Lakeside living and vibrant community in Minocqua
Minocqua, also called "The Island City", is a community surrounded by lakes and sprawling forests in northeast Wisconsin. The town proper is on a peninsula surrounded by the waters of Minocqua Lake, and the population swells by the thousands in the summer months as tourists flood in. "Explaining the draw for Minocqua is easy. It's slow-paced lake living, it's beautiful in all four seasons and there's always something to do outdoors," says Kristin Wild, a local Realtor with First Weber who's been selling homes in Wisconsin for nearly 30 years. "It has tons of lakes throughout the area and these towering pine and maple trees. This is a big vacation area, but more and more people are moving here permanently. You can't beat being in a hammock looking at the water all year." The community is known for its abundant outdoor recreation in both summer and winter, as well as a bustling downtown area.
Vacation homes, rentals and permanent stays in diverse housing styles
For all that Minocqua is a lake town, it's also heavily forested, meaning housing ranges from waterfront properties to modern cabins and ranch-style homes tucked away in the woods. "I'll sell to someone who wants to settle down and live here year-round, but I also sell a lot to snowbirds and those who want to turn the property into a rental," Wild says. Due to the wide range of architectural styles and construction dates that the community has, prices vary wildly, and there are nearly the same number of renters as there are owners in the area. The median sales price for single-family homes is about $550,000, which Wild says is slightly higher than nearby lake communities, such as Eagle River. Minocqua's CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Outdoor recreation during all four seasons
While the population spikes drastically in the summer with peak tourism season, Minocqua has year-round outdoor recreation, from hiking and swimming during the warmer months to ice fishing in the winter. There are several maintained parks within the town proper, and Minocqua Park Complex is a go-to for residents taking their kids to the playground or playing games of sand volleyball. "Summer is our most popular season, because everyone loves the boating and kayaking. Four-wheeling is also huge here, and there are a ton of trails for that," Wild says. She also mentions the Minocqua Winter Park, which has become popular when the snow piles high for its cross-country skiing trails, snow tubing hills and snowmobiling areas.
The local bustle of downtown Minoqua
Downtown Minocqua is a vibrant scene, filled with locally owned eateries, boutiques and bustling bars that provide entertainment from early morning to late night. "The downtown area is cute and very walkable. It stays busy all the time," Wild says. "Everyone has their tradition when they're down there. Like, they have to stop at the popcorn shop before eating at one of the waterfront restaurants." The Boathouse sits at the edge of Lake Minocqua, and offers craft cocktails, upscale American fare and live piano music. On Chicago Avenue, the Minocqua Farmers Market sets up every Friday from May to October, offering local produce, artisan crafts and specialty goods. On the community's north side off Route 70 is a large retail area with chain restaurants, grocers and big-box stores.
Seasonal events feature tradition and community spirit
Minocqua hosts several annual events, from the 50 craft vendors at the June Bloom art festival to the dramatic fireworks display over the water during the Fourth of July. In September, thousands flood into downtown for an event that's truly unique to Minocqua. "They have this big eating event called Beef-A-Rama, which has been going on for over 50 years," Wild says. "It started as a little tasting competition, and now tons of chefs and non-profits show up to make the best pot roast they can. There's live music, beer gardens, people dressing up as cows. It's a whole thing."
Kids attend B-rated schools with career-focused programs
The Minocqua J1 School District maintains two schools: Minocqua Elementary and Lakeland STAR School, a seventh and eighth grade charter academy. Most kids in the area will head to Minocqua Elementary, given a B-minus from Niche, to attend kindergarten through eighth grade. Afterwards, students will transfer over to B-rated Lakeland Union High. At LUHS, students can join work-based learning programs to get real-world knowledge through apprenticeships and employment projects.
Bus service and major roads support local commuting
Highway 51, also locally referred to as Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway, is a north-south thoroughfare for the region. It crosses over Minocqua Lake and runs upward to the Michigan-Wisconsin state line. It's one of several major routes that run through Minocqua, giving residents quick commuting access. Bay Area Rural Transit provides bus service in the community. A few medical centers and urgent care facilities are on Minocqua's north side.
