Hudson
RANK #488 / 996 NAT · #28 / 29 WI · POP 93,752
1YR FORECAST: +1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
St. Croix County, Wisconsin, distinguishes itself with Hudson, its county seat, a town known for its riverfront charm and artistic community along the St. Croix River. Located on Wisconsin's western edge, the county is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, with Hudson just 13 miles from St. Paul. This proximity allows for a manageable commute, primarily via I-94, balancing a quieter community feel with access to urban amenities. The county's landscape features rolling hills, river valleys, and forests, offering extensive outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, fishing, and kayaking in places such as Willow River State Park and the St. Croix County Parks system.
Life in St. Croix County often appeals to families and young professionals, many of whom commute to jobs in the nearby Twin Cities. The public schools in the county are highly rated. The local economy, while historically rooted in agriculture, particularly dairy, has seen growth in sectors like manufacturing, construction, and technology. Recent economic developments include initiatives focused on workforce housing and training, addressing regional needs in advanced manufacturing skills.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.8x 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.
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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Ten Mile Creek Solar Project (Phase 1) with Battery Storage
Xcel Energy
|
$450M | Proposed |
|
Northern Prairie Solar
Northern Prairie Solar, LLC (Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC)
|
$101M | Under Construction |
|
Government Center Expansion and Renovation
St. Croix County
|
$80M | Under Construction |
|
St. Croix Valley Food Bank New Construction
St. Croix Valley Food Bank Inc.
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Bella Rose Planned Residential Development
N/A
|
$50M | Approved |
|
Park Place Village - North Planned Residential Development
N/A
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
St. Croix County scores 51/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#488). Median household income is $97,950 and job growth is running at +2.1%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in St. Croix County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $323,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,127/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
St. Croix County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.4% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.1% clip. Home values shifted +1.4% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.13% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests St. Croix County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.