$417,636Average Value$194Average Price per Sq Ft31Homes For Sale
Housing variety within an outdoor recreation magnet
When people drive down Onalaska’s Second Avenue, a giant roadside sculpture leaves no doubt about one of the reasons people are attracted to the community. The oversized sunfish is a nod to the area’s nickname, “Sunfish Capital of the World.” Lake Onalaska flows alongside the city and is popular with anglers eyeing sunfish, northern pike and more. Onalaska unfolds east of the lake into a community of 19,000 with a broad mix of homes, highly rated schools and access to jobs throughout the region. “I would say schools are probably a top [draw],” says Lisa Kind, a Realtor with Re/Max Results with more than 20 years of industry experience. “And proximity to La Crosse, as far as commuting to work."
Due to its excellent sunfish fishing in Lake Onalaska, the city is known as "The Sunfish Capital of the World."
Onalaska has sprawling suburban housing developments along its outer edges.
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Home prices range from affordable to high-end
Onalaska is made up mostly of a series of winding residential streets full of homes dating back to the 19th century. Buyers can find established options around 1,000 square feet, including some townhomes, for under $200,000. Some of these are in the Downtown Onalaska area. The city spreads out into newer developments from there. The newest single-family houses and townhomes cost between $400,000 and $500,000. The median list price here is $326,000. Onalaska is considered an attractive area to live within the region, Kind says, so there’s high interest when homes hit the market — they sell after an average of 18 days on the market, much quicker than the national average of 45. “In general, everything in Onalaska that comes up and is priced right will go quickly,” Kind says.
You can find affordable townhouses in Onalaska outside of the downtown area.
Larger single-family homes in Onalaska can run you up to a half million.
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Proximity to La Crosse boosts employment options
Major employers in Onalaska cover industries like manufacturing with Empire Screen Printing and construction with Interstate Roofing & Waterproofing Inc. But Onalaska also borders the larger city of La Crosse, home to about 51,300 people and more jobs. Companies like the Mayo Clinic Health System and the Gundersen Health System, which includes the 325-bed Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, have major footprints in La Crosse. Convenience store company Kwik Trip is also based there, on a 140-acre campus. Kind says it’s common for people to live in Onalaska and work in La Crosse.
Empire Screen Printing is one of Onalaska's major employers, and has been in business since 1960.
Among other construction companies, Interstate Roofing is another known employer in Onalaska.
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Outdoor activity doesn’t stop with Lake Onalaska
The man-made Lake Onalaska glistens alongside Second Avenue as drivers trek into the heart of the city. The 8,400-acre body of water draws people even when it’s frozen. “Lake Onalaska is very prevalent for ice fishing,” Kind says. “It looks like a little village some weekends out there.” The nearby Black and Mississippi rivers attract angers as well, Kind adds. She says bird watching is also big in the area, particularly by the lake. On land, Onalaska offers 400 acres of parks, including the 154-acre Greens Coulee Park known in part for its views of the city. Onalaska is constructing a new community center, which will feature an indoor gymnasium and is expected to be finished by July 2025. The gymnasium could be an option for escaping Onlaska winters, which average 44 inches of snow.
Lake Onalaska provides recreation opportunities year-round.
Onalaska's new community center is still under construction as of early 2025, and will feature a large indoor gymnasium.
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Onalaska Omni Center offers a myriad of events
The Onalaska Omni Center, on the city's north end, encompasses 50,000 square feet of indoor event space and another 4,000 square feet of outdoor room. The center hosts all sorts of events and programs, including gift and craft shows and an annual cards and sports show. An ice rink here provides public open skates on Sunday evenings from November to February.Many of the city’s commercial offerings are downtown, around Second Avenue and Main Street, including multiple restaurants, salons, a bike shop and an ice cream parlor. The Crossing Meadows Shopping Center has big-box stores and chain eateries.
Onalaska's Omni Center is a hub for local events and markets, with an indoor hockey rink as its main feature.
Coulee Bicycle Co. in Onalaska sells and services bicycles, including electric ones.
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Upgrades on the way at Onalaska Middle
Most kids in town attend the School District of Onalaska, a system that earns an A grade on Niche and tops the site’s ranking of the best school districts across La Crosse County. The school system is undertaking a $50 million renovation of its middle school and a $25 million renovation of its high school, which are expected to be completed by fall 2025. Some parts of Onalaska bleed into the B-plus-rated School District of Holmen. Private schools in the area include the B-rated Luther High, part of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Municipal Transit Utility extends to Main Street
La Crosse’s Municipal Transit Utility service, or MTU, extends to Onalaska. The network includes stops on Route 9 along Main Street and stops on Route 8 at the Crossing Meadows Shopping Center. Interstate 90 Alternate/Second Avenue is a direct route south into next-door La Crosse. The La Crosse Regional Airport is 4 miles away and provides connecting flights to O’Hare International Airport through American Airlines.
Crime
The city saw drops in multiple categories of violent and property crime from 2022 to 2023, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Uniform Crime Reporting Data Dashboard.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
Photography Contributed By
Scott Mason Bittinger
Video By
Jacob Branchaud
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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 Onalaska, WI sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Onalaska, WI over the last 12 months is $345,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Spacious 5-bedroom, 1-office, 3-bath open-concept home on a beautifully landscaped corner lot! The main level features a large living room with a gas fireplace, a kitchen with a center island, screened porch for relaxing, and convenient main-floor laundry. The finished lower level is perfect for entertaining with a theater room, wet bar, spacious family room with a second gas fireplace, and a hot
Charming 3-bedroom ranch located on the north end of Onalaska and ready for your personal touches! The main level features a comfortable living room, an adjoining dining area, and a convenient galley-style kitchen. All three bedrooms and the full bathroom are located on the main floor for easy everyday living. Outside, you'll find a wonderful screened in patio and spacious 1.5-car garage, alley
Open-concept ranch in Onalaska featuring a bright kitchen with mission-style cabinetry, tile flooring, breakfast bar and dining area with patio doors to a deck overlooking the private backyard. The living room offers vaulted ceilings and a gas fireplace. Solid oak doors throughout. The primary suite includes a tray ceiling, double-vanity bath and walk-in closet. The finished lower level features
Enjoy the space you've been looking for in this 5-bedroom, 3-bath home offering over 3,400 square feet of living space. The functional layout provides room for everyone with generous living areas, spacious bedrooms, and plenty of storage throughout. Finished lower level plumbed for a future wet bar. The 2.5-car garage plus garden shed offers extra space for vehicles, tools, and hobbies. Step
Welcome home to this beautifully maintained 2020 manufactured home in the desirable Terlingua subdivision! Offering approximately 1,085 sq. ft. (15'6" x 70'), this move-in ready home features 2 spacious bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and an open-concept floor plan designed for comfortable everyday living. The bright living room flows seamlessly into the kitchen, where you'll find abundant cabinetry,
Strategic Growth Opportunity: Established & Fully Systemized Floral & Gift Business. Here is your opportunity to acquire a well-established, turn-key floral boutique business! Offers streamlined operational systems, long-standing vendor relationships & a recognized brand w/strong market presence. Includes full inventory of floral products & equipment (w/delivery vehicle), curated boutique gifts &
Lots 19, 20, 21 and 22 within Grandview Estates are zoned for commercial/business use. They offer high visibility from Hwy 16. The electrical grid is state of the art. It has been designed to accommodate electric vehicles. Installation of fiber optics has been secured, which will provide service speeds from 300MB to 2GB.
If you're looking for the best of both worlds, you found it in Onalaska's newest development! Grandview Estates offers grand views of the city below, as well as picturesque bluffs, AND is only minutes from everything Onalaska has to offer! In addition to large city lots, the electrical grid is state of the art. It has been designed to accommodate an electric vehicle within each home. Installation
Enjoy easy living in this spacious twin home with an open-concept layout, vaulted ceilings, and abundant natural light. The spacious kitchen provides plenty of cabinet space and a functional layout with a breakfast bar that flows seamlessly into the dining area. The main level offers a private primary suite with a walk-in closet and primary bathroom, another full bathroom, and convenient
Seller open to seller financing! Great investment opportunity in heart of Onalaska! Own this fully functioning car wash along with the vacant commercial lot next to it! Vacant lot has its own parcel number and address. Valley View Car Wash is a very well run business and you literally just have to grab the keys and take over. Buy both and sell the vacant lot off, multiple options and exit
LIGHT COMMERCIAL VACANT LOT available. This is one of 4 commercial lots that we have available for sale with high visibility from the steady Hwy 16 traffic. Lots can be divided into smaller lots or combined for a larger footprint. City water and sewer, fiber optics and a state of the art electrical grid installed. City Roads throughout development. Perfect for office space, coffee shop,
Discover the potential in this spacious 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home! Featuring a huge living room, bonus rooms that offer endless flexibility, and a walk-out basement, this property is full of opportunity. Whether you're looking for your next home or a great investment, the possibilities are endless. Conveniently located near shopping, dining, parks, and schools. Property is being sold as-is.
Recent improvements made to Lot 36! A generous amount of fill has been added and compacted to ensure a manageable building location. If you're looking for the best of both worlds, you found it in Onalaska's newest development! Grandview Estates offers grand views of the city below, as well as picturesque bluffs, AND is only minutes from everything Onalaska has to offer! In addition to large city
Unlock the potential of this versatile warehouse/storage building, perfectly suited for a variety of business uses and already configured for a doggy daycare and grooming operation. This property offers a functional layout designed to accommodate animal care services, with dedicated spaces for play, boarding, and grooming. Inside is ample open space with durable flooring, proper drainage, and
Exceptional and rare 5-acre commercial parcel with 425 feet of prime I-90 frontage, offering outstanding visibility at interstate elevation! Located near the I-90 & Hwy 16 interchange and less than a mile from one of the region's most significant retail corridors, parcel is close to other high-value office, medical, and hospitality assets, including Gundersen Health. Property includes a 15,000 SF
Introducing The Abbey, a modern apartment community, located in a quiet residential neighborhood in Onalaska, WI. Centrally located for easy access to Hwy 53 and Interstate 90, The Abbey Apartments provide the best in class attributes and conveniences. Our well-appointed, keyless entry, open concept interiors have oversized windows with breathtaking views! Step outside for some fresh air or to
Welcome to The Residences at 843 Oak—where comfort meets convenience in the heart of Onalaska, WI! Stay active in our fitness center, breeze through chores with on-site laundry, and enjoy peace of mind with our secured entry. Love the outdoors? Kick back on the patio, soak up some fresh air, and get to know your neighbors. Plus, with off-street parking, your car has a cozy spot too.
Discover luxury living at its finest at the entrance of Emerald Valley, home of the prestigious La Crosse Country Club. This modern apartment is centrally located for easy access to Interstate 90 and Hwy 16. It is located within minutes of shopping, medical facilities, and leisure activities.As you step inside, you'll be greeted by a spacious open-concept layout for both one and
When you call Field of Dreams Apartments home, you'll find yourself surrounded in a beautiful, lush, park-like environment. Our spacious, luxury, one or two bedroom apartment homes include a variety of great amenities. The professional, on-site management staff will assist you in meeting all of your needs.- Lease for a Year | Stay for a Decade
The Great River Residences has a variety of layouts and sizes to fit an array of lifestyles and pocketbooks. You'll be surrounded by nature's playground on one side and convenience and dining on the other. Step inside to find homey and practical layouts with all of the amenities and beauty to make you proud to call it home. Great location, great amenities, great layouts, and a great design. Click
When you call River Bend Estates home, you'll find yourself in a quiet setting enhanced with a variety of unique amenities. Our community offers one and two bedroom floor plans spaciously designed with comfort in mind. The professional, on-site management staff will assist you in meeting all of your needs.
Welcome to Valley View Townhomes in beautiful Onalaska Wisconsin. Located less than a mile from Hwy I-90 and only minutes from Valley View Mall. You can't beat our townhome living with private entrances, patios and all of the great amenities we have to offer for such an affordable price. Our professional, friendly on-site staff with over 50 combined years of experience
Like new 3bdr townhouse just blocks from the ONALASKA YMCA and ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. This home is LOADED with amenities. 3 levels of living space. Attached garage w/opener, basement (tons of storage) with washer/dryer included, forced air high efficiency gas furnace, central air, 1/2 bath on main level, higher end laminate floors in kitchen and dining area, beautiful kitchen with full size fridge,
(Available September 1)-Lower unit-Well-maintained building-Private patio-Detached garage-Wood-burning fireplace-Onsite laundry-Kitchen appliances included: refrigerator, oven, dishwasherA 12-month lease and $895 deposit are required. No pets and no smoking allowed.
This property at 726 Vilas St offers 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms within a total of 1,600 square feet of living space. The living room provides ample room for relaxation and entertainment, while the kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher for convenience. Each bedroom is designed for comfort, with sufficient closet space. The bathrooms feature standard fixtures and are easily accessible from the main
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