A small town feel and the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie
Wrapping itself around Lake Menomin, Menomonie is a small Wisconsin city west of Eau Claire. Home to about 17,000 residents, plus about 7,000 students at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, it offers comparatively affordable housing and plentiful outdoor activities. “I think it really has that hometown feel,” says Kim Bump, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. “The college makes up a large portion of the community, so you definitely get that college town atmosphere. It is pretty self-sufficient and has the most important things: a hospital, banks, grocery stores, though people might go to Eau Claire for bigger shopping trips.”
Menomonie is a western Wisconsin college town with shops, dining, and outdoor recreational activities.
The UW-Stout main campus is located near downtown Menomonie.
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University of Wisconsin-Stout specializes in polytechnic education
School District of the Menomonie Area rates as a B-minus on Niche and the site ranks it as the best in Dunn County. Serving more than 3,400 students, the district provides its sixth through 12th graders with a personal laptop.
The University of Wisconsin-Stout focuses on a lab-based, polytechnic education. It is also home to several graduate programs.
The university is largest employer, and public school district is the third largest. Several manufacturing companies also have facilities in Menomonie, including 3M, the Andersen Corporation and Phillips-Medisize.
The athletics stadium is on the north side of Menomonie High School.
Menomonie Middle School is a brick building with green accents.
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Mid-size amenities but small-town prices
The city has a range of home styles, from ranch-style properties in the $200,000s to large traditional homes that fetch nearly $700,000. The median price for single-family homes is about $300,000, lower than the national median and slightly lower than the median in Eau Claire. “I think it tends to have the small-town pricing but in a community with some resources,” Bump says. “But Menomonie doesn’t have everything, which probably keeps the prices a bit lower.” Builders are creating new developments, though not at the same rate or volume as in Eau Claire. “There’s growth, but not as much as in some other areas,” Bump adds. “Timber Valley and Whisper Ridge are newer subdivisions.”
Many of the homes in Menomonie have a traditional style with front porches.
Menomonie is filled with numerous home styles that re affordable for buyers and renters.
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Interstate 94 connects Menomonie to Eau Claire and the Twin Cities
Menomonie is about 24 miles west of Eau Claire and about 70 miles east of Minneapolis. Interstate 94 runs just north of the city and U.S. Highway 12 loops under the lake and then heads north. The Mayo Clinic has its Red Cedar Hospital in Menomonie off Highway 12. Dunn County Transit has a community bus route that runs through town, and a doorstop bus service that residents can use if they call ahead. The Chippewa Valley Regional Airport is about 25 miles from Menomonie, offering a handful of flights from Sun Country and United while the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport has a bounty of other flight options about 73 miles away.
Devil’s Punchbowl is a local landmark
Devil’s Punchbowl Preserve’s namesake bowl, a rock formation over half a billion years old, can be explored via the trail snaking down into the ravine. Residents can hike in Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area and climb the observation tower for views of the surrounding countryside. “That’s a beautiful hike,” Bump says. “We go every fall.” “Wakanda has a great water park,” Bump says. “I used to bring my kids there all the time.” Lake Menomin Park has access to the lake, though Bump cautions that the algae can be thick in summer. Hikers and cyclists can explore the Red Cedar State Trail, which winds along its namesake river.
Devil's Punchbowl freezes over in the winter months.
Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area has scenic hiking trails.
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Concerts, plays and more at the Mabel Tainter Theater
Menomonie has several historical and cultural attractions. Residents can enjoy a sculpture tour through town, visit the Mabel Tainter Theater, a historic building and event space that hosts concerts, theater productions and trivia nights, or check out the Wilson Place Museum, a mansion once inhabited by some of the city’s founding families. Residents can also connect with nearby farms. “Govin’s Farm has lambing every spring,” Bump says. “It’s a big deal to go and see the lambs.”
Enjoy the sculpture at Sanna Park in the heart of Menomonie.
The Mabel Tainter Theater is a historic event space in downtown Menomonie.
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Brewery Nonic serves craft beer in a former train depot
Downtown Menomonie offers vintage stores, boutiques and game stores. Folks can head to Dragon Tale Books for the latest bestseller or to catch an author event. It’s to not one but two transportation-themed breweries: Brewery Nonic, housed in an old train depot, and Zymurgy Brewery, which was once an auto shop. Raw Deal is a local coffee roaster with a café, and Hang’s Cuisine serves a variety of dishes from across Southeast Asia. “There’s also a great little coffee shop called Golden Leaf,” Bump says. There is a Walmart and an Aldi in town, and people often head to Eau Claire for a broader range of shopping options.
Aldi is a popular grocery option for Menomonie residents.
Menomonie's Zymurgy Brewery offers a variety of locally brewed beers and live music.
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Important to know
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, violent crime counts rose sharply in 2020 and have fallen since. Property crime counts have fallen steadily since 2015.
Menomonie is in northwestern Wisconsin, so residents should expect cold winters with regular snow, temperate springs, and warm, humid summers that may bring mosquitos out to feast.
Written By
Ty Phelps
Photography Contributed By
Tyler McNair
Video By
Patrick Johnson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Steven Cody,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in Menomonie, WI sell after 75 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Menomonie, WI over the last 12 months is $305,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Located just minutes from Menomonie, this level and build-ready 2-acre parcel offers the perfect balance of quiet country living with the convenience of nearby town amenities. Surrounded by natural beauty and just a short stroll from the Red Cedar River, the setting is ideal for you if you who crave peace, privacy, and space to roam. With a flat, open layout and a backdrop of mature trees along
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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.
