The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 54138 sells for about $249,900, or $168 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 82 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,150 a month.
ZIP 54138 — Town of Lakewood
The housing market in 54138 remains stable, driven by consistent demand for recreational and retirement properties. While inventory is limited, the market maintains a steady pace with moderate price appreciation. High vacancy rates reflect the significant number of seasonal and vacation homes in the area.
This ZIP is ideal for retirees, outdoor enthusiasts, and those seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle away from urban centers. It is less suitable for commuters requiring proximity to major employment hubs or those seeking high-density urban amenities.
Median prices moved up 4.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 82 days on market with 12.0 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
13% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.0% · poverty 14.1% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 54138, Oconto County, WI
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in the Lakewood/Townsend area are significantly lower than the national and state averages, reflecting a rural, low-density environment. Local law enforcement reports minimal violent crime, with property crime being the primary concern.
The area is served by the Wabeno Area School District, which maintains small class sizes and a community-focused educational environment. Schools in this rural district generally meet state accountability standards.
The region faces moderate wildfire risk due to its location within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Flood risk is generally low, though properties near the Oconto River or local lakes should verify specific flood zone designations.
Economic momentum is driven primarily by tourism, outdoor recreation, and forestry. Development is limited by the rural nature of the geography, with minimal large-scale commercial infrastructure projects currently underway.
Property taxes are assessed at the county level by Oconto County, with rates determined by the combined levies of the town, school district, and technical college. Wisconsin law provides a lottery and gaming credit for primary residences that reduces the net tax burden for owner-occupants.
Commuting is primarily by private vehicle, with residents often traveling to larger employment hubs like Green Bay or Marinette. Average commute times are longer than the national average due to the rural, dispersed nature of the population.
The area is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring extensive access to the Nicolet National Forest, numerous lakes for fishing and boating, and a vast network of ATV and snowmobile trails. Local amenities are focused on nature-based tourism rather than urban shopping or dining.
The rental market is characterized by a high share of seasonal and short-term vacation rentals, which limits long-term housing availability. Vacancy rates for year-round rentals are low, and rent growth is stable but influenced by the tourism-heavy economy.
The local economy is heavily reliant on the tourism and hospitality sectors, supported by the surrounding national forest and recreational lakes. Forestry and small-scale retail also contribute to the local employment base.
Development is largely restricted to small-scale residential improvements and maintenance of existing recreational infrastructure. No major commercial or industrial projects are currently reported.
Parcels are subject to the Wabeno Area School District and the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College district. Special utility districts may apply for local water and sewer services in more densely populated areas.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by the area's classification as a wildland-urban interface, which may impact coverage availability and costs for homes near dense forest cover.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov using ZCTA 54138 profile.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Crab n Jack's4.418 mi
- Governor Thompson State Park4.712.6 mi
- Mountain Lookout Tower4.89 mi
- Wildman Adventure Resort - Peshtigo River Outpost4.88.8 mi
- Cathedral Pines State Natural Area4.65.6 mi
- McClintock County Park4.811.7 mi
- Lumberjack Steam Train & Camp 5 Museum4.717.9 mi
- Governor Thompson State Park4.712.6 mi
- Mountain Lookout Tower4.89 mi
- Cathedral Pines State Natural Area4.65.6 mi
- McClintock County Park4.811.7 mi
- McCauslin Brook Golf Course4.13.4 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Provides vast acreage for hiking, hunting, and wildlife observation.
Popular local destination for swimming, fishing, and boating.
A key water body serving the community for recreational water sports.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.