Is Pleasant Prairie Safe, Pros and cons of living in Pleasant Prairie
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to larger urban centers like Milwaukee and Chicago. This village, situated in Kenosha County, presents a unique lifestyle that attracts a diverse range of residents. Its location along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan provides natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
The community is known for its well-planned neighborhoods, a strong emphasis on family-friendly living, and a growing number of businesses contributing to its economic vitality. Pleasant Prairie strives to balance residential comfort with commercial development, aiming to provide a high quality of life for its inhabitants.
Is it Safe to Live in Pleasant Prairie?
Crime Rates
Pleasant Prairie’s overall crime rate is reported to be lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Specifically, violent crimes in Pleasant Prairie are also lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). The chance of becoming a victim of any crime in Pleasant Prairie is approximately 1 in 72 (as reported by AreaVibes).
While the overall crime rate is favorable, it’s important to note that crime can vary by neighborhood. Some areas are considered safer than others within the village (as reported by Pleasant Prairie Crime Rates and Statistics – NeighborhoodScout). The village’s crime rate is considered to be higher than 84% of Wisconsin’s cities and towns of all sizes (as reported by Pleasant Prairie Crime Rates and Statistics – NeighborhoodScout).
Law Enforcement
The Pleasant Prairie Police Department serves the village, providing law enforcement coverage for its residents. The department is responsible for addressing both violent and property crimes within its jurisdiction. Recent FBI data indicates a specific number of violent and property crimes over a five-year period (as reported by Pleasant Prairie, WI Crime Statistics).
The average violent crime rate is reported to be below the national average, as is the property crime rate. Robbery has shown a lower annual rate compared to the national average, while aggravated assault rates are comparable to the national average (as reported by Pleasant Prairie, WI Crime Statistics).
Cost of Living and Housing
Cost of Living Index
The cost of living in Pleasant Prairie is approximately 9% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This index is calculated based on various factors including food, transportation, healthcare, rent, utilities, and taxes (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). Pleasant Prairie is considered the 22nd most expensive city in Wisconsin (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert).
When compared to Wisconsin’s average, Pleasant Prairie is about 6% more expensive to live in (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). The cost of housing in Pleasant Prairie is notably higher than the national average, contributing significantly to the overall cost of living (as reported by AreaVibes).
Housing Market
The median home price in Pleasant Prairie is approximately $451,234, showing a 7.5% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Housing costs in Pleasant Prairie are about 36% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).
The average rent for an apartment in Pleasant Prairie is around $1,800 per month (as reported by Zillow). This is approximately 2% higher than the national average rent price (as reported by Average Rent in Pleasant Prairie, WI – Rentometer). For a one-bedroom apartment, the average rent is approximately $1,682 per month (as reported by Average Rent in Pleasant Prairie, WI – Rentometer).
Job Market and Economy
Major Employers
Pleasant Prairie is home to a strong and diverse base of major employers, contributing significantly to the local economy. Uline is a prominent employer, with its headquarters and distribution center located in the village, employing a substantial number of people (as reported by Village of Pleasant Prairie | Work – Life Balanced Kenosha County). Other significant employers include Froedtert/St. Catherine’s and Shiloh Industries (as reported by Village Stats – Pleasant Prairie).
The LakeView Corporate Park is a major hub for businesses, hosting around 90 diverse companies that employ over 10,000 people across 10.0 million square feet of development (as reported by Village of Pleasant Prairie | Work – Life Balanced Kenosha County). Key industries in the area include advanced manufacturing, logistics, distribution, and food processing (as reported by Village of Pleasant Prairie | Work – Life Balanced Kenosha County).
Salaries and Unemployment
The average annual salary in Pleasant Prairie is approximately $54,349, equating to about $26.13 per hour (as reported by What is the Average Salary in Pleasant Prairie, WI? (2026) – ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Pleasant Prairie was reported as $103,902 in 2024 (as reported by Pleasant Prairie Demographics | Current Wisconsin Census Data).
The unemployment rate in Pleasant Prairie stands at 3.6% (as reported by Pleasant Prairie, WI Demographics: Population, Income, and More | Point2Homes). This rate is considered within a typical range, suggesting a stable job market. The employment rate in Pleasant Prairie is approximately 95.58% (as reported by Employment and Unemployment Rates by Neighborhood in Pleasant Prairie, WI).
Climate and Environment
Temperatures and Rainfall
Pleasant Prairie experiences distinct seasonal weather patterns. Summers are warm and wet, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 82°F and a low of 63°F (as reported by Pleasant Prairie, WI Weather Conditions). Winters are freezing, snowy, and windy, with January being the coldest month, having an average high of 30°F and a low of 16°F (as reported by Pleasant Prairie, WI Weather Conditions).
The village receives an average annual precipitation of about 36 inches (as reported by Pleasant Prairie, WI Weather Conditions). June is typically the wettest month, while January is the driest. Snowfall averages around 39 inches per year, contributing to its winter landscape (as reported by Pleasant Prairie, WI Weather Conditions).
Comfortable Weather Days
Pleasant Prairie enjoys approximately 149 days per year with comfortable weather, translating to about 4.9 months (as reported by Pleasant Prairie, WI Weather & Climate — Best Time to Visit). The most comfortable times to visit are generally from mid-May to September, when temperatures are mild and humidity is pleasant (as reported by Pleasant Prairie, WI Weather & Climate — Best Time to Visit).
These comfortable days are characterized by daily high temperatures between 65ºF and 86ºF, low dew points, and moderate cloud cover and wind speeds. This makes the spring, summer, and early fall ideal for outdoor activities and enjoying the local environment.
Education and Demographics
School Ratings
Public schools in Pleasant Prairie generally receive strong ratings, with an average ranking of 9/10, placing them in the top 20% of Wisconsin public schools (as reported by Best Public Schools in Pleasant Prairie, WI (2026)). Prairie Lane Elementary School is particularly noted for its high performance, often ranking among the top elementary schools in Wisconsin and holding a 5-star rating (as reported by Best Public Schools in Pleasant Prairie, WI & Rankings – SchoolDigger.com).
Lakeview Technology Academy, the local high school, is also highly regarded, ranking among the top high schools in Wisconsin with impressive test scores and a good graduation rate (as reported by Best Public Schools in Pleasant Prairie, WI & Rankings – SchoolDigger.com). However, some data indicates potential concerns regarding chronic absenteeism rates across schools (as reported by Best Public Schools in Pleasant Prairie, WI & Rankings – SchoolDigger.com).
Demographics
As of the most recent census data, Pleasant Prairie has a population of approximately 21,669 residents (as reported by Pleasant Prairie Demographics | Current Wisconsin Census Data). The village’s population density is around 232.6 per square mile (as reported by Pleasant Prairie, WI Wikipedia).
The racial makeup of Pleasant Prairie is predominantly White, accounting for about 80.4% of the population, followed by Hispanic or Latino residents at 6.8% (as reported by Pleasant Prairie, WI Demographics: Population, Income, and More | Point2Homes). The median age in the village is around 44.4 years (as reported by Pleasant Prairie Demographics | Current Wisconsin Census Data).