RANK #301 / 1001 NAT · #18 / 29 WI · POP 120,488
1YR FORECAST: +2.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
La Crosse County, Wisconsin, is defined by its dramatic topography, situated in the Driftless Region with towering bluffs overlooking the confluence of the Mississippi, Black, and La Crosse Rivers. The city of La Crosse, the county seat, is approximately two hours from both Minneapolis and Madison, with Interstate 90 providing direct access. This location offers a blend of small-town atmosphere with access to larger urban centers. Outdoor recreation is a major draw, with opportunities for hiking and biking on bluff trails, kayaking and fishing on the rivers, and even downhill and cross-country skiing in winter.
Life in La Crosse County offers a balance of natural beauty and community amenities. The public school systems are generally rated above average, with institutions like the School of Technology and Arts I, Eagle Bluff Elementary, and Prairie View Elementary receiving high marks. Commute times are manageable, and public transit options like the MTU and SMRT bus systems serve the area. The economy is anchored by its role as a regional hub for education, healthcare, and manufacturing, with institutions like the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, Mayo Clinic, and Gundersen Health System being significant employers. While the county has seen some job fluctuations, the healthcare and education sectors remain strong.
La Crosse County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +4.7% YoY, population +0.2%, wages +4.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.2x — 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 70/100, La Crosse County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.8%, and median household income stands at $73,013 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in WI.
Housing in La Crosse County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $257,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,059/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in La Crosse County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs +0.8%. Home values shifted +4.7% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.56% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests La Crosse County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.