Before French Canadian fur traders colonized it, the land on which the City of Oconomowoc sits was inhabited by the Potawatomi people. The population grew after a rail station was constructed in 1896, bringing in vacationers who built lodge-style estates along the community’s three lakes: Lac La Belle, Lake Fowler and Oconomowoc Lake. A downtown area and several neighborhoods soon formed around the latter two lakes. The city’s name is derived from Coo-no-mo-wauk, the tribe’s word for waterfall. True to that name, a waterfall cascades over the Fowler Lake Dam into Lac La Belle.
Over time, Oconomowoc evolved into a place where most people stayed year-round. “Once you spend time here, you want to live here,” says Realtor Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen, who has been a resident for 20 years and sells homes with Stapleton Realty. “The first thing we noticed was the quaint downtown and that people were friendly right away. It felt like we had always lived here.”
The number of seasonal residents has increased in recent years, similar to how things were a century ago. “Short-term rentals have gained a lot in popularity over the past five years,” Lewis-Tschannen says. “Since more people work remotely now, if they want to spend the month of August here with family, they can do that.”
Today, the city has roughly 9,000 full-time residents, with the population expanding by almost 20% since 1990. “There has been a substantial amount of sprawl outside of the downtown as Oconomowoc has grown,” says Realtor Liz Tobolt, who sells homes with First Weber Real Estate. “It still has a nice hometown feel.”
There has been a substantial amount of sprawl outside of downtown as Oconomowoc has grown.
Downtown Oconomowoc is quaint and lively during any season.
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Suburban contemporaries and lodges on the lake
The median single-family home price is $540,000, more than double Milwaukee’s median price and more than the national median around $400,000. Since 2020, home prices increased by more than 30%, consistent with national trends. Most of the city’s suburban blocks are made up of early 2000s split-levels, ranch-style and contemporary-style homes priced from $240,000 to $600,000. On the southeast corner of town, newly built contemporaries are priced from $520,000 to $780,000. Along the lakes, most of the houses were built as vacation homes between the 1910s and ‘40s. These lodge-style homes are priced from $800,000 to $2.6 million. The city’s condos and townhouses are priced from $220,000 to $360,000.
Since Oconomowoc was built in Wisconsin’s Lake Country lowlands, some residential parts of the city are highly prone to flooding.
Split level homes are popular in Oconomowoc.
Lodge-style, lake homes were built in the 1940's and add to Oconomowoc's charm.
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Spending time on the water
The area’s key recreational feature is its lake access. Overlooking Fowler Lake, Fowler Lake Park has grills, a basketball court, tennis courts and a fishing pier. Some residents join the Oconomowoc Yacht Club, which has a kitchen, a ballroom and motorboat docks overlooking Oconomowoc Lake. In the summer, the city holds free Friday night concerts at the Rhodee Memorial Bandshell, which overlooks the beach. During Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, residents watch fireworks shows from the beaches or their boats.
The city experiences harsh winters and nighttime temperatures often sink below zero degrees Fahrenheit. “Since the lakes freeze over in the winter, people can skate and ice fish,” Tobolt says.
There are several public greenspaces within walking distance of residents. The city is home to Oconomowoc Golf Club, a private club that has been open since 1916. Other golf clubs and parks are connected by Lake County Trail, a 15-mile-long paved bike path. Its trailhead is located at Roosevelt Park, which has an ADA-compliant playground and a skate park. Oconomowoc Historical Museum is next to the park and tells the city’s story using model train sets and miniature landscapes.
Winter does not stop the residents of Oconomowoc from enjoying their lakes.
Oconomowoc Golf Club is a private club that has been open since 1916.
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The downtown where The Wizard of Oz premiered
Oconomowoc has a flourishing downtown area called East Wisconsin Avenue, where boutique shops, cafés, wine bars and international dining options are based out of connected brick buildings from the late 19th century. There are also multiple lakeside restaurants within a 2-mile drive of the city. Twisted Fire serves craft beer and prime steak in a rustic environment. Weissgerber's Golden Mast Inn serves fine surf and turf dishes in an atmosphere modeled after the dining quarters of an old sailing ship. Various produce markets and grocery stores are within a mile of most residents.
The classic film "The Wizard of Oz" premiered at Oconomowoc’s Strand Theatre in 1939, and the city celebrates the anniversary every year. “People gather downtown for "The Wizard of Oz" festival, which always features an outdoor showing of the movie,” Tobolt says. The downtown also has a swirling yellow brick design and life-sized sculptures of the film’s characters.
The Wizard of Oz premiered at Oconomowoc's Strand Theater in 1939.
The food and the hospitality at Twisted Fire in Oconomowoc will keep you coming back again and again.
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Highly rated public schools
The Oconomowoc Area School District has an A-minus Niche rating and a 97% graduation rate. The district’s reading and math proficiencies are well above the state and national averages.
For after-school study time or socialization, Oconomowoc Public Library holds writing workshops, fiber arts circles and book clubs.
The Oconomowoc Library is a popular place at all times of day.
Oconomowoc has highly-rated public schools.
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Getting around Wisconsin
Wisconsin Highway 16 and Interstate 94 take commuters 34 miles east to Milwaukee, while Interstate 94 takes them 50 miles west to Madison. Top employers in Milwaukee include Northwestern Mutual, Harley-Davidson and several not-for-profit healthcare companies. Madison’s top employers include General Electric, Cummins and Promega. Wisconsin Highway 67 runs through the city. The nearest major airport is Milwaukee Mitchell International.
Residents have access to ProHealth Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital.
The closest airport to Oconomowoc is Milwaukee's Mitchell Airport about an hour away.
Residents have access to ProHealth Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital.
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Crime
According to FBI data, the city’s violent and nonviolent crime rates are below the state and national averages.
Written By
William Palicia
Photography Contributed By
Hayley McCormick
Video By
David Fritzson
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Oconomowoc, WI sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Oconomowoc, WI over the last 12 months is $551,700, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Trustway-built home on 5 private, marvelous wooded acres in Summit with a pond, mature trees, and water views. Enjoy peace, privacy, and abundant wildlife just minutes from Oconomowoc and Delafield. This light-filled colonial home features a granite kitchen w/ oak cabinetry, hardwood floors, stainless appliances, island, and breakfast nook. Main level offers formal dining, living and great room
Experience easy, elegant living in this stunning new construction ranch condo ready for immediate move-in! Featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, & a spacious open layout, this home impresses w/it's quality & unique architectural details. The chef's kitchen offers quartz counters, SS appliances & a large island. It flows seamlessly into the dining area & great room, complete w/a GFP that creates an
Breton model - New Construction - Occupancy March 2026 ~ Planned community in Village Crossing II Condominiums. Luxury finishes are standard. 10' high ceilings, real wood floors, granite kitchen countertops, Corian countertops in baths, kitchen appliances, full basements w/egress window, under-floor rough plumbing for future full bath & wet bar, concrete patio. Includes 1 year membership to YMCA
Welcome to Lake Country living in this stunning, spacious 3 bdrm, 3.5 bath ranch! This home offers an open-concept layout, perfect for entertaining. The sun-filled great room opens to the kitchen & dining areas, enhanced by western exposure. The kitchen features quartz counters, soft-close cabinets, large island & pantry. A maintenance-free deck is perfect for your morning coffee. The finished
Trustway-built home on 5 private, marvelous wooded acres in Summit with a pond, mature trees, and water views. Enjoy peace, privacy, and abundant wildlife just minutes from Oconomowoc and Delafield. This light-filled colonial home features a granite kitchen w/ oak cabinetry, hardwood floors, stainless appliances, island, and breakfast nook. Main level offers formal dining, living and great room
Rare opportunity on the tranquil shores of Tamarack Lake! This updated 5BR/3BA home features 95 ft of lake frontage, stunning water views, and a professionally landscaped yard. Enjoy a custom bluestone patio with gas firepit, perfect for entertaining. Inside offers fresh paint, new carpet, and stylish finishes throughout. The open main floor includes a vaulted great room, designer kitchen, and
Now under new ownership and management. Joseph Property Development is excited to be managing Whitman Park Apartments! Welcome to Whitman Park Apartments in charming Oconomowoc, WI! These spacious two-bedroom apartment homes offer an inviting atmosphere, spacious living areas and ample storage. Enjoy beautifully landscaped grounds, convenient parking, and easy access to local shops, dining, and
Spacious 2BR, 1BA first floor unit. Large fenced in back yard. Tenant pays gas/electric for the unit. Landlord pays sewer, water, trash and hot water. Washer dryer in basement shared with other units. Room for 2 car parking and available is a garage spot for $100 a month extra. Prefer no pets. One small pet possible with a $300 NRF pet deposit. Move in Aug 1st.
Welcome to “The Worthington” lake country’s newest and finest leased residences. “The Worthington” offers stunning views of Lac LaBelle and is within walking distance of the library, post office, banks, the beach, restaurants and more!Featuring both one and two bedroom apartments “The Worthington” offers granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, nine and ten foot ceilings, your own
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