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Downtown La Crosse

Downtown La Crosse

Neighborhood in La Crosse, Wisconsin

La Crosse County 54601

$339,191 Average Value
$142 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

Downtown La Crosse is filled with history, businesses and outdoorsy fun

Downtown La Crosse is the heartbeat of La Crosse county's largest city. Its commercial corridor along the Mississippi River is on the national register of historic places, and many neighborhood homes trace as far back as the turn of the 20th century. Everything is within walking distance — bars, coffee shops, restaurants and shops — attracting local college kids while offering family-friendly spaces, including the local children's museum. "It definitely picks up pace when college kids are around here because [the city has] three colleges: University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, Viterbo University and Western Technical College," says William Favre, a Realtor of 20 years of Favre & Co. @properties La. Of the three, Western Technical College is in the downtown area. While this is the core of the largest city in La Crosse County, it's also a gateway to outdoor recreation signature of western Wisconsin, from fishing along the Mississippi to hiking through the bluffs in the surrounding area.
Riverside Park is located in downtown La Crosse.
Riverside Park is located in downtown La Crosse.
La Crosse residents enjoy the views of the Mississippi River from Riverside Park.
La Crosse residents enjoy the views of the Mississippi River from Riverside Park.
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Diverse homes, in age and style, near city highlights

Craftsman and Queen Anne-style Victorians, American Foursquare, Colonial Revivals minimal traditional cottages, ranch-styles and bungalows. Prices start within the range of $102,000 to $420,000. As property sizes increase, the range rises to around $472,000 to $883,000. Large, ornate Victorians modernized with added garages fetch the highest prices. Downtown La Crosse also has condos ranging from around $248,000 to $336,000. Neighborhood streets have suburban charm but feed into the nearby university and downtown commercial area. Lots are relatively small but punctuated by large trees. Sidewalks connect residents to each other and area attractions.
Rows of gabled homes with unique additions line many streets in Downtown La Crosse.
Rows of gabled homes with unique additions line many streets in Downtown La Crosse.
American Foursquare homes with large front porches stand out in Downtown La Crosse.
American Foursquare homes with large front porches stand out in Downtown La Crosse.
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A broad mix of outdoor fun

Riverside Park is along the water, offering an international friendship garden, an amphitheater and an ice skating rink open during the winter. The park hosts longstanding events, including Riverfest, which has been held over the Fourth of July weekend since 1983, and Moon Tunes, a summertime concert series for over a decade. Lueth Bicycle and Skate Park gives locals a place to shred. Both Cameron Park and Burns Park are modest green spaces with playgrounds. Cameron Park also has bike racks and hosts the local farmers market during the summer. A dog park right outside town gives pups a place to play. Myrick Park is over a mile and a half west and is known for its trails connecting to Hixon Forest's own trail network leading to the public Forest Hills Golf Course and Grandad Bluff, the highest peak in La Crosse. Pettibone Park is over 2 miles away, across the Mississippi River, with fishing docks, a beach and a disc golf course.
Boaters take a slow pass by Riverside Park on the Mississippi River.
Boaters take a slow pass by Riverside Park on the Mississippi River.
Forest Hills Golf Course is one of the oldest courses in Wisconsin and is just minutes from Downtown La Crosse.
Forest Hills Golf Course is one of the oldest courses in Wisconsin and is just minutes from Downtown La Crosse.
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School choice creates options for local students

School choice allows students to apply to different La Crosse School District schools. Many begin at Emerson Elementary School, which Niche gives a B rating, before heading to Logan Middle School — which earns a C plus — or Longfellow Middle School — rated C minus. “The majority will be going to Longfellow,” says Dan Stacey of RE/MAX Results Eden Prarie, a Realtor born and raised in this city. The B-rated Logan High School offers an apprenticeship program that integrates school-based and work-based learning. Two charter schools downtown are La Crosse Design Institute, serving sixth through 11th grade, and 7 Rivers Community High School, serving 12th grade. Neither is rated by Niche.
Logan Middle School has a C+ grade overral according to Niche.
Logan Middle School has a C+ grade overral according to Niche.
There is a football field and track on the Logan High School campus.
There is a football field and track on the Logan High School campus.
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After-school enrichment in downtown La Crosse

Cappella Performing Arts Center hosts The La Crosse Youth Symphony Orchestras at no cost and it offers free voice and music lessons to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse. The Children's Museum of La Crosse is also downtown for more after-school enrichment.

Ways to get around, including by bike

The streets are always alive, with pedestrians going to and fro. Wisconsin Highway 35 and Wisconsin Highway 16 intersect in downtown La Crosse. Highway 16 leads to Interstate 90, which takes commuters across the Mississippi River to the bordering state of Minnesota and southeast toward the capital city of Madison, over 140 miles away. Wisconsin Highway 35 is a major north-south route on the neighborhood’s eastern side. Bus stops through Municipal Transit Utility line the highways and residential streets downtown. Commuters can also make use of various bike lanes and a public bike-sharing service called Drift Cycle.
Bikers will often take a break on the benches at Riverside Park.
Bikers will often take a break on the benches at Riverside Park.
La Crosse MTU has several stops throughout Downtown La Crosse.
La Crosse MTU has several stops throughout Downtown La Crosse.
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Over 100 businesses, many within historic buildings

More than 100 businesses settle downtown, many in historic brick buildings. The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor sells truffles, fudge and more than 20 flavors of homemade ice cream made from Wisconsin dairy. Buzzard Billy's is popular for its Cajun-Creole fare and cocktail bar. Numerous bars spread out across town serving craft beers and pub grub, including the state's famous cheese curds. Across from a pier, where boaters can dock, The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern serves its seasonal menu in two different atmospheres, a casual tavern and a high-end dining room with riverside views. For groceries, deli or bakery items, residents can head to People's Food Co-op, which focuses on organic products sourced locally. And Festival Foods is less than a mile away. Retailers sell a broad mix, from antiques to records to women's clothing and handmade beauty products.
Downtown La Crosse is a bike friendly and walkable neighborhood
Downtown La Crosse is a bike friendly and walkable neighborhood
Downtown La Crosse residents enjoy shopping at People's Food Co-op.
Downtown La Crosse residents enjoy shopping at People's Food Co-op.
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A possibility of flooding in La Crosse

Both the county and city of La Crosse are at risk of flooding. The last flood to hit the downtown area was in 2024.
Kathryn Ashworth
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
Photography Contributed By
Tyler McNair
Francesco Basti
Video By
Francesco Basti

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Mark Oldenburg, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

La Crosse Regional

17 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown La Crosse US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 8 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 7 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 7 4
Larceny 8 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Downtown La Crosse Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$342,500
Median Sale Price
$330,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$355,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$299,900
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$330,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
11
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$142

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
31
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Median Year Built
1923
Months of Supply
3.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,778
Significantly above the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,623

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Mark Oldenburg, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
4,770
Median Age
27
Population under 18
16.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
7.3%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$22,510
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$37,168

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
90.4%
College Graduates
35.6%
Advanced Degrees
18.1%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
57.8%
Below the national average
65.1%

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

99 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

91 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

41 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown La Crosse