The quiet village of North Prairie has “low taxes and great 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 are not too far from Delafield or downtown Waukesha,” says Frank Rewasiewicz, a village board trustee and resident for over 30 years. “But you can also drive ten minutes and be 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. “We have low taxes and great schools, which is a unique combination these days,” Rewasiewicz says. "When homes go up for sale, they sell 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, we are going to retain this small-town feel.”
Midcentury ranch-style homes and early-1900s bungalows typically cost between $250,000 and $550,000, depending on acreage and condition. “In the older area of town, some homes are more affordable, and you can fix them 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. “Prairie is a great school,” Rewasiewicz says. “My daughter went there, and even though she’s moved to Waukesha, she still drives her kids over here every day so they can attend with open enrollment.” 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. “The association has always ensured that any kids who wanted to play sports got the chance to,” says Rewasiewicz, who founded the group in 2001. “If a family doesn’t have the funds to enroll, we will cover them.” 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. "When we get together for festivals, it feels like everyone knows everyone," Rewasiewicz says. "The Lions Club also plans a popular pancake breakfast with Santa, and then Santa rides around in a fire truck and gives out candy canes to the kids.”
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.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
