De Pere, WI: Historic Riverfront, Two School Districts, One Tight-Knit City
De Pere sits right on the Fox River, just south of Green Bay – a city with 350 years of history, a college at its center, and a downtown people actually walk to. We work this market regularly, and here’s what we tell buyers and sellers who ask us about it.
Why Buyers Are Choosing De Pere
- A downtown that functions like a destination: shops, restaurants, and the Riverwalk are all within walking distance of each other, not spread along a commercial strip.
- Established identity: home to St. Norbert College and a Fox River shoreline lined with parks and trails, rather than a bedroom community built on the last decade of growth.
- Steady population growth: from 25,407 residents at the 2020 Census to an estimated 25,476 today (World Population Review), with a median household income of about $84,869.
- Quick highway access: I-41 runs along the west side of the city, connecting De Pere to Green Bay and the Fox Valley in minutes.
De Pere Real Estate Market
De Pere home prices have moved fast: Redfin put the median sale price at $467,000 in June 2026, with homes typically going pending in about 43 days and selling for roughly 2% above list. That’s a sharp jump from the $312,000 figure we had on this page even a year ago.
Schools – De Pere’s Two Districts
Here’s something most buyers don’t know until we tell them: De Pere is the only city in Wisconsin split between two independent K-12 school districts. It’s a holdover from 1890, when the separate cities of De Pere (east side of the Fox River) and West De Pere (west side) merged into one municipality but kept their own schools.
- Unified School District of De Pere: serves the east side of the river, feeding into De Pere High School.
- School District of West De Pere: serves the west side, feeding into West De Pere High School.
Which side of the river a home sits on – sometimes even which side of a specific street – determines the district, so we always confirm the exact attendance zone for a property rather than assuming based on the general “De Pere” label.
Parks, Riverfront & Things to Do
- The Riverwalk: runs along the Fox River through downtown, crossing to Government Island and out to a wildlife viewing pier – walkable straight from downtown restaurants and shops.
- Voyageur Park: the anchor for the Riverwalk, with river views, picnic areas, and fishing access on William Street.
- Fox River Trail: a regional trail running from downtown Green Bay through De Pere, with roughly 10 miles of paved, urban-section trail; the city maintains about 7.6 miles of trail within its own limits across three separate trail systems.
Downtown events: farmers markets and Friday night outdoor movies are regular seasonal fixtures downtown.
Getting Around
De Pere sits directly south of Green Bay along the Fox River, with I-41 running along the west side of the city for quick access north to Green Bay and Ashwaubenon, or south toward Appleton and the Fox Valley.
De Pere Neighborhoods & Nearby Areas
- East De Pere: the original east-side city, with the most historic architecture and the closest proximity to St. Norbert College.
- West De Pere: newer, more family-oriented subdivisions and its own school district.
- Ledgeview (bordering De Pere): a separate town immediately southeast of De Pere, popular with buyers who want larger rural-style lots without leaving the area.
De Pere is split between two districts by the Fox River: the Unified School District of De Pere (east side) and the School District of West De Pere (west side). Confirm the exact zone for a specific address before buying.
Redfin listed the median sale price at $467,000 in June 2026. De Pere is a smaller market where monthly medians can swing significantly - ask us for current, address-specific comps.
Buy or Sell in De Pere with The Bow Tie Group
Thinking about De Pere? Let’s talk about which side of the river fits your school priorities, and which neighborhood fits your budget – we’ll bring you current listings and comps, not guesswork.
Start your De Pere search with a Strategy Session!