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Army3,500+ permanent party

Fort McCoy

Fort McCoy · Sparta, Wisconsin

Fort McCoy is the only Army installation in Wisconsin and serves as a major mobilization and training center primarily supporting Army Reserve and National Guard units from across the Midwest and nation. Located near Sparta in Monroe County, the installation is surrounded by the beautiful Coulee Region of western Wisconsin with its dramatic sandstone bluffs and river valleys. The Wisconsin Dells resort area is nearby and the quality of life in the Sparta area is excellent for families who embrace Midwest outdoor culture.

E-5 BAH
$1,116
O-3 BAH
$1,413
Avg Home Price
$210,000
Branch
Army
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Neighborhoods

Sparta

Small Wisconsin city

$900 to $1,300/mo

Closest city to post, charming community self-declared "Bicycling Capital of America"

Tomah

Small city

$850 to $1,200/mo

About 10 miles east on I-90, slightly larger than Sparta, good amenities

La Crosse

Regional city

$1,100 to $1,600/mo

Major regional city 35 miles west on the Mississippi River, excellent quality of life

Wisconsin Dells

Resort community

$1,200 to $1,700/mo

Water park capital of the world, 50 miles east, tourist-oriented but with great amenities

Schools

Sparta Area School District

Grades K-12

Good rural Wisconsin district, military-familiar, strong community support

Tomah Area School District

Grades K-12

Similar quality to Sparta, solid district with good extracurricular programs

La Crosse School District

Grades K-12

Larger urban district in La Crosse, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse influence

Housing Intel

On-Post Housing

On-post housing available primarily for permanent party soldiers and families

Off-Post Rental Market

Very affordable housing throughout the region

Commute

Sparta provides very short 5 to 10 minute commutes. Tomah commuters travel 10 to 15 minutes on I-90. La Crosse residents face a 35-mile commute but traffic is minimal.

Installation Highlights

  • Fort McCoy is a critical mobilization station for Reserve and Guard units deploying worldwide
  • The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is America's first rail trail and runs through the heart of the area
  • Wisconsin Dells water parks are a family summer tradition just 50 miles east
  • Excellent hunting and fishing in the surrounding Coulee Region forests and rivers
  • La Crosse on the Mississippi River is a charming mid-sized city with a vibrant restaurant scene

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