Small-town Medford is an industry hub in Taylor County
Medford is a quiet country town located in the heart of central Wisconsin. Although small, it serves as a hub for the surrounding county, connected to the countryside expanse by a pair of two-lane highways. “It’s a rural area, not a very large town. The total population is probably somewhere between 3,500 and 4,500,” says Jamie Kleutsch, broker and owner of Freedom Choice Realty, who has lived in the area since 1983. “At the same time, there is a lot of industry here. We have Nestle, Weather Shield Windows, and we’re the seat of Taylor County, so the courthouse, police and sheriff are all based here.”
Older homes and new builds mix in Medford’s competitive market
Medford’s shady streets are lined with a mix of Colonial farmhouses and midcentury style houses. In town, the rectangular lots often have just enough space for a small front lawn and a fenced-in backyard. On the outskirts, more spacious lots are common. “Homes in town are mostly older, and the market is very competitive. We’ve had low inventory over the last couple of years,” Kleutsch says. “It’s mostly a mix of styles, but ranch-style houses are frequently the most popular because of resale value. We’ve had some new development, too, which has brought some new duplexes and Modern Traditional builds to the area.” Multifamily homes typically price at around $160,000, while single-family homes can range in price from $50,000 to almost $590,000, depending on square footage, build year, number of bedrooms and acreage.
Medford High earns solid marks and offers dual enrollment
The Medford Area Public School District, which operates three schools within the city, earns an overall A-minus from Niche. Medford Elementary and Medford Middle Schools both receive Bs. Medford High scores a B-minus and offers students the option for dual enrollment courses at Northcentral Technical College. Private faith-based alternatives like Holy Rosary Catholic School are also available for kindergarten through grade 6.
A historic city park and outdoor recreation, even in the snow
Medford City Park, established in 1890, offers 100 acres of recreation facilities. “The city park is a source of local pride here. They just put in a band stand and a handicap-accessible playground,” Kleutsch says. “There’s also a pool area and a skate park, where the school kids will spend basically the entire summer.” Fishing in nearby Esadore and Sackett Lakes is also a common pastime, in both summer and winter. “Medford is a huge winter sports area. Ice fishing out in the Taylor County lakes, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are all big with locals,” Kleutsch adds.
Dining and grocery options include regional chains and local favorites
The Medford County Market is a community-owned grocery store on the east side of town. It is just about one mile down the street from the local Walmart Supercenter. “Our Main Street area has been revived recently,” Kleutsch says. “There’s the Uncommon Ground coffee shop and restaurants like Marilyn’s and the Old School Saloon. And we also have two Kwik Trips in town, which see a lot of use.” Kwik Trip, which is the largest convenience store chain in Wisconsin, is a frequent stop for locals when needing a gallon of milk or a quick family dinner.
Taylor County residents commute to Medford on two-lane highways
Medford sits at the confluence of Wisconsin state Routes 13 and 64, which both provide important commuter lanes for Taylor County residents. “People from Medford don’t usually commute to other places,” Kleutsch explains. “Because there’s so much industry in town, and because the Aspirus Medford Hospital is here, people from the surrounding areas tend to come here for work or necessities.” The closest commercial airport is the Central Wisconsin Airport, located 53 miles south of town in Mosinee.
