The 10 Best Small Towns In Wisconsin For 2022


We used science and data to determine which small towns in Wisconsin are the best of the best.

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You've seen these lists before: Best places to live in Wisconsin, Most Beautiful Downtowns, etc., etc. But all of them focus on major cities and towns in the Badger State and no one pays attention to the little guy.

Well, that's all about to change as we put together a list of the best small towns in Wisconsin based on numbers--not opinions or hearsay.

We'll dive right into our methodology in the next section; but first, we thought you might just want to know which places in Wisconsin ranked the based--you know, based on science.

Before we get to the top 15, here's a look at the 10 Best Small Towns To Live in Wisconsin for 2022.

The 10 Best Small Towns To Live In Wisconsin For 2022

  1. Maple Bluff
  2. Shorewood Hills
  3. Cross Plains
  4. Okauchee Lake
  5. Bayside
  6. Hewitt
  7. North Hudson
  8. Sauk City
  9. Wind Point
  10. Howards Grove

What's the best small town in Wisconsin? Maple Bluff is the best small town in Wisconsin based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Maple Bluff, chances are, you're not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.

But for the rest of you--keep reading and we'll get to just why these small towns made our list.

For more reading on the Badger State check out:

The 15 Best Small Towns In Wisconsin For 2022

1. Maple Bluff

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 1,288
Median Income: $157,917 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $599,500 (3rd Best)
More on Maple Bluff: Data | Homes For Sale

2. Shorewood Hills

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 2,085
Median Income: $136,750 (4th Best)
Median Home Value: $692,600 (1st Best)
More on Shorewood Hills: Data | Homes For Sale

3. Cross Plains

Cross Plains, WI

Source: Wikipedia User Royalbroil | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 4,234
Median Income: $87,125 (28th Best)
Median Home Value: $271,100 (19th Best)
More on Cross Plains: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

4. Okauchee Lake

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 4,373
Median Income: $108,875 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $380,600 (7th Best)
More on Okauchee Lake: Data | Homes For Sale

5. Bayside

Bayside, WI

Source: Flickr User brennanMKE | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 4,530
Median Income: $100,571 (13th Best)
Median Home Value: $342,500 (10th Best)
More on Bayside: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

6. Hewitt

Overall SnackAbility

/10

Population: 1,016
Median Income: $79,375 (38th Best)
Median Home Value: $184,100 (66th Best)
More on Hewitt:  | Homes For Sale

7. North Hudson

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 3,819
Median Income: $108,500 (10th Best)
Median Home Value: $313,600 (13th Best)
More on North Hudson: Data | Homes For Sale

8. Sauk City

Sauk City, WI

Source: Wikipedia User Allen C. | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,481
Median Income: $62,411 (96th Best)
Median Home Value: $214,800 (38th Best)
More on Sauk City: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

9. Wind Point

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 1,833
Median Income: $119,107 (5th Best)
Median Home Value: $244,100 (28th Best)
More on Wind Point: Data | Homes For Sale

10. Howards Grove

Howards Grove, WI

Source: Wikipedia User self | CC BY-SA 2.5
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,253
Median Income: $82,522 (36th Best)
Median Home Value: $193,600 (52nd Best)
More on Howards Grove: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

11. River Hills

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 1,441
Median Income: $150,682 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $613,900 (2nd Best)
More on River Hills: Data | Homes For Sale

12. Summit

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 4,922
Median Income: $112,155 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $406,900 (5th Best)
More on Summit: Data | Homes For Sale

13. North Prairie

North Prairie, WI

Source: Flickr User hmalsch | CC BY 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

9.5
/10

Population: 2,542
Median Income: $117,596 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $295,300 (14th Best)
More on North Prairie: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

14. Kohler

Kohler, WI

Source: Wikipedia User self | CC BY-SA 2.5
Overall SnackAbility

9.5
/10

Population: 2,016
Median Income: $98,500 (14th Best)
Median Home Value: $278,000 (17th Best)
More on Kohler: Photos | Data | Homes For Sale

15. Lodi

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,073
Median Income: $76,250 (46th Best)
Median Home Value: $239,900 (30th Best)
More on Lodi: Data | Homes For Sale

Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Wisconsin

We threw a lot of criteria at this one in order to get the best, most complete results possible. Using the most recent data from the Census's 2016-2020 American Community Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is the criteria we used:

  • Population Density (Higher is better)
  • Lowest Unemployment Rates
  • Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
  • Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
  • Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
  • Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
  • Commute Times (Lower is better)
Best States In America

We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which, there were a lot - 232 to be exact.

We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 232, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Wisconsin. Top of that list -- Maple Bluff. You can download the data here.

Keep reading to find out more about our top 15 best small towns in Wisconsin.

Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones

We said it once and we'll say it again -- this list: it's just science. We did the research, we crunched the numbers, and it turns out, these 15 small towns in Wisconsin are the best, in which to live.

And who can argue with that?

If you're curious, here are the worst small towns in Wisconsin:

  1. Mil
  2. Keshena
  3. Cornell

For more Wisconsin reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Best Small Towns In Wisconsin

Rank City Population Median Income Median Home Value
1 Maple Bluff, WI 1,288 $157,917.0 $599,500.0
2 Shorewood Hills, WI 2,085 $136,750.0 $692,600.0
3 Cross Plains, WI 4,234 $87,125.0 $271,100.0
4 Okauchee Lake, WI 4,373 $108,875.0 $380,600.0
5 Bayside, WI 4,530 $100,571.0 $342,500.0
6 Hewitt, WI 1,016 $79,375.0 $184,100.0
7 North Hudson, WI 3,819 $108,500.0 $313,600.0
8 Sauk City, WI 3,481 $62,411.0 $214,800.0
9 Wind Point, WI 1,833 $119,107.0 $244,100.0
10 Howards Grove, WI 3,253 $82,522.0 $193,600.0
11 River Hills, WI 1,441 $150,682.0 $613,900.0
12 Summit, WI 4,922 $112,155.0 $406,900.0
13 North Prairie, WI 2,542 $117,596.0 $295,300.0
14 Kohler, WI 2,016 $98,500.0 $278,000.0
15 Lodi, WI 3,073 $76,250.0 $239,900.0
16 Sherwood, WI 2,993 $112,888.0 $262,600.0
17 Combined Locks, WI 3,588 $72,102.0 $189,300.0
18 Merton, WI 3,721 $139,375.0 $447,900.0
19 Nashotah, WI 1,287 $93,750.0 $354,900.0
20 Oostburg, WI 3,017 $63,991.0 $156,300.0
21 St. Peter, WI 1,362 $100,662.0 $243,100.0
22 Dane, WI 1,008 $94,554.0 $251,600.0
23 Baldwin, WI 4,017 $69,549.0 $172,500.0
24 Wright, WI 3,494 $73,920.0 $190,500.0
25 Thiensville, WI 3,149 $73,846.0 $254,700.0
26 Luxemburg, WI 2,571 $65,833.0 $186,300.0
27 Prescott, WI 4,278 $67,491.0 $194,100.0
28 Lauderdale Lakes, WI 1,437 $86,715.0 $335,600.0
29 Omro, WI 3,584 $59,085.0 $131,500.0
30 Brice Prairie, WI 2,200 $85,139.0 $188,200.0
31 Lake Wissota, WI 2,896 $96,065.0 $266,200.0
32 Spring Green, WI 1,633 $70,179.0 $179,800.0
33 Winneconne, WI 2,679 $69,922.0 $154,900.0
34 Black Earth, WI 1,388 $64,167.0 $188,600.0
35 Prairie Du Sac, WI 4,397 $57,485.0 $237,100.0
36 Brooklyn, WI 1,212 $89,423.0 $172,100.0
37 Wales, WI 2,592 $100,625.0 $321,800.0
38 Seymour, WI 1,392 $81,167.0 $186,200.0
39 Johnson Creek, WI 3,029 $88,669.0 $218,900.0
40 Eagle Lake, WI 1,010 $76,774.0 $171,400.0
41 Lancaster, WI 3,725 $58,419.0 $136,500.0
42 Kewaskum, WI 4,224 $63,910.0 $188,000.0
43 Belleville, WI 2,682 $75,735.0 $192,800.0
44 Barneveld, WI 1,300 $84,803.0 $196,000.0
45 Marathon City, WI 1,331 $68,542.0 $151,700.0
46 New Holstein, WI 3,116 $58,019.0 $117,400.0
47 Lake Ripley, WI 1,927 $94,010.0 $258,400.0
48 Saukville, WI 4,448 $58,456.0 $203,100.0
49 East Troy, WI 4,310 $67,061.0 $202,900.0
50 Belmont, WI 1,042 $70,833.0 $154,300.0
51 Cuba City, WI 2,197 $61,576.0 $146,600.0
52 Deerfield, WI 2,553 $74,750.0 $223,800.0
53 Poynette, WI 2,507 $72,375.0 $207,000.0
54 Pulaski, WI 3,492 $53,990.0 $187,500.0
55 Elkhart Lake, WI 1,117 $65,625.0 $196,500.0
56 Cambridge, WI 1,260 $77,955.0 $214,500.0
57 Lake Wazeecha, WI 2,671 $72,316.0 $146,800.0
58 Lake Wisconsin, WI 4,573 $91,806.0 $349,500.0
59 Cleveland, WI 1,753 $66,548.0 $136,400.0
60 Random Lake, WI 1,571 $73,015.0 $178,000.0
61 Belgium, WI 2,201 $78,125.0 $194,700.0
62 Dodgeville, WI 4,711 $65,040.0 $174,800.0
63 Kekoskee, WI 1,032 $86,000.0 $260,800.0
64 Ashippun, WI 1,027 $91,186.0 $259,200.0
65 Dousman, WI 2,116 $70,333.0 $275,700.0
66 Browns Lake, WI 1,808 $77,639.0 $237,700.0
67 Hortonville, WI 2,830 $77,898.0 $175,800.0
68 Ixonia, WI 1,856 $78,357.0 $260,900.0
69 Cedar Grove, WI 2,231 $68,393.0 $166,400.0
70 Mineral Point, WI 2,631 $54,817.0 $172,600.0
71 Washburn, WI 1,844 $50,106.0 $142,100.0
72 Newburg, WI 1,271 $76,042.0 $191,000.0
73 Bangor, WI 1,214 $59,000.0 $152,700.0
74 Trempealeau, WI 2,034 $56,383.0 $156,200.0
75 Oakfield, WI 1,082 $77,375.0 $173,700.0
76 Fredonia, WI 2,466 $83,958.0 $206,700.0
77 Fontana-On-Geneva Lake, WI 1,518 $88,036.0 $398,300.0
78 Williams Bay, WI 2,607 $59,306.0 $289,900.0
79 Kiel, WI 3,610 $60,918.0 $126,900.0
80 Tainter Lake, WI 2,797 $84,846.0 $193,700.0
81 Butler, WI 1,964 $45,250.0 $169,500.0
82 Whiting, WI 1,527 $58,304.0 $163,600.0
83 Rochester, WI 3,845 $93,613.0 $286,900.0
84 Brillion, WI 3,108 $70,804.0 $140,400.0
85 Lake Camelot, WI 1,036 $94,083.0 $210,300.0
86 Bloomer, WI 3,495 $42,346.0 $143,000.0
87 Lomira, WI 2,361 $56,797.0 $169,700.0
88 Reedsville, WI 1,098 $61,515.0 $121,900.0
89 Denmark, WI 2,346 $66,055.0 $137,200.0
90 Chilton, WI 3,829 $56,004.0 $131,100.0
91 Campbellsport, WI 1,830 $61,016.0 $157,200.0
92 French Island, WI 4,318 $59,848.0 $162,000.0
93 Seymour, WI 3,459 $61,279.0 $143,500.0
94 New Glarus, WI 2,074 $71,250.0 $181,800.0
95 Galesville, WI 1,628 $56,087.0 $146,400.0
96 Paddock Lake, WI 3,055 $74,750.0 $167,900.0
97 Fall River, WI 1,755 $74,886.0 $189,100.0
98 Westby, WI 2,387 $57,988.0 $121,500.0
99 Boscobel, WI 3,128 $42,750.0 $98,200.0
100 Roberts, WI 1,849 $71,818.0 $181,500.0
Download The Entire Wisconsin Ranking Data

This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. This is our ninth time ranking the best small places to live in Wisconsin.

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Small Towns, Rankings