Slinger is a rapidly growing bedroom community
Slinger is a small village in the heart of the lush Kettle Moraine region. “It’s a quiet bedroom community for the most part,” says Sean Lentz, a broker/owner with Forward Realty Partners, who has over 19 years of experience in southwest Wisconsin. “But it’s also quickly developing with more and more subdivisions and amenities.” With a 25% population spike over the last ten years, Slinger is often labeled as the fastest-growing community in Washington County.
Residents can commute to Milwaukee or Waukesha in less than 45 minutes, while also enjoying lower taxes, highly-rated schools and rural attractions. There’s a ski resort, a racing track and several lakes all within minutes of the town’s historic downtown. “You get all the hiking and biking trails, as well as the convenience of things in town,” Lentz says. “But you're also close to Interstate 41 for commuting into the city.”
Modern subdivisions with lower taxes
Although homes in Slinger’s town center have historic charm, most of the town’s housing stock was built from the 1990s to today. Modern subdivisions offer New Traditional architecture, wide green lawns and neat sidewalks. “You have more affordable tax rates up here,” Lentz says. “And outside of the new subdivisions, you still have a rural country feel, with mature trees.” Some land is still open for development for buyers who want to build their own home.
The median sale price of a single-family home is $460,000. Older ranch styles and bungalows start around $200,000. Anything built in this century is typically $450,000 or more, reaching up to $700,000 for custom-built estates. Condos are available from $150,000 to $550,000.
Local schools earn “A” ratings
Slinger Elementary, Slinger Middle and Slinger High School are located within the village, within walking distance of some homes. All three schools get an A rating from Niche. Slinger High offers dual enrollment courses with local colleges and has an advanced engineering curriculum. The Slinger Owls took home the football state championship title in 2024. “One of the largest attractions to Slinger is the school district,” Lentz says.
St. Peter Catholic School is a local private school option, serving kindergarten through fifth grade.
Swimming, skiing and high-speed driving are all minutes away
The Slinger Speedway bills itself as the fastest quarter-mile oval track in the world, attracting hundreds of spectators for high-speed races. In the winter, Little Switzerland opens up for skiing and snowboarding. Though small, the mountain has slopes for every skill level. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs through the village, heading out into the Kettle Moraine’s rolling hills, horse stables and family owned farms. Just a few minutes outside Slinger, Big Cedar Lake and Pike Lake both offer public access points for boating, fishing and swimming.
Hometown bars and organic grocery stores
Slinger has several homestyle diners and neighborhood bars with karaoke nights. Town 9 Tap is a particular favorite for its Friday night fish fry. But this area really stands out when it comes to shopping organically. Held’s Meat and Cheese Market has been a family-owned staple since 1886 and draws visitors from many miles away for its house-smoked meats and Wisconsin cheeses. Ney’s Natural Premium Meats & Sweets offers fresh cuts of meat from a fifth-generation family farm and donuts made fresh every day. Although there is a Piggly Wiggly for the basics, The Organic Market right next door has health supplements and locally sourced foods.
Plus, the town's retail options are growing. Upcoming new businesses include The Kettle, which will have a bowling alley, arcade and pickleball courts. The mixed-use Merchant Village development along I-41 is opening its first business in 2025 — a Fireside Market gas station and convenience store.
Small local events and activities in West Bend
Slinger Community Park is a common spot for neighborhood gatherings, with live music and a beer garden every week in the summer. The award-winning Kettle Moraine Playhouse shows local theater productions in a former historic church, and the Slinger Community Library has a regular schedule of events. Every year, the Washington County Fair brings in carnival rides and animal shows just 10 minutes outside of town.
“There are some great attractions in Slinger and the atmosphere is very kid friendly,” Lentz says. “But it’s not necessarily a place where you see people walking around downtown all the time. You would typically head to West Bend for bigger weekend events, art fairs and that kind of stuff.” West Bend is just over 10 miles away, about a 20-minute drive.
Waukesha and Milwaukee are less than 45 minutes away
Waukesha is 25 miles from Slinger, and Milwaukee is roughly 30 miles away. Thanks to Slinger’s proximity to I-41 and state Route 164, the trip into both cities is around 40 minutes. Milwaukee has the closest airport, Mitchell International. For healthcare, Aurora Medical Center is the closest option, about 5 miles away.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
