Jefferson is a homegrown community in southeastern Wisconsin
Jefferson is a small community in a rural county, where events and a know-your-neighbor vibe attract new people and keep long-time residents around. The convergence of the Rock and Crawfish rivers brings outlets for recreation and riverside parks. A growing downtown promotes local businesses, and according to Adriane Stuebs, broker and owner of Shine Realty, "It is such a homegrown community; it's so down-to-earth." Jefferson is an epicenter for shopping, recreation and events in Jefferson County, but this small community is still considered a hidden jewel of southeastern Wisconsin. "There's a lot of secrecy to Jefferson because Madison and Milwaukee are so close," Stuebs says. "But Jefferson has riverfront concerts, big events and fantastic restaurants that people just don't know are here. Once you discover it, it's hard to leave."
Less expensive housing alternatives to nearby cities
Bungalows, small single-story homes and Victorian cottages near downtown range from $120,000 to $250,000. Colonial Revivals, ranch and farmhouse-style homes in subdivisions from the 1950s to '80s range from $250,000 to $450,000. New traditional houses built in the past three decades range from $400,000 to $670,000, and limited townhouses and condos sell between $230,000 and $450,000. "Jefferson is unique because no one moves out over the years," Stuebs says. "Instead, it's hard to get into Jefferson. So, they've been working hard to bring in new developments." Stuebs continues that while demand is high and houses sell quickly after listing, prices are lower than in more popular nearby cities. "When I have clients that want to live in Lake Mills, and they can't quite crack into that market because it's so expensive, I will introduce them to Jefferson."
Recreation and entertainment along the riverbanks
Riverfront Park is one of a few parks along the water and has tennis courts, baseball and softball diamonds, and a giant, castle-themed wooden playground. Rotary Park is another space that overlooks the water and is where Jefferson Concerts in the Park occur each Thursday from June through August. Jefferson's most unique outdoor destination is Goat Island. Accessible only by boat, the small island in the middle of the confluence of the two rivers is where a herd of goats lives from June through September. Goat Fest is an annual event celebrating Jefferson's goat residents with music, food, vendors, goat races and more. Flooding along the riverbanks happens occasionally, but homes are mostly unaffected.
Quirky local businesses in a historic Main Street downtown
Jefferson's riverside historic downtown area has a collection of century-old row buildings hosting locally owned restaurants and shops. "It's a growing area," Stuebs says. "It recently became a Main Street Program, allowing businesses to develop their facades and fill those blank spaces." Downtown highlights include Vintage on Main, a store where local artisans consign their items in personalized displays, and Red Line BBQ, a firehouse-themed barbeque restaurant owned by a local retired firefighter. "They know you by name," Stuebs says of the business owners and other residents. "There's that warm community feeling that people think exists in television only, but it's there in Jefferson."
Johnson Creek Premium Outlets is 7 miles north and has home goods stores and fashion retailers. Menards and Kohl's are also in Johnson Creek, and Walmart Supercenter is in Jefferson.
A progressive school district with regular renovations
Jefferson School District is rated B-plus by Niche. While Stuebs says that the community is conservative and has changed minimally in the past 30 years, the schools are a different story. "The superintendent is fantastic, and the district is progressive," she says. "They've gone through some referendums and are regularly getting renovations." Elementary-aged students attend East Elementary School or West Elementary School, rated B and B-minus, respectively. All students come together at Jefferson Middle School and Jefferson High School, both rated B.
St. John the Baptist School and St. John's Lutheran School are two religiously affiliated private institutions in the area, each next to its associated church. They both teach prekindergarten through eighth grade.
Annual fairs and festivals for the whole county
Jefferson County Fair lasts a week in July and has music, vendors, auctions, animal shows and tractor pulls. The grounds host more regular events like car shows, horse shows and rodeos.
Gemütlichkeit Days has been honoring the area's German heritage and ancestry since 1971. The Oktoberfest-style festival has a costume contest, a window-decorating contest for the businesses on Main Street, polka bands and Stein-carrying contests.
Two major Wisconsin cities are nearby
Michigan state Highway 26 and U.S. Route 18 are the main roads of Jefferson, and Interstate 94 is a short drive north. Milwaukee is about 50 miles east, and Madison is about 30 miles west via Interstate 94. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is 56 miles east, about an hour's drive, and Fort Memorial Hospital is south in Fort Atkinson.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
