37. Germantown, Wis.
| AT A GLANCE | |
| Population | 19,645 |
| Median Income | $74,876 |
| Job Growth | 7.4% |
| Median Home Price | $211,000* |
| Property Tax | $2,398 |
With origins dating back to the 1830s, this Milwaukee suburb hasn’t lost touch with its European heritage. Main Street feels like a slice of Bavaria with its half-timber buildings and German-style tavern, and the town’s two-day Oktoberfest is an annual tradition.
Green space is abundant here. Germantown maintains more than 400 acres of parkland and 4,000 trees. Most parks carry German-themed names; Kinderberg Park, for example, has a playground and 1,200-square-foot splash pad. Other highlights include a community garden and archery range.
Germantown High School is one of the top-ranked schools in the state, and its basketball team won the state championship this year.
Employers in Germantown include pharmaceutical company Cambridge Major Laboratories (headquartered here), one of many firms in the town’s business park. And with the shores of Lake Michigan just 10 miles away and Milwaukee less than 25, there are plenty of options for weekend fun.—Veronica Crews
*2014 data