Moving to Monroe County, WI
A relocation guide for Tomah, Oakdale, Kendall, Wilton & Camp Douglas, home to Fort McCoy and minutes from Volk Field
Presented by Liz Walker, REMAX RealPros | Updated November 2026
Southern and eastern Monroe County sits at the crossroads of west-central Wisconsin, where I-90 and I-94 split at Tomah. It’s one of Wisconsin’s strongest military communities, with Fort McCoy, the state’s only Army installation, just west of Tomah and Volk Field Air National Guard Base just east in Camp Douglas. Families relocating here find affordable homes, small-town schools, a VA Medical Center, and four-season recreation from the Elroy-Sparta State Trail to trout streams and ski slopes.
🎖️ The Military Community
Located on 60,000 acres between Sparta and Tomah, Fort McCoy has been a military training center since 1909 and is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin. Known as the “Total Force Training Center,” it has trained more than 100,000 service members from all branches nearly every year since 1984.
In fiscal year 2023, about 2,100 people worked at Fort McCoy, and roughly 69% of the workforce lived in Monroe County. Its total economic impact reached an estimated $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2024.
Fort McCoy Official Site →Near the village of Camp Douglas, just east of the Monroe County line, Volk Field is home to the Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, one of only four Air National Guard combat readiness training centers in the country, and the 128th Air Control Squadron. Camp Williams (Wisconsin Army National Guard) and the Wisconsin National Guard Museum are next door.
The site dates to 1888, when the Wisconsin National Guard bought land for a rifle range, and was named in 1957 for 1st Lt. Jerome A. Volk, the first Wisconsin Air National Guard pilot killed in combat in the Korean War.
Volk Field Official Site →Tips for Military Families Relocating Here
Location: Tomah sits about 10 minutes from Fort McCoy and 15 minutes from Volk Field, so many families choose Tomah, Oakdale, or Camp Douglas to split the commute between both bases.
VA loans: Most eligible service members and veterans can buy with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance. Veterans with a service-connected disability are generally exempt from the VA funding fee, and Wisconsin offers property tax credits for eligible disabled veterans.
PCS timing: With a VA loan, plan on about 30 to 45 days from accepted offer to closing. Liz can coordinate virtual tours, video walk-throughs, and remote signing if you’re buying before you arrive.
Rent or buy: With home values well below the state average, buying often costs about the same as renting, and owning can turn into a rental property if you receive orders elsewhere.
Veterans’ care: The Tomah VA Medical Center is right in Tomah.
💰 Monroe County Housing Market (2026)
Monroe County Typical Home Value
(Zillow, Aug 2026)
Tomah Typical Home Value
(Zillow, Aug 2026)
Median Days on Market
(Redfin, Jun 2026)
Average Sale-to-List Price
(Redfin, Jun 2026)
Sources: Zillow Home Value Index; Redfin, Monroe County housing market data, 3 months ending June 2026.
What This Means for Relocating Buyers
Monroe County’s typical home value is about 22% below Wisconsin’s $339,699, but homes here sell fast and close to full price, often in under two months. Get pre-approved before you arrive, have your agent watch for new listings daily, and be ready to make a strong offer when the right home comes up.
Property taxes: In the Tomah 54660 ZIP code, the effective property tax rate is about 1.40%, with a median annual bill of about $2,624 (Census, 2019–2023).
🏘️ Communities Liz Serves
The area’s hub, with about 9,570 residents (2020 Census), the Tomah VA Medical Center, Tomah Health hospital, clinics, shopping, and dining where I-90 and I-94 split. Most families relocating to the bases start their search here.
A small village just east of Tomah on I-90/94, between Fort McCoy and Volk Field, with its own Tomah Area elementary school and quick interstate access.
Just over the Juneau County line, Camp Douglas is home to Volk Field and Camp Williams and is served by the Tomah Area School District. A natural fit for Air National Guard families.
A quiet trail town on the Elroy-Sparta State Trail in southeastern Monroe County, with countryside homes and easy access to Elroy and Tomah.
A small village on the Elroy-Sparta State Trail between Kendall and Norwalk, surrounded by the rolling hills of the Driftless Region.
🎓 Schools
School choice is one of the biggest decisions for relocating families. Southern and eastern Monroe County is served by three public districts, all with small class sizes.
Tomah Area School District
The largest district in the area, serving Tomah, Oakdale, Camp Douglas, Wyeville, and Warrens, with about 3,050 students in 12 schools.
District information and enrollment
Tomah High (about 880 students) and Tomah Middle School (grades 6–8, about 660 students)
LaGrange, Lemonweir, and Miller in Tomah, plus Oakdale Elementary, Camp Douglas Elementary, Wyeville, Warrens, and the Tomah Area Montessori charter school
Two small, paired schools: Oakdale Elementary serves the youngest grades, and Camp Douglas Elementary (81 Junction St) serves the upper elementary grades.
Other Districts & Private Schools
Kendall-area families are served by the Royall School District, based in Elroy. See the Elroy guide for details.
Wilton-area students attend Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton, including Brookwood High School in Ontario.
Queen of the Apostles (Catholic, 4K–8) and St. Paul Lutheran School (preK–8).
Military families: Ask each school about its military family liaison and Wisconsin’s participation in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which helps with transfers, records, and graduation requirements.
🌲 Recreation & Things to Do
Fort McCoy’s Pine View Recreation Area (Open to the Public)
Pine View Recreation Area on the west side of Fort McCoy welcomes about 65,000 visitors a year. It includes Pine View Campground, with more than 170 campsites and cabins on Suukjak Sep Lake; Whitetail Ridge Ski Area, with three slopes, rentals, and lessons; Trout Falls on the La Crosse River; hiking trails; and a sportsman’s range. Fort McCoy also offers public fishing and hunting with a Wisconsin license and a Fort McCoy permit purchased through iSportsman.
Trails, Parks & Lakes
America’s first rail-to-trail runs through Kendall and Wilton, with historic tunnels between Kendall and Wilton and between Wilton and Norwalk.
Boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking right in Tomah.
Climb sandstone bluffs left from Glacial Lake Wisconsin, with camping and a swimming pond near Camp Douglas.
The La Crosse River and area creeks offer excellent trout fishing, with deer, turkey, and waterfowl hunting on public and private land.
Castle Rock Lake, the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, and Wisconsin Dells are all within about 30 to 45 minutes.
Miles of routes and trails through the countryside.
Community Events
- Dairyland Supernational Truck & Tractor Pull: One of the region’s biggest events, drawing about 70,000 attendees over three days in Tomah
- Downtown Thursday Nights: Six summer Thursday evenings in downtown Tomah, drawing thousands of people
- Warrens Cranberry Festival: A popular fall festival just north of Tomah in Warrens
🏥 Healthcare & Location
- Healthcare in Tomah: Tomah Health hospital, Gundersen Health, Mayo Clinic Health System, and the Tomah VA Medical Center
- Commuting: About 10 minutes to Fort McCoy, 15 minutes to Volk Field, and 15 minutes to Sparta
- Regional cities: About 45 minutes to La Crosse, 40 minutes to Wisconsin Dells, 1.5 hours to Madison, and 2.5 to 3 hours to Minneapolis–St. Paul
Your Monroe County Relocation Agent
Liz Walker, Broker Associate, REALTOR®, REMAX RealPros
512 Gateway Ave, Mauston, WI 53948 · 608-547-5301
- 2025 Top Agent in Mauston, RealTrends and FastExpert, and 2025 REMAX 100% Club
- 235 career transactions and 31 five-star reviews
- ABR® (Accredited Buyer’s Representative), SFR®, and C2EX designations
- Experienced helping military families and out-of-area buyers relocate
“She provides a clear and realistic picture of any property, ensuring you have all the information you need to make the best decision, rather than just trying to close a sale. During my military training, she was a crucial support system.”
Corey A., military buyer, Aug 2025
❓ Monroe County Relocation FAQ
Where should I live if I’m stationed at Fort McCoy or Volk Field?
Tomah is the most popular choice, about 10 minutes from Fort McCoy and 15 minutes from Volk Field, with the most homes, schools, and services. Oakdale and Camp Douglas are smaller, quieter options between the two bases.
What is the typical home value in Tomah and Monroe County?
The typical home value was $261,406 in Tomah and $263,380 in Monroe County as of August 2026 (Zillow), about 22% below the Wisconsin typical value.
What school districts serve Tomah, Oakdale, Kendall, Wilton, and Camp Douglas?
Tomah, Oakdale, and Camp Douglas are in the Tomah Area School District. Kendall is served by the Royall School District, and Wilton by the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District.
Can I use a VA loan to buy a home here?
Yes. VA loans are widely used in the Tomah area. Most eligible buyers can purchase with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance, and a local lender can confirm your eligibility.
Who is a real estate agent who helps military families relocate to Tomah?
Liz Walker of REMAX RealPros helps military and relocating families buy in Tomah, Oakdale, Camp Douglas, Kendall, and Wilton. She was named a 2025 Top Agent in Mauston by RealTrends and FastExpert and has 235 career transactions.
Explore Nearby Communities
PCSing to Fort McCoy or Volk Field?
Contact Liz Walker, REMAX RealPros, for a relocation consultation, virtual tours, and help finding the right home and school district before you arrive.
Search Available Homes Call or Text 608-547-5301