$424,167Average Value$242Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Bayfield turned from a quaint fishing town to a vacation destination
The community of Bayfield attracts tourists with picturesque summers on Lake Superior and full-time residents with small-town charm and winter sports. With less than 600 residents, it’s the state’s smallest city, but its population grows in the summer due to seasonal residents and tourism. “It has almost always been a summer town, starting usually after Memorial Day when kids start getting out of school,” says Alderperson Diane Fizell. According to the alderperson, after school is back in session, the population only spikes during big events, like the Apple Festival or when the leaves start changing. Since moving to Bayfield in 1976, Fizell has watched the community transform from a quaint fishing village to a vacation destination, with some tourists choosing to move here full-time. “A lot of people are from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan,” she says. “You see lots of different license plates around here.”
Lake Superior dominates the view from Bayfield neighborhoods.
Locals often stroll the scenic streets in Bayfield.
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Bungalows, historic traditional and ranch-style homes
Bayfield has bungalows, historic traditional and ranch-style homes. Sidewalks and curbs are inconsistent here. Most single-family homes cost between $200,000 and $450,000. Fizell says the town has always had a mix of full-time and seasonal residents but has seen an increase in tourism and short-term rentals in recent years. “A lot of the places that are for sale here are bought by nonresidents who turn the places into VRBO,” she says. “There are three of them in the two-block area that I live in.” Bayfield scores a 2 out of 10 CAP Index Crime Score, below the national average of 4.
Craftsman-style homes often feature wide porches and big windows.
Homes near the lake maximize views with large windows.
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Career prep in the School District of Bayfield
The School District of Bayfield gets a C-plus from Niche. La Pointe Elementary receives a B-minus, Bayfield Elementary and Bayfield Middle both earn a C and Bayfield High School gets a B. The school district offers middle school students the opportunity to study engineering and technology and high schoolers a variety of career exploration offerings such as welding fabrication, introduction to telecommunication and home entertainment systems. Students can also earn college credits and certifications through Northwood Technical College.
Bayfield Elementary, Middle, and High are nestled in the bluffs overlooking Lake Superior.
Bayfield High School shares a campus with the elementary and middle school.
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The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and winter sports
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, in Bayfield, serves as the gateway to 21 islands, 19 of which allow camping. Residents and visitors can kayak through sea caves, go scuba diving and explore underwater ecosystems and historic shipwrecks. Collectively, the islands have more than 50 miles of hiking trails. From the mainland, residents can fish, swim and launch boats. Bayfield has a visitor center for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and a rec center with sailing and scuba programs. Hiking trails and campgrounds surround the community. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing are popular winter activities. The National Weather Service office for Bayfield has reported several events of significant winter weather in the past 20 years, including blizzards, heavy snowfall and winter storms.
Visitor center for Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Bayfield.
Bayfield Rec Center includes a pool and sailing programs.
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Local restaurants and markets
Locally owned Manypenny Bistro serves American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Morty’s Pub serves burgers, beer and fresh Whitefish caught from Lake Superior. Pier Plaza Restaurant has a deck overlooking the lake, where customers enjoy seafood dishes and regional beers. For groceries, residents can shop at Andy’s IGA Supermarket or Field Day Market, a zero-waste wellness and bulk refill shop. Hoop’s Fish Market is a fresh and smoked seafood store.
Shops line Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway downtown.
Morty's Pub is a lively, local scene in Bayfield.
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The annual Bayfield Apple Festival
An over 60-year tradition, Bayfield’s annual Apple Festival is held the first weekend of each October. “It started as a way to sell the apples that are grown around here,” Fizell says. “This is a really big fruit area, starting with strawberries at the end of June, blueberries, blackberries and cherry trees.” Visitors can check out apple orchards in the area for events and tours and then head downtown for a carnival, live music, food and vendors.
Proximity to Duluth, a hospital and an airport
Bayfield is located on the shore of Lake Superior, 83 miles east of Duluth. Tamarack Health Ashland Medical Center is less than 25 miles away. Less than 70 miles away, the Gogebic-Iron County Airport offers direct flights to Chicago O’Hare and Minneapolis.
Written By
Ellen Daly
Photography Contributed By
Benjamin Rose
Video By
Michael Carey
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Marieke van Donkersgoed,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in Bayfield, WI sell after 89 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Bayfield, WI over the last 12 months is $412,500, up 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
