Miles of agriculture, off-road races and a lively open season breathe life into pastoral Antigo, a farming and logging city just 35 miles northeast of Wausau. "Antigo is a very charming community; we're known for our friendly atmosphere," says Deena Grabowsky, executive director of the Antigo/Langlade County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center. "We have an abundance of outdoor recreation and so many beautiful parks. Plus, people often come out here for our local events." Home to some of the only grocers and retailers for miles, Antigo draws numerous Langlade County residents with its jobs, amenities and relatively low property taxes.
Antigo is a farming and logging city just 35 miles northeast of Wausau.
Antigo's walkable 5th Avenue features some of the only retailers and grocers for miles.
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Ranch-style homes & farmhouses paired with declining crime rates
The housing market in Antigo comprises single-family homes with traditional architecture and abundant land for new builds. Midcentury ranch-style homes and farmhouses neighbor bungalows with spacious sunrooms, while modern builds are spread throughout the region. "Antigo might be a city, but we're definitely rural," Grabowsky says, referring to the population of just over 7,000 residents. She notes that many more live on the outskirts in Langlade County. Overall, the median home price is $150,000 – lower than the national median and nearby Wausau.
According to FBI crime data, Antigo's property crime rate has declined greatly since 2017. The city's violent crime rate has also continued to decline since 2019.
Bungalows with clipped gable roofs are a common home style in Antigo.
Midcentury ranch homes come in a variety of styles and colors in Antigo.
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Hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails, thousands of acres for hunting
From mild summers to freezing winters, Antigo offers year-round recreation at 21 parks spanning 250 acres. “We’re definitely outdoor enthusiasts,” Grabowsky says. “We have five segments of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the Wolf River for fishing, kayaking and tubing, and Antigo Lake for boating.” RV campgrounds, ball fields and a fishing pier characterize Antigo Lake Park just east of downtown. Meanwhile, residents flock to the 2-mile Springbrook Trail for walking and biking. The county has over 130,000 acres of public hunting land, along with 550 miles of snowmobile trails. “We have cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and even some trails for fat tire biking when it snows," Grabowsky says. “Hunting is also really popular. When it’s open season, numerous people come up and hunt for the week."
Antigo residents can fish, boat, and kayak on Antigo Lake.
Play or watch some baseball at the Antigo Lake Park fields.
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Concerts, auctions & livestock shows at the Langlade County Fair
As the seat of Langlade County, Antigo proudly hosts the Langlade County Fair each July. Residents gather at the grounds for nightly concerts, carnival rides, livestock exhibitions and auctions. Grabowsky notes a similar turnout for the Antigo Lions Club’s Roaring Raceway, an off-road car racing event in June. “We also have smaller events like the Sip & Stroll Wine Walk downtown, which draws people from Wisconsin and out-of-state,” she says. “Plus, we have a few farmer’s markets in the summer and a Music in the Park series. A new band comes to town every week, and you can bring your lawn chairs out. It’s really well attended.” By winter, folks gather downtown for chili, hot cocoa and gifts at the Downtown Antigo Holiday Christmas Parade.
Downtown Antigo’s books, bakeries & bars
Located along a walkable stretch of 5th Avenue, Downtown Antigo is a hub for small businesses. Century-old storefronts house shops selling books, flowers, ice cream and games. Residents can easily walk to nearby restaurants, bakeries, bars and the historic McKenzie Palace Theatre. “Many of the buildings have been there for years, and there are plaques with dates showing how old they are,” Grabowsky says. “It’s really welcoming, and we encourage people to stop there.” As for standard amenities, she notes that many outlying communities rely on Antigo for its grocers and retailers. Walmart Supercenter, Pick ‘n Save, TJ Maxx and Menards surround chain eateries and locally owned spots at the intersection of Routes 52 and 45 in the city’s northern sector.
Antigo residents can get ice cream at Spud City Creamery located inside The Mercantile.
Antigo is home for many independent businesses like Flowers From The Heart On 5th.
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Antigo relies on its rich agricultural heritage
Antigo’s roots in the timber, manufacturing and agricultural industries have endured for over a century. “We have a strong agricultural heritage,” Grabowsky says. “So, we have lots of farmers. I mean, potato and livestock farms are very necessary and important for us. There’s even an ice cream place downtown called Spud City, named after our potato history.” She cites Aspirus Langlade Hospital as another leading employer, along with large-scale producers like Antigo Creamery and Timber Creek’s Antigo Sawmill. Much of the city’s industry borders Route 45, so the highway is considered a central thoroughfare in Antigo. Commuters can take the route 35 miles southwest to Wausau or 50 miles south to Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee.
The Unified School District of Antigo serves the greater Langlade County
Enrolling around 2,000 students yearly, the Unified School District of Antigo earns a C-minus on Niche and encompasses three elementary schools, one middle and one high school. Private, faith-based options include Peace Lutheran School and All Saints Catholic School, which enroll kindergarten through eighth-grade students. The city is also home to Northcentral Technical College’s Antigo Campus. Though some may commute to the main campus in Wausau, Antigo's campus houses the school’s Wood Technology Center of Excellence, inspired by the city’s deep-rooted history in the lumber industry.
Antigo Middle School has about 502 students in grades 4-7.
Antigo students can enroll in a variety of programs at Northcentral Technical College.
Thank you for taking the time to read about me! I am truly fortunate to be one of those people that love what I do and where I get to do it! I think we are very fortunate to live in Northeastern Wisconsin. Wonderful communities, four seasons, neighbors who still know each other’s names…Happy Valley! As an agent, I pride myself on a strong work ethic, high degree of integrity and thorough understanding of the real estate market in the Fox Valley and surrounding areas. I believe these traits set me apart from many agents. I’ve also won some pretty prestigious awards – they’re neat, but wouldn’t be possible if I wasn’t focused 100% on meeting the needs of my Buyers and Sellers.
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