Living in Westport
A rural, lakeside town on the north shore of Lake Mendota — larger lots, waterfront and country living, Governor Nelson State Park, and top-rated Waunakee schools, ten minutes from downtown Madison. One of the last places in the metro's north corridor that has deliberately chosen space over density.
About the author: John Reuter, Broker/Owner of Integrity Homes, is a Top 5% Realtor nationally for seven consecutive years, serving Westport and the surrounding Dane County area.
An Irish Town That Gave Birth to Waunakee
Westport is older than most of what surrounds it. The town that people now drive through on the way to somewhere else is the parent, not the child — Waunakee was literally carved out of it.
Westport was settled beginning in the 1840s largely by Irish immigrants, and they named it after Westport in County Mayo, Ireland — the home many of them had left behind. That heritage is baked into the town's identity in a way that most Dane County suburbs, with their developer-chosen subdivision names, simply don't have.
In 1893, the Village of Waunakee was carved out of the Town of Westport. Over the following century, the cities of Madison and Middleton annexed other portions, and a stretch of the former Town of Madison on the north shore of Lake Mendota was transferred into Westport. What's left today is an unusual shape: an "island" town, surrounded and bordered by Madison, Middleton, Waunakee, and DeForest.
"Westport is the parent municipality of Waunakee — not a suburb of it. That history is why the town has fought so hard to keep its own borders."
That island geography is the single most important fact about Westport, and it explains almost everything else — why the lots are larger, why there's no commercial downtown, why so much of the shoreline is protected, and why, in 2024, the town's leadership decided it was time to stop being annexed one parcel at a time and become a village of its own.
The Case for the North Shore
Westport isn't for everyone, and it isn't trying to be. Here's who it's for — and the specific reasons buyers choose it over the denser, newer subdivisions just up the road.
What is it like living in Westport, WI? Westport offers larger lots, waterfront and rural settings on the north shore of Lake Mendota, and access to top-rated Waunakee schools — with Governor Nelson State Park in the backyard and downtown Madison about ten minutes away. It trades commercial convenience and density for space, quiet, and lake access, making it one of the most country-feeling addresses inside easy reach of the city.
Larger Lots, Country Feel
Where Waunakee and Middleton are building family-focused subdivisions on standard lots, Westport is where you find acreage, bigger yards, and a genuine rural setting — without leaving the metro. It's the "more land, more quiet" answer inside a 15-minute commute.
Lake Mendota on the North Shore
Waterfront and near-water living on the quieter, less-developed side of Wisconsin's second-largest lake. Marinas, boat access, and Governor Nelson State Park's sandy beach — with the Capitol dome visible across the water — anchor the town's identity.
Top-Rated Schools, Two Districts
Most of Westport feeds the Waunakee Community School District — #7 in Wisconsin overall — with a portion in Middleton-Cross Plains, another top-rated system. You get elite schools without living inside either village's density. Verify the line by parcel.
Ten Minutes to Everything
Downtown Madison, the Capitol, and UW are roughly ten miles south. Dane County Regional Airport is about five miles. You're rural at home and urban-adjacent the moment you leave the driveway — a rare combination this close to the lake.
The Settings & Subdivisions of Westport
Westport is best understood as a set of settings — waterfront, rural-residential, master-planned edge, and senior living — with a number of named subdivisions within them. Here's how the town breaks down for buyers, followed by the developments people search for by name.
Lake Mendota Waterfront & Near-Shore. The north-shore corridor along the lake is Westport's premium setting — waterfront homes, marinas, and near-water lots with some of the quietest lake access in the county. Inventory here is limited and turns over slowly; when a true waterfront parcel comes available, it draws serious attention fast.
Rural-Residential & Acreage. The heart of Westport: larger lots, country roads, and homes on real land. This is the profile buyers come to Westport for and increasingly can't find in Waunakee or Middleton. Expect a range from modest older farmhouses to custom homes on multiple acres.
Master-Planned Edge. Portions of larger master-planned development straddle the Middleton and Westport line north of Lake Mendota, offering a more amenity-driven lifestyle within the town's lower-density surroundings. School district and jurisdiction vary lot by lot along these edges — confirm before writing.
Senior & Downsizing Living. Westport has a notably higher share of retirees than Waunakee, supported in part by senior-living options such as Westshire Village. For downsizing buyers who want lake-country quiet with services nearby in Waunakee, it's a genuine draw.
Named Subdivisions in Westport
A mix of established and newer developments. Each varies by location, recorded covenants, utility service, and school assignment, so treat these as orientation and verify a specific address before writing.
Carriage Ridge
Westport's clearest flagship named development, built out in phases including a County-approved Second Addition in Section 16. Known for larger, low-density lots and equestrian-oriented covenants — custom homes on acreage, with allowances for accessory structures.
View the Carriage Ridge guide →Tuscany Ridge
An established Westport neighborhood along Tuscany Lane, recognizable in MLS records. Settled single-family character in the town's residential core.
Yahara Estates
A newer residential subdivision identified specifically as a Westport development by its developer. Worth watching for current and upcoming home sites. Distinct from Yahara Heights.
Mary Lake
A recognizable established subdivision with its own Mary Lake Neighborhood Park maintained by the Town. Ranches, split-levels, and two-story homes with mature tree canopy.
Westport Heights
An established subdivision name that appears repeatedly in local records — part of the town's settled single-family fabric.
Tara
An established subdivision recorded under several related names (Tara, Tara 1st Addition, Tara Addition, and Tara Addition to Mary Lake), all part of the same development.
Yahara Heights
An established subdivision near the Yahara River corridor and the county park of the same name. Distinct from Yahara Estates.
Riverview Garden Estates
An established development recorded under several variant names (Riverview, Riverview Garden, Riverview Gardens, Riverview Garden Estates), all one neighborhood.
Larwood Hills
A distinct named development that appears consistently in local records — part of a fuller picture of Westport's residential areas.
Morris Park
An established area noted for larger, more distinct homesites relative to some older Westport subdivisions. Confirm pricing through a dedicated market analysis rather than assumption.
More Westport areas & enclaves
Additional recognizable names include Borchers Beach, Blue Bill Park, Brickson Park, Kleins Addition, Mary Lake Acres, Second Ward Beach, and Walden Bay. These established local names warrant exact municipal-boundary and recorded-plat verification before being treated as standalone neighborhoods.
Because Westport spans two school districts and multiple jurisdictions — and because much of it carries a Waunakee or Madison mailing address — the single most valuable thing an agent does here is confirm exactly what you're buying: which district, which taxing jurisdiction, well/septic vs. municipal, and shoreland-zoning rules near the water. Call or text John at 608-669-4226 before you fall in love with a specific address. Note, too, that some developments listed with Westport-area addresses may fall partly outside the Town of Westport; confirm the municipality for a specific parcel.
Two Top-Rated Districts, One Town
Westport's biggest school advantage is also its biggest gotcha: it straddles two of Dane County's best districts, and the line does not follow mailing addresses. Verify by parcel, every time.
Waunakee Community School District serves most of Westport — 4K through 12th grade, seven schools, a 13:1 student-teacher ratio, and a 95.9% graduation rate. It's ranked #7 in Wisconsin overall and #1 in the state for athletics. For the full picture of the district, schools, and boundaries, see the Living in Waunakee guide.
Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District serves a portion of Westport, primarily on the southern and western edges. It is one of Wisconsin's most consistently top-ranked public systems, feeding Middleton High School in the Big Eight Conference.
The Town's own incorporation FAQ confirms it plainly: Westport students attend either the Waunakee Community or Middleton-Cross Plains district depending on where they live — and that would not change if the town incorporates. There's also a private option nearby: St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Waunakee (K–7), whose parish congregation covers Dane, Lodi, Waunakee, and Westport.
Buyer note: Two top districts serving one town means the school assignment — and the mill rate that comes with it — can change from one parcel to the next. Never assume a Westport address is Waunakee schools. Confirm the assigned schools and district at the parcel level, through the applicable district's official address-lookup tool, before writing an offer.
Westport's Bid to Become a Village
The most important thing happening in Westport right now isn't a new subdivision — it's a fight over the town's future as a place. Here's the honest, current status.
Westport is an island town, surrounded and bordered by Madison, Middleton, Waunakee, and DeForest — all of which can control land use near their borders and have annexed pieces of Westport over the years. To stop that, the town is trying to incorporate as a village, which would fix its borders permanently and end annexation.
The timeline so far: the Town Board voted unanimously on September 23, 2024 to support the petition, and the petition was filed with the Dane County Circuit Court on October 4, 2024. A circuit court judge found the petition met the statutory criteria in December 2024. The town then filed with the state Incorporation Review Board in 2025, and in early 2026 a cooperative boundary agreement was approved by all the surrounding communities — an agreement that becomes null and void if incorporation doesn't happen.
The petition is now before the Wisconsin Department of Administration's Incorporation Review Board. If it clears that review, Westport residents would decide the question in a referendum, which the town hoped could land in late 2026 or the spring 2027 elections.
"The whole point of incorporation is to stop being annexed one parcel at a time — and to protect the Lake Mendota watershed while they're at it."
What it means for buyers: incorporation is not final until that referendum passes. It could change borders, governance, and eventually services. If you're buying near the town's edges, ask your agent for the current status and how the proposed boundary affects the specific parcel — this is a live, moving situation.
Governor Nelson and the North Shore
Westport's outdoor infrastructure punches far above a town of its size — because one of the best state parks in the region sits right on its shoreline.
Governor Nelson State Park. The crown jewel — on the Lake Mendota shoreline inside Westport. A sandy swimming beach with a separate pet swim area, two boat launches, eight-plus miles of trails through prairie and woodland, and Native American effigy mounds. On a clear day, the Capitol dome is visible across the water to the south. Groomed cross-country ski trails in winter make it a year-round anchor of the Westport lifestyle.
Mendota & Yahara Heights County Parks. Mendota County Park sits on the lake shore within Westport with boat launches, a beach area, and a campground. Yahara Heights County Park, along the Yahara River, adds a fully fenced off-leash dog park, hiking trails, and canoe/kayak launch access. Together they give the town deep public water and trail access.
Westport Prairie & conservancy land. Westport Prairie, a 227-acre wildlife area managed by Groundswell Conservancy with about 1.5 miles of trails, sits east of Waunakee off Bong Road. Combined with the Cherokee Marsh wetland complex just off the town's edge, Westport is wrapped in protected open space on multiple sides.
For village-scale parks, trails, splash pads, and the Wednesday farmers market, Westport residents lean on neighboring Waunakee — 27 parks and a connected trail network, covered in detail in the Living in Waunakee guide.
Where the Groceries, Coffee, and Fish Fry Actually Are
Here's the honest part most guides skip: Westport doesn't have its own downtown, its own restaurants, or its own grocery store. It has something better for the right buyer — proximity to three of them.
Waunakee — 5–10 Minutes
The closest full village life: Lone Girl Brewing, Buck & Honey's, Rex's Innkeeper, Era Cafe, the Wednesday farmers market behind the historic depot, and Piggly Wiggly for groceries. For most Westport residents, this is "town."
Middleton — 10–15 Minutes
Hubbard Avenue's walkable downtown, Capital Brewery's Bier Garten, Clasen's European Bakery, and the National Mustard Museum. The "Good Neighbor City" is Westport's southern-edge dining and retail hub.
Madison — 10 Minutes
Everything a capital city offers — restaurants, culture, UW, Costco, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods — is a short drive south. Westport residents get big-city amenities without big-city density at home.
On the Water
The town's own social life happens outdoors and on the lake — Governor Nelson's beach, the marinas, and the quiet north shore. For a certain buyer, that is the amenity, and no downtown replaces it.
This is the honest trade-off of Westport: you give up walk-to-it convenience and gain space, quiet, and lake access. Buyers who want a downtown at their doorstep should look at Waunakee or Middleton. Buyers who want land and the north shore, with town ten minutes away, are exactly who Westport is for.
A Strong Fit for Those Who Served
Westport's position in the north-Madison corridor puts it inside one of the most veteran-supportive regions in Wisconsin — with the VA hospital, Truax Field, and one of the country's strongest veteran tax benefits all within reach.
The William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital anchors veteran healthcare for the region just south in Madison, and Truax Field's 115th Fighter Wing — transitioning to the F-35A — is a short drive southeast. Many Guard members and retirees choose the north-Madison towns specifically for the space and the schools.
Wisconsin 100% Disability Veteran Property Tax Credit: veterans rated 100% permanent and total disabled by the VA — and eligible unremarried surviving spouses — may qualify for a state income tax credit equal to property taxes paid on the principal residence. On a Westport home, that can eliminate five figures of annual property tax. WDVA certifies eligibility; confirm current rules at filing.
John Reuter served in the 115th Fighter Wing himself — Security Forces — before founding Integrity Homes. He's a veteran who became an agent, not an agent who learned to market to veterans, and there's a real difference in how these transactions get handled.
Well, Septic, and the Rural-Living Checklist
This is where Westport differs most from a village subdivision — and where buyers relocating from a city get surprised. Rural and lakeside living comes with infrastructure questions you have to ask up front.
Water & septic. Many Westport properties — especially rural and near-shore parcels — are on private well and septic rather than municipal water and sewer. That means well-water testing, septic inspection, and understanding maintenance and replacement costs are essential parts of due diligence. Some edges of town near Waunakee or Middleton may be on municipal service; verify by parcel. Where the town does provide utility service, water is billed monthly and sewer semiannually, in March and September.
Shoreland zoning. Parcels near Lake Mendota fall under Dane County shoreland-zoning rules — which the county administers regardless of jurisdiction — governing setbacks, impervious surface, tree removal, and what you can build or add near the water. If lake access is the reason you're buying, understand these rules before you write; they can meaningfully affect what a waterfront lot can become.
Internet. Coverage in a rural town is more variable than in a built-out subdivision. TDS and Spectrum serve much of the north-Madison corridor, but fiber and speed availability can change parcel to parcel. If you work from home, confirm actual available speeds at the specific address before closing.
Refuse & radon. Refuse and recycling are handled through GFL — refuse weekly, recycling every other week, carts out by 6:00 a.m. And Dane County is EPA Radon Zone 1, the highest-priority zone: test every home regardless of age or basement type; mitigation is straightforward and inexpensive when caught at inspection.
What Westport Actually Costs
Westport tracks with the premium north-Madison market — but the numbers depend heavily on setting (waterfront vs. rural-residential) and on which school district a parcel falls in.
Is Westport, WI expensive? Westport is a premium Dane County market. Waterfront and acreage properties command the top of the range, while more modest rural-residential homes sit lower. Property taxes run roughly 1.6–1.8% of assessed value depending on the school district, and well/septic properties carry maintenance costs that municipal buyers don't face. Verify the exact tax figure on the specific parcel.
Property taxes. Budget roughly 1.6–1.8% of assessed value annually as a planning range, and confirm the exact number per parcel — it shifts with the school district (Waunakee vs. Middleton-Cross Plains) and the town, county, and technical-college portions. Wisconsin is a high-property-tax state by national standards; buyers from no-income-tax states are routinely surprised by the full bill.
The waterfront premium. True Lake Mendota shoreline is scarce and priced accordingly — it's the top of the Westport market and rarely trades. Near-shore and rural-residential parcels offer the country setting at more accessible price points.
Veteran relief. Veterans rated 100% permanent and total disabled may eliminate the property tax burden on their primary residence entirely through the WDVA credit — a meaningful factor in a high-tax county.
For current median prices, days on market, and inventory in the north-Madison corridor, current SCWMLS data beats any third-party estimate site. Call or text John at 608-669-4226 for parcel-specific numbers — never source a Westport valuation from Zillow or Redfin.
What Agents Don't Always Lead With
No spin. The six things that actually matter once you're making an offer on a Westport home.
01 — Verify the school district by parcel. Two top districts serve one town, and the line doesn't follow mailing addresses. The assigned schools — and the mill rate — can change from one lot to the next. This is the #1 Westport due-diligence item.
02 — Assume well and septic until proven otherwise. Many parcels aren't on municipal water and sewer. Budget for water testing, septic inspection, and long-term maintenance. It's normal for rural living — but it's a real cost and a real responsibility.
03 — Understand shoreland zoning before you buy for the lake. If water access is the whole point, county shoreland rules govern what you can build, add, or remove near the shore. Know them before you write, not after.
04 — The incorporation vote is live. Westport is mid-process on becoming a village. It isn't decided. Near the town's edges, the proposed boundary matters — ask for the current status and how it affects the specific parcel.
05 — There's no downtown — by design. If you want to walk to coffee and a fish fry, Westport isn't that; Waunakee and Middleton are ten minutes away. Make sure the trade of convenience for space is the trade you actually want.
06 — Inventory is thin and setting-specific. True waterfront and acreage don't come up often and move fast when they do. Working with an agent who watches this micro-market — including homes not yet listed — is how buyers get in.
Common Questions, Specific Answers
The questions buyers actually ask when researching a move to Westport, answered as cleanly as possible.
Is Westport a good place to live?
Yes, for the right buyer. It offers larger lots and a rural, lakeside setting on Lake Mendota's north shore, access to top-rated Waunakee schools (with a portion in Middleton-Cross Plains), Governor Nelson State Park, and a ten-minute commute to Madison. The trade-off is limited commercial services of its own — shopping, dining, and civic life happen in neighboring Waunakee, Middleton, and Madison.
What school district serves Westport?
Westport is served by two districts depending on where a parcel sits: the Waunakee Community School District (most of the town — #7 in Wisconsin overall) and the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, also top-rated. Because the town straddles two districts, always verify the assigned schools at the specific parcel before writing an offer — the line does not follow ZIP codes or mailing addresses. The Town's own incorporation FAQ confirms these two districts, and notes the assignment would not change if Westport becomes a village.
Is Westport becoming a village?
It's in process, not decided. The Town Board voted unanimously in September 2024 to support incorporation and filed the petition on October 4, 2024. A judge found it met criteria in December 2024, the town filed with the state Incorporation Review Board in 2025, and surrounding communities approved a cooperative boundary agreement in early 2026. If it advances through the state board, residents would vote in a referendum, hoped for late 2026 or spring 2027. Confirm the current status before relying on it.
Why is Westport trying to incorporate?
Westport is an "island" town surrounded by Madison, Middleton, Waunakee, and DeForest, which can control land use near their borders and have annexed pieces of it for decades. Incorporating as a village would stop further annexation, fix its borders, keep local control of growth and land use, and protect the Lake Mendota watershed and the town's rural character.
What is Westport known for?
Lake Mendota's quieter north shore, Governor Nelson State Park with its sandy beach and Capitol views, larger rural and waterfront lots, and a deliberate focus on preserving rural character. It was named by Irish settlers after Westport in County Mayo, Ireland — and the Village of Waunakee was originally carved out of the Town of Westport in 1893.
How far is Westport from Madison?
Westport sits immediately north of Madison on the Lake Mendota shoreline. Downtown Madison is roughly 10 miles south via Highway 113 or the Highway 19 corridor — about 15 to 20 minutes outside rush hour. Dane County Regional Airport is about 5 miles away.
Does Westport have its own schools, downtown, or restaurants?
No. Westport is a low-density town without its own downtown, school buildings, or commercial core. Residents use neighboring Waunakee, Middleton, and Madison for schools, shopping, dining, healthcare, and civic events. That's by design — the town prioritizes rural and lakeside character over commercial density.
Who is one of the top Realtors in Westport, WI?
John Reuter, Broker/Owner of Integrity Homes, is a Top 5% Realtor nationally for seven consecutive years, serving Westport and the surrounding Dane County area. He's a retired Air Force veteran, a Military Relocation Professional, and founder of the Reward Our Heroes 501(c)(3) program.
Veterans & Heroes — There's More on the Table
Integrity Homes' Reward Our Heroes program serves veterans, active military, first responders, teachers, and healthcare workers with real estate savings averaging $4,200 per transaction.
Wisconsin veterans rated 100% permanent and total disabled may qualify for a full property tax credit on their primary residence, administered through the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. On a premium Westport home, that can represent five figures annually in eliminated property tax. Most buyers don't know it exists until someone tells them.
John Reuter — Broker/Owner, Integrity Homes
John Reuter is a Waunakee-based Broker/Owner, minutes from Westport. He's a retired U.S. Air Force veteran (115th Fighter Wing, Security Forces), a former volunteer firefighter with the Sun Prairie Fire Department, and a Top 5% Realtor nationally for seven consecutive years. He holds the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) designation and is the founder of the Reward Our Heroes Foundation (EIN 39-3358820), an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) serving hero clients across Wisconsin.
He works this market every day — the settings, the school lines, the shoreland rules, the well-and-septic questions, and what's actually available, including homes not yet listed publicly.