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Living in Sun Prairie WI 🏑 | What to Know Before Moving to Sun Prairie

Last Updated On: 29th July 2024, 08:46 pm

Living in Sun Prairie WI can be an amazing experience! Sun Prairie was largely uninhabited until White settlers arrived in 1837. President Martin van Buren sent out a party of 45 men to build a capital for the Territory of Wisconsin. The party arrived in present-day Sun Prairie on a sunny day. One man carved the words, "Sun Prairie," into a tree. In 1839, Charles Bird formed the first settlement in the area, naming it "Sun Prairie" in honor of the carving.

The Town of Sun Prairie was created in 1846 and incorporated as a city in 1958. Sun Prairie has remained a quaint, family-friendly community over the last 200 years. Its nickname is "Groundhog Capital of the World" and its motto is "Revolves Around You." Sun Prairie is well-known for its Groundhog Day celebrations and other unique events.

Sun Prairie is a nice place to live, with excellent parks, top public schools, and historic architecture and neighborhoods. But before you start moving to Sun Prairie, you must learn more about life in this terrific suburb of Madison. Here's what to know about this vibrant and thriving community located in Wisconsin.

Where Is Sun Prairie Wisconsin?

Sun Prairie is in northeastern Dane County. Sun Prairie is a suburb of Madison inside the Madison metro area, and it is only 14.1 miles from Sun Prairie to Madison. The city borders Madison to the northeast, and it also borders Burke, DeForest, Marshall, and Cottage Grove.

US Route 151 runs through the community, and you can find businesses and attractions along it. You can also find a few other commercial sectors throughout Sun Prairie. Most of the community is residential with streets laid out in a grid-like fashion, making them walkable and drivable.

Residents living in Sun Prairie WI have access to Metro Transit, the official Madison public transportation system. Route A connects to downtown Madison, while Route S and Route W loop around Sun Prairie. However, Sun Prairie does not have train stops. You can use your car for driving and moving to Sun Prairie, though many residents are comfortable using public transportation. The process of moving to Sun Prairie is easy, especially if you follow an organized moving checklist and perform organizing tips.

Are you ready to start moving to Sun Prairie WI? Contact StraightLine Moving and start a stress-free move to Sun Prairie now!

Sun Prairie Population and Demographics

The population of Sun Prairie is 35,967, up by 22.5% since 2010; the community has experienced strong population growth. The Sun Prairie population has risen in every decade since 1880, almost always by at least 10%. Sun Prairie is currently the second-most populous city in Dane County behind Madison. The Sun Prairie population density is 2,685 people per square mile, over five times higher than the countywide density.

Notable people from Sun Prairie include Georgia O'Keeffe, Will Butcher, and Paige Davis. Sun Prairie demographics include:

  • 51.1% female, 48.9% male
  • Median age: 37.7
  • Racial and ethnic composition: 78.7% White (76.3% non-Hispanic), 7.7% Black or African American, 6.8% Asian, 5.2% two or more races, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander
  • Median household income: $90,384 (roughly 25% higher than the state median)
  • Educational attainment: 96.6% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 50.3% have a bachelor's degree
  • Foreign-born population: 8.0%

Sun Prairie is one of the youngest communities in Dane County. Its median age is 2.7 years younger than the Wisconsin median, and only 14.3% of Sun Prairie residents are over the age of 65. 24.3% of residents living in Sun Prairie WI are under the age of 18. Sun Prairie is a prosperous community. Only 6% of residents live below the poverty line, nearly half the statewide poverty rate.

Sun Prairie is a safe community to live in. Here are its crime rates according to the FBI in 2020:

  • Overall crime rate: 1,599 offenses per 100,000 people (11.6% lower than the Wisconsin crime rate, 31.8% lower than the national rate)
  • Violent crime rate: 71 crimes per 100,000 residents (78.0% lower than the Wisconsin rate, 81.7% lower than the national rate)
  • Property crime rate: 1,528 crimes per 100,000 people (2.8% higher than the Wisconsin rate, 22.0% lower than the national rate)

The Sun Prairie Police Department employs 76 police officers.

Cost of Living in Sun Prairie

You can use Madison cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in Sun Prairie WI. The Madison cost of living index is 106, meaning items in the Madison area cost 6.0% more than the national average. All categories of expenses, including real estate, are higher than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four in Dane County would need to earn $119,563 a year to cover the cost of living. Child care is the biggest expense, at $30,744 a year, so singles and couples without children can start living in Sun Prairie WI affordably.

Sun Prairie WI real estate is affordable, even if you're looking to buy a house. According to Redfin, the median price of homes for sale in Sun Prairie WI is $426,961, with an average price per square foot of $207. According to RentCafe, Sun Prairie apartments have an average cost of $1,374 a month, nearly $350 lower than the national average.

Typical Sun Prairie* Living Expenses

  • 1 gallon of milk: $3.50
  • 1 pound of white rice: $2.54
  • 1 pound of apples: $2.13
  • 1 pound of tomatoes: $1.97
  • 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.50
  • Average Sun Prairie* utilities per month: $158.15
  • 1 pair of jeans: $58.00

Source: Numbeo

*Expenses actually for Madison, WI

Are you interested in living in Sun Prairie WI? Get a free quote from StraightLine Moving today!

Sun Prairie Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Sun Prairie

Sun Prairie does not have any official neighborhoods. The Sun Prairie WI real estate market is active and diverse. 468 homes for sale in Sun Prairie WI were sold in 2023, including 49 condos. You can find single-family homes and condos for sale throughout the community. Ranch homes and bungalows are very popular in Sun Prairie, and many of them contain over 1,000 square feet and three bedrooms, making them suitable for families. Nearly all homes for sale in Sun Prairie WI cost between $300,000 and $700,000.

Sun Prairie also has many options for apartments and homes for rent. You can get Sun Prairie apartments at complexes like Gateway Terrace Apartments, which offers one-bedroom units for less than $1,200 monthly. You can also find homes for rent with similar features as homes for sale from private landlords, making living in Sun Prairie WI affordable.

Sun Prairie Weather and Climate

Sun Prairie has a warm summer humid continental climate, with humid and hot summers and freezing and snowy winters. July is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 72 degrees and an average high of 82. The average high remains over 70 degrees until mid-September, and temperatures decline throughout the fall and early winter. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 19 degrees and an average low of 13. The average low remains below freezing until early April.

The summer has clear Sun Prairie weather, with two-thirds of the days being clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy. Over half of the days in the fall, winter, and spring are overcast or mostly cloudy. The community receives 27.8 inches of rain and 20.7 inches of snow. July and August are humid months, with each month having at least a week of muggy and oppressive days.

You can experience extreme winds while living in Sun Prairie WI during the winter. The average wind speed exceeds 10 miles per hour. The community can experience extreme thunderstorms and rainstorms that cause flooding in low-lying areas. These storms can also lead to tornadoes, so follow the Sun Prairie weather forecast closely and prepare a shelter in your basement.

August is the best month to visit and start moving to Sun Prairie. The average temperature is 70, so you can wear a short-sleeved shirt and shorts outside. You may experience some rain, but you can bring an umbrella and still enjoy outdoor attractions in the Sun Prairie area.

Call 815-708-7875, and hire a team of experienced movers to start your new life in Sun Prairie now!

Things to Do in Sun Prairie WI

One of the biggest Sun Prairie benefits is the wide range of things to do in Sun Prairie WI, including family-friendly destinations and top stores. You have many options for Sun Prairie grocery stores, including Pick 'n Save and Woodman's Food Market. St. Vincent de Paul Society is a top thrift store, while Menards is the best home improvement store in the Madison area.

Prairie Athletic Club

The Prairie Athletic Club is the largest recreational fitness club in Wisconsin, despite Sun Prairie being a relatively small community. The club has a 250,000-square-foot facility with a water park, 125 pieces of cardio equipment, and a full yoga studio. You and your kids can enjoy over 100 different classes every week.

1010 North Bird Street #100, Sun Prairie, WI, 53590, 608-837-4646

Sun Prairie Ice Arena

Sun Prairie Ice Arena is an indoor ice arena available for public ice skating, hockey games, and skating classes. The arena is open throughout the year for kid-friendly events, including affordable summer camps with many amenities.

838 Grove Street, Sun Prairie, WI, 53590, 608-318-5423

Prairie Lanes

Prairie Lanes is an indoor entertainment complex with 28 bowling lanes, laser tag, a kid-friendly arcade, and a sports bar for adults. Prairie Lanes also has sand volleyball arenas in the summer and other special features and amenities throughout the year.

430 Clarmar Drive, Sun Prairie, WI, 53590, 608-837-2586

Additional Things to Do in Sun Prairie

The Sun Prairie Parks and Rec Department maintains public spaces and parks in Sun Prairie. The department also plans special events throughout the year; you can use the Sun Prairie Parks and Rec events calendar to see what events are upcoming.

Sun Prairie Restaurants

The Madison area is well known for its diverse and kid-friendly cuisine. Sun Prairie is not different. In this small town, you can find a range of top Sun Prairie restaurants, including casual and family-friendly eateries.

Nitty Gritty

Nitty Gritty is a casual and kid-friendly American restaurant well known for its burgers with fresh ingredients from local sources. You and your kids can enjoy ice cream, pie, and freshly-made cake for dessert, making Nitty Gritty perfect for birthday parties and special events.

315 East Linnerud Drive, Sun Prairie, WI, 53590, 608-837-4999

Sugar River Pizza

Sugar River Pizza serves pizzas with a plethora of unique toppings, including steak, spinach-artichoke dip, and habanero cheese. You can also order a dozen different sandwiches, pasta, and cheesecake.

1390 Cabela Drive, Sun Prairie, WI, 53590, 608-478-5950

Gus's Diner

Gus's Diner is a 1950s-style American diner that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a fun and casual setting. The diner has menus for seniors and kids, providing discounts and special options for them, including chopped steak.

630 North Westmount Drive, Sun Prairie, WI, 53590, 608-318-0900

Do you want to start enjoying Sun Prairie restaurants? Schedule an appointment with StraightLine Moving and start your new life in Sun Prairie now!

Jobs in Sun Prairie WI

20,023 people have jobs in Sun Prairie WI, up by 19.7% since 2013. Job opportunities are expanding in most major sectors, giving you many chances to find a job. Health care, retail trade, and professional services are the three biggest job sectors in the city. All three jobs have median earnings of over $50,000 a year, with health care offering over $100,000.

According to Payscale, Sun Prairie jobs have an average base salary of $70,000 a year and an average hourly rate of $21.31. Major employers in the city include the Sun Prairie Area School District, Colony Brands, and QBE Insurance. You can apply for jobs in Sun Prairie using Indeed, and you can apply for City of Sun Prairie jobs on the city government's website.

Sun Prairie Schools

The Sun Prairie Area School District is the only Sun Prairie school district, serving all students living in Sun Prairie WI. The district contains 15 schools, all of which are located in or in close proximity to Sun Prairie. You should use the Sun Prairie Area School District map to see what school your child is zoned for.

The district contains nine elementary schools. US News considers Eastside Elementary School to be the best elementary school in the district. 57% of Eastside Elementary students test at or above the proficiency level in mathematics, 20 percentage points higher than the state average.

The district contains three middle schools: Central Heights Middle School, Patrick Marsh Middle School, and Prairie View Middle School. Each school employs at least 40 teachers, all of whom are professionally certified and nearly all of whom have at least three years of experience.

The district contains two high schools, Sun Prairie East High and Sun Prairie West High. Both schools have top athletics and arts programs. Sun Prairie East High School contains a state-of-the-art performing arts center, and Sun Prairie West High School is home to a black box theater.

The Goddard School of Sun Prairie is a preschool with a play-focused curriculum. The Sun Prairie Area School District runs the Phoenix Academy for students with special needs and learning differences. There are no colleges or universities in Sun Prairie.

The Sun Prairie Public Library is in downtown Sun Prairie. The library has over 100,000 print books and over 150,000 electronic books available to all customers.

Do you need great local moving or long distance moving services? Call 815-708-7875 for a free estimate today!

Sun Prairie Statistics and Information

  • County: Dane County
  • Sun Prairie area: 12.93 square miles
  • Sun Prairie zip code: 53590
  • Sun Prairie area code: 608
  • Sun Prairie elevation: 984 feet
  • Sun Prairie time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC-5 and -6)
  • Closest airport to Sun Prairie: Dane County Regional Airport (MSN), 11.2 miles from Sun Prairie

Sun Prairie Map

You can find many amenities, things to do, and restaurants in Sun Prairie using this Sun Prairie map.

Reap the benefits of living in Sun Prairie WI! You and your family will love the safe streets, delicious restaurants, and fun things to do throughout the community.

Start your journey for moving to Sun Prairie today. StraightLine Moving has a team of the best Sun Prairie movers, with over 5,000 customers served. Call 815-708-7875 for a free estimate today.

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