Pewaukee's population has increased in every census since 1880. When looking at what the small city offers, it's no surprise people keep relocating there. A growing list of employers, waterfront mansions and one of the state's best school districts are just some of the draws, and that's not to mention the lake. The largest lake in Waukesha County, Pewaukee Lake maintains the city's rural roots and brings the community together for recreation and events.
As subdivisions continue to expand from Waukesha's into the farmlands and forests to the north, Pewaukee's population of 16,000 continues to climb.
A group of newly constructed homes in the heart of Pewaukee.
The fishing dock at Lakefront Park.
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Manufacturing boating gear and spirits
The city is home to industrial parks and is the headquarters for Harken, INC., a sailboat and yacht gear manufacturer, and RumChata. After manufacturing, health care, social services and retail are the largest employers. The nearest hospitals are in Brookfield and Waukesha.
Interstate 94 cuts through the southern part of the city, heading 17 miles east to downtown Milwaukee. The Waukesha County Airport is just beyond the city's southern borders, but the nearest airport with domestic and international flights is Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, 23 miles southeast. Routes 904 and 905 of the Waukesha County Transit bus system stop through Pewaukee and go east to Milwaukee.
Waukesha Memorial Hospital is at the center of the city.
Get to Mitchell Airport from Maitland Park in 5 minutes, then go literally anywhere.
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Fishing and boating on Pewaukee Lake
Pewaukee Lake is a gathering hub for leisure, entertainment and recreation, and is central to the community. Sailing races, waterskiing and boating are popular, and residents "take their fishing seriously," says Beth Jaworski, a Realtor with Shorewest Realtors. "And there's more ice fishing in the winter than anything else." The lake produces more fish per acre than any other Wisconsin lake and the most muskellunge fish in southeastern Wisconsin. In June, Lakefront Park is home to Waterfront Wednesdays, a popular concert series.
K1 Speed, an indoor go-karting facility, and Sky Zone indoor trampoline recreation center are in one of the city’s industrial corridors and are popular year-round recreation spots. "Pewaukee really gets all four seasons," Jaworski says. Winters are cold and snowy, but "We have beautiful fall days, and spring is gorgeous here with all the tulips and apple blossoms." There is some flooding in the farmlands and marshy planes along Pewaukee's river and streams.
Fall colors at Springdale Park in Pewaukee.
A fishing pond at Pewaukee Village Park.
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Lakeside mansions and growing subdivisions
Housing development began in the early 1920s, and the bungalows, Cape Cods and cottages from that time are among the least expensive homes in Pewaukee. Along with ranch-style homes from the 1990s, prices begin at $220,000. Development moved west towards Pewaukee Lake, and according to Jaworski, "Lakefront property is the premium." Colonial Revivals, Modern Craftsman and new traditional homes are the largest and most expensive – typically selling between $500,000 and $1.3 million. The median single-family price is $600,000, nearly $200,000 more than the national median. Despite the high price, houses sell in half the time as the national average.
Pewaukee has a high level of homeownership, and the median household income is nearly $40,000 higher than the national median.
Older home along Main St. in Pewaukee.
Large single family homes are available in Pewaukee home.
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A top district in the state for academics and athletics
Pewaukee School District is rated an A-plus by Niche, and children living in Pewaukee and the independent Village of Pewaukee learn together on a campus near the lake. Niche also rates the district as ninth-best overall and seventh-best for athletes in the state. Broken into a four-school pipeline, the one campus houses all four schools around one shared parking lot.
Waukesha County Technical College's main campus is in Pewaukee, just behind the Pewaukee Schools' campus. The college has over 150 areas of study, with robotics, cyber security and engineering among the most popular.
The entry at Pewaukee High School.
The Football stadium at Pewaukee High School.
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Shopping in the village
Shopping and dining are limited in Pewaukee, but in the Village of Pewaukee, "There are lots of charming little shops and restaurants," Jaworski says. The Village of Pewaukee is inside Pewaukee and is the destination for big-box stores and grocers. Residents head south to Waukesha or east to Brookfield for malls, plazas and chain restaurants.
Local downtown shops and restaurants in Pewaukee
A delicious Schnitzel sandwich from Bo’s Schnitzelbunker in Pewaukee.
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Spring Creek Church and The Hindu Temple of Wisconsin
While Pewaukee is not a hub for shopping, it is a hub for houses of worship and gathering through religion. There are 11 churches in the city, including the nondenominational Spring Creek Church, one of the biggest churches in the Milwaukee Metropolitan area. The Hindu Temple of Wisconsin and three other small Dharmic temples are also in the area.
Pewaukee streets make for a great walk.
Agape Community Church in Pewaukee.
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Important to know
The Wisconsin Department of Justice shows that property and violent crime rates slightly increased from 2022 to 2023. Still, rates are lower than national and state rates, year after year.
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.
