Downtown South Milwaukee, the city’s beating heart
Nicknamed "The Avenue," Downtown South Milwaukee is the heart of the city's activity. The moniker comes from Milwaukee Avenue, the central stretch where most of the neighborhood's small businesses and locally owned restaurants are located. It's where people stroll along sidewalks, peer into shop windows, stop for a drink and check on their community garden plot. Throughout the year, Bucyrus Commons hosts live concerts and city events, which Sam the Sasquatch — the city's not-so-elusive mascot — likes to attend. The community has few residences, but they blend seamlessly between and above businesses. Outside "The Avenue," apartment complexes, other commercial centers and large industrial warehouses fill the rest of downtown's landscape.
Enjoy music at Bucyrus Commons Outdoor Space during the South Milwaukee Downtown Market.
Milwaukee Avenue in Downtown South Milwaukee is lined with locally owned businesses.
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Small businesses and a popular community garden
Milwaukee Avenue is the core of the neighborhood's retail offerings. Vibrant murals painted by local artists pepper the sides of brick buildings, bringing life to their earth-toned facades. Signs and big storefront windows showcase what each small business offers, from café bites to martial arts classes and vintage board games. Parkway Floral provides arrangements for all occasions, while OMEN Subculture Clothing and Accessories offers alternative fashion, music and movies. Locals frequent watering holes like The Tap Room and Moran's Pub, and one street over, Bucyrus Club and Event Center's restaurant is a favorite for lunch and dinner reservations. The club also houses a museum documenting the history of Bucyrus International Inc., a world-renowned drilling manufacturer headquartered in South Milwaukee.
People buy groceries less than 1 mile away at Pick n' Save or swing by their plots at the Growing South Milwaukee (GSM) Community Garden. Leah Minue, president of Growing South Milwaukee, says garden plots have been virtually sold out since the 2019 opening. "There's always people messaging us throughout the year to check availability," she says. "Everyone that has a plot already is grandfathered in for their space and gets first dibs while there's a waitlist for any new spaces that pop up." There is a donation section beside the garden's rentable plots where produce is donated to the city's local food pantry.
A woman heads home with groceries and a smile after shopping at Pick 'n Save in South Milwaukee.
The Bucyrus Club honors industrial roots in the heart of Downtown South Milwaukee.
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Exploring the market at Bucyrus Commons or hiking Oak Creek
Bucyrus Commons Outdoor Space is where kids play together in the sandbox while people watch live shows at the amphitheater or picnic on the grass. Growing South Milwaukee used the Commons to host its first-ever Festival of the Arts, which the organization hopes to hold again in the fall. Artisans sold handmade goods while attendees enjoyed live music and local wine. "Even though it was downpouring, people still showed up to support the vendors," Minue says. "It was such a heartwarming experience." Bucyrus Commons is also home to the South Milwaukee Downtown Market, a seasonal farmers market featuring local cuisine and creative work.
Oak Creek curves around the community, and people walk and bike the trails to reach other recreation spaces. John Galewski Field stays busy during baseball season, while the South Milwaukee Fitness Center is open year-round for indoor exercise. Locals visit South Milwaukee Lagoon and Mill Pond to fish and watch the sunset. Grant Park offers nearly 400 acres of woods, trails, and Lake Michigan Beach access 2 miles away.
Grant Park Beach provides a quiet shoreline retreat near Downtown South Milwaukee.
Spring baseball brings joy and energy to the field in South Milwaukee's vibrant community parks.
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Homes for sale are between or above stores
Since Downtown South Milwaukee is primarily commercial, there are few single-family homes, and they are more often available for rent instead of for sale. Those for sale are priced between $150,000 and $310,000. Some stores feature loft units above them, while detached properties typically come in American Foursquare, ranch-style, bungalow and Dutch Colonial styles. New multifamily apartments are expected to open in the heart of the neighborhood by Fall 2026. Sidewalks, bike lanes and pedestrian crossings make stores and restaurants accessible to residents.
Charming bungalows and Dutch Colonial homes shape this Downtown South Milwaukee streetscape.
Tudor Revival charm fills a street in Downtown South Milwaukee's cozy residential neighborhood.
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Walking Milwaukee Avenue or commuting on State Route 32
While many people choose to drive around the city, the neighborhood's infrastructure allows people to walk to explore shops and attend events. State Route 32 intersects Milwaukee Avenue, bringing more traffic and noise during rush hours but quick access to public transit and other cities. Aurora Health Center is inside the community, but Aurora St. Luke's South Shore Hospital is about 2 miles away. South Milwaukee sits beside Milwaukee Micthell International Airport, placing residents within 5 miles of flights.
Real-world experience at South Milwaukee High School
Depending on where people live, kids attend any of the city's four elementary schools because of Wisconsin's open enrollment option. Students then integrate at South Milwaukee Middle School, which has a C grade from Niche, and South Milwaukee High School. Sporting a B-minus rating, the high school lets students gain real-world experience and collegiate education through a work-study program and various dual enrollment programs.
South Milwaukee Middle School serves all public school students in grades six through eight.
South Milwaukee High School connects to South Milwaukee Middle School.
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Sam the Sasquatch visits the Commons and Crusherfest
Downtown is an event epicenter. Every St. Patrick's Day, over 1500 patrons visit the family owned Moran Pub for 10 days of soccer viewing parties, whiskey tastings, traditional Irish music and Guinness Perfect Pour contests. Growing South Milwaukee runs Small Business Saturdays, bringing in foot traffic with sales, in-store specials and raffles. "The cool thing about our Shop Small event is that it's culturally themed," Minue says. "Each shop selects a culture that represents themselves and aligns with their roots."
At big city events, Sam the Sasquatch joins in on the fun. He marches in the Heritage Days parades on Milwaukee Avenue and visits Christmas at the Commons to say hello to Santa. People also catch him carving jack-o-lanterns and passing out candy at the South Milwaukee Family Spooktacular. His most important appearance is at CrusherFest, the city's largest festival. The event celebrates the life and legacy of Reggie "Da Crusher" Lisowski, a professional wrestler and lifelong South Milwaukee resident. People honor "The Man That Made Milwaukee Famous" by taking pictures with his statue and watching live wrestling matches.
The festive Moran's Pub is located on Milwaukee Ave in the heart of Downtown South Milwaukee.
The Crusher statue stands tall in Downtown South Milwaukee, honoring a local wrestling legend.
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Welcome to this beautifully renovated, Move in Ready charmer, located in the heart of Downtown South Milwaukee. Featuring 3-bedrooms 1-bathroom, Living Room, Beautiful kitchen, Formal Dinning room, Walk in food Pantry, other room/ loft Upstairs. Don't forget 2 beautiful balconies and the 2 car garage with Attic extra storage. Don't miss out--schedule your showing today!
Fantastic opportunity to own this iconic building at the corner of 12th and Milwaukee Avenues, near the vibrant Downtown Farmer's Market and near the up-and-coming Bucyrus Campus Redevelopment - adding over 130 apartments. Beautifully restored artwork on the exterior makes this an eye-catching building. Main floor consists of sunlit storefront with massive display windows facing both MKE and
Fantastic opportunity to own this iconic building at the corner of 12th and Milwaukee Avenues, near the vibrant Downtown Farmer's Market and near the up-and-coming Bucyrus Campus Redevelopment - adding over 130 apartments. Beautifully restored artwork on the exterior makes this an eye-catching building. Main floor consists of sunlit storefront with massive display windows facing both MKE and
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
570
Median Age
39
Population under 18
23.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$59,999
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$65,782
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.3%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
32.2%
Advanced Degrees
4.5%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
35''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
50''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
55/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
85/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
33/ 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.
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.
