CountyScore

St. Croix County

Wisconsin · WI

#44 in Wisconsin
65.3
County Score

County Report Card

About St. Croix County, Wisconsin

St. Croix ranks in top tier

St. Croix County's composite score of 65.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 31%, placing it among the better-performing counties nationally. Its profile reflects upper-middle-class livability characteristics.

Slightly below state average

St. Croix scores 65.3 against Wisconsin's state average of 65.6, putting it just at parity with statewide performance. The county represents mainstream Wisconsin livability.

Income and health standout

St. Croix leads this cohort with a median household income of $102,482 and an income score of 50.3, paired with the strongest health score of 83.2. These reflect a prosperous, health-conscious community.

Housing costs demand premium

The cost score of 61.1 is the lowest in this group, with median home values of $349,700 and median rent at $1,238/month—significantly higher than peers. This county carries a visible affordability premium.

Premium choice for affluent families

St. Croix County is built for higher-income households seeking excellent health care, strong schools, and professional communities. It's ideal for established families and professionals willing to pay for premium amenities and proximity to metro areas.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax67.7Cost61.1SafetyComing SoonHealth83.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome50.3Risk35.9WaterComing Soon
🏛67.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠61.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼50.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤83.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡35.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare St. Croix County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Ware County
Georgia
65.3
Median income: $44,833
LaGrange County
Indiana
65.3
Median income: $83,741
Vigo County
Indiana
65.3
Median income: $52,525
Des Moines County
Iowa
65.3
Median income: $60,662
Lee County
Iowa
65.3
Median income: $59,803

Deep Dives

St. Croix County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in St. Croix County

via TaxByCounty

St. Croix taxes below nation despite affluence

At 1.23%, St. Croix County's effective tax rate sits below the national median of 1.09%, a remarkable achievement for a county with the state's highest median home values at $349,700. The median annual tax of $4,297 reflects both higher property values and a relatively moderate tax burden.

Wisconsin's most valuable county

St. Croix County ranks lowest among Wisconsin counties for effective tax rate at 1.23%, well below the state average of 1.44%. Despite median home values 26% higher than the state average, St. Croix residents pay only 39% more in taxes, signaling efficient local government.

Prime advantage over Twin Cities suburbs

St. Croix County's 1.23% rate significantly undercuts comparable Minneapolis-St. Paul suburban counties, making it an attractive option for affluent homebuyers seeking lower tax exposure. The county's proximity to the Twin Cities combined with moderate taxes explains rapid population growth.

Higher homes, competitive tax bills

St. Croix County homeowners with a median-valued property of $349,700 pay approximately $4,297 in annual property taxes. While this exceeds most Wisconsin counties in absolute dollars, the 1.23% rate provides exceptional value for affluent households.

Verify your assessment's market basis

St. Croix County's rapid growth can lead to assessment lags and overvaluations, particularly in popular communities like Hudson and River Falls. Homeowners should confirm their assessed values reflect recent comparable sales in their specific neighborhoods.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in St. Croix County

via CostByCounty

St. Croix pulls away with highest incomes

St. Croix County's median household income of $102,482 crushes the national average by $27,727, allowing residents to absorb a 14.5% rent-to-income ratio despite $1,238 monthly rents. This high-income profile masks the county's position as Wisconsin's priciest housing market.

Wisconsin's most expensive county, most affluent

St. Croix County leads Wisconsin in both median income ($102,482) and housing costs, with a $349,700 median home value and $1,238 rent far exceeding state averages. Its 14.5% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable only because incomes here substantially outpace the rest of the state.

St. Croix vastly outpaces regional peers

St. Croix's $349,700 median home value dwarfs neighboring Sawyer ($223,300) and Shawano ($179,100), while its $102,482 income exceeds all eight counties profiled. This Twin Cities commuter county operates in an entirely different housing market than rural Wisconsin neighbors.

St. Croix: luxury costs, luxury incomes

Renters allocate 14.5% of $102,482 income to $1,238 monthly rent, while homeowners spend $1,626 on mortgages and costs. The steep absolute costs are offset only by incomes that far exceed the state and nation.

St. Croix for high-income Twin Cities proximity seekers

Moving to St. Croix County makes sense only if your household income approaches or exceeds $100,000—it's Wisconsin's premium market for commuters and affluent professionals. If you're relocating with below-average income, rural counties like Sawyer or Shawano offer dramatically more breathing room.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in St. Croix County

via IncomeByCounty

St. Croix far exceeds national income

St. Croix County's median household income of $102,482 soars $27,727 above the national median of $74,755—a 37% advantage. This ranks St. Croix among America's highest-income counties, driven largely by proximity to Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Wisconsin's income champion

St. Croix dominates Wisconsin with a median income $30,767 above the state average of $71,715. St. Croix consistently ranks as Wisconsin's wealthiest or near-wealthiest county by household income.

Dramatically outpaces all peers

St. Croix's $102,482 income towers over every comparable Wisconsin county: $35,450 above Sheboygan ($71,898) and $39,350 above Sawyer ($59,055). This disparity reflects St. Croix's status as an affluent Twin Cities suburb.

High incomes offset higher costs

St. Croix's rent-to-income ratio of 14.5% remains healthy despite the county's higher cost of living and median home values of $349,700. Higher incomes comfortably absorb the region's premium housing market.

Maximize wealth in affluent market

St. Croix's $102,482 median income creates exceptional wealth-building capacity—households here should prioritize tax-efficient strategies, diversified real estate, and philanthropic planning. Working with fee-only financial advisors to optimize investment allocation and retirement strategies is particularly valuable at this income level.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in St. Croix County

via HealthByCounty

Wisconsin's healthiest profiled county

St. Croix County leads this analysis with a 79.8-year life expectancy—3.4 years above the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Just 11.5% of residents report poor or fair health, substantially better than the national 13% baseline, signaling exceptionally strong population health.

Top county for longevity and wellness

At 79.8 years, St. Croix County's life expectancy is the highest among all profiled counties and 2 years above Wisconsin's 77.8-year average. With only 4.8% uninsured—the lowest rate in this group—residents enjoy superior healthcare access and engagement statewide.

Clear health advantage over peers

St. Croix's 79.8-year life expectancy outpaces all nearby counties, including Sheboygan (78.1) and Taylor (79.2), by meaningful margins. The county's 4.8% uninsured rate is the best in the region, reflecting a prosperous, well-insured population.

Excellent coverage, adequate provider network

St. Croix's 4.8% uninsured rate represents the strongest healthcare access in this group, with fewer than 900 uninsured residents facing barriers to care. The county provides 53 primary care providers and 189 mental health providers per 100K, supporting preventive and behavioral health needs.

Protect your family's health security

Even in St. Croix County's well-insured community, gaps exist: fewer than 5% of residents are uninsured, but that still affects hundreds of families. Ensure your household has comprehensive coverage by reviewing marketplace options or confirming your Medicaid status at healthcare.gov.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in St. Croix County

via RiskByCounty

St. Croix County moderately above average

St. Croix County's composite risk score of 64.12 places it above the national average with a "Relatively Low" rating. The county's risk landscape is defined by extreme tornado exposure and moderate flood vulnerability along the St. Croix River system.

Wisconsin's sixth-riskiest county

At 64.12, St. Croix County exceeds Wisconsin's state average of 59.08 and ranks among the state's more hazard-prone counties. Its elevated risk stems primarily from tornado susceptibility, with a score of 84.80—one of the highest in Wisconsin.

Tornado risk towers over Polk, Pierce

St. Croix County faces substantially higher tornado risk (84.80) than neighboring Polk and Pierce counties, though all three share similar flood vulnerabilities tied to river systems. St. Croix's wildfire risk (45.26) also notably exceeds western neighbors, reflecting its transitional geography.

Tornadoes and river flooding threats

Tornado risk reaches an alarming 84.80 in St. Croix County, making severe thunderstorms the dominant hazard concern across the region. Flood risk scores 64.06, reflecting vulnerability along the St. Croix River and its tributaries during spring snowmelt and heavy rain events.

Windstorm and flood insurance critical

Given tornado risk of 84.80, windstorm and hail coverage should be a top priority for all homeowners in St. Croix County. Those in flood-prone zones near the St. Croix River or tributaries must secure flood insurance, as the county's 64.06 flood risk score indicates significant vulnerability.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.