Section Image

Marquette

Marquette

Neighborhood in Madison, Wisconsin

Dane County 53703

$617,949 Average Value
$370 Average Price per Sq Ft
4 Homes For Sale

Quirky Madison neighborhood on the banks of Lake Monona

Just beyond downtown lies Marquette, a city neighborhood that's one of Madison's best-known. Folks like to describe this area as bohemian, with a hip vibe that permeates from Williamson Street (lovingly shortened to Willy Street by locals) to the shores of Lake Monona. “It’s known as the hippie neighborhood,” says Julie Griffin, a Realtor with Stark Company Realtors and former Marquette resident. “But really, all kinds of people live there; it’s just a very diverse and accepting community.” Full of music festivals, historic homes and eclectic local businesses, it's no wonder that Marquette is considered one of Madison's trendiest places to live.
The Capital City Trail in Marquette is a busy commuter area for cyclists and joggers.
The Capital City Trail in Marquette is a busy commuter area for cyclists and joggers.
Copper sculptures are scattered throughout the Marquette neighborhood.
Copper sculptures are scattered throughout the Marquette neighborhood.
1/2

Locally owned shops and restaurants stretch down Willy Street

Shops and restaurants line Willy Street in brick storefronts side-by-side with colorful homes. At the furthest end, near the Yahara River, lies a Madison establishment: Mickey’s Tavern, a neighborhood watering hole known for tasty brunch in the mornings and live music at night. Walking down the isthmus toward downtown, residents will pass by various shops. Whether digging through vintage wares at Rewind Décor, picking up a new plant at Madison Greenhouse Store or perusing the wall-to-wall paintings at Hatch Art House, there’s something for everyone. Afterward, there’s plenty to eat. “Ha Long Bay has the best Asian food in Madison, and A Pig in a Fur Coat is just fantastic,” Griffin says. Or, residents can pick up groceries on the way home at Willy Street Co-op. Those want to keep the fun going will find popular performance venues like the Sylvee further north along Washington Avenue.
The Madison Greenhouse Store in Marquette is a long-standing favorite.
The Madison Greenhouse Store in Marquette is a long-standing favorite.
Bad Dog Frida in Marquette knows locals so well, their dogs get free treats when stopping by.
Bad Dog Frida in Marquette knows locals so well, their dogs get free treats when stopping by.
1/2

Kick back to live music at McPike Park or take a lakeside dip

Just a block over from Willy Street is McPike Park. Aside from the skate park, the park mainly consists of paved paths through wide-open green spaces where the Eastside Farmers’ Market is held on Tuesdays. The biggest event here is La Fête de Marquette, a French-themed festival that draws thousands of visitors to the neighborhood for an array of musical acts, not to mention all the local vendors and carnival rides. Those who prefer to use their outdoor time to get away from the crowds can relax on the shores of Lake Monona at B.B. Clarke Beach or head to Orton Park for some old-fashioned fun on the playground or the basketball courts.
There is also a free outdoor skatepark at McPike Park in Marquette.
There is also a free outdoor skatepark at McPike Park in Marquette.
Marquette has access to plenty of outdoor recreation, including fishing.
Marquette has access to plenty of outdoor recreation, including fishing.
1/2

Historic homes with front porches and dormer windows line the streets

Houses occupy narrow lots bordered by sidewalks and small strips of grass bursting with greenery despite their size. As one of Madison’s oldest neighborhoods, houses date from the late 1800s through the early 1900s, with popular styles including Craftsman bungalows, Queen Annes and American Foursquares. A mix of brick and wood siding accented by colorful trim lend homes a dollhouse-like quality. Charming dormer windows peer out over the streets, and residents can enjoy the seasonable weather from their large front porches framed by columns. A rare, modern condo can sell under $300,000, but a smaller single-family home like a quaint bungalow starts at $350,000 and can climb to $1 million for a spacious Queen Anne.
Queen Anne Victorian homes are also found throughout Marquette.
Queen Anne Victorian homes are also found throughout Marquette.
Some of the residential streets in Marquette are colorful, lending to its vibrant arts culture.
Some of the residential streets in Marquette are colorful, lending to its vibrant arts culture.
1/2

Kids can walk to excellent Madison Metropolitan Schools

Kids can attend Madison Metropolitan Schools starting at Lapham Elementary, which serves children in pre-kindergarten through the second grade. Upper-level elementary school students attend Marquette Elementary, which shares a building with O’Keeffe Middle in the neighborhood, a short walk from some homes. East High is less than a 10-minute drive away and has a student-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. All four schools score a B-plus or higher from Niche.
Lampham Elementary School is a highly-rated elementary school near Marquette.
Lampham Elementary School is a highly-rated elementary school near Marquette.
Some students in Marquette may go to Madison East High School.
Some students in Marquette may go to Madison East High School.
1/2

Live right on the edge of downtown for a five-minute commute

With so much in the neighborhood there’s hardly a need to travel, as downtown Madison is also less than a five-minute drive away. Bus stops can be found along Jenifer Street and Washington Avenue, and by car, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Dane County Regional Airport are about 10 to 15 minutes away in either direction.
Marquette is just minutes from downtown Madison, which can be accessed by the Metra line.
Marquette is just minutes from downtown Madison, which can be accessed by the Metra line.
Marquette is bordered by Lake Monona, with some of the more expensive homes in this area.
Marquette is bordered by Lake Monona, with some of the more expensive homes in this area.
1/2

A hub for music lovers, with festivals year-round

This neighborhood is a hub for some of Madison’s biggest and best-known festivals. The Willy Street Fair brings a weekend of live music and good eats to town, kicked off by a parade celebrating Willy Street’s wacky and weird spirit. The Marquette Neighborhood Association also hosts a waterfront festival, spotlighting local and national talents on the stage at Yahara Place Park. The show-stealer is the River Alliance’s Fools’ Flotilla boat parade, where folks come out dressed in zany costumes and take to their kayaks and canoes in a colorful procession from one end of the river to the other.
Marquette is a vibrant neighborhood in Madison, rich in the arts.
Marquette is a vibrant neighborhood in Madison, rich in the arts.
Camp Randall Rowing Club holds practice on Lake Monona in Marquette.
Camp Randall Rowing Club holds practice on Lake Monona in Marquette.
1/2
Elliot Schorr
Written By
Elliot Schorr
Scott Mason Bittinger
Photography Contributed By
Scott Mason Bittinger
Patrick Johnson
Video By
Patrick Johnson

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

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 Jon Vanden Brook, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Dane County Regional/Truax Field

8 min drive

Bus

Jenifer & S Baldwin (Wb)

Bus

Williamson & S Blount (Eb)

Bus

S Ingersoll & E Washington (Sb)

Bus

Williamson & S Dickinson (Eb)

Bus

Jenifer & S Few (Wb)

Bus

Jenifer & S Brearly (Wb)

Bus

E Washington & S Baldwin (Eb)

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Marquette US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Marquette Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$509,500
Median Sale Price
$497,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$652,500
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$740,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$407,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
28
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
8%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$370

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
781
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Median Year Built
1912
Months of Supply
1.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,703
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,276
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,202
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
916
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,356

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 Jon Vanden Brook, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
4,211
Median Age
35
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.9%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$64,878
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$86,489

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.6%
College Graduates
67.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
31.7%
% Population in Labor Force
84.1%
Above the national average
65.1%

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®

89 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

50 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Marquette neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
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
Marquette