Sitting on the banks of the Fox River, Waukesha is abuzz with hip restaurants, a trendy art scene and various businesses and retailers. The bustling city of about 71,000 is a crossroads between rural Wisconsin and the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area. It's the birthplace and final resting place of Les Paul, the storied inventor of the Gibson electric guitar. Gibson Guitar Company designated Waukesha GuitarTown in 2012 and 2013, hence the city's nickname. There is a middle school and a road named after Paul, and 13 murals and 15 guitar sculptures dedicated to him, as well as Gibson guitars, are scattered throughout the city. Fans pay their respects by leaving guitar picks on Paul's memorial.
Those working in Milwaukee can enjoy elevated suburban living by adding about 20 minutes to their downtown commute. "Waukesha has better school ratings, and the taxes are cheaper than in Milwaukee," says Marty Larson, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Homesale, who lives in Waukesha. "There is also a newer housing stock than one could find in Milwaukee."
Whether it's to enjoy dinner at an upscale restaurant, hunt for a piece of art or hang out with friends at a lively coffee shop, Waukesha's vibrant city center has a lot to offer. "We are proud of our downtown area and focus on the art, businesses and restaurants that are there," says Rebecca Pederson, the city’s Communications and Engagement Manager.
The land that is now Waukesha, which means little fox in Chippewa or foxes in Ojibwe, was originally home to the Native American Potawatomi tribe, who grew crops and hunted in the region. Agriculture was the most vital part of the local economy for decades until industry took a larger role by the 1930s.
Today, manufacturing is Waukesha's largest industry, followed by health care and retail. The city is also the government seat of Waukesha County, employing about 1,800 full-time employees and seasonal park workers. The top employers in Waukesha are GE Healthcare's manufacturing and production center, Waukesha Memorial Hospital and Waukesha School District. ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital is in the city’s center, only 6 miles from the farthest neighborhoods.
The amazing guitarist Les Paul was born in Waukesha so you will find guitars everywhere.
Cafe De Arts is a vibrant and lively coffee cafe in Waukesha.
Waukesha Memorial Hospital is at the center of the city.
The Waukesha government employs over 1800 Waukesha residents.
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A growing collection of homes for a growing population
As the city grew and expanded over the decades, different architectural styles appeared — Victorian and Italianate buildings made of stone and brick date back to the 1840s. The older, less expensive homes are on smaller lots towards the city's center. The most expensive and grand homes are outside downtown, on large lots where farms once were. Small homes from the early- to mid-1900s sell for around $200,000. Modern craftsman and traditional homes in new developments are the most expensive, with some topping out at $1.2 million. The median single-family price is $375,000, well above the Milwaukee metro area median, just over $200,000, yet below the national median of about $400,000. "People with higher income or families with two incomes tend to buy more in Waukesha," Larson says. "There are a lot of working professionals." Fox Lake Village has some of the biggest and priciest homes with multi-pitched roofs, three-car garages, walk-out basements on rolling hills and, sometimes, in-ground pools.
Condos and townhouses are a growing option for homebuyers, ranging from $95,000 for attached units to $760,000 for units in traditional, detached-home-style developments. Houses in Waukesha sell after an average of 18 days on the market, compared to the national average of 44 days. Prices are up 4% from the previous year, and property taxes are almost half that of Milwaukee's. Developers are building more apartment complexes that are "filling up with people who want to live here but may not be able to afford a house," Larson says.
Large homes with acres of land are found on the outskirts of Waukesha.
Various architectural styles are found in Waukesha.
Large, Victorian homes add charm to Waukesha neighborhoods.
Modern Craftsman homes freshen up Waukesha's vibe.
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Award-winning parks complement the Fox River
In 2022, Waukesha's Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department was awarded the National Gold Medal for long-range planning and resource management. The Fox River Trail is a 7-mile-long paved biking and walking trail that edges the banks of the river and passes through many water-side parks. Frame Park is one of the city's 48 parks, with impressive amenities like a turf baseball diamond, botanical gardens and a stage with amphitheater-style seating carved into the hillside. There are two public pools in Waukesha – one at Horeb Spring Park, which also has a skate park.
Pewaukee Lake is outside the city's limits but is a big part of life for all of Waukesha County residents. The lake is the largest in the county and has sailing races, boat launches for anglers and a designated area for swimming.
The city has no sports teams or art museums, but Milwaukee is only 20 miles west. The Bucks and Brewers play at Fiserv Forum and American Family Field, respectively.
Waukesha Civic Theater presents plays and musicals and recently expanded. "They bought and gutted the building next door to make a social space before the shows and during intermission," Larson says.
Frame Park is a beautiful Waukesha park on the Fox River.
Take a winter walk on the Fox River Trail in Waukesha.
Pewaukee Lake, right outside of Waukesha, is a big part of life for Waukesha residents.
Cheer for the world champion Milwaukee Bucks 30 minutes from Waukesha in Milwaukee.
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Boutiques downtown and big-box stores on the outskirts
Along the river, Waukesha's downtown has an assortment of shopping and dining options, filling decades-old buildings in tight rows. "The stores downtown aren't big box stores or national stores. They're more unique, boutique-type shops," Larson says. Italian, Caribbean, Mexican, Southern and German fare are plentiful, alongside coffee shops and American-style diners. There is free, two-hour parking on most streets, surface lots, parking ramps and decks near the downtown area. A few locations on the city's outer edges have shopping centers and malls, such as The Shoppes at Fox River, Meadowbrook Market Place and The Corners of Brookfield.
Waukesha Farmers Market is in its 20th year supporting Wisconsin farmers and small businesses selling handmade goods. The event takes place every Saturday morning from May to October.
Downtown Waukesha is lively and full of local shops and restaurants.
Charming, local shops can be found in downtown Waukesha.
There are countless delicious and diverse restaurant options in Waukesha.
Downtown Waukesha is full of life during the Waukesha Farmer's Market.
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Cold weather doesn't stop the outdoor fun
In July, the Waukesha County Fair, the oldest county fair in Wisconsin, has pageants, livestock shows, carnival rides, tractor pulls and live music.
In January, "JanBoree" brings 10 days of cold-weather outdoor fun to Waukesha with snow sculpting, snow slides, glass blowing and fireworks. There's a heated beer garden tent for defrosting while sipping a cold Wisconsin beer and listening to a local band. The Waukesha Parks, Recreation & Forestry department organizes the event.
Winters are cold, with below-freezing temperatures and an average annual snowfall of 40 inches. Summers are moderate, with few days exceeding the mid-80s.
There is some flooding around the river after heavy rains and storms. The city once had natural springs that were considered some of the cleanest in the country. They were fabled to have healing powers and earned the city an early nickname of "Spring City." The springs have since been polluted or gone dry, and as of 2023, Waukesha now withdraws water from Lake Michigan.
Fill up your wagon with beautiful flowers from the Waukesha Farmer's Market.
There is a magical ice rink in the middle of Lowell Park only during Janboree in Waukesha.
The Waukesha JanBoree has been celebrating winter for 40 years.
Waukesha winters are cold but there is plenty to do to keep warm.
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An educated community with well-ranked schools and colleges
The School District of Waukesha has an overall grade of B-plus on Niche. The district has 11 elementary schools, three middle schools and four high schools. Charter options are available, including the standout Waukesha Engineering Preparatory Academy, rated an A-minus and considered the third-best charter high school in the state.
The most recent census showed 95% of residents have a high school degree or higher, while 42% have at least a bachelor's degree. Three universities are in Waukesha, including Carroll University, a private university focusing on liberal arts and general sciences. The school opened in 1846 and is Wisconsin's first four-year college. The University of Milwaukee at Waukesha offers associate and bachelor’s degrees. Technical College is a two-year college offering associate degrees in 64 fields.
Waukesha High School is a well-rated public school in Waukesha.
Engineering minded students can get a head start at Waukesha Engineering Academy.
Carroll University is a well-known liberal arts college in Waukesha.
Summit View Elementary is a great, public school option in Waukesha.
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Getting in, around and out of town
Waukesha is primarily encompassed by Les Paul Parkway, which meets with Interstate 94 along the city's northern border. Some residents work in Milwaukee, a 19-mile drive east via Interstate 94. The Waukesha Metro Transit operates a bus service throughout the area, connecting with the Milwaukee County Transit System using 10 metro and two county routes. Downtown Waukesha is considered a walkable area, but suburban residents will need a car to get around outside the 15 or so blocks in the city center. In the past, Waukesha had confusing one-way streets. "We have changed all the streets in the downtown area to accommodate two-way traffic," Pederson says. "It has made a big difference in the traffic flow."
Freight trains are a fact of life in Waukesha. Dozens of trains run through the city daily, frequently stopping traffic along at least 12 railroad crossings. Waukesha County Airport is a public airport that doesn't have inbound or outbound commercial flights. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is 22 miles southeast.
Public safety and an engaged police force
The most recent FBI data reveals that crimes in Waukesha happen at a much lower rate than in Milwaukee and compared to the national average. "We focus on public safety, and both our police and fire departments have a very active presence in the community," says Pederson. "People who live, work and visit downtown know most of our police officers by name."
Written By
Heather Haggerty
Photography Contributed By
Hayley McCormick
Video By
Patrick Johnson
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On average, homes in Waukesha, WI sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Waukesha, WI over the last 12 months is $630,000, up 19% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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