Jobs at John Deere and 30,000 acres of marshland in Horicon
The small Wisconsin city of Horicon gets its name from the stretch of wetlands just north of town. The 30,000-acre Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area is fed by the Rock River, which flows through the marsh into the city. Downtown restaurants and businesses line Lake Street, and the city’s manufacturing facilities are also along the main thoroughfare. “John Deere has a very large facility, and it's one of the bigger employers here. A lot of people moving here are from Iowa because they keep transferring from the Iowa plants,” says Angela Noltimier, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Newcomers can meet their neighbors at local high school sporting events or the annual events hosted by local organizations.
Birdwatching at Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area and swimming at the pool
Prehistoric glacier movements formed the Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area, which has since transformed into a hotspot for bird-watching. Thousands of waterfowl gather here in the spring and fall as part of their migration routes, giving bird-watchers a chance to see bald eagles, blue herons and other birds on 5 miles of trails. Fishing and kayaking are also available on the Rock River. River Bend Park, the city's largest park, offers a boat launch right downtown, plus a playground, a baseball diamond, disc golf and tennis courts. A dog park opened in spring 2024, making it the park’s most recent addition. Discher Park has an aquatic center with water slides, and Horicon Hills Golf Club has an 18-hole course open to the public.
Older midcentury homes alongside 2025 New Traditionals in Horicon
Cape Cods, bungalows and ranch-style homes in Horicon sit on tree-lined streets with sidewalks. The Cityview subdivision also has New Traditional homes built in 2024 and 2025. Prices typically range from $120,000 to $320,000, with the New Traditionals in Cityview on the higher end of the selection.
Outdoor seating at downtown American and Mexican restaurants
Rock River Tap offers American fare and has outdoor seating overlooking the Rock River. For dessert, Ice Cream Station has over 30 flavors. “There’s a new Mexican restaurant that’s getting a lot of buzz just because it has outdoor seating,” Noltimier says about Arandas Mexican Grill. The closest grocery store is the Piggly Wiggly in Mayville, about 5 miles away, but people can find more options about 11 miles west in Beaver Dam. “Horicon’s very close to Beaver Dam, and there’s the Walmart Supercenter there,” Noltimier says. “That’s probably 10 minutes away.” Horicon also has a Kwik Trip and a Dollar General for last-minute pickups.
A National Blue Ribbon elementary school and technical programs
Horicon Elementary School — a National Blue Ribbon School in 2024 — receives an A grade from Niche. Horicon Middle School receives a B-plus, and Horicon High School receives a C-plus. The high school offers multiple career and technical classes in woodworking, welding, agriculture and health care. Noltimier also says high school sports are a big deal in town, and it’s common to see locals heading to the football games in fall.
Longstanding art fairs and local farmers markets with summer hours
Autumn Art on the Marsh will celebrate its 50th anniversary in September 2025. The arts and craft show sets up in Discher Park, where local artists can display and sell their work from tents pitched on the green. The Horicon Phoenix Farmers Market brings fresh produce to Kiwanis Park every Wednesday afternoon from May to October. From June to August, the market extends its hours for Music at the Market. In addition to the farmers market vendors, people can enjoy live music and a community cookout. The local librarians set up activities for the kids.
Driving to Beaver Dam or downtown Milwaukee from Horicon
State Highway 33 links the town with Beaver Dam, about 11 miles away, where Marshfield Medical Center-Beaver Dam is also located. “It’s also very commutable to Milwaukee, and people like Horicon because it’s more affordable,” Noltimier says. Downtown Milwaukee is about 50 miles away, and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is about 60.
Written By
Caroline Ernst
