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Living in Poynette WI - What to Know Before Moving to Poynette
Brandon Miller
Brandon Miller

Living in Poynette WI 🍃| Your Go-to Guide Before Moving to Poynette

Last Updated On: 20th November 2024, 05:50 pm

Boy, you'll love living in Poynette WI! Indigenous people lived in the area of Poynette for over 12,000 years before European settlers arrived. European settlers made a small village that attracted traders, trappers, and farmers. In the early 1800s, the townspeople filed an application with the Wisconsin government for a post office. They intended to call the office "Paquette," after Pierre Paquette, a prominent fur trader.

However, the clerk misread the name as "Poynette" and named the post office Poynette. The name stuck, and the state government incorporated the town of Poynette in 1892. People then began moving to Poynette in substantial numbers.

Poynette has remained a small town for over 100 years. Poynette is well known for its natural beauty, with convenient access to top parks, nature preserves, and outdoor activities. It's a great place to live, with delicious restaurants, quaint homes for sale, and friendly neighbors.

But before you can start moving to Poynette, you should learn more about this incredible community. Here's what to know about Poynette.

Where Is Poynette Wisconsin?

A playground in Poynette Wisconsin

Where is Poynette Wisconsin? Poynette is in Columbia County, inside the Madison, WI metro area. It is 25.4 miles from Poynette to Madison. Poynette is in a largely rural area. The town center of Poynette is well-developed, with paved roads and businesses. Outside the town center, the community is undeveloped, with large protected plots and green spaces.

Notable geographic features in and around Poynette include Rowan Creek State Fishery Area. Poynette does not directly border any towns or cities, but nearby communities include Arlington, Lowville, and cities near Madison Wisconsin.

Residents living in Poynette WI don't have access to public transportation. US Route 51 runs through the eastern portion of Poynette. The route does not provide direct access to Madison. You can walk between locations in Poynette and drive when traveling to another town or moving to Poynette.

Poynette Population and Demographics

The Poynette population is 2,590, up by 2.5% since 2010. The population of people living in Poynette WI has steadily risen over the last 100 years, and it's doubled since 1970. Poynette is the largest village in Columbia County, though it's smaller than all cities in the county. The Poynette population density is 977.4 people per square mile, over 10 times higher than the Columbia County density.

Notable residents of Poynette include Harry Luman Russell, Augustus O. Dole, and Elmer E. Haight. Poynette demographics include:

  • 50.4% male, 49.6% female
  • Median age of residents living in Poynette WI: 39.2
  • Racial and ethnic composition: 94.2% White (93.2% non-Hispanic or Latino), 3.1% two or more races, 2.4% Hispanic or Latino, 0.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian
  • Median household income: $90,026 (roughly 25% higher than the Wisconsin median)
  • Educational attainment: 96.2% of residents living in Poynette WI have graduated high school, 20.8% have a bachelor's degree
  • Foreign-born population: 0.3%

Many residents living in Poynette WI are long-term residents. Over two-thirds of the Poynette population moved to the community before 2014, and nearly half started moving to Poynette before 2010. Poynette is a family-friendly community, with many households having young children. Over 600 residents living in Poynette WI are under the age of 18, accounting for roughly one-quarter of the Poynette population.

Poynette is one of the safest communities in Wisconsin. Here are the community's latest crime rates:

  • Overall crime rate: 349 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Poynette WI (88.7% lower than the Madison crime rate, 79.3% lower than the Wisconsin crime rate, 85.0% lower than the national average)
  • Violent crime rate: 116 crimes per 100,000 people living in Poynette WI (60.9% lower than the Wisconsin rate, 68.6% lower than the national rate)
  • Property crime rate: 233 offenses per 100,000 people living in Poynette WI (83.2% lower than the Wisconsin rate, 88.1% lower than the national rate)

Most people living in Poynette WI never experience crime, and violent crimes rarely happen. The Poynette Police Department employs five sworn police officers who respond to all emergencies in Poynette Wisconsin.

Cost of Living in Poynette

Poynette cost of living statistics are hard to find, so you can use Madison cost of living figures as a substitute. The Madison cost of living index is 103.9, meaning items in the metro area cost 3.9% higher than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $119,563 a year to cover the cost of living in the Madison metro area.

Child care is the single biggest expense at $30,744 a year, so you can have an affordable lifestyle if you're living in Poynette WI by yourself. A single person living in the Madison metro area needs to earn only $46,551 a year.

Poynette Wisconsin real estate is affordable, though you have limited options. According to Redfin, the median price of homes for sale in Poynette WI is $325,000, with a median price per square foot of $164. There are very few if any Poynette apartments available on a regular basis. Prices are hard to estimate, but you can find one-bedroom apartments for $1,300 a month.

Typical Poynette* Living Expenses

  • 1 pound of white rice: $2.61
  • 1 pound of local cheese: $6.03
  • 1 pound of bananas: $0.59
  • 1 pound of onions: $1.25
  • 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.51
  • Average Poynette* utilities per month: $170.73
  • 1 pair of jeans: $59.16

Source: Numbeo

*Expenses actually for Madison

Poynette Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Poynette

Poynette does not currently have formal neighborhoods. Developers are currently constructing a new subdivision called Point Gardens, which will be finished within the next few years. Most homes for sale in Poynette WI are in Point Gardens. Point Gardens homes for sale are suitable for small families. Their features vary, but most are three-bedroom cottage-style homes with 1,400 square feet of space.

As newly constructed properties, they have contemporary features like open-concept layouts and energy-efficient appliances. Prices for Point Gardens homes for sale are around $300,000.

Poynette has very few homes for rent or apartments. If you want to save money on Poynette Wisconsin real estate, you can apply for Wisconsin first-time homebuyer programs. If you need to rent an apartment while living in Poynette WI, you can go to a nearby complex like Portage Commons Apartments in Portage, WI.

Poynette WI Weather and Climate

Poynette has a humid continental climate, with warm and sunny summers and freezing winters. July is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 72 degrees and an average high of 82. Temperatures peak in mid-July and start to decline rapidly in early September. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 19 degrees and an average low of 13. Average temperatures are below-freezing from late November to early March. You should wear a thick coat, scarf, and gloves while living in Poynette WI during the wintertime.

Poynette receives an average of 27 inches of rain and 20.3 inches of snow. The rain creates substantial humidity during the summer, with 10 days in July feeling muggy and oppressive. Severe Poynette WI weather isn't common, though you can experience a few snowstorms while living in Poynette WI.

The best time to visit Poynette is September. September has mild temperatures, with an average temperature of 62 degrees. Roughly two-thirds of days in September are clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy. You can enjoy living in Poynette WI in September while wearing a jacket and a long-sleeved shirt.

Things to Do in Poynette WI

Poynette is a hub for outdoor activities, including top family-friendly parks for young kids. Poynette may be small, but it's full of great stores and things to do in Poynette WI. Main Street Market Piggy Wiggly is a top grocery store with affordable produce, meat, and household goods. You can also buy items from Family Dollar and Interstate RV Sales.

Whispering Pines

Whispering Pines is the top events center in the Poynette area. The venue covers four acres and contains an on-site bar, common rooms with state-of-the-art sound systems, and other luxurious amenities. Whispering Pines is a top venue for weddings, though it's open for other special events.

101 Bethel Drive, Poynette, WI, 53955, 608-515-5500

MacKenzie Center

The MacKenzie Center at sunset in the afternoon

The MacKenzie Center is a wildlife refuge and education center with walking trails, museums, and special programs. It's a kid-friendly point of destination, with exhibits tailored toward elementary school students living in Poynette WI.

W7303 Country Highway CS, Poynette, WI, 53955, 608-635-8112

Valley View Park

Valley View Park is an outdoor, all-purpose park with two playgrounds designed for young children. The park also contains a splash pad open during the summer, making it a top place to visit on warm summer days.

Off Park Street, Poynette, WI, 53955

Additional Things to Do in Poynette WI

The Poynette Parks and Recreation Commission manages public spaces for all residents living in Poynette WI. The commission also plans special events throughout the year, including parties and holiday events. You can use the Poynette events calendar to see when these events occur.

Poynette Restaurants

Poynette is a hub for unique and kid-friendly restaurants. You can enjoy fun, quick, and affordable meals at several Poynette restaurants, including nights out with friends!

Owl's Nest

The Owl's Nest is a casual American restaurant that serves seafood, steak, pork chops, and other classic dishes. It offers affordable menu options like all-you-can-eat salad and burgers for less than $10.

617 East North Street, Poynette, WI, 53955, 608-635-2298

Frontier Bar

A gyro sandwich with chips at Frontier Bar

The Frontier Bar is the most affordable restaurant in Poynette, with almost all menu options costing less than $10. The bar serves a range of alcoholic beverages, including top wines like Merlot and Chardonnay.

109 North Main Street, Poynette, WI, 53955, 608-635-4189

Cafe Slovenka

Cafe Slovenka is a coffee shop and bakery that serves fresh pastries, ice cream, and coffee with seasonal options like pumpkin spice lattes. It's the best Poynette restaurant for breakfast and snacks, and you can take your drinks and food to go.

126A North Main Street, Poynette, WI, 53955, 608-635-0000

Jobs in Poynette WI

Poynette WI is well known for its economic stability, with many factors contributing to the healthy economy. 1,500 people living in Poynette WI have jobs in Poynette WI, up by 8.7% since 2013. Poynette did not suffer an economic downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it currently has more jobs than it did before the pandemic. Manufacturing, construction, and retail trade are the three largest job sectors in Poynette. All three sectors have median earnings of over $75,000 a year.

According to Payscale, Poynette jobs have an average salary of $64,000 a year and an average hourly rate of $22.00. Major employers in Poynette include Advocate Aurora Health, Walmart, and McDonald's. While living in Poynette WI, you can apply for jobs in Poynette WI using Indeed, and you can apply for Village of Poynette jobs on the government's website.

Poynette Schools

Teachers at Poynette High School

The School District of Poynette is the only Poynette school district. It serves all students living in Poynette WI. The school district contains three schools, all of which are located in Poynette:

US News ranks Poynette High School in the top 250 high schools in Wisconsin. The school is home to unique extracurricular programs, including an ice fishing club and an equestrian society.

Poynette has no private schools, colleges, or universities. The School District of Poynette manages a kindergarten for four-year-olds living in Poynette WI. The Poynette Area Public Library is in Poynette, and it serves all residents living in Poynette WI.

Poynette Statistics and Information

  • County: Columbia County
  • Poynette area: 2.59 square miles
  • Poynette zip code: 53955
  • Poynette area code: 608
  • Poynette elevation: 840 feet
  • Poynette time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC -5 and -6)
  • Closest airport to Poynette: Dane County Regional Airport (MSN), 21.2 miles from Poynette

Poynette Map

You can find top public services, housing opportunities, and great restaurants while living in Poynette WI using this Poynette map.

You'll be set once you start living in Poynette WI! Poynette is a family-friendly community with a strong emphasis on safety and affordability. You can start life in this new city by hiring experts in moving to Poynette. Dairyland Moving is the top Poynette moving company, having served over 15,000 customers. Call 608-856-6683 for a free estimate now.

Brandon Miller
Brandon Miller
Brandon Miller is the owner of Dairyland Moving & Storage, a moving company dedicated to being responsive, friendly, and reliable, providing our customers with more than just an efficient relocation, but also a stress-free, positive experience.
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