Big Bend is a growing Milwaukee exurb with new homes and well-preserved nature
Located just beyond Milwaukee’s outer-ring exurbs, the small village of Big Bend is slowly becoming the new frontier of that city’s metro area. “It’s a good suburb where people are trying to be a little farther out, while still having quick access to the freeway and nearby amenities,” says Jeremy Rynders, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty - Milwaukee Southwest who has sold several homes in the area. “It’s kind of lumped together with Vernon; both areas are very desirable. The Fox River flows close to there, and there are a couple of golf courses here.” Fewer than 1,500 people call this semi-rural community home, mostly living in ranch-style homes at Big Bend’s southern end; the upper and middle thirds of Big Bend are almost entirely farmland. Small industrial sections on Big Bend’s fringes house fabricating workshops, auto shops and other local employers, but access to Interstate 43 makes commuting into Milwaukee an easy task. The building of new homes over the past two decades, together with this community’s regionally competitive housing prices, positions Big Bend at the forefront of Milwaukee’s continued exurbanization.
Newer homes in this rural community offer lower-than-average taxes
Although roughly two-thirds of Big Bend are dedicated to farming, the southern third is home to residential subdivisions like Village Terrace and Spring Heights. Ranch-style homes built from the 1920s to the 1990s have sold for between $270,000 and $540,000, while those built from 2000 to the late 2010s go for between $640,000 and $950,000. Older parts of Big Bend tend to have smaller yard sizes and abundant trees, while newer subdivisions built as recently as the 2020s feature large front yards and driveways. “Houses in Vernon and Big Bend have the lowest property taxes in the entire area,” Rynders says. “Plenty of houses are coming up there, so people might move there just for that.” While the main road, Clark Street, has sidewalks, most other streets do not. This quiet village has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1, lower than the national average of 4.
Wetlands, a small lake and hiking trails immerse residents in nature
Located along Big Bend’s western side, Martin’s Woods State Natural Area preserves a patch of wetland and forest known for its diverse trees, flora and birds. East of the village, Muskego Park offers 193 acres of forest for camping, picnicking and swimming in a small lake. The Muskego Recreation Trail, a dirt path used for cycling and hiking, connects Big Bend with neighboring communities like Muskego and Mukwonago and runs for nearly 7 miles. Founded in 1969, Edgewood Golf Course has two 18-hole courses open to the public, enabling golfers to play along the banks of the Fox River on the carts-required Oaks Course or on the pedestrian-favored Pines course. Big Bend is also 8 miles south of Waukesha, offering quick access to its parks. “Fox River Park is just north in Waukesha, but very close to Big Bend, and there are a lot of lakes in that general area,” Rynders says. This 257-acre park along the Fox River invites visitors to canoe along its waters, while it also includes hiking trails, hillside slides and other play areas.
Residents can have breakfast at Chubby's Cafe, dinner at Crossroads Pizza and drinks at Papa Stache
State Route 164 serves as Big Bend’s main retail thoroughfare, along which a handful of small businesses operate. Chubby’s Café lets residents start their mornings with a hearty breakfast or close their evening with a skillet dish. Crossroads Pizza & Subs serves as this village’s local pizzeria. Papa Stache Pub & Eatery is frequented by longtime customers, including a big biker crowd, due to its roadside location and its lounge-like atmosphere. In addition to the family-owned Weiss Meats deli, nearby grocery options include the Piggly Wiggly in Muskego, 4 miles away.
Career, technical and athletic programs at Mukwonago High
Students can start their education at Big Bend Elementary School before attending Park View Middle School; both schools receive A-minus ratings from Niche. At the B-plus-rated Mukwonago High School, students might take part in work release or dual enrollment programs to work toward their career and college futures, and they may also acquire career skills through this school’s medical pathway and IT Academy. Football plays a major role in shaping Mukwonago High’s student culture; the team played in the Division I state championship playoffs nearly 30 times, while robotics is emerging as another competitive extracurricular.
Highway access to Milwaukee and health care
Interstate 43 cuts through Big Bend and connects this village to Milwaukee 24 miles to the northeast. Waukesha, home to the ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital, is a 9-mile drive up Wisconsin Highway 164.
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
