$107,311Average Value$73Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
What was old is made new in Williamsburg Heights
In Williamsburg Heights, long-time residents and new homeowners alike relish in growth, redesign and renovation. Though the homes are old, the ideas and innovation in the area are not. Flowers and veggies now grow in community gardens that were once empty lots from demolished homes. An abandoned railroad where people left trash is now a walkway displaying local muralists' work. Small businesses set up shop in warehouses that sat empty for decades. Industrial in the east and residential to the west, the neighborhood has a little more than 2,500 people within walking distance of exciting work opportunities, renovated parks and daily necessities. "There is still a pretty good number of owner-occupied properties there, and they take good care of their property," says Sandy Ertel, executive real estate consultant with RE/MAX Lakeside-North, who has been serving Milwaukee for nearly 40 years. Grants from the city assist homebuyers, and several development projects bring new life to Williamsburg Heights more than 130 years after the neighborhood was established.
Rapid influx of new businesses and employers
The eastern half of Williamsburg Heights overlaps with the East Capitol District Business District Improvement District (BID). One of over 30 growing districts, this one has been dubbed "Milwaukee's Creative District." While there are several murals and artistic outlets, the nickname instead refers to the entrepreneurial spirit that's characterized the area in recent years. Startups and businesses occupy the warehouses left vacant during decades of economic hardship. "We're a haven for entrepreneurs," says East Capitol District BID Board Chair Carl Nilssen. "A 50,000-square-foot, single-occupant building might be home to 10 businesses that are new and fresh and just starting." Aldi and Walmart are between the warehouses that host designers, manufacturers and artists. Some fast-food chains, like Mcdonald's and Taco Bell, are along Route 190. Still, locally-owned restaurants garner local attention. Less than a quarter mile from the neighborhood is La Cocina Del Sur. The restaurant is the brick-and-mortar project of Pedro's, the owner of Pedro's South American Food food truck. After eight successful years of food trucking, Pedro opened a sit-down restaurant, but the food truck still makes its way around the city. Gathering Place Brewing Company, which won a 2022 Best of Craft Beer Award for its Ryed of the Valkyries brew, is nearby in the BID. Amorphic Beer is another brewery that has taken advantage of an empty warehouse and filled it with fermentation tanks.
Amorphic Beer brings creativity to every pint in Williamsburg Heights.
La Cocina del Sur serves up authentic Ecuadorian cuisine.
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A noisy residential corridor bordered by main roads
Bordered by Route 190 to the north and Interstate 43 to the west, Williamsburg Heights is highly accessible to downtown Milwaukee, which is 5 miles south. With nearby major roads comes added noise. The residential streets on the westernmost part of the neighborhood are no stranger to honking car horns or the rumble of passing trucks. Those who would like to forgo their cars and avoid traffic can get around on one of the area's many designated bike lanes that run north and south. Buses run along Route 190 and North Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Sidewalks are plentiful in the neighborhood for strolls or for running nearby errands. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is 12 miles south, and Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital is 4 miles southeast. The neighborhood receives an overall CAP Index score of 6 out of 10. While this is only slightly higher than the national average of 4, violent crimes rate significantly higher than average.
Take in the scenic sights as you cycle down the Milwaukee River Greenway.
Commute with ease on the MCTS buses serving Williamsburg Heights.
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City assistance for first-time homebuyers
Built mainly in the 1920s, houses in Williamsburg Heights feature the distinct architectural styles of the time. Bungalows with wide porches and elevated foundations sit a few cement steps up in the small rolling hills of the area, often behind chain-link fences. Dormer windows jut out of the roofs of some homes, while clipped gable roofs top the others. Two-story workers' cottages from the same time are also common, and most homes fall within the $75,000 to $150,000 price range. "Almost all of the houses need repairs now that they're approaching, or are over, 100 years old," Ertel says. Given the homes are, on average, $200,000 less than the Milwaukee Metro average, they are attractive to first-time buyers – especially those looking for a grant from the city. The city of Milwaukee offers $5,000 grants to first-time homebuyers through the Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance program. Williamsburg Heights, however, is in a Community Development Block Grant Area, and grants can reach upwards of $7,000. Regarding the empty lots in the neighborhood, "The city of Milwaukee lets their foreclosures go so long that they usually all must be demolished," Ertel says. "That's all of Milwaukee, though." Still, Williamsburg Heights has fewer foreclosures than average and fewer empty lots as a result, compared to nearby Harambee or Borchert Field.
Restored homes in Williamsburg Heights blend history with modern comforts.
Explore a blend of function and style in classic workers cottages in Williamsburg Heights.
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A brighter, safer and larger park
For many years, Williamsburg Heights lacked green space and a place for families and children to get outside in a safe environment. That was until Green Bay Avenue Playfield was renovated and reopened in October 2022. Once home to overrun tennis courts and a small playground, the new park features brightly colored play equipment on rubber flooring, freshly paved and painted basketball courts and a fieldhouse with restrooms. Benches and picnic tables sit in the shade of tall trees, and parents can rest easy letting their children run around now that fences entirely border the park. Some of the open lots left behind by demolished houses are home to the Nigella Community Orchard and Garden. The community space is part of Milwaukee's Home GR/OWN initiative, which encourages residents to contribute to the community food supply with locally grown produce or liven up the atmosphere with colorful flowers.
Spend a warm summer day at the Green Bay Avenue Park splash pad.
Residents can try their green thumb at Nigella Community Orchard and Garden.
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Learning through African American Immersion curriculum
Milwaukee students can participate in the district's school of choice program and attend any public school in the city. Some schools are harder to get into based on popularity, and others have entry requirements for special programs like arts and technology. One nearby school that is a popular choice because of its special curriculum is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. The school, rated a C-minus by Niche, serves prekindergarten through eighth grade and teaches students through African American Immersion, focusing on African American history and culture. High schoolers can attend Riverside University High School, rated a C-plus, or Rufus King High School. Rufus King High School is more difficult to get into because of its A rating and placement as Wisconsin's third-best magnet high school. It has a lottery-style application and admission process because of its high demand.
Students in the Harambee neighborhood can attend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School.
Riverside University High School.
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Celebrating culture and arts
Separating the neighborhood's industrial sector from its residential streets is the ARTery. Part of the Beerline Trail, the formerly abandoned railroad corridor where trash and junk were discarded, became a walking path that has seen many beautification efforts in recent years. Now, the backs of buildings are adorned with the work of local muralists, and residents gather on the 10-foot-wide paved path for events. Performances, poetry readings, cooking classes and other creative outings have occurred on and around the pathway. Juneteenth celebrations happen along MLK Jr. Drive in on the western end of the neighborhood - when locals celebrate African American culture with food, dance, crafts and art.
Over 50,000 Milwaukeeans come to Harambee for the Juneteenth Celebration on June 19th.
People of all races and ethnicities come together in Harambee to celebrate Juneteenth.
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
Kim Siewert,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Roverwest Dog Park
Dog Park
Kern Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Tennis
Harambee Tot Lot
Playground
Green Bay Playfield
Atkinson Triangle
Basketball
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Lucille Berrien Park
Basketball
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
The ARTery
Transit
Airport
General Mitchell International
20 min drive
Bus
Mlk & N7
Bus
Mlk & N8
Bus
Atkinson & Keefe
Bus
Richards & Capitol
Bus
N7 & Atkinson
Bus
Holton & Keefe
Bus
Capitol & Palmer
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Williamsburg Heights
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
8
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Williamsburg Heights, Milwaukee sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Williamsburg Heights, Milwaukee over the last 12 months is $103,034, up 11% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Investor Special in Milwaukee's Harambee District! This two-family duplex features a 3/2 layout with spacious living and dining rooms, 1 full bath, and an extra toilet in the basement. With a large, partially fenced yard and two sheds, there's room to add value. With some TLC, this property could be a strong addition to your rental portfolio. Being sold AS-ISbring your vision and make it yours!
Generously-sized duplex in Beerline neighborhood with side-by-side front entrance features 2 bedrooms and 1 bath in each unit. The lower unit has hardwood floors and LVP in kitchen. Step into the formal dining room with built-in cabinets. The upper unit is currently vacant and features new LVP in kitchen and new carpeting in bedrooms and living areas. Built-in cabinets in the hallway and dining
Updated Beerline neighborhood duplex featuring new windows and low maintenance landscaping has 2 beds and 1 bath in each unit. Entering the lower unit off the front porch, you'll find hardwood floors and plenty of natural light. Enjoy meals in the formal dining room. For added storage, the hallway off the bedrooms features built-in cabinets and the kitchen has a walk-in pantry. The upper unit has
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kim Siewert,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,203
Median Age
34
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
31.3%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$33,124
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$47,263
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
83.1%
College Graduates
3.6%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
32''
Average Winter Low Temperature
14°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
38''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
71/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
59/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
52/ 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.
