Whether sunbathing at the beach, cooling off at the city’s water park, or hiking through Prairie Springs Park, being outdoors is a large part of life in Pleasant Prarie— it’s practically written into the name. Roughly a quarter of the landscape is protected, preserving the area’s natural character. But this village of about 22,000 by Lake Michigan isn’t all play. It’s also home to major employers and an eclectic mix of homes. “We have a lot of jobs over there, like Haribo’s and ULine,” says Steve Robe, broker and owner at The Real Estate Elite based in neighboring Kenosha. “So people can definitely get good-paying jobs. And then, within the same driving distance of work, they have fantastic parks and places to go, like Lake Andrea, a gigantic park with the RecPlex where you can work out. And there’s kid activities and adult activities. A lot is going on over there.”
Take a day off and spend it at Carol Beach in the Lakeshore Drive neighborhood.
The Village of Pleasant Prairie residents can enjoy one of the many lakes and ponds.
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Space isn’t hard to find across Pleasant Prarie’s inventory
Roomy lots and spacious homes line most of the village's suburban streets. The median lot size is more than four-tenths of an acre, and the houses average just over 2,000 square feet — bigger than the national average. While some properties date back to the 19th century, recent construction is available in The Summit at Bain Station, The Cottages at Village Green, Creekside Terrace and more. “Right now, in our area, there’s so much job growth and development that it’s kind of hard to find homes,” Robe says. “So, people are buying everything, everywhere that they can get their hands on, especially in Pleasant Prairie, because it’s such a nice area.” Houses sell for a median price of $400,000, about $100,000 more than in Kenosha, yet spend about 10 fewer days on the market than the national average.
Large custom homes in Village of Pleasant Prairie are perfect for raising a family.
Ample garage space and manicured lawns are part of Village of Pleasant Prairie living.
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From Carol Beach to the RecPlex, recreation is available all over
Pleasant Prairie's climate ranges from mild summers to frigid winters, and nearby recreation accommodates both. The east side of Pleasant Prairie includes almost 6 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, including Prairie Shores Beach and Lakeshore Park. The 400-acre Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area, also along the shore, has miles of trails, some running through the Kenosha Sand Dunes. The opposite side of town features the 300,000-square-foor RecPlex, the largest municipal facility of its kind in the U.S., which has a fieldhouse with multiple courts, a fitness center, an indoor water park and two ice rinks. Lake Andrea's 110 acres include a beach and a trail running around the lake. "That’s where everybody goes and hangs out. You go for a walk and you run into people you know,” says Robe. It is also the site for community events: the Kids & Family Expo in March, the Pleasant Prairie Triathlon in June, the Run with the Turkeys 5K in November and a beer garden open on weekends from late spring to early fall. “There’s always something going on over there at Lake Andrea.”
Southport Park's iconic beach house is utilized for a variety of community events.
Kenosha locals walk across a bridge outside RecPlex at Prairie Spring Park during a Fall day.
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Haribo is a sweet addition to the area's economy
“It is a thriving community that’s still quiet,” Robe says “It’s not overly built up. And you get a small-town feel in a place that has major companies there.” Haribo opened a 500,000-square-foot facility for its gummy bears in 2023 and is now a major employer. ULine, a packaging materials company, has headquarters in town on a 200-acre campus. The 766-bed Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital supplies hundreds of healthcare jobs.
Kenosha schools come with flexibility
Pleasant Prairie falls into the Kenosha Unified School District, graded B overall by Niche. It is a choice district, so students aren’t limited to the schools closest to them. Instead, they can apply to attend campuses like the A-rated, STEM-based LakeView Technology Academy or other schools. Private institutions in the area include Christian Life School, a B-plus-rated option with preschool through 12th grade.
Whittier School challenges students to learn in Village of Pleasant Prairie.
Tremper High School has a sprawling campus when seen from above in Village of Pleasant Prairie.
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Interstate 94 ensures access to the rest of the region
Interstate 94 connects the city to Milwaukee, located about 37 miles away, and the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, which is a 30-mile trip and offers nonstop flights to 35 cities. The Kenosha Transit bus service provides local transportation, taking residents to the Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets, Shoppes at Prairie Ridge, and Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital.
Prairie Premium Outlets is home to Nike and Polo Ralph Lauren
Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets has 403,000 square feet of retail space and more than 90 stores. The Shoppes at Prairie Ridge offers a collection of big-box stores and several restaraunts. The village is developing plans for the Village Green Center, which will serve as a mixed-use downtown district with more retail.
Stop in for a slice of hot pizza at Ruffolos Family Dining in Village of Pleasant Prairie.
Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets provide many stores for Village of Pleasant Prairie.
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Crime
The area saw a roughly 9% drop in property crime from 2022 to 2023, according to Pleasant Prairie Police Department statistics. There was a 4% increase in crimes against persons, including assault, over the same period.
On average, homes in Pleasant Prairie, WI sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Pleasant Prairie, WI over the last 12 months is $408,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.