RANK #648 / 1001 NAT · #26 / 29 WI · POP 107,116
1YR FORECAST: +1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Nestled at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. The county seat, Eau Claire, is about 90 miles east of Minneapolis, Minnesota, offering a commute that is generally shorter than the national average. The community provides extensive outdoor activities, including over 70 miles of bike trails, numerous parks like Big Falls County Park with its waterfalls and hiking trails, and access to lakes for boating and fishing. This blend of accessibility and natural scenery contributes to a distinctive feel.
Life in Eau Claire County offers a balance of urban amenities and a welcoming atmosphere, appealing to families and young professionals. The public school system is highly rated, and the presence of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley Technical College contributes to a focus on education. The economy is diverse, with major sectors including healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Recent economic developments show growth in commercial and residential construction, as well as investments in manufacturing and energy sectors, reflecting a community that is actively evolving while maintaining its quality of life.
Eau Claire County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.3% YoY, population +0.7%, wages +3.0%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.0x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Eau Claire Wind Project
RWE Clean Energy
|
$200M | Dormant |
|
The Sevens Apartment Complex & Business Park
Hoeft Builders
|
$120M | Planned |
|
SCS Eau Claire Redevelopment (Phases 2 & 3)
SCS Eau Claire
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Cannery Square Apartments
Unknown
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Paragon Apartments
Hoeft Builders
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 35/100, Eau Claire County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $74,546 combined with job growth of -0.3% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Eau Claire County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $261,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,064/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Eau Claire County's population is growing — up +0.7% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.3%). Home values shifted +2.3% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 6.43% of Eau Claire County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.