RANK #86 / 1001 NAT · #4 / 29 WI · POP 197,532
1YR FORECAST: +2.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +37%
Racine County, Wisconsin, is known for its distinctive Danish kringle pastry and the historic Wind Point Lighthouse, which offers public climbs. The county is situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, roughly 30 minutes south of Milwaukee and less than an hour north of Chicago, making it a commuter-friendly location. Its communities range from the urban feel of the city of Racine to the rural landscapes of towns like Caledonia and Union Grove. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for kayaking and canoeing on the Root and Fox Rivers, extensive biking and hiking trails, and Lake Michigan beaches.
Life in Racine County offers a blend of community types, attracting families and professionals. Public schools in the county are generally above average. Commute times average around 24 minutes, with many residents driving alone to work, though public bus services and Amtrak connections to Milwaukee and Chicago are available. The economy is experiencing growth, particularly in new construction, with Racine County leading the state in 2024. Major investments are flowing into commercial and residential developments, data centers, and advanced manufacturing, contributing to job creation and a changing economic landscape.
Racine County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.5% matches the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.1x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Microsoft Data Center Campus (Mount Pleasant)
Microsoft
|
$7,300M | Under Construction |
|
Microsoft Project Nova Data Center (Caledonia)
Microsoft
|
$4,000M | Proposed |
|
Paris Solar Farm
Wisconsin Electric Power Co.
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Regency Mall Redevelopment
|
$120M | Under Construction |
|
Lincoln-King Community Center
|
$68M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Racine County ranks #86 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 91/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 0.7% year-over-year). Median household income here is $78,096.
Housing in Racine County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $251,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $1,080/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Racine County are both close to flat — population +0.3% YoY and jobs -0.7%. Home values shifted +4.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.07% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Racine County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.