Saukville is a growing bedroom community along Interstate 43
Saukville is a growing community about 30 minutes north of Milwaukee. A railroad still hauls manufactured metal from the village’s active industrial hub, and the Milwaukee River flows through town. A solid school system and regular local events make this a popular choice for families, but there are fewer retail options than nearby places like Cedarburg or Port Washington. “Saukville has small-town appeal, but you also have the luxury of being in the northern suburbs of Milwaukee, where you have a lot of employment opportunities and easy commutes,” says Jesse Baranczyk, a Realtor with Keller Williams Prestige and an Ozaukee County local. “A major interstate runs right along Saukville’s eastern border, so it's relatively quick to get to Sheboygan or metro Milwaukee.”
Suburban neighborhoods with more development on the way
Saukville’s suburban-style neighborhoods have grown steadily from the 1940s up to today. There’s a range of price points here, from condo units at $200,000 to luxury properties with several acres for over $1 million. Most homes hover around the median sale price of $440,000. “Saukville is one of the more affordable municipalities in Ozaukee County,” Baranczyk says. “Just like southeast Wisconsin as a whole, overall housing supply continues to be low, but there’s a lot of new development in this area, attracting more and more families.”
On the northeast side of town, the Northern Gateway Community Collective is a massive project that will change Saukville’s landscape in the coming years. The mixed-use development comprises office space, recreation amenities and hundreds of new housing units. Much of the community is designed to be accessible for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Keeping facilities fresh at Saukville-Port Washington schools
Kindergarten through fourth-grade students can attend Saukville Elementary School in the village. The school district plans to build a brand-new Saukville Elementary, which is expected to be completed for the 2027-28 school year. Older kids head to Port Washington to attend Thomas Jefferson Middle and Port Washington High School. The high school’s athletic facilities were renovated in 2019, with a turf field and a new gymnasium. All three schools receive an A-minus grade from Niche.
Hiking and hunting in rural Ozaukee County
Saukville is surrounded by the natural attractions of rural Ozaukee County, including hiking trails and hunting grounds at the Cedarburg Bog State Natural Area. Riveredge Nature Center has a variety of family-friendly events, and Ozaukee County Pioneer Village brings history to life with preserved nineteenth-century structures. Golfers can enjoy several courses within a 10-minute drive, including an Arnold Palmer design at The Bog. Disc golfers can play a game at Tendick Nature Park, which also has an archery range and a kayak launch onto the Milwaukee River. As the river runs through town, there are several spots for wading or enjoying waterside views, although the riverbanks can flood when it rains.
Local restaurants and short drives to Port Washington
In addition to chain restaurants like Subway and Dairy Queen, locally owned spots include Messina, known for its Italian food, and River's Edge, a cash-only spot for homey breakfast food. A few local dive bars are filled with familiar faces on Friday nights, and residents can pick up essentials at Piggly Wiggly or Walmart.
It’s also about 3 miles to make it over to Port Washington, which has more extensive retail options and sits on the banks of Lake Michigan. “Port Washington and Saukville are like sister communities; many of their amenities are shared,” Baranczyk says. “Port Washington has fun shopping, restaurants and is a popular spot for fishing and recreation.”
Saukville encourages a small-town community
Locals gather to watch fireworks in July and run together in costume during the October Saukville Scare 5K. “Saukville is a small community, and there’s a real sense of pride,” Baranczyk says. “They do a lot of fun things to bring the community together, especially over the summer, including farmers markets, concert series, and fun runs/walks, to name a few.”
Veteran’s Park comes to life in the summer with the Live at the Triangle music series, and Grady Park hosts an annual car show. Kids can get outdoors by joining Little League teams or learn to swim at the Feith Family Ozaukee YMCA. And the Oscar Grady Public Library has events all year long. “Our storytimes are popular with families,” says library director Emily Laws. “We also offer Adventure Passes, which give families free access to area attractions like the Milwaukee Zoo, the Mitchell Park Domes and the YMCA.”
Big city commutes and local manufacturing businesses
Thanks to Interstate 43's proximity, Milwaukee and Sheboygan are both about a 30-minute drive away. However, the 25-mile commute to Milwaukee can take up to 50 minutes during rush hour. The Ozaukee County Express commuter bus connects Saukville and downtown Milwaukee on workdays. It’s a bit farther to make it to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, just under 35 miles away.
Less than 10 miles south, Cedarburg is known for its quaint downtown, and Grafton has big stores like Costco and the nearest hospital. Saukville’s largest local employers are primarily metal manufacturers, located in the Dekora Woods Business and Industrial Park.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
