What is it that makes Cedarburg WI so remarkable? Voted as one of Forbes Magazine’s Prettiest Towns in America, Midwest Living’s Six Best Holiday Shopping Towns, and PBS’s Best Ice cream Shops in Wisconsin, there seems to be no end of things to like in this small metropolis. People from all over the state will be able to attest to the quality of the town’s many tourist attractions, but locals will be able to share their appreciation for the local culture as well.
If you are a creative type with an appreciation for art, avid history buff, nature lover, or just someone looking for the ideal place to raise a family, Cedarburg WI has everything you could need to keep you satisfied. Learn more, and see if you can picture yourself finding your own dream home here.
Cedarburg WI is known primarily as a middle class community, with a median household income of $56, 431 and family income of $66,932 as of 2000. Of 4,691 households in the family, 3,060 are filled with families, placing it among the most family-friendly towns in the state. A bit farther out from the city than its southern cousins, it draws a slightly older crowd, with a median age of 43.1 years. The population has grown steadily over the past decades, reaching 11,412 in 2010.
Bordered by the towns of Grafton and Lakefield on the east, Thiensville in the south, and Kirchhayn in the west, it shares a dynamic culture that crosses all of its borders. The city of Milwaukee is southeast, a 30 minute commute away, while travel time to Madison in the southwest is closer to an hour.
Early industry in the area was built around the Cedarburg Woolen Mill, which was constructed in 1964 and stands to this day. Today, the mill and the surrounding district holds a spot on the national registry of historic places, and draws tourism throughout the year. Visitors are welcome to explore the woolen mill at their leisure or through a guided tour, as well as sample the various wares sold in Historic Cedar Creek. The area is populated by skilled artists and crafts people who own shops that sell pottery, fine art, jewelry, clothes and many other artisan goods.
With its own art museum, thriving gallery scene, two separate dance studios, and historic Rivoli Theater, residents are able to choose from a range of cultural delights that will never fail to satisfy. For something on the eclectic side, Pink Llama Gallery always offers fresh surprises from more than 100 of the best artists in the state. Voted #1 art gallery in the Milwaukee area, it continues to thrive off it’s sterling reputation.
Lovers of wine and fine dining will have plenty to keep themselves occupied while pursuing Washington Street. Wine tasting tours are one of the more popular treats for visitors while some of the more cozy pubs and coffee houses can be found off the beaten path. Chiseled Grape Winery & Tasting Room brings all of the best locally-crafted wines from the region as well as rare and unique wines from around the world, all for the enjoyment of the most discerning palettes.
The Cedarburg Farmers Market takes place June through October and offers one of the biggest selections of local organic produce, herbs, flowers, fresh and smoked fish, bakery, and artisanal crafts. In the off-season, you and the family can head over to Slow Pokes Grocery for a year-round selection of everything organic, gluten-free, vegan, fresh, and fun.
For growing families, a range of public and private education options leaves residents from all over town with the variety they need to make the best choice possible for their children. And with a high school graduation rate of 90%, well above the national average, young students will have bright futures to look forward to. A selection of parochial schools will allow the religiously-minded to find the kind of education they value most.
The shopping and dining options set in an historic atmosphere places Cedarburg WI at the top of the list of Wisconsin’s Best Christmas Towns. Even a quick visit in December can tell you why—with multicolored lights decorating centuries-old limestone buildings, local artisans providing shoppers with unique gifts that can’t be found anywhere else, and two historic inns to provide the perfect atmosphere, you will find it hard to resist the infectious seasonal charm.
The Cedarburg Artist Guild’s Holiday Art Fair is one of the most remarkable events, drawing hundreds of makers from around the area to share their creations and display their talent for everyone to enjoy. It’s not just a great way to appreciate the local culture, it will be an opportunity to bypass the mainstream shopping mall crowd.
