The quiet village of North Prairie has low taxes and standout schools
North Prairie was once a busy railroad stop in the heart of Wisconsin’s dairy farming region. However, as urban expansion has pushed outward from Waukesha and Milwaukee, much of the area’s farmland has been turned into modern subdivisions. Today, North Prairie is close to city amenities but still rural enough to enjoy a quiet pace of life. “We’re within 10 minutes of Delafield and downtown Waukesha,” says Frank Rewasiewicz, a village board trustee and resident for over 30 years. “And then 10 minutes in the other direction, you’re in the middle of the Kettle Moraine State Forest.” The community is centered around an elementary school and a few local parks, but there is no real downtown area. “The school district is very good, taxes are low, and it’s one of the safest areas in the state,” Rewasiewicz says. “When homes do go for sale in town, they go extremely fast.”
Historic homes and early 2000s subdivisions
Starting in the 1990s, North Prairie’s open farmland began to turn into upscale subdivisions. The Broadlands is the village’s largest neighborhood, built in the early 2000s around a golf course. Although The Broadlands plans to add around 60 new condos in the upcoming years, not much further development is on the horizon, according to Rewasiewicz. “There’s not a whole lot of growth left to do here,” Rewasiewicz says. “So, it’s going to retain a small-town feel.”
Midcentury ranch-style homes and early-1900s bungalows typically cost between $250,000 and $550,000, depending on acreage and condition. “Some of the houses in the older areas are more affordable, and they can be fixed up,” Rewasiewicz says. In newer subdivisions, properties often have nearly an acre of land. Prices for these higher-end homes and condos range from $450,000 to $850,000.
The local elementary school and Mukwonago High’s football team
Within the village, Prairie View Elementary School gets an A rating from Niche. “My daughter moved to Waukesha, but she actually drives her kids over here every day so they can attend with open enrollment,” Rewasiewicz says. The village is also home to St. John’s Lutheran Pre-School & Daycare, located at a local church.
Older students head to Mukwonago to attend Park View Middle School, rated A-minus, and Mukwonago High School, rated B-plus. The high school is known for its football team, which was one game away from making it to the state championship in 2024.
Youth sports and nearby hiking in the Kettle Moraine
In the heart of the village, Veterans Park and Village Park offer sports courts and picnic areas. It’s common to see the North Prairie Athletic Association running youth soccer, baseball and softball games at the park. If a family can’t afford the uniform or the fee to join the team, the association covers the costs. “Any kid that wanted to play, I wanted to make sure they got a chance to play,” says Rewasiewicz, who founded the group in 2001. The nearby Broadlands Golf Club has a well-maintained 18-hole course that is open to the public. A few miles east, Schuett Farms is a popular pumpkin patch in the fall.
The Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest also borders North Prairie. Locals can escape into the woods for camping and hiking along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Ottawa Lake Recreation Area is popular in the summer for fishing, kayaking and swimming.
A few local restaurants and a farm market
Sports Page Bar & Grill is often filled with familiar faces, especially for the Friday fish fry. ZaZing! Primo Pizza is a favorite for takeout, and Lucy’s Café serves breakfast in a cozy diner atmosphere. Kipp Farms & County Market sells farm-fresh eggs and meat, and Bill’s Mini Mart has quick essentials. But beyond those options, locals typically head out of town for shopping and dining.
Mukwonago, 7 miles south, has grocery options like Aldi and Metro Market, as well as the nearest hospital. Residents can also about 10 miles north to Delafield or east to Waukesha for big-brand options like Target and Walmart.
Fireworks, carnival rides and pancakes with Santa
The village’s biggest event is HarvestFest, a fall celebration of the village’s agricultural roots. There’s a baking competition, a carnival, a car show and fireworks. Local elementary school kids can enter a random drawing to be crowned HarvestFest king and queen, earning a special place of honor during the parade. The Lions Club also plans a popular pancake breakfast with Santa, and Rewasiewicz says it’s a tradition for Santa to ride around in a fire truck and give out candy canes to the kids. "When we get together for festivals, you know everybody," Rewasiewicz says.
Twenty minutes to Waukesha, forty minutes to Milwaukee
Waukesha is about 10 miles away, typically a 20-minute trip along state Route 59. Residents head north to take Interstate 94 for the 30-mile drive into Milwaukee, which usually takes about 40 minutes. The larger city is home to Mitchell International Airport.
![Catherine Lashley]()
Written By
Catherine Lashley
