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Whitefish Bay

Whitefish Bay

$358 Average Price per Sq Ft
0 Homes For Sale

Parks, beaches and a close-knit community in Whitefish Bay

Whitefish Bay, a Lake Michigan community on Milwaukee ’s North Shore, offers a blend of family-friendly living and convenient access to the city. Known for its tight-knit feel and walkable neighborhoods, the village is home to lakeside parks, sandy beaches and a vibrant local business district. From its historic homes to its highly regarded school district, Whitefish Bay appeals to buyers looking for an established community with plenty of everyday conveniences.

Silver Spring Drive is the area's shopping district.
Silver Spring Drive is the area's shopping district.
There are plenty of specialty storefronts ready to be explored.
There are plenty of specialty storefronts ready to be explored.
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Housing options are part of the village’s long-established character

Most homes in Whitefish Bay date to the 1950s, and those Cape Cods, colonial styles and ranch-style houses play a big role in the village’s curb appeal. These properties typically sell between the high $200,000s and low $800,000s, depending on size and updates, while renovated Tudor and Victorian homes can reach as much as $4.4 million. Contemporary executive homes do show up from time to time, but Whitefish Bay Public Library Director Nyama Reed says newer construction is uncommon. “We’re a very dense and developed community already,” she says. “So there’s no extra space to buy and build something.”

You'll also find condos, duplexes and other multi-family properties, generally selling between the high $100,000s and low $400,000s depending on amenities. With a median sale price around the mid-$300,000s, Whitefish Bay is typically more expensive than nearby Fox Point, Glendale and Milwaukee, but less expensive than Shorewood. Reed says the village’s compact and long-established character brings people together. “It’s community-focused, education-focused and family-focused,” she says.

Many of Whitefish Bay's homes were built in the 1950s.
Many of Whitefish Bay's homes were built in the 1950s.
The area also have executive homes and estates.
The area also have executive homes and estates.
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A large staircase leads to the entrance of Whitefish Bay High School.
A large staircase leads to the entrance of Whitefish Bay High School.

Strong school ratings are a key draw for many families

The Whitefish Bay School District serves the area. Richards Elementary School and Cumberland Elementary School both hold an A rating from Niche and cover pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Students can advance to Whitefish Bay Middle School before attending Whitefish Bay High School, which earns an A-plus from Niche and offers a wide Advanced Placement program that has earned it recognition as a Pacesetter School in Wisconsin. “People very much move here for the schools,” Reed says.

Bus routes make travel from Whitefish Bay to Milwaukee easy.
Bus routes make travel from Whitefish Bay to Milwaukee easy.

Easy access to Milwaukee and a walkable village core

Interstate 43 runs just west of the area, providing a direct route to downtown Milwaukee, about 7 miles away. The Milwaukee County Transit System operates multiple bus routes connecting the area to neighboring communities and the wider metro.

Walkability is a big part of living in Whitefish Bay, to the point that the area had a Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Study to improve conditions for walking and cycling. “People will walk from their house to the library and forget to bring their driver’s license," says Reed. "They walk up to Silver Spring Drive, the main business district, for coffee or grocery shopping. There are no buses for the schools. Every morning, the kids ride their bikes or walk, or their parents or grandparents walk them.”

The Whitefish Bay high school team warming up before a game at Cahill Park.
The Whitefish Bay high school team warming up before a game at Cahill Park.

Lake Michigan parks offer year-round outdoor activities

Whitefish Bay hugs the shore of Lake Michigan, and its entire eastern border features community parks with water access. Klode Park is one of the most popular, with a path leading down from the bluffs to a sandy beach and designated swimming area. In winter, a community ice-skating rink with a warming house takes over the space. “It’s a very outdoor community, even in the winter,” Reed says. For a quieter setting, Big Bay Park is a forested, county-run green space with shady paths near the water and a paved trail leading down to the beach.

The Bay Restaurant serves food and spirits in downtown Whitefish Bay.
The Bay Restaurant serves food and spirits in downtown Whitefish Bay.

Restaurants, cafes and shopping near Silver Spring Drive

From longtime neighborhood institutions to newer cafes and eateries, Whitefish Bay's dining scene covers a range of tastes and occasions. You can find a meal or drink at places like:

  • Stone Creek Coffee, a local roaster with a cafe and kitchen
  • Jack Pandl's Whitefish Bay Inn, a historic supper club operating for over 100 years
  • Forage Kitchen, a modern eatery with customizable salads, grain bowls and wraps made from locally sourced ingredients
  • The Bavarian Bierhaus, a brewery and restaurant in nearby Glendale with a beer hall, live music and hearty German plates
Locals often do their shopping along Silver Spring Drive, where boutiques and specialty shops give the village’s business district its distinct character. For a wider selection of national retailers, they'll sometimes head to nearby Bayshore in Glendale, one of the North Shore’s top shopping destinations.

Phil Keeling
Written By
Phil Keeling
Richard Ebbers
Photography Contributed By
Richard Ebbers
Kevyn Harris
Video By
Kevyn Harris

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Brian Patt, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in Whitefish Bay, WI

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Schools

Source:
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

Parks in this Area

Area Facts

Number of Homes
4
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
2023
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,802
Significantly above the national average
1,935
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,005

Open Houses

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Whitefish Bay Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
2
Median Rent
$5,400
Median Single Family Home Rent
$5,650
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$6,200

Demographics

Total Population
12,676
Median Age
40
Population under 18
28.9%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$148,204
Significantly above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$175,116

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.3%
College Graduates
81.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
41.6%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
74.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
32''
Average Winter Low Temperature
14°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
45''

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

60 / 100

Fairly walkable

Walkability®

50 / 100

Some public transit

Transit®

40 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

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.
Whitefish Bay