$309,087Average Value$170Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Putnam Heights gives new meaning to a live-work-play lifestyle
Southeast of the Chippewa River, Putnam Heights came to life in the post-World War II decades of suburban expansion. Most of its midcentury homes, as well as schools, churches, and commercial shopping areas, were built between 1950 and 1979. The neighborhood is less than 2 miles from downtown Eau Claire, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Marshfield Medical Center, a regional hospital and surgery center of Marshfield Clinic Health System.
“With all the recent growth in Eau Claire, fields including software development and medicine are bringing professionals here, some who travel a couple days a week for work,'' says Realtor Peter Hebert, with NextHome WISCO Success. "Living close to work and to the airport are big assets for homebuyers. It’s easy for Putnam Heights residents to cycle to the hospital or the university. While Putnam Heights was built in the 1950s, it has adapted well to modern life where young families like to live, work and play close together.”
Putnam Heights is a residential neighborhood on the south side of Eau Claire.
Putnam Heights has a variety of affordable single-family home styles.
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Trendy again midcentury homes offer single-story living and open concepts
Putnam Heights features about 1,100 homes inside its nearly 40-block area. Homes range from 1,100 to 2,800 square feet and are mostly one-story, although ranch-style homes typically have finished basements. Hebert says, “A new generation of buyers is falling for midcentury homes. They want the ease of one-story living, low maintenance and features like large windows and open floorplans.”
Flat but wide streets feature tree-lined sidewalks and fenced-in backyards. The median year that residences were built is 1961. Ranch-style homes from the 1950s and 60s have recently sold from about $200,000 to $400,000. Cape Cod and Colonial-inspired homes have recently sold from about $325,000 to $380,000.
Rows of Ranch style homes make up much of the west side of Putnam Heights.
Some Colonial style homes in Putnam Heights have attached garages.
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Eau Claire Area School District is the No. 1 district in Eau Claire County
Eau Claire Area School District is the No. 1 district in the county and receives a B-plus grade from Niche. In addition to about 20 public elementary, middle and high schools, the district also offers an early learning program and three charter schools. Students in Putnam Heights can attend Manz Elementary, graded B by Niche. The school offers kindergarten through fifth grade and licensed before- and after-school care onsite. B-plus graded South Middle offers programs for gifted students and is rated the No. 2 public middle school in Eau Claire County. It also features several after-school clubs, including a ski club, Math Counts and a student council. Memorial High is graded A and is rated the No. 1 public high school in the county. The school offers more than 20 athletic teams across three seasons, including football, track and field, baseball and volleyball.
Chippewa Valley Regional Airport is 6 miles north
Putnam Heights is mostly residential and has notably flat terrain. While residents bike for recreation inside the neighborhood and some will cycle to UW-EC, about 2 miles north, car travel is essential for daily trips. The neighborhood is about 95 miles east of Minneapolis, Minnesota and 180 miles north of Madison, the state capital. Interstate 94 connects west to Minneapolis and southeast to Milwaukee. Bike lanes, trails and protected crosswalks allow cyclists to avoid riding in heavy traffic.
Chippewa Valley Regional Airport is Eau Claire’s closest airport and 6 miles north, reachable via U.S.53 Business.
Putnam Heights’ overall CAP Index crime score is 3 (on a scale of 1 to 10). A score of 4 is the U.S. average.
A suburban setting means parks in all directions
Residents can head north, south, east and west to find nearby playgrounds, neighborhood parks or large city parks. Putnam Heights Neighborhood Park is on the west side and features an enclosed and covered shelter. Families enjoy a sports field, ice skating and hockey rinks and a playground shared with Putnam Heights Elementary. MacArthur Park is more focused on passive pursuits, on the northwest and southeast corners at the traffic-circle intersection of State Street and MacArthur Avenue. It offers neatly trimmed lawns with a few benches. Manz Playground is in the center of the neighborhood adjacent to Manz Elementary. Its 5 acres offer basketball hoops, sports fields, a playground, and a covered shelter. It is roomy enough to walk canine friends. Putnam Park follows the Chippewa River to the west and Minnie Creek to the east and is notable as a forested plant and animal habitat. Visitors can explore gravel trails, old brick pedestrian bridges, tunnels and forested hills.
Manz Neighborhood Park has tons of cool climbing spots on its playground, perfect for some adventurous fun.
Putnam Heights Neighborhood Park has a basketball court that can be used off school hours.
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Shopping and dining choices are diverse and close to home
“With so much growth in Eau Claire over the past several years, the dining and shopping scene surrounding Putnam Heights, Third Ward and downtown has exploded,” says Hebert. “There’s fine dining, cafes, coffee shops, upscale delis as well as wine bars, breweries, distilleries and mixology shops. Newcomers tell me how surprised they are that a small town has so many dining options.”
Eau Claire Cheese and Deli offers gourmet-style sandwiches. The Nucleus Café shows off high ceilings, brick walls and local art to patrons enjoying breakfast and lunch. Acoustic Café offers light food and live music in the evening. The Lismore Hotel features The Informalist with trendy, upscale and locally sourced food. Their first-floor setting offers modern décor and indoor and outdoor seating. Dive is the hotel’s rooftop lounge that pays tribute to the rooftop swimming pool that occupied the space in the 1970s. Three miles east of Putnam Heights shoppers will find Festival Foods, the closest full-service grocery store. Across the street is Oakwood Mall, Eau Claire’s only full-service indoor shopping destination.
Putnam Heights residents grab a quick sandwich for lunch at Acoustic Cafe.
Festival Foods is a popular grocery option near Putnam Heights.
Hebert says, “Eau Claire offers outdoor events from festivals and concerts to riverfront celebrations. Those who live in Putnam Heights can walk a few blocks to Carson Park at the Chippewa River to enjoy fishing, biking, or kayaking. In the summer, one of the most fun things to do with friends is to grab tubes or rafts and float down the river. Local paddlesport stores can share maps and tips.” River Prairie Park, in Altoona, is 3 miles east of Putnam Park. It hosts the River Prairie Festival every May. In June, the Chippewa Vallery Airshow draws crowds to see the Blue Angels and F-16 Viper teams.
Enjoy a view of Halfmoon Lake at Carson Park.
River Prairie Park is along the bank of the Eau Claire River.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Putnam Heights
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Putnam Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Putnam Heights, Eau Claire sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Putnam Heights, Eau Claire over the last 12 months is $300,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Large Southside home conveniently located near schools, shopping and healthcare. This spacious home features 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths and two fireplaces. The exterior was recently re- sided with smart siding and new windows added. Buyers may find a need for interior updating as home was recently used as a rental. Large bedrooms with Jack and Jill bathroom w/ double vanity. Large addition in 1970.
**1/2 Security Deposits***Campus Area Housing for the 2026-2027 school year*A 2-story home with an enclosed porch, laundry in the full basement with one finished bedroom, and a partially fenced in yard. Priced for three tenants per city zoning. 4th tenant may be added if at least two are related. Tenants are in charge of all utilities and exterior grounds. Please call for more
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
