$449,766Average Value$252Average Price per Sq Ft19Homes For Sale
Balancing growth and tradition northeast of Madison
Sun Prairie is located northeast of Madison in south-central Wisconsin. One of the fastest-growing parts of Dane County, it is now home to nearly 36,000 residents, an about 29% increase in the past decade. “We don’t ask people, ‘Are you from here?’” says Taylor Brown, the Economic Development Director with the City of Sun Prairie. “We ask people, ‘When did you move here?’ It’s our welcoming culture. Almost everybody has been new at some time or another, so we all know how it feels.”
According to Brown, much of the growth stems from the convenient proximity to Madison and the appeal of the Sun Prairie Area School District. “I think the start of the growth was because of the schools,” Brown says. “And since people were coming here, commercial development followed. It compounded.” The city balances its rapid changes with preserving tradition and history. “We’re always trying to build on what came before,” Brown says.
Sun Prairie is a significant agricultural area for Wisconsin, providing both grain and dairy.
Sun Prairie East High School has a student-to-teacher ratio of 14 to 1.
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Varied housing styles across the decades
Older neighborhoods like Royal Oaks offer 1960s ranch-style homes and towering trees. Large houses in the Shonas Highlands and Westwynde neighborhoods were built in the 90s with contemporary designs like New Traditional and Colonial Revivals. At the city’s eastern edge, Meadow Crossing wrapped construction around 2015 and still has views of Wisconsin farmland to the south and east. The median price for a single-family home in Sun Prairie is $448,000, which is slightly higher than the national median of $420,000, but close to the Madison median of $440,000.
Ranch style homes in Sun Prairie start around $220k, and go upwards from there.
Sun Prairie is home to many new development styles, showcasing New Traditional houses in neighborhoods like Shonas Highlands.
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Sun Prairie Area School District is a primary draw and major employer
The Sun Prairie Area School District receives an A-minus grade from Niche and recently expanded to include a second high school. Sun Prairie West High School opened in 2022, and Sun Prairie East in 2010.
The school district is Sun Prairie's largest employer. The two largest employers in the overall Madison area are the University of Wisconsin and Epic Systems, a medical software company.
UW Health has a Sun Prairie clinic, and its East Madison Hospital is about 8 miles away. Downtown Madison is 15 miles southwest via U.S. Highway 151. Interstates 90 and 94 are 8 miles away for access to Milwaukee, Chicago or Minneapolis. The Dane County Regional Airport is 11 miles west.
Younger students may attend Northside Elementary School.
Sun Prairie West High School has approximately 1,400 enrolled students from the surrounding area.
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Racing legends take to the track at Angell Park Raceway
There are many parks in Sun Prairie. “Early in Sun Prairie’s planning, there was a push to ensure that there would be a park in every neighborhood,” Brown says. The Patrick Marsh Wildlife Area on Brazee Lake is a 340-acre nature preserve where locals can hike or cross-country ski. Another popular amenity is the Prairie Athletic Club. “They essentially have an outdoor water park,” Brown says. “They’re a big part of the community.”
Angell Park has a raceway and a community-built dream park within its complex. “The raceway is one of the only dirt tracks that still exists in the nation,” says Colleen Burke, Economic Development Specialist with the city. “Famous racers like Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon have visited Sun Prairie to race here.”
Bird watchers can head to Patrick Marsh Wildlife Area in Sun Prairie to catch some rare species.
Angell Park has a small dirt track that hosts race frequently in the warmer months.
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Sweetcorn Festival among long-held local traditions
As exciting as the growth has been, the traditions give Sun Prairie its distinct culture. “What keeps Sun Prairie relevant are its traditions. Groundhog’s Day, the racetrack,” Burke says. “But people love that you can come here and make it your own.”
Sun Prairie’s traditional Groundhog’s Day event, nearly 80 years old, has grown into a multi-day extravaganza. “A few years ago, we developed it into Frozen Fest, which culminates on Groundhog’s Day,” Brown says.
The Sweet Corn Festival is one of Wisconsin’s largest food festivals. “You shuck your corn, then take it to the butter kids, who roll it in butter. Then you head to the salt trees, which are basically saltshakers hung from metal clotheslines,” Brown says. “It’s all part of the lore.”
Kids and adults gather to see Jimmy the groundhog on Groundhog Day during the prognostication.
Frozen Fest is a variety of events in Sun Prairie neighborhoods during Groundhog's Day.
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Growth brings big chains while local spots honor tradition
Options for shopping and dining have grown in recent decades. “Growing up 20 or 30 years ago, there wasn’t a lot out here — you’d have to drive to the west side of Madison to get to the big stores or chains,” said Matt Deadman, a Realtor and Broker Associate with Real Broker LLC. “But now everything has come to Sun Prairie.” Costco, Target and Woodman’s are now available along Grand Avenue. Local spots hold their own among the chains. “Twisted Grit Yoga and Gloria’s Mexican are local businesses thriving amidst the big-box stores,” Brown says.
Downtown businesses honor their history. “Buck N Honeys has old family photos of the original farm on that location,” Burke says. “They pay tribute to the original pieces of Sun Prairie.”
Along with Costco and Woodman's, Target is one of the many big box stores in Sun Prairie.
Buck & Honey's in Sun Prairie is known as one of Sun Prairie's best dining options.
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Important to know
Sun Prairie residents should expect cold winters with regular snow and warm and humid summers. Flooding is an occasional issue due to nearby wetlands and the area’s considerable snowmelt, with the midwestern floods in spring and summer of 2008 being a prominent example.
According to the FBI's Crime Data Explorer, Sun Prairie’s violent crime rates are lower than the national average, though they swing up and down throughout the year. Property crime rates are closer to the national average than violent crime rates, though typically still lower than the national average. These fluctuated from a high in summer 2021 to a low in summer 2023.
Growth continues in Sun Prairie’s future
Sun Prairie’s development continues. “Downtown blocks are getting reconstruction attention next year,” Burke says. “There are plans for a mural festival. We’re looking to talk backward to our history while moving forward with an improved downtown."
Growth brings a mix of effects. “I think people are excited about the extra shops, more choices, lower prices,” Deadman says. “They’re less excited about increasing traffic and taxes.”
Regardless, new neighbors can count on a warm welcome. “You come as you are,” Brown says. “We accept you as you are. And you make Sun Prairie your own.”
Sun City Cyclery in Sun Prairie offers repairs, fitting, and bike sales for new and used cycles.
Main Street in Sun Prairie has always been its core thoroughfare, offering both shopping and dining.
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Written By
Ty Phelps
Photography Contributed By
Kyle Arn
Video By
Andrew Perrius
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Sun Prairie, WI sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Sun Prairie, WI over the last 12 months is $475,000, down 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Showings start 7/26. Meticulously cared for 4-bedroom, 2-bath home located on a large beautifully manicured lot with mature trees and raised gardens. Tons of updates throughout! Updated main level bathroom in 2024, new water softener in 2024, new water heater in 2023, composite deck 2022, ducts cleaned in 2022, roof/gutters 2017, windows/siding 2014, etc. New stainless steel kitchen appliance
Showings start 7/22 at 1:00pm. Charming 3 bedroom ranch. Open concept layout with cathedral ceilings. Chef's kitchen equipped with SS appliances, granite top island, and pantry. Large primary suite with door to walk out patio & deck. Lower level has rec room, 3/4 bath and 3rd bedroom. Plenty of storage space. 2 car attached garage. Deck structurally renovated including new deck flooring in June
Exceptional 6-bed, 5.5-bath home designed for space, style, and comfort. Featuring a spacious open-concept layout and two full kitchens, this property offers flexibility for a variety of living arrangements. Upscale finishes, modern fixtures, and custom details create a luxurious yet functional atmosphere throughout. Enjoy indoor-outdoor living with a beautifully landscaped yard overlooking a
This home is ready for someone to make it their own while taking advantage of a great opportunity in Sun Prairie’s sought-after Smith’s Crossing neighborhood! This 3 bed, 2.5 bath condo offers a spacious living room with hardwood floors, 9' ceilings, and a cozy fireplace. The kitchen is loaded with cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar, pantry, and ample counter space. Upstairs
This beautifully crafted new ranch by Victory Homes of WI offers all you need—and more in a downsized dream home. Designed for comfort and style, it features a spacious open layout, private owner’s suite with spa-inspired bath, oversized tile shower, soaking tub, and custom walk-in closet. The chef’s kitchen is impressive with a large island, high-end appliances, and a walk-in pantry complete
Perched in the scenic hills of Migration Path Estates, this thoughtfully designed home offers elevated living with natural light and flexible spaces throughout. The open layout flows beautifully, with oversized windows framing peaceful views. Enjoy a bright sunroom, private office, and gourmet kitchen with XL island, walk-in pantry, and custom lockers. The luxurious primary suite features a
This beautiful property features 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms and is nestled in a peaceful rural setting with mature trees, offering quick access to nearby cities. The home is conveniently located just outside Sun Prairie, providing a serene escape from city noise and stress. This remodeled home boasts an open-concept design and is incredibly energy-efficient. The main level includes a large,
NEW CONSTRUCTION: Brand new apartment homes available now!The Preserve is located in the booming Prairie Lakes area in Sun Prairie. Conveniently located near everything you need from grocery shopping to a movie at Marcus Palace Cinema, Cabela's and more. You may find yourself not wanting to go far with the resort style amenities including granite countertops, private patios and balconies, a
Well maintained property, with a thoughtful layout! Features 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and 3 fireplaces. Master bedroom has nursery attached or could be 3rd walk in closet. Full wet bar in the basement with fireplace. Walk out to the private fenced yard. Showings start August 1. Please provide current tenants with 24 hour notice for showings. Current lease ends at the end of August. Lease term
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