Howards Grove is a quiet bedroom community outside Sheboygan
Howards Grove is a small village offering large lots and quiet streets about 10 miles from Sheboygan's commercial and industrial areas. “We’re considered a bedroom community, meaning people leave to go to work and then come home at night,” says Dale Wuestenhagen, president of the Howards Grove Village Board. “Some folks keep to themselves, but you've got a lot of good neighbors.” Though the area is mostly residential, a small selection of restaurants serves the community, and local sports leagues allow residents to come together for some friendly competition. The area also has its own school district, so parents don’t need to drive far for drop off and pickup.
Mostly ranch-style homes on large lots with private wells
Most homes in Howards Grove were built since the 1970s, with new construction continuing into the 2020s. Throughout the community, ranch-style homes with two-car garages sit on flat quarter-acre lots, shaded by mature pine and maple trees. Most streets lack sidewalks, and the absence of through traffic makes it a quiet area. Home prices typically range from $175,000 to $550,000. Though empty lots rarely go on the market, some have recently sold for around $50,000 to $80,000. Single-story condos with two or three bedrooms typically sell for between $150,000 and $350,000, depending on square footage. There is a risk of flooding along Fisher Creek and Pigeon River during heavy rainfall, though residential areas are generally unaffected.
Since Howards Grove has a slightly more rural location in the country, there’s less public infrastructure than in cities like Sheboygan. “Right now, it’s all well water,” Wuestenhagen says. “So everyone has a well, or you share a well with the property next door. We’re looking at getting municipal water, particularly for commercial use. We do have our own wastewater treatment and all the other utilities like electric and different types of internet.”
Public education within the Howards Grove School District
Northview Elementary earns a B from Niche, and Howards Grove Middle earns an A-minus. The latter offers several athletic programs, including basketball, wrestling and volleyball, while the B-rated Howards Grove High has classes in agriscience and horticulture. In 2018, the district constructed the Howards Grove Center for the Arts, a state-of-the-art facility that hosts musical and theatrical performances from all three schools. In addition to public schools, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School provides a private option for kindergarten through eighth grade students in the area.
Baseball, softball fields and nearby golf courses
Memorial Park has baseball and softball diamonds, along with a playground and climbing structures. Across the street from Memorial Park, a short walkway leads over Pigeon River to a small duck pond. Riverside Park has a single softball diamond with a picnic shelter and playground off to the side. Mulligan's Golf Course is in the village's center, with a nine-hole course open to the public. About 5 miles east, Whistling Straits Golf Course is also open to the public and includes two 18-hole courses with scenic views of the Lake Michigan coastline.
Youth and adult sports leagues through community associations
The Millersville Recreation Association and the Howards Grove Athletic Association each run adult and youth sports leagues for baseball and softball in the community. The former also hosts a large fundraiser over two days in August, dubbed Bossy Weekend. The event includes a mini-bowling tournament on the first day, with a parade, concert and raffle drawing on the second.
Local restaurants and markets, with more options in Sheboygan
Locals drive to Sheboygan for most shops, but there are a handful of spots within the village. Howards Grove Meat Market is one of the oldest establishments in the area and has been selling meats and sausages since 1891. Log Cabin Inn is another local favorite, serving a mix of American, Italian and Mexican dishes. Hooligan’s Hideout opened in 2025 and acts as a social space with pool tables and a dartboard. Locals can shop for groceries at Piggly Wiggly.
Commuter-friendly location on highways 32 and 42
Howards Grove sits at the intersection of highways 32 and 42, about 10 miles from Sheboygan. The Hospital Sisters Health System St. Nicholas Hospital is the nearest major medical center, also about 10 miles away. The Appleton International Airport is about 55 miles away.
