$539,741Average Value$209Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
A popular neighborhood for UW-Madison students
Greenbush originated at the turn of the 20th century as a Madison enclave for carpenters, cobblers and other working-class neighbors, who built modest homes near the University of Wisconsin. Today, in the midst of two waterfront parks, two hospitals, and the university, buyers can find an investment property, a fixer-upper or a remodeled charmer. “It’s a mixed neighborhood, where you won’t see a lot of small kids running around playing, but you might live next to undergrads who host some Friday night parties,” says Josh Lavik, Realtor and team leader at Josh Lavik and Associates. “If you want something near the university that’s walkable to St. Mary’s or UnityPoint Health Meriter hospitals, Greenbush is a good choice.” Daniel Tenney, a Realtor with MHB Real Estate, echoes the sentiment. “If you choose to live in Greenbush, the tradeoff for living in the heart of everything is that you need to not mind being surrounded by college housing.''
Breakfast, bakeries and bars in Greenbush
There are plenty of walkable places to shop and dine in Greenbush. The Borough Beer Co. & Kitchen, at Park and Drake streets, is the spot for craft brews, sports on the big screen, and Friday fish fries. Several more pubs along Regent Street cater to the late-night crowd, as well as coffee shops for the early birds (Greenbush Bakery’s doughnuts were voted the best in Madison as recently as 2024). “You’re also very close to a bunch of cool shops on Monroe Street,” adds Lavik. Shops include Strictly Discs, a music store that’s been jamming out for more than three decades, and a Trader Joe’s for easy grocery runs. As for food, “Mickies Dairy Bar is a favorite breakfast spot that’s been there forever. Inside, it feels like a time-warp to an old-school diner,” Lavik says.
Tons of lakeside recreation
Residents of Greenbush are close to green space and the waterfront in Brittingham and Vilas parks. Josh Lavik says Brittingham Park is nice, although you have to cross a four-lane thoroughfare to get to it on foot. “But I go there a lot for Burgers on the Bay on Friday afternoons in the summer,” he says. “People jump in their kayaks and ride out to a grill on a pontoon in the middle of the bay. It can bring upwards of 100 or 150 people and there’s always great live music.” In addition to this popular community event, the park offers an accessible playground, boat rentals and walking paths along Monona Bay’s shoreline.
At the south end of the neighborhood is the 45-acre Vilas Park, which traces Lake Wingra’s northern shore. Attractions include the Henry Vilas Zoo, filled with animals from around the world, and a kayak launch. “The cool thing about the zoo is that it’s always free for everyone,” says Lavik. “It’s also one of the nicest parks in winter because you can ice skate on the pond.” In the northwest corner of Greenbush, the cozy Edward Klief Park offers a playground, sand volleyball and basketball courts. And of course, because UW-Madison is a huge part of the Greenbush pulse, residents head to the on-campus stadium on Regent Street for football games. Lavik says, “Regent Street is pretty packed on Badger Saturdays for home football games. A lot of locals get season passes.”
Early-twentieth-century house styles
According to Lavik, Greenbush is “An older neighborhood, where many homes have been renovated several times.” Though after nearly a century and a half of change, Greenbush homes are still primarily single-level bungalows and two-story Colonial Revivals built between 1900 and 1930. Small front yards with front porch steps that land directly on the sidewalk and gridded streets offer a city-like feel. Between the sidewalks and the streets are mature trees that provide a canopy above pedestrians. Many homes have back alleys and detached garages for parking. Prices generally range from about $250,000 to $585,000. According to Tenney, “I’d say that about half or more of the neighborhood is comprised of investment properties that homebuyers rent to students or hospital employees.”
Getting around the area
Street and back alley parking is plentiful in Greenbush, but it’s walkable, too; city buses make stops throughout the neighborhood, including both hospitals. Route 151 runs along the east side of the neighborhood, providing connections to most of the city’s major highways and interstates. The Dane County Regional Airport is 7 miles from home. Flooding concerns from the adjacent Monona Bay extend a block or more from the waterfront.
Local Madison Metropolitan School District schools
Families raising school-age children in Greenbush can enroll students in Madison Metropolitan School District public schools. Kids start at Franklin Elementary, graded B-plus by Niche, and move on to Hamilton Middle, graded A. Older students head to West High, which is also graded A and is renovating its Performing Arts Center to serve their standout theater program.
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
Tiffany Tobias,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Vilas (Henry) Park
Basketball
Bike Trails
Boating
Edward Klief Park
Brittingham Park
Basketball
Dog Park
Fishing
Bernie's Beach
Beach
Parking Lot
Brittingham Park
Bear Mound Park
Trails
Transit
Airport
Dane County Regional/Truax Field
14 min drive
Bus
Regent & S Park (Eb)
Bus
S Park & Erin (Sb)
Bus
Regent & S Randall (Eb)
Bus
Drake & S Mills (Wb)
Bus
S Randall & Drake (Nb)
Bus
S Park & W Washington (Nb)
Bus
Regent & S Mills (Eb)
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Greenbush
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
7
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
8
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Greenbush Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Greenbush, Madison sell after 118 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Greenbush, Madison over the last 12 months is $475,000, up 64% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
No showings until 8/3. I have included an old picture of the home to give you an idea of the tremendous location. Great views from the porch and five other rooms. The Bay, a park, and a running track are just steps away. You can walk to Concerts on the Square, Monona Terrace, or Badger games in just a few minutes. 3 bedrooms, 5 baths and an oversized garage. Wood floors and an open floor plan.
Exquisite, fully remodeled 3-bed, 1.5-bath home boasts new plumbing, windows, electrical, and stainless steel appliances. Gleaming hardwood floors flow throughout, complemented by a spa-like bathroom with a tiled shower and heated tile floors. Spacious two-car garage offers ample storage. Prime location steps from Henry Vilas Zoo, UW Arboretum, and hospital. Modern open-concept kitchen with
Nestled in the heart of Madison’s beloved Greenbush neighborhood, this classic American Foursquare blends timeless + preserved character w/ everyday comfort. Original woodwork, built-ins, a gas fireplace + sun-filled spaces fill the home w/ warmth + charm, while a functional layout offers flexibility for modern living. Main level features spacious living + dining rooms, kitchen w/ ample storage,
Rare opportunity to own 2 buildings, 2 commercial spaces, 4 apartments, oversized two car garage with ample parking on the booming S Park St corridor! This property is adjacent to Vilas/Greenbush neighborhood and walkable to everything downtown! The commercial tenants include Cordial Bar, where the motto is, "Outside's a Dive, Inside's a Vibe". They have been in business for 4 years and have an
FIRST MONTH'S RENT FREE WITH LEASES SIGNED BY 7/31/25!Available August 2025 – Modern Downtown Madison ApartmentLive in the heart of downtown Madison! This stylish apartment offers modern comforts and unbeatable convenience. Located within walking distance of Meriter Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, Camp Randall, UW Campus, and on the Epic bus line—perfect for professionals, students, or
A truly unique apartment experience, the Longfellow Lofts community is made up of the historic Longfellow School and the newly completed Modern residence. Located in the beautiful shaded neighborhoods of Vilas and the Greenbush, Longfellow Lofts offers a convenient and central location just over a mile from the capitol while still maintaining a quiet neighborhood appeal. Call or stop by today!
The Dude Abodes is upscale Madison apartment living at it's finest. You'll love having The Borough Beer Company on-site. We are conveniently located at the corner of Park Street and Drake Street by shops, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, Meriter and St. Marys Hospitals, trails, only minutes to the Capitol Square, UW Madison and more.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tiffany Tobias,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
4,138
Median Age
29
Population Density
16 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
8.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$34,673
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$64,420
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89.5%
College Graduates
63%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
31.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
72.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
12°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
44''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
100/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
87/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
56/ 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.
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.
