$323,026Average Value$198Average Price per Sq Ft88Homes For Sale
Halfway between Milwaukee & Madison
When 19th-century settlers arrived on the banks of the Rock River, it made sense to name the new village after their hometown of Watertown, New York. Many sought to utilize the river’s waterpower for the burgeoning Wisconsin sawmill industry. Thus, the name stuck. Located halfway between Milwaukee and Madison, Watertown today is home to over 22,000 residents. With a developing downtown area, ample opportunities for waterfront recreation and a private university, the city has grown more attractive with time. “Downtown is one of our most desirable areas,” says Belle Luhman, a local broker with Century 21 Endeavor. “The district goes from Washington Street to 7th Street. It’s the longest historic district in the county.”
The Rock River flows through Watertown, WI.
Watertown is a charming city in between Milwaukee and Madison, WI.
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Queen Annes & Dutch Colonials dating back over a century
The median home price in Watertown sits around $300,000, below the national average and that of nearby Oconomowoc, a similarly sized city on the way to Milwaukee. "We're like a small town, so our houses are probably more reasonable than other areas that are maybe more 'white collar,'" Luhman says. "We're more historic, too. We have a lot of homes from the 1800s." Those surrounding Main Street and the downtown area typically date back over a century, flaunting Queen Anne and Dutch Colonial styles. Many have since converted to multifamily units. West of the river, architecture grows increasingly more modern, with brand-new builds flanking the city's outskirts.
A modern, Queen Ann style home shines in Watertown.
New builds are popping up all over Watertown.
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Downtown Watertown is a hub for small businesses
Beyond its historic homes, downtown Watertown is known for its boutiques, gift shops, pubs and cafés occupying old-fashioned storefronts. “I live on the 400 block of Main, so I can easily walk to our local bookstore, Literatus,” Luhman says. “There’s coffee, sandwiches and Chandler House Bakery. We also have a couple of vinyl record stores that sell guitars.” The downtown area has long been a hub for community gatherings, from movies at the historic Towne Cinema to a Fourth of July Parade with colorful floats and antique cars. Farther east and west of downtown, Main Street offers regional grocers like Blain’s Farm & Fleet and Glenn’s Market. Others rest along the outskirts, including the Watertown Piggly Wiggly on Route 16 and Walmart Supercenter on Route 26.
The Paramount Record Shop is a favorite among Watertown locals.
Literatus and Co. is a beloved book store in Watertown, WI.
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Home of the first kindergarten in the U.S.
Primary students attend the Watertown Unified School District, which earns a B on Niche. The city's history is rooted in elementary education, considering Watertown was home to the first kindergarten in the United States. The original 19th-century school building is now a museum showcasing local history. Maranatha Baptist University also sits along Main Street, just west of the downtown strip. The private college enrolls less than 1,000 students yearly and is widely known for its seminary.
The first kindergarten in the country still stands in Watertown, WI.
Maranatha Baptist University is a private college in Watertown that is known for it's seminary.
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New recreational spaces were community-funded
In the summer, residents flock to the banks of the Rock River for recreation and outdoor events. Riverside Park is one popular hub, home to the Watertown Aquatic Center and the Watertown Farmer's Market. Once a horse and cattle fair in the mid-1800s, the market is considered one of the oldest in Wisconsin. At summer's end, guests flood the park for Riverfest. This annual four-day festival features carnival rides, live music and fireworks. Recent developments include the Bentzin Family Town Square and the Oconomowoc Interurban Trail, both resulting from generous community donations and grants.
Riverside Park is a vast green space in Watertown that hosts local events in the summer.
The Watertown Aquatic Center is a popular spot in the summer.
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Interstate 94 connects Wisconsin’s largest cities
Watertown’s largest employers include the local school district and Watertown Regional Medical Center. It’s also the headquarters for several manufacturing companies, including Pepsi and John Deere affiliates. Rock River Laboratory, Inc., a leader in regional agriculture, is headquartered just south of the city on Commerce Drive.
Commuters are primarily car-dependent since most residents work within 10 miles of downtown. For regional travel, Route 16 stretches east toward Ixonia, while Route 26 leads south to Johnson Creek for the nearest exit to Interstate 94. From there, residents can head 40 miles west to Madison or 50 miles east to Milwaukee. Watertown Municipal Airport is mainly used for general aviation, so most head to Dane County Regional Airport in Madison for commercial flights.
Pepsi employs a majority of Watertown residents.
Get out of town at Madison Airport, in the Carpenter-Ridgeway neighborhood.
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Below-average crime statistics in Watertown
According to FBI data, violent crime in Watertown is lower than it was at its 10-year high in 2015 but remains higher than the period's lowest point in 2019. Property crimes reached a 5-year high in 2022, but fell 22% the following year.
Written By
Dana Chesser
Photography Contributed By
Hayley McCormick
Video By
Derek Fowler
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Karen Gryszkiewicz,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Watertown, WI sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Watertown, WI over the last 12 months is $309,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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