The Lower First Ward
Neighborhood in Racine, Wisconsin
Racine County 53402
Single-family Bungalows, duplexes throughout area
The Lower First Ward offers a variety of living options, from quiet lakefront properties overlooking Lake Michigan to single-family bungalows along the bustling Main Street. “It’s all about location within these pockets because you may get an $800,000 to $1.5 million lakefront property now but will see plenty of $150,000 average-priced homes,” says Vincent Devall, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. “Usually, you will see a mix of bungalows, two-story ranch homes, and Cape Cods.” Homebuyers in this area can expect single-family bungalows or duplexes to sell for between $115,000 and $180,000, while lakefront properties typically start at $200,000.
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Quick, easy access to Lake Michigan, Racine Zoo
With more than 50 acres along the Lake Michigan shoreline, Racine’s North Beach is just a short walk for most Lower First Ward residents. The beach features more than 2,500 feet of shoreline and free parking, making it a popular spot for sand volleyball, picnics, and Kids Cove Playground—a lakefront park with mostly wooden play equipment and a boardwalk. The Racine Yacht Club, a historic private club, offers amenities for boat owners, while River’s End Marina is open to the public and provides a docking area for owners to relax and eat at nearby restaurants.Adjacent to North Beach, the Racine Zoo attracts about 140,000 visitors annually. The 32-acre park showcases exhibits featuring more than 300 animals and a Zoo Conservation Education Department, which offers educational programs, holiday events, summer camps, scout programs and behind-the-scenes encounters and tours.
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Title 1 offered at Jerstad-Agerholm Middle School
Janes Elementary School, the closest public school in the neighborhood, serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and has a C-minus rating from Niche. Jerstad-Agerholm Middle School, which also receives a C-minus rating, participates in Title I, a federally funded program providing financial assistance to public schools to help students from low-income families meet academic standards. Horlick High School, named after William Horlick, the original patent holder for malted milk, holds a C-plus rating.
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Free events at Racine Art Museum, Heritage Museum
Family-friendly, hands-on arts and crafts are held at the Racine Art Museum during free "First Fridays" events. Learn about Racine’s history at the Racine Heritage Museum, which features exhibits on the city’s first drum and bugle corps and the life of Frank Lloyd Wright Sr. A number of buildings in Racine were designed and created by Wright, a Wisconsin native.
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Ryde Racine partners with Racine Unified School District
Locals rely on Ryde Racine, the city’s public transit system, which features nearly 700 stops covering 200 miles throughout Racine, to navigate the neighborhood and nearby communities. Ridership has grown by 40%, driven by successful outreach and partnerships with the Racine Unified School District, according to Transit Director Trevor Jung. Residents are 18 miles south of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. The nearest hospital, Ascension All Saints Hospital, is 3 miles away.Local mom-and-pop shops, dive bars along Main Street
Main Street in this neighborhood offers plenty of dining and entertainment options. Local dive bars like Coasters Bar & Grill and George's Encore are popular stops, as are unique Italian eateries like DeRango the Pizza King & Premium Chocolates, which serves handmade chocolates alongside Italian breaded mushrooms. Gypsy Java, a community coffee shop, displays art posted from nearly 60 local artists on its walls. Misha’s Treasures, a local mom-and-pop shop, offers collectible antiques, art, and home decor. For grocery needs, ALDI is located just two miles outside the community.
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Written By
Elgin Nelson
Video By
Charles Kennedy
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Amber Stancato
Amber Stancato
Responds QuicklyRealspek LLC
(262) 228-4195
51 Total Sales
1 in The Lower First Ward
$149,000 Price
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Jan Fuller
Jan Fuller
Responds QuicklyRE/MAX Newport
(262) 228-2697
57 Total Sales
1 in The Lower First Ward
$125,500 Price
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Jeremy Doering
Jeremy Doering
Responds QuicklyDoering & Co Real Estate, LLC
(262) 592-5456
183 Total Sales
1 in The Lower First Ward
$184,900 Price
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Dawn Doperalski
DD
Dawn Doperalski
Responds QuicklyDoperalski Realty & Associates, LLC
(262) 228-9944
89 Total Sales
2 in The Lower First Ward
$104K - $110K Price Range
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Tyler Murphy
Tyler Murphy
RE/MAX Newport
(262) 300-4954
151 Total Sales
5 in The Lower First Ward
$68K - $180K Price Range
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Chris Veranth
Chris Veranth
Mahler Sotheby's International Realty
(262) 800-0672
243 Total Sales
3 in The Lower First Ward
$118K - $175K Price Range
Schools
Source:
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
- 6th to 12th
- Private
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Parks in this Area
Kids Cove Playground
Hagerer Park
Pugh Recreational Area
North Beach Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | The Lower First Ward | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 7 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
The Lower First Ward Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in The Lower First Ward, Racine sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in The Lower First Ward, Racine over the last 12 months is $166,500, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$165,000
Median Sale Price
$166,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$165,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
14
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
11%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$138
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
53
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1905
Months of Supply
0.90
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,189
Median Age
36
Population under 18
27.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$38,030
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$51,371
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
87.1%
College Graduates
9.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.9%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.1%
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
74
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
70
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
45
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Downtown Racine
A Racine neighborhood combining architectural history with modern amenities
The 11th Ward
Late nineteenth-century homes in an old neighborhood north of Downtown Racine
The 12th Ward
City meets the beach in Racine neighborhood near downtown
The 13th Ward
State Route 32 runs through this neighborhood with access to parks and rec centers
The 19th Ward
A central-located Racine neighborhood benefiting from an ongoing transformation
The 9th Ward
A very-walkable neighborhood in close proximity to parks, beaches, and restaurants
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