Suburban town center on the northern banks of Lake Mendota
First founded when the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad expanded its train line from Madison to Saint Paul in 1871, Waunakee sits near the cusp of Madison on the northern shores of Lake Mendota. It's a sprawling area that extends from the suburbs north of Madison out into rural farmland. The name Waunakee means fair and pleasant valley, and that’s precisely how resident Sheryl Schroeder describes the village. “It’s just a great little town,” says Schroeder, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. With its cluster of shops and restaurants along Main Street, this area has a small-town feel. Still, its proximity to downtown Madison, along with excellent parks and schools, means that homeowners here benefit from big-city amenities. Housing prices start around $300,000 and climb well above $1 million for custom, luxury homes overlooking the lake.
Waunakee is one of a kind -- there is no other "Waunakee" in the world.
Waunakee neighbors form tight-knit communities which pride themselves on well-kept properties.
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Established ranch-style homes and newly built Craftsmans
Spanning from the northern shores of Lake Mendota into the farmlands of southern Wisconsin, housing ranges across Waunakee. There are a variety of new and established homes throughout the neighborhood, from brick ranch-style homes to two-story Craftsman; some builds are recently finished, whereas others date back to the early 1900s and have a historic charm. This neighborhood has been seeing growth in newer subdivisions that feature spacious homes on well-groomed, tidy lots. Some are even located near the banks of Lake Mendota, including lots where homebuyers can design their dream home and waterfront properties that are priced at a premium. These luxury homes can sell for upwards of $1 million, though the median for the area is closer to $605,000, with very few houses listing below $300,000.
Two-story modern traditional homes are common in the developments of Waunakee.
Closer to the enter of Waunakee, you will find older, bungalow-style homes.
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Waunakee Community Schools earn top marks across the board
Families can send their kids to public schools in the Waunakee Community School District. Young students might start out at Arboretum Elementary until the fourth grade before moving up to Waunakee Intermediate, which serves students in the fifth and sixth grades. Seventh and eighth graders can attend Waunakee Community Middle before earning their diploma at Waunakee Community High. All four schools score an A rating from Niche, and the district even has its own aquatic center where the Waunakee Warriors swim teams train, though it also hosts American Red Cross swimming lessons and family swims.
Exterior of Kromrey Middle School in Middleton.
The main entrance for Waunakee High School.
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Waterfront activities on Lake Mendota and neighborhood parks
Waunakee is full of parks and outdoor spaces to explore. Sixmile Creek runs through town at Waunakee Village Park, which has paved paths through the trees for walks in addition to playgrounds and sporting facilities. During December, the park turns into a winter wonderland with festive holiday lights lining the walkways. Even as the weather gets chillier, it’s easy to stay active at Waunakee Village Center, located next to the park. This community center features a gym and fitness center and hosts events for youth and seniors alike. Residents of Waunakee can also take advantage of nearby Lake Mendota at Governor Nelson State Park, which features over 8 miles of peaceful trails along the water in addition to sandy beaches for relaxing or fishing for smallmouth bass.
Waunakee has over a dozen parks for nature-lovers to enjoy.
Mendota Park in Middleton is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the water.
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Local restaurants line Main Street in the heart of town
Traveling down Main Street, residents have their choice between an array of local restaurants scattered every few blocks. Lone Girl Brewing Company is a popular spot for sipping on craft beers and munching on pub fare from cheese curds to burgers, and during the warmer months, its rooftop patio is a great place to enjoy the sun. Those who prefer wine to beer can head over to Red and White Winebar, just a few streets over. It features a self-serve wine bar and hosts classes and concerts to make it a place where people come to sit and stay a while. There are even more options near Century Avenue, like classy Ren’s Innkeeper for seafood and steaks or M-N-M’s Coffeehouse for a quick latte pick-me-up. For cooking from home, residents can grab all their groceries at the Main Street Market Piggly Wiggly.
Lone Girl Brewing Company in Waunakee is a large brewpub and restaurant on Main Street.
M-N-M's Coffeehouse serves a variety of hot and cold drinks to Waunakee residents.
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Less than half an hour to downtown Madison
Drive times vary from one end of Waunakee to the other, but commuters can expect a trip into downtown Madison to take about 20 to 30 minutes or 10 to 15 miles. The Dane County Regional Airport is even closer, approximately 10 to 15 minutes away by car. Most places are accessible via Route 113, but for further trips around the Madison area, Interstate 90 is just over 5 miles due east and leads to the University of Wisconsin Health East Madison Hospital.
Waunakee is full of newer developments, especially in the outskirts.
Don't forget to check out Lone Girl Brewing Company in Waunakee, right by the railroad tracks.
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Written By
Tina Davis
Photography Contributed By
Scott Mason Bittinger
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Deanna Prochaska,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Waunakee, WI sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Waunakee, WI over the last 12 months is $599,950, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome Home to The Welsh, Espire's 2025 POH model! Designed to maximize space & comfort, this home features a spacious main level anchored by a versatile living area, where the tucked-away KIT, GR, & dining space flow seamlessly for everyday living & entertaining. A sunroom w/ cathedral ceilings opens to a generous deck, bringing the outdoors in and creating an inviting space to relax or gather.
Seller has accepted sight unseen offer. Welcome to wonderful Waunakee! A superb location & quality of life awaits you! Award winning schools! Opportunity knocks to own this solid 1 owner, 3 bdrm, 2 bath ranch home w/att 2 car gar! Very lg Liv Rm w/huge windows to let in lots of natural light! Spacious Fam Rm w/brick 2-sided gas Frpl, steps out to rear patio! EIK & Din combo w/brick (behind frpl)
This spacious lot, just under half an acre, is located in the desirable Carriage Ridge neighborhood in the Town of Westport. With ample space to build your dream home with Victory Homes of WI, the property offers a perfect balance of privacy and community. Enjoy the charm of the neighborhood, along with convenient access to nearby amenities, parks, and a short drive to the greater Madison area
Victory Homes of Wisconsin, in partnership with First Weber Inc. and many generous vendors, proudly presents this St. Jude Dream Home®—a stunning 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath new construction home where luxury meets purpose. 100% of proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The versatile open-concept design features expansive windows, w an abundance of natural light & a spacious kitchen with
Heritage Hills Apartments is a unique community, nestled within the gorgeous Heritage Hills Neighborhood. This area is within walking distance to charming downtown Waunakee, with unique shops, raved-out restaurants, a brand new library, parks and so much more. Making it an ideal place to call home!
Spacious townhome with private entry and 2-car garage. Available August 1st. New, modern farmhouse finishes. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathroom. Full unfinished basement available for storage. Tenant responsible for all utilities, lawn mowing, and snow removal. Will consider small dog for additional fee. Please contact listing agent to schedule a showing. Listing agent needs to be present for all
Lamphouse is conveniently located in the heart of historic Waunakee, steps from restaurants, parks, shopping and more. This community offers on-site full-time management and maintenance, high end finishes, social events, and great amenities. You can enjoy a great conversation around the rooftop firepit, shoot pool in the large community room, exercise in our large fitness center, or enjoy a round
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