$509,875Average Value$336Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Rochester's rural atmosphere that still offers access to amenities
Even though Rochester is just minutes from the towns of Waterford and Burlington, it shies away from city action and sticks squarely to a rural lifestyle. Its small downtown includes a handful of local restaurants, and the Fox River flows through town, offering plenty of outdoor opportunities, along with nearby nature preserves. Compared to the surrounding towns, properties are bigger around Rochester, offering more space and a more private setting. “It feels very rural, even though you’re so close to everything. You’re right between Waterford and Burlington, but you feel like you’re far, far away from everything,” says Renata Greeley, one of the top local Realtors with Shorewest Realtors. “Everything’s just stop signs. We don’t even have stop lights.” Still, Rochester’s proximity to the other Fox River towns means that anything its residents can’t find in Rochester, they can just take the quick drive to Burlington and Waterford to get what they need.
Country roads around Rochester reveal cornfields and big‑sky horizons.
DW Coffee anchors Rochester mornings with lattes, pastries, and local chatter.
1/2
Small lots in town and sprawling acres along Rochester's limits
While Rochester attracts people for its more rural feel, not all of the community is entirely rural. Ranch-style homes, Nationals and bungalows line the town’s streets, close to the small downtown area. Some have sidewalks and driveways may have boats or basketball hoops in them. Some newer communities with New Traditionals have streets lined with young saplings and landscaped gardens. These homes typically range from $300,000 to $400,000. Beyond the town, the landscape fades into cornfields, where homes are more spread out. “When you’re in the town, that’s the most historic area, so it’s a city-sized lot,” Greeley says. “But spreading out, most of them are at least an acre.” Properties can reach up to 10 acres. More space means these residents have more freedom to add additional structures, like barns or pastures for horses. “We have a lot of pole buildings because in some of the areas like Waterford and Burlington, it’s hard to get pole buildings with the regulations,” Greeley says. These properties tend to range from $600,000 to $900,000.
Rochester transitions from village blocks to acre‑plus homes.
Rochester mixes vintage homes with modern updates on quiet streets.
1/2
Kayaking on the Fox River and hiking along nearby nature preserves
The Fox River flows right through the center of downtown Rochester. “It’s goes to Waterford, where the dam stops it, and above the dam is where you can start boating,” Greeley says. “There’s kayak launches right in the downtown area in Rochester.” Fishing is also popular along the waterway. Case Eagle Park is the town’s largest park, spanning almost 240 acres, and includes baseball diamonds and a fenced-in dog park. Bikers can cut through the park on Seven Waters Trail and head up to Waterford or down to Burlington. Green spaces like Saller Woods, Cherry Lake Sedge Meadow State Natural Area and Honey Creek Wildlife Area all offer hiking, though hunting is permitted in Cherry Lake and birdwatching is popular in Honey Creek.
The Fox River frames Rochester with calm water, fishing spots, and shaded banks.
Kate Shaffer Riverview Park is situated right along the Fox River.
1/2
Historic restaurants, converted cafes and bars with unique themes
Right in downtown, Chances Food and Spirits might’ve only opened a couple decades ago, but the building is from 1843. “It’s on the historic register and there’s talk of ghosts walking upstairs where the old dance floor was,” Greeley says. It serves American fare, from burgers and ribs to steak and seafood. Housed in an old bank building, DW Coffee is now the town’s café. It turned the old bank’s drive through into an outdoor seating area, where people can sip their seasonal coffee flights. On the far northeastern side of town, Bunker Bar is a military-themed bar opened by Vietnam veterans. It takes the theme seriously, where visitors are greeted by the airplanes, helicopter and tank outside. Rochester doesn’t have any grocery stores. Instead, locals can drive about 2 miles to Waterford’s Pick ‘n Save or 3 miles to Burlington’s Walmart Supercenter and Aldi.
Veteran‑owned Bunker Bar brings military history to Rochester’s edge.
DW Coffee anchors Rochester mornings with lattes, pastries, and local chatter.
1/2
Getting to nearby Burlington and Waterford from Rochester
Thoroughfares like Browns Lake Drive and Milwaukee Avenue connect Rochester to Waterford, about 2 miles north, and Burlington, about 6 miles south. Aurora Medical Center Burlington is also about 6 miles south. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is about 24 miles away. Branching out from downtown, routes lined with cornfields link the town with the more rural parts of the community. “You’ve got some rustic roads, and you’ll see people taking leisurely drives to look at the big oak trees,” Greeley says.
Milwaukee's Mitchell Airport is the nearest airport to Rochester.
Aurora Health Care brings hundreds of jobs to the area.
1/2
Attending Waterford's and Burlington's public schools
Rochester’s location between the two towns means that students are also split between their respective school districts. Most of the town heads to Waterford’s school districts. Waterford Graded School District serves grades kindergarten through eighth. As of right now, zones divide attendance to the different schools, but an addendum passed to have the schools serve different grade levels rather than areas. This district feeds into Waterford Union High School District, which just includes the one high school. Both districts receive A-minus ratings from Niche. Students on Rochester’s southern side head to Burlington Area School District, which receives a B-plus. Students here can apply to host exchange students.
Woodfield Elementary School is a public school located in Waterford.
Waterford High School is part of Wisconsin's Waterford Union School District.
1/2
Written By
Caroline Ernst
Photography Contributed By
Austin Lewis
Video By
Bill Jennings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
The Wesell Group*,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
On average, homes in Rochester, WI sell after 3 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Rochester, WI over the last 12 months is $462,450, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
The home you've been waiting for just hit the market - and you won't want to miss your chance! Set on a picturesque lot backing to beautiful scenery, this ranch home checks a lot of boxes! Four bedrooms with a private primary suite, a finished walkout basement that is perfect for entertaining, an oversized garage, a beautiful two story deck leading out to your pool, and Waterford School District!
This is your opportunity to position your business in one of the fastest growing commercial locations in the area. The Village welcomes your business ideas. This formally underutilized Hwy 36 corridor situated between Muskego to the north and Burlington to the south is quickly developing. Waterford's population is projected by urban consultants to continue significant growth. The daily traffic
This is your opportunity to position your business in one of the fastest growing commercial locations in the area. The Village welcomes your business ideas. This formally underutilized Hwy 36 corridor situated between Muskego to the north and Burlington to the south is quickly developing. Waterford's population is projected by urban consultants to continue significant growth. The daily traffic
The home you've been waiting for just hit the market - and you won't want to miss your chance! Set on a picturesque lot backing to beautiful scenery, this ranch home checks a lot of boxes! Four bedrooms with a private primary suite, a finished walkout basement that is perfect for entertaining, an oversized garage, a beautiful two story deck leading out to your pool, and Waterford School District!
Lot 32, 1.69 acre level lot. 150 feet of frontage on Lake Madeline. Natural gas, underground electric, phone, high speed internet. See plat map of subdivision, survey. See by-laws for subdivision for home sizes etc.
Lot 33 1.77 acres with 100 feet of Lake Madeline frontage. Level lot. Natural gas, underground electric, phone, high speed internet. See subdivision by-laws for home sizes etc.
Lot 23 2.07 acre lot. Sloped lot suitable for an exposed basement. Natural gas, underground electric, high speed internet, phone. See subdivisions by-laws for size of homes etc.
Bring your vision to life on this beautiful buildable lot with waterfront access to peaceful Delmonte Lake, just steps from Honey Lake. Tucked away in a serene and secluded setting, this property offers the privacy and natural beauty that can be hard to find. These Lakes are non-motorized, creating a quiet atmosphere ideal for fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing by the water. An
Property recently zoned to B-7 allowing for countless possibilities with your new or expanding business. Wisconsin DOT daily traffic count is 16,400 cars per day exposure to your potential customers! Come see what this property has to offer with utilities nearby and high visibility to everyone traveling this section of the Hwy 36 corridor!
Rare opportunity to own 53 private acres along scenic Oak Knoll Road (Rustic Road 25) in the Village of Rochester. This beautiful property offers a unique combination of wooded privacy, recreation, and potential building sites. A 66-foot gated entrance leads through mature Oaks, Maples, Hickory, and Pines with abundant wildlife throughout the property including deer, turkeys, cranes, and more.
Escape to the peace and privacy of country living in this one-of-a-kind builder/owner custom log cabin nestled on 6.27 wooded acres. Surrounded by nature and featuring a welcoming wraparound porch, this property offers the perfect blend of rustic charm and comfortable living. Inside, the home currently offers 3 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms, with one full bath conveniently located on each level.
Poised on a beautifully landscaped 0.46-acre parcel in Fox River Prairie, this meticulously maintained 2-story residence offers 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and approximately 2,870 square feet of finished living space. The refined kitchen features 2025 quartz countertops while nearly 600 finished lower-level square feet provide exceptional versatility. Recent investments inspire confidence: a 2025
Here's the home you've been waiting for! Tucked away on an almost half-acre, tree-lined lot, this low-maintenance 3-BR ranch offers privacy, style, and exceptional outdoor living. Step inside to a brand-new kitchen showcasing custom cabinetry, an extended Quartz island, and a sleek open-concept design. The vaulted great room invites you to relax by the cozy gas FP or entertain with ease. Step
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
