minutes south of downtown Madison. However, how exactly to describe this location is subject to much debate among locals. “Some say it’s in Central Madison, others say it’s fully on the south side of the city, and still others think of it as more of an East Side neighborhood,” says Solidarity Realty’s Peggy Adams, a Realtor who’s lived in Madison since 1988. “Most people who live there think of it as ‘near-Southside’ Madison.” Regardless, Adams says Bay Creek is highly sought-after for its up-and-coming atmosphere, its proximity to public parks and its walkability. “It’s in a great location close to a lot of revitalization happening at the south end of the city. Monona Terrace and the John Nolan areas both have a $10 million facelift currently in the works, and when that’s finished, Bay Creek is just going to explode,” Adams says. “The north and south ends of the city have been the parts of town that have historically lacked attention, but that’s changing. Bay Creek is almost guaranteed to be one of the next hot neighborhoods.”

Bay Creek is a peaceful neighborhood in Madison, Wisconsin.
Bay Creek is a peaceful neighborhood in Madison, Wisconsin.
Bay Creek of Madison is an up-and-coming south side neighborhood.
Bay Creek of Madison is an up-and-coming south side neighborhood.
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Bay Creek living

Many of Bay Creek’s homes were built between the late 1890s and 1950, but there are some as new as the late 1900s and early 2000s, too. Prices here typically run from $350,000 to more than $560,000. The median, which hovers close to $385,000, is just slightly lower than the median for Madison. “The thing about Madison’s housing market is that it changes not just with interest rates, but with the weather, so the state of the market in January isn’t going to be the state of the market come spring,” says Adams. But she acknowledges that in Bay Creek, the market is remarkably consistent. “It’s rare for homes to go up for sale and when they do, they go fast,” she says. Adams: “That’s likely because this neighborhood is great for a wide range of buyers, from first-timers to investors looking for rental properties to older folks looking to downsize.”

Mid-century modern, cottage, and craftsman are all home styles found in Bay Creek.
Mid-century modern, cottage, and craftsman are all home styles found in Bay Creek.
Some of the homes in Bay Creek are more modest split-levels.
Some of the homes in Bay Creek are more modest split-levels.
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Highly rated Madison schools

Bay Creek kids attend schools in the highly rated Madison Metropolitan School District. Many go to Franklin Elementary, Hamilton Middle and Madison West High School between preschool and 12th grade. In 2023, Franklin earned a B-plus grade from Niche and both Hamilton and Madison West earned As. Students in 10th grade at Madison West High can apply to participate in the Early College STEM Academy for their 11th and 12th grade years. The two-year dual enrollment program is a partnership between the Madison school district and Madison College.

Entrance to Edgewood High School with signage
Entrance to Edgewood High School with signage
Blessed Heart Sacrament School in Bay Creek is a private school of faith.
Blessed Heart Sacrament School in Bay Creek is a private school of faith.
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Surrounded by Madison parks

At the southeast end of the neighborhood, Goodman Park sits between East Olin Avenue and Wingra Creek Parkway. The nearly 30-acre park features Goodman Pool, as well as a classic playground, picnic shelter and softball field. The Wingra Creek Path runs parallel to Wingra Creek Parkway, accessible from the park’s south end. Quann Park is less than a quarter mile away, across the parkway and creek. The distance is easily walkable and bikeable via the footbridge off West Wingra Creek Drive. There, pup parents can bring their dogs and enjoy the sunny, off-leash dog park. There are also 12 reservable tennis courts. Half a mile southeast of Quann Park sits Alliant Energy Center. “Brat Fest, the world’s biggest brat festival, takes place there, as well as numerous concerts and comedy shows, even livestock shows. And it’s where the high schools graduate,” says Adams. For large events like graduations, Quann Park can get busy, too, as it’s used for the center’s overflow event space and parking. To the west of home, there’s also the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. And to the east end, Olin Park overlooks Lake Monona, offering everything from sunny sports fields to a swimmable, sandy beach. “In December, Olin has a drive-through Christmas lights display,” says Adams, adding that it’s a popular, free event sponsored by the city every year. “There are a ton of free events all over the city, too,” she says. “It’s one of the cool things about Madison, that there’s so many free recreation opportunities, the whole year round.”

Residents of Bay Creek often enjoy walks along the Wingra Creek Trail.
Residents of Bay Creek often enjoy walks along the Wingra Creek Trail.
Canadian Geese are one of the many animals and fowl that can be seen at Olin Park in Madison.
Canadian Geese are one of the many animals and fowl that can be seen at Olin Park in Madison.
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Convenient Madison shops and eateries

On Sundays between 11 and three, Bay Creek residents can head to the Madison Labor Temple across South Park Street to the South Madison Farmers’ Market. The weekly market has been connecting the community to fresh, locally sourced and often organic produce since 2002. The half-mile distance from Bay Creek to the market takes less than five minutes by car. For more groceries or other everyday essentials, Bay Creek locals can visit the Hilldale Shopping Center off University Avenue, which has everything from Whole Foods and Target to L.L. Bean and Lululemon. The 4.5-mile drive northwest takes just 15 minutes, depending on traffic. Closer to home, at Lakeside Street Coffee House, locals can enjoy more than a cup of coffee. The locally owned eatery serves coffee and tea, yes, but craft beer, wine, sandwiches and salads, too. And the casual, cozy atmosphere is often enlivened by live music. “What’s cute about that coffee shop is that it’s so designed to be walkable and bikeable, it doesn’t even have a parking lot,” says Adams.

Liberty Station in Bay Creek is an established barbecue restaurant with a large draft selection.
Liberty Station in Bay Creek is an established barbecue restaurant with a large draft selection.
Silk Road is a new Central Asian restaurant in the southern part of Bay Creek.
Silk Road is a new Central Asian restaurant in the southern part of Bay Creek.
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Getting around Madison

Stops along the City of Madison Metro Transit bus line are easily accessible along West Olin Avenue and South Park Street, two main thoroughfares through Bay Creek within half a mile of most homes. SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Madison is close by, too, just a three-minute drive northwest of Bay Creek, off South Brooks Street. The Dane County Regional Airport is a quick 20-minute drive northeast.

There is also a large Metro bus depot in Bay Creek, making public commuting especially easy.
There is also a large Metro bus depot in Bay Creek, making public commuting especially easy.
SSM St Mary's Hospital has several medical buildings in the Bay Creek neighborhood.
SSM St Mary's Hospital has several medical buildings in the Bay Creek neighborhood.
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Jillian Pillow
Written By
Jillian Pillow
Scott Mason Bittinger
Photography Contributed By
Scott Mason Bittinger
Adam Lapallo
Video By
Adam Lapallo

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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 Brandon Grosse, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Dane County Regional/Truax Field

16 min drive

Bus

W Olin & Lake (Eb)

Bus

S Park & Fish Hatchery (Nb)

Bus

W Olin & Colby (Eb)

Bus

John Nolen & Lakeside (Nb)

Bus

Fish Hatchery & Midland (Nb)

Bus

S Park & W Olin (Nb)

Bus

W Olin & Hickory (Eb)

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Bay Creek US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$515,000
Median Single Family Price
$505,000
Median Townhouse Price
$532,450
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$356
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
15
Months of Supply
1.60
Median List Price
$500,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
4%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
30%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
683
Median Year Built
1931
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,447
Significantly below the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,050
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,156
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Brandon Grosse, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
3,103
Median Age
38
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
18.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$69,719
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$91,418

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.5%
College Graduates
59.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
28.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
12°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
59''

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

94 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

73 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

41 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Bay Creek
Brandon Grosse
Accord Realty
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