Sun Prairie: Shining on Tomorrow!

The charming and thriving city of Sun Prairie is one of the fastest growing communities in Wisconsin. Known for its historic downtown, quality schools and safe neighborhoods, the city is conveniently located just minutes away from Madison.

Sun Prairie is a charming and thriving community conveniently located in south central Wisconsin. The city provides an alluring blend of affordability and a high standard of living for roughly 23,000 residents.

As one of the fastest growing community in Wisconsin, it is appreciated for its historic downtown, quality schools, outstanding parks, and safe and aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods.  It is minutes from Madison, the state’s capital, and from its largest university.  It is near many major attractions, including the House on the Rock, Cave of the Mounds, Old World Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Dells.

The park system consists of 32 parks covering 400 acres.  Two nearby lakes, Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, likewise provide many recreational opportunities, including boating, water skiing, fishing, wildlife programs, and camping.

Demographics:

The city has emphasized diversified growth as evidenced by the healthy mix of commercial, residential and industrial development.  Learn more...

Schools:    The city is well known for its high-quality educational system. Approximately 5,000 children attend the senior high, two middle schools, five elementary schools and the three parochial schools. The School District provides a full range of instruction from special education to a talented and gifted program.
 http://www.spasd.k12.wi.us/

Doing Business:
Sun Prairie is a rapidly growing business-friendly city, offering small city life within a thriving metropolitan area, consistently ranked as one of the top places in America to live.

Business Section

Parks
Special attractions include 32 parks, 13 ball diamonds, 11 outdoor skating rinks, two sledding hills and four soccer fields. The Family Aquatic Center features a zero depth swimming pool, waterslides and sand play area. The Youth Baseball Complex is home to baseball and softball programs, as well as Sun Prairie's Little League program. Recent additions to Sun Prairie's recreational opportunities include the Pet Exercise Area and the Skateboard Park.

History
President Van Buren commissioned a party of 45 men, including August Bird, to build a state capitol in Madison. The group of men left Milwaukee on May 26, 1837 and traveled for days in the rain. On June 9, the group emerged at the edge of the prairie and with the sun shining, carved the words 'Sun Prairie" into a tree. Charles Bird returned to the area 2 years later and became the first settler.

Annual Event Highlights
From Jimmy the Groundhog's annual predictions to one of the largest Sweet Corn Festivals in the nation, you won't want to miss Sun Prairie's distinctive events!

 
• Groundhog Day (February)
• Sun Prairie Farmers' Market (April - October)
• Taste of the Arts Fair and Georgia O'Keeffe Memories (June)
• Sweet Corn Festival (August)

Sun Prairie Businesses
Find member businesses in Sun Prairie by clicking the link above!

Fast Facts
Land Area: 11.5 square miles
Population: 20,369*
School District: Sun Prairie Area School District
Median Resident Age: 32.9*
Median Household Income: $51,345*
Median House Value: $142,300*

• Sun Prairie was named when a party of 45 men, commissioned by President Van Buren to build a state capitol in Madison, arrived on June 9, 1837 after traveling for days in the rain. The group emerged at the edge of the prairie and, with the sun shining, carved the words "Sun Prairie" into a tree.
• Sun Prairie's special attractions include 32 parks, 13 ball diamonds, eleven outdoor skating rinks, two sledding hills, four soccer fields, a youth baseball complex, pet exercise area and skateboard park. The Family Aquatic Center features a zero depth swimming pool, waterslides and sand play area.
• Sun Prairie is the birthplace of famed artist Georgia O'Keeffe.

*2000 Census Data