Just 25 miles south of downtown Milwaukee, Racine is a small Wisconsin city sitting on the shores of Lake Michigan and the Root River. Once it was incorporated in 1841, the city became a central port and manufacturing center and eventually was the home of big-name products like Windex and Pledge. Today, the area’s largest employers include SC Johnson and the tractor manufacturer New Holland.
The city has a population of 77,000 spread across 15 square miles. It is located on the east end of Racine County, which also encompasses the smaller towns of Burlington, Waterford and Mount Pleasant. Racine is the fifth-largest city in Wisconsin, with some of the lowest housing costs in the state. “There is also a lot of green space,” says Kimberly Mann, Realtor with Real Realtors. “It’s also right on Lake Michigan and has the Root River running through it. There are many homes with views of the water.”
In Racine there are many homes right on the water.
Frank Lloyd Wright designed an office for SC Johnson where many Racine residents work.
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Low price tags and newly renovated homes
Most of Racine’s homes date back to the early and mid-20th century, with many new-to-the-market homes featuring recent renovations and modern upgrades. The median home price is $197,250, up 8% from the previous year, making the city somewhat more affordable than surrounding communities like Kenosha and Milwaukee. Fixer-uppers needing major renovations can hit the market for $80,000, and empty, quarter-acre lots for $30,000. The standard 1,500 square foot Cape Cod goes for $180,000, while the high end of the market features elaborate American foursquares with 4,000 square feet or more and prices that can reach $900,000. “The people who choose Racine may not want a large yard,” Mann says. “In the city of Racine, you find lots that get as small as .08 acres.” Numerous downtown development projects are currently in the works, including a 200-unit apartment building to be completed in 2024 and two 80-unit buildings across town at Belle City Square.
A gorgeous row of homes in the 12th Ward look out over Lake Michigan.
New developments are popping up all over Racine including this 200 unit beauty on the lake.
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Racine Unified School District
Local families are served by the Racine Unified School District, which earns a C-plus overall grade from Niche, with B-minus ratings for its teachers and college preparatory initiatives. The district serves over 16,000 students with an average teacher-to-student ratio of 13-1. There are 11 elementary schools, four kindergarten through eighth-grade schools, four middle schools and six high schools across the area. Impressive B and B-plus grades are associated with The R.E.A.L. School and Walden III Middle and High School.
The Racine Engineering Arts and Leadership School, known by locals as The R.E.A.L. School, is a choice school serving students in grades six through 12 with an Impressive A-minus rating on its teachers. Walden III Middle and High School gets the highest ratings in the city, with the High School being the third best public high school in Racine County.
Walden III Middle & High School serves about 715 students in Racine,WI.
Walden III Middle & High School serves about 715 students in Racine,WI.
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Shopping Sixth Street and Regency Mall, Dining Downtown
Residents of Racine can peruse the storefronts on Sixth Street for boutique shopping or date nights at local eateries, with Lake Michigan serving as a backdrop. Casual Restaurants with American pub fare are common here, including popular waterfront spots like Reefpoint Brew House, Corner House on the Lake and Chartroom.
The city’s art scene can also be seen along the streets of downtown. Folks can catch local productions at the 6th Street Theater or the Racine Theatre Guild. The Racine Art Museum features local artwork, with around seven rotating exhibitions. The museum also hosts dozens of events throughout the year, including art classes, craft workshops and speaker presentations.
Target, Festival Foods, Piggly Wiggly and Walmart are the community’s popular stops for groceries and household essentials, and Regency Mall is home to over 30 shops and restaurants.
Downtown Racine holds local shops like Vintage and Modern Books.
The Racine Theatre Guild has been entertaining Racine since 1938.
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Outdoor recreation and community gatherings
Waterfront recreation is a staple of life here, whether on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan or the banks of the Root River. North Beach and Zoo Beach are both just north of downtown, and in the summer months, locals can be found lounging on the sand and swimming in the lake’s cool water. Running parallel to the beaches is the Lake Michigan Pathway, a paved, 10-mile trail with picturesque views of the water ideal for walking, running and biking. “We have over 80 parks in our city,” Mann says. “And that doesn’t include the parks run by the county.”
From June to December, on the first Friday of each month, locals flock to downtown Racine for First Fridays, where they shop among local vendors, listen to live music and enjoy the company of neighbors.
The 12th Ward is situated on stunning Lake Michigan.
Head to downtown Racine from Manree Park for First Fridays.
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Crime, Environmental Risks and Weather
Crime data from the FBI indicates the violent crime rate in Racine was 67 per 100,000 in December of 2023, lower than the national rate of 120 and a rate of 68 across the state of Wisconsin. Property crime rates in Racine were 75 per 100,000, compared to a national rate of 180 and a statewide rate of 101.
Environmental risks are limited, with only 17% of Racine properties facing a risk of flood impact over the next 30 years. Fire and wind risks are also minimal, though data indicates the air quality in Racine is worse than 98% of cities in Wisconsin.
The warmest months in Racine are June to September. During that time, temperatures average above 71 degrees during the day and roughly 60 degrees at night. The coldest months are December to March, and temperatures average below 40 degrees during the day. The coldest month tends to be January, which normally brings an average of 4.2 inches of snow each year.
RYDE Racine Buses and Interstate Travel to Major Airports
Local commuters take either state Route 32 along the lake to Milwaukee or a short drive west to hop on Interstate 94 North. Both routes take around 40 minutes. RYDE Racine is the community’s public transit system and has bus stops throughout the city, with nine different routes. The bus takes locals as far north as the Greentree Shopping Center on Douglas Avenue, west to Grandview and south to Chicory Road. For long-distance travel, residents can head 35 minutes north to the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport or 70 minutes south to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
A 10-year Plan Focused on Growth
Racine’s 10-year plan shows the city’s leaders are focused on growing the job market, improving access to affordable housing and reducing crime. To accomplish this, the city looks to build out the business districts of Downtown Racine, Uptown, West Racine and Douglas. Investments will concentrate on developing commercial and residential projects, parks, lakefront, and riverfront.
New innovations are developing in Racine every day.
Racine is a beautiful, Wisconsin town on the shores of Lake Michigan.
JJ Hausmann is Waukesha County’s top producing team leader with a sold volume of almost $500,000,000 in the last 5 years. JJ prides himself on the personal service and attention to every detail for his clients. With almost 20 years of real estate experience, including Luxury Lake Homes and Luxury Residential, this vast understanding allows JJ to confidently handle complex transactions, making him your luxury home answer. Specializing in Lake Country communities from Pewaukee to Oconomowoc, JJ’s knowledge of our community, understanding of his client’s needs, and proven marketing strategies have catapulted him to represent the top 1% of agents in the Lake Country area. Feel free to reach out anytime via call or text: 262-232-3118.
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.
