Two distinct personalities in this central Wisconsin college town
Named for the white sand in the nearby creek beds, Whitewater, Wisconsin is home to nearly 15,000 people, plus the almost 11,000 students who attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The college has a big impact on the community. “Our city has four seasons and two personalities,” says Jon Marshall, a real estate broker with Tincher Realty, Inc. “Summer and the holiday season can feel slower due to the absence of students, and some residents welcome that break. But when the students return, they bring youthfulness and liveliness back to our city.”
In addition to the college-town atmosphere, Whitewater enjoys proximity to state parks and natural areas, relatively affordable housing and strong community fabric. “I always tell people I was born here and never had a reason to leave,” Marshall says. “Whitewater is a close-knit community where people watch out for each other. We've had countless people move to other areas of the country only to come back.”
Outside of the university, downtown Whitewater has restaurants, shops and public parks.
The natural landscapes in the Kettle Moraine State Forest in Whitewater can be quite majestic.
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Affordable public education at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater Unified School District earns a B-minus from Niche and serves almost 2,000 students from Whitewater and surrounding communities. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is the home to four undergraduate colleges and a graduate program. UW-Whitewater is known for its affordability: its combined cost of tuition, room and board is the lowest among the University of Wisconsin System’s four-year campuses.
The city’s largest employer is the university, while the public school district is the third. Aside from education, manufacturing and healthcare are also prominent industries.
Whitewater High School has a great campus with plenty of green space and sports fields.
Whitewater is home to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater enrolling over 11,000 students.
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New developments seek to meet rising demand
Whitewater has a median single-family home price of about $325,000, lower than the national median. “Although overall housing prices are up significantly over recent years, we are still one of the more affordable areas in Wisconsin,” Marshall says. Several new developments are in progress. “As with almost everywhere in the country, we are trying to overcome a housing shortage with four upcoming developments, which will include 150-plus new single-family homes and apartments in various areas of the city,” Marshall says.
Whitewater has a variety of homes including meticulously maintained single-family ranch homes.
You can find many new contemporary homes popping up on the outskirts of downtown Whitewater.
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Kettle Moraine State Forest and a segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Whitewater has five large community parks, plus the UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve, 110 acres with public trails for all seasons and outdoor education areas used by the university. “We are near the Kettle Moraine, so we have a lot to offer for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing,” Marshall says. Kettle Moraine State Forest and a segment of Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail, a 1,200-mile trail that follows the terminal moraine of Wisconsin’s ancient glaciers, are about 5 miles outside town. As one would guess based on the city’s name, water enthusiasts have options, too. “Whitewater and Lauderdale lakes are used for boating and fishing,” Marshall says.
A large crew stays vigilant during a controlled burn at the Whitewater Nature Preserve.
Fishing and boating are popular on Whitewater Lake and the surrounding areas.
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About halfway between Madison and Milwaukee and minimal traffic
U.S. Highway 12 runs through Whitewater, connecting it to Madison, about 45 miles northwest, and Interstate 90, about 16 miles west. “One thing we do not have is high traffic,” Marshall says. Milwaukee is about 53 miles northeast. Whitewater residents have nearby airports to choose from: Dane County Regional Airport in Madison and General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee are within 50 miles. While most residents will likely want cars to get around town, there is a network of bike trails around the university.
Halloween spirit tour and Freeze Fest among Whitewater’s events
Once home to the Pratt Institute, a school that specialized in the study of spiritualism and witchcraft, Whitewater now honors that legacy with a Halloween event. “And our oldest water tower is at the center of a triangle of three cemeteries,” Marshall says. “During Halloween we have a spirit tour where people can learn more about that.” Freeze Fest is a polar plunge fundraiser with hot cocoa and a chili cook off to warm the participants back up. Residents can also cheer on the UW-Whitewater Warhawks, who compete at the NCAA’s Division III level.
Friday Fish Fry at Rick’s, 841 Brewhouse and Second Salem Brewing
Marshall recommends local restaurants like Rick’s Eastside Pub, 841 Brewhouse and Second Salem Brewing Co. for craft beer and Wisconsin classics like Friday Fish Fry. “Because we are a college town, we probably have more pizza places per capita than anywhere, so if you like pizza you're in luck,” Marshall says. Walmart and Aldi are on the west side of town. Residents can head about 20 miles north to the Johnson Creek Premium Outlet Mall for additional bargain shopping.
Be sure to swing by for a beer and fish fry at Second Salem Brewing in Whitewater.
Whitewater residents can drive to the Johnson Creek Outlet Mall for all their favorite brands.
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Important to know
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, violent crime counts rose from 2015 until 2021 and have fallen since. Property crime counts have trended downward since 2015.
Whitewater, like much of the upper Midwest, has cold winters and warm, humid summers that may have residents swatting at mosquitoes.
Sharon has been a realtor for 40 years. Her goal is to help buyers and sellers! She has four grown children, twelve grandchildren, and one great granddaughter, all living in the area. Sharon’s success has been based on always being available. She truly cares about the people that she works for and keeps in touch with them on a regular basis. Sharon is there after the sale for any issues that may arise. Real estate is her passion! Feel free to contact me at 920-650-9103.
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.
