Analysis Places Whitefish Bay as Top Place to Live in Wisconsin

Whitefish Bay has the highest quality of life in the state and the 20th highest in the Midwest, according to a statistical analysis conducted by Business Journals.

Winnetka, IL, topped the list, followed by four other Chicago-area communities. You can view the top-ranked communities here.

The study's methodology was based on 20 factors, including home value, household income, number of young adults, stability in the housing market, level of education, commute times, mortgage and rent prices and the number of residents that have moved in from another state or country, among other factors.

The median household income in Whitefish Bay is $106,500, the median house value is $338,900 and 76 percent of adults over the age of 25 hold bachelor's degrees, according to the study.

As impressive as Whitefish Bay looks on paper, John Stuhlmacher, a co-owner of and the president of the Business Improvement District, said the close-knit, family-friendly feel of the village is what he appreciates about the village.

He said he wasn’t surprised to see Bay top the list of Wisconsin communities.

“It has a small community feel where everybody knows everybody, but it’s in a big metropolitan area,” he said. “So many people go out for a nice evening walk, and they don’t have to be concerned for their safety."

That community spirit is evident in events like the , the , and in , to name a few.

Stuhlmacher said those events are a result of collaboration among the business district, the village, the schools and the Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation.

“Everybody tries to help each other and that adds to the feeling of community,” he said. “, for example, feels like a community block party instead of feeling manufactured.”

Village President Julie Siegel agreed, saying it was exciting to see Bay at the top of the list. She said she and her husband moved here 20 years ago because they love the close-knit environment and were drawn by the excellent school system.

“We love the sense of community that the sidewalks give, where you can go for a walk to the coffee shop and see your neighbors,” she said. “Between the schools, the sense of community, the safety and the services that we offer, it’s really a quality place to live.”

In August, Money Magazine as the 65th best place to live in the country.