Waunakee is a village in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 14,879 at the 2020 census. A suburb of Madison, it is part of the Madison metropolitan area. Waunakee bills itself as "The Only Waunakee in the World.
But 2 early settlers, Louis Baker and George C. Fish, owned land along the new railroad line and plotted a village on their property instead.
In exchange for $1,500 and 2 miles of right of way, railroad officials changed their original plans and trains roared to a stop in what is now known as Waunakee. Native American in origin, the name Waunakee (Wanaki) aptly describes the village’s location in a “fair and pleasant valley” just north of Madison.
The innovative spirit and dedication of early settlers continues in the Village of Waunakee today.
Today, more than 100 years after its founding, the Waunakee community continues to grow. Descendants of early settlers work side by side with new residents to retain the best of the old village while ensuring growth and prosperity well into the future.
Waunakee, Wisconsin, offers a high quality of life, making it an attractive place to live, work, and visit. Key reasons include its beautiful, newly renovated downtown, unique shops and restaurants, excellent schools, and its proximity to Madison, a vibrant city with numerous cultural and economic opportunities.
The Waunakee Community School District is known for providing a high-quality education to students from pre-K through 12th grade.