History is preserved a mile south of Downtown Wausau
The community of Longfellow is only slightly younger than Wausau itself, lined with historic homes that date back to the early 1900s. “The city’s growth really started in the downtown area and expanded eastward,” says Julie Kinney, a staffer at the Marathon County Public Library in Wausau. “Everything kind of spread out as people started moving farther out, so places that were once suburbs have really developed over the last 20 to 30 years.” Located 1 mile south of Downtown Wausau, it’s no surprise that Longfellow still offers remnants of a bygone era. Residents pass traditional American Foursquares on the way to century-old shops, cafés and gathering spaces. Even the train tracks surrounding the neighborhood date back to the late 19th century. Though new businesses and traditions have since ushered change, Wausau’s Longfellow neighborhood still holds space for its past.
Bungalow style homes are the most prominent style with just enough room.
St. Mary's Oratory adds significant charm to the neighborhood.
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Historic homes built between the tracks in Longfellow
Longfellow’s homes were primarily built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ranging in style from American Foursquares and Colonial Revivals to modest bungalows. Some are arranged as duplexes. Over the years, residents have added unique features like decorative window molding, wrought iron railings and fresh coats of colorful paint. That being said, no two homes are quite identical. Some feature front porches with gardens, while others offer front stoops and towering trees. Overall, prices range between $80,000 and $210,000, below average for Wausau.
Street lamps bearing signs that read “Welcome to Longfellow Neighborhood” mark the residential avenues out front. Their accompanying sidewalks pass paved driveways leading to detached garages, a common add-on to Longfellow’s century-old homes. Many are positioned to hear the whistle of the Fox Valley & Lake Superior Rail System, as its tracks run to the east and west of the neighborhood.
Well kept Craftsman style homes add to the character of Longfellow.
Get to know your neighbors living in Longfellow.
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Downtown Wausau’s century-old shops & eateries
The Wausau River District offers a string of brand-new and longtime local businesses in the heart of Downtown Wausau. Longfellow residents making the 1-mile commute often stop by Tucknee Coffee Company for a quick pick-me-up. Founded in 2019, the café’s Rocky Mountain-themed ambiance includes tangles of plants and string lights. “There’s a lot of dining once you get downtown, but my old favorite is The Mint Café,” Kinney says. “One of the rumors about why it got its name is that people used to glue pennies to the floor.” From soup to steak, The Mint has served greater Wausau since 1888. Over on Scott Street, Janke Book Store is considered the oldest of its kind in Wisconsin. Open since 1874, the shop offers everything from local history books to modern fiction and an array of book clubs held throughout the week. As for groceries, folks tend to head west on Stewart Avenue for Pick ‘n Save or head southwest to Rib Mountain Drive for Walmart Supercenter and Sam’s Club.
The Mint Cafe in Wausau is a great place to meet old friends.
Third generation family run, Janke Book Store in Wausau sells new and used books.
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Concerts on the Square at the 400 Block
Residents of Longfellow are conveniently close to Wausau’s most popular annual events and gathering spaces, many of which are held downtown. “They took down quite a few buildings to construct the 400 Block,” Kinney says, alluding to the block-wide park on Jefferson Street. “They do ice skating, show movies, host bands.” Concerts on the Square attracts more than 2,000 guests each week throughout the summer. From June through August, live musicians perform alongside a rotating list of food vendors. The block is also home to a portion of Wausau’s ARTrageous Weekend, which spans four locations across the city. From opening exhibits at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum to studio tours at the Center for the Visual Arts, guests gather back at the block for music, food and family-friendly activities. Across the street, The Grand Theater attracts residents year-round for off-Broadway shows, local musicians and orchestral performances. Built in 1899, it’s a longstanding institution at the center of the River District.
Wausau Holiday Parade happens once a year for residents of Wausau.
Kick off the holiday season at the Wausau Holiday Parade.
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Oak Park’s scenic views of the Wisconsin River
At the intersection of Prospect and Single Avenue, Anne’s Tot Lot is a modest playground within walking distance of most families in Longfellow. But those seeking a broader range of amenities can head less than a mile east to Pleasant View Park, where old-growth trees shade tennis courts and short walking paths. To the west, the Wisconsin River anchors the downtown sector and its surrounding communities. Preserves and paths line the waterfront, but Longfellow residents are also close to Oak Park and the Isle of Ferns in the middle of the Wisconsin River next to downtown. From the parking lot on River Drive, guests are met with three paths: One winds into Oak Park’s ball fields, courts and playgrounds; Another leads to a pedestrian bridge heading to the Isle of Ferns’ shaded walking paths, and the last is the River Edge Parkway, a waterside cycling path leading 1.2 miles north to Winton Street. Regardless of their chosen path, visitors are guaranteed scenic views of the gurgling river below.
Fish the Wisconsin River from one of the many locations in Oak and Fern Park.
The Isle of Ferns in Wausau is a sight to see in the summer.
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The Wausau School District calls Longfellow home
The Wausau School District operates out of the Longfellow Administration Building on Seymour Street. Its towering steeple is not only an orienting landmark on the avenues below, but also the sign of a short commute for district employees living in the neighborhood. Students themselves begin at Hawthorn Hills Elementary School’s four-year-old kindergarten and early childhood center. From there, primary studies officially start at John Marshall Elementary, which earns a B on Niche. Horace Mann Middle earns a B, while Wausau East High School earns an A-minus. East High is an International Baccalaureate World School, inviting juniors and seniors to earn college credits prior to graduation. In 2024, East High, the long-time rival of Wausau West High School, will join the Great Northern athletic conference, potentially ending a 50-year feud with its opponent across the river.
Horace Mann Middle School in Wausau is rated a B by Niche.
With only an 11-1 Student teacher ratio, John Marshall Elementary School is a great place.
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A 3-mile commute to Wausau’s largest employers
Though residents of Longfellow are primarily car-dependent, Metro Ride bus stops remain widely available throughout the area—mainly along Prospect Avenue and Grand Avenue. Bike lanes, however, are far less common outside of local parks. Aspirus Wausau Hospital is the largest employer in the city, according to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and, conveniently, the nearest emergency room. Located 3 miles west on Stewart Avenue, the commute to Aspirus is equidistant to Liberty Mutal, another one of Wausau's biggest employers. Though Wausau Downtown Airport is 2 miles south, the public-use strip is used for charter flights and seaplane operations. Most out-of-state travelers fly from Central Wisconsin Airport, 13 miles south on Old Highway 51.
Professional centers can be found all through Wausau.
Liberty Mutual is one of Wausau's biggest employers.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Isle of Ferns Park
Oak Park
Transit
Airport
Central Wisconsin
24 min drive
Bus
Prospect Ave. & Mcintosh St.
Bus
Thomas St. & Seymour St.
Bus
Grand Ave. & Single Ave.
Bus
Prospect Ave. & Dunbar St.
Bus
Grand Ave. & Henrietta St.
Bus
Thomas St. & Prospect Ave.
Bus
Prospect Ave. & Henrietta St.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Longfellow
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Longfellow, Wausau sell after 23 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Longfellow, Wausau over the last 12 months is $158,400, up 12% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Large city lot, . 44 acres, on Wausau's east side. Quiet neighborhood on the edge of the city limits. New curb, road, gutter, and utilities last year! 2 lots, but selling as one. 120'x163'. Call for more information.
Conveniently located downtown on the bus route. This 2 bedroom one bathroom upper duplex has plenty of space to call home. All appliances are brand new, and the unit has been completely remodeled. Laundry hook-ups included along with a shared storage shed in the backyard. Cats are allowed. Household income must be 3x the rent, and a credit score of 600 or higher (Per credit karma). No past
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brandon Taylor,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
941
Median Age
40
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$24,459
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$42,062
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.5%
College Graduates
9.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.8%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.2%
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
64/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
56/ 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.
