Home to 23,800 people, De Pere, Wis., is a regional favorite for family friendliness and charm. In existence since 1890, De Pere is a historic and attractive city located just seven miles south of Green Bay. The Fox River splits the city into east and west sides, though the community retains a unified and cohesive attitude. Originally christened "Les Rapides des Pères" by the area's first settlers, a group of French Jesuit priests, De Pere's name was shortened to its current moniker as the town grew in population and size.
De Pere residents enjoy the area's small-town charm and convenient access to more heavily populated areas like Green Bay and Appleton. The city is located right on the corner of the Green Bay body of water, giving it easy access to breathtaking Door County. Residents can easily access regional highways 41 and 29 and Interstate 39, providing convenient automobile transportation options. For those searching for De Pere apartments for rent, this unique Green Bay suburb may offer the best of all worlds.
Like many American downtowns, De Pere's Main Street area is enjoying revitalization and beautification efforts. The city's historic downtown is home to numerous shops, restaurants and businesses, and it enjoys a traditional design incorporating walkable streets, human-scale buildings and a friendly atmosphere. Residents and visitors alike will enjoy a day spent browsing locally owned shops and businesses while friendly neighbors pass by on their way to run daily errands.
De Pere also enjoys a state-of-the-art parks and recreation department. More than 400 acres of park space allow for trails, conservancy areas, playgrounds and riverside leisure places. Indoor and outdoor park shelters are available to rent for parties and gatherings, and three boat launches provide means for boating enthusiasts to enjoy the region's native waterways. De Pere residents make use of the East River, Preserve and Fox River trails for biking, walking and hiking opportunities.
De Pere is home to Saint Norbert College, which enrolls about 2,000 students each year. A Wisconsin College of Cosmetology campus is also located in De Pere. Additionally, numerous institutes of higher learning are located within 30 miles of the city, such as Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, Fox Valley Technical College and the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
Although many residents commute to larger cities for work, De Pere is home to a variety of employment opportunities. As a matter of fact, the city's population increases by 8.5 percent on workdays due to commuting. De Pere's 1,400 acres of business parks provide opportunities for many regional companies including area's largest employer, Humana. The top employers in Brown County are the Green Bay Public School District, Bellin Memorial Hospital, Humana Insurance Co., Georgia-Pacific and Saint Vincent Hospital.
According to City-Data, the cost of living index in De Pere is 94, 6 percent less than the U.S. average. Those searching for De Pere rentals should consider commuting costs when setting their monthly budgets, as the city is not particularly walkable. Incoming residents will be happy to note that the city has a healthy rental market: About 39 percent of homes in the area are renter-occupied units.
When the city of De Pere celebrated its 100th birthday in 1990, a tradition was born. Every year since, Celebrate De Pere has been a much-anticipated local event, featuring kids' games, fireworks, food and live entertainment. Big-name music groups like the Blue Oyster Cult, Train, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts have performed at the event in the past.
If you are looking for an apartment for rent or a house rental in De Pere, WI., search for rental properties at Rent.com®.