1st Advantage MortgageThe median St. Croix County household earns $103,046, and 7% of residents live below the poverty line. County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving St. Croix County, and confirm each one's Wisconsin license.
On this page
- A quick profile of St. Croix County
- St. Croix County industries and commutes
- Household income in St. Croix County
- How St. Croix County ranks in Wisconsin
- Homes and rents, St. Croix County
- Towns and communities in St. Croix County
- Counties near St. Croix County
- Budget math at the St. Croix County median
- Before borrowing in St. Croix County
- St. Croix County demographics against Wisconsin
- Checklist for St. Croix County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Wisconsin
- More guides for St. Croix County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of St. Croix County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts St. Croix County's population at 96,033; only 16 of Wisconsin's 72 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 722 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 133 per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metropolitan area. Hudson is the biggest of its 14 Census places, at roughly 14,959 people (16% of the county total).
St. Croix County industries and commutes
Education and health care (23%), manufacturing (17%) and retail trade (10%) lead St. Croix County's job mix. 2.6% of St. Croix County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 27% of St. Croix County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 19% need 45 or more. Only 3.3% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | St. Croix County | Compared with Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.8% | -0.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.1% | -0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.2% | -0.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.7% | -0.8 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.9% | -0.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Household income in St. Croix County
At $103,046, the typical St. Croix County household income is 57% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 2nd among Wisconsin's 72 county-level areas.
| Band | St. Croix County | Compared with Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 13.0% | -7.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.3% | -6.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 36.3% | +7.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 15.4% | +6.2 pts |
On the low end, 13% of St. Croix County households report under $35,000; at the top, 52% report $100,000-plus. Census counts 6.6% of St. Croix County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Wisconsin. St. Croix County scores 0.409 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. None of these numbers decides a St. Croix County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
How St. Croix County ranks in Wisconsin
Ranked against the other 71 county-level areas in Wisconsin, these are the St. Croix County figures furthest from the middle.
- The share of households earning $100,000 or more: 52% in St. Croix County. Only 1 of 72 Wisconsin counties are higher. Big incomes invite big loans; borrow only what you need.
- On median household income, St. Croix County sits near the top of Wisconsin at $103,046, 2nd highest of 72. A high county median can hide a wide spread, so budget from your own pay.
- Median gross rent: $1,271/mo in St. Croix County. Only 2 of 72 Wisconsin counties are higher. High rent is the first thing a lender's ratio will see.
Homes and rents, St. Croix County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,271 in St. Croix County versus $1,087 statewide. By the Census definition, 34% of St. Croix County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $377,700, or 3.7 years of median income. 78% of St. Croix County households own their home and 22% rent. The median year built is 1993. Against the median U.S. county, St. Croix County rent is 45% above.
| Cost | St. Croix County | Wisconsin figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,271/mo | $1,087/mo | 17% higher |
| Median home value | $377,700 | $266,500 | 42% higher |
| Owners | 78% | 68% | +10.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 34% | 44% | -9.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | +0.2 pts |
| Vacant units | 4% | 11% | -7.1 pts |
In an owner-heavy county like St. Croix County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Towns and communities in St. Croix County
Places, by size: the top 14 of 14. Roughly 53% of St. Croix County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $72,917 in Glenwood City to $122,647 in North Hudson. Median rent ranges from $944 in Hammond to $1,628 in Roberts. Hudson and every other St. Croix County community use this county guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson | city | 14,959 | $93,937 | $1,359 | 15 mi |
| New Richmond | city | 10,539 | $88,157 | $1,168 | 8 mi |
| Baldwin | village | 4,342 | $77,179 | $1,154 | 6 mi |
| North Hudson | village | 3,819 | $122,647 | $1,506 | 15 mi |
| Somerset | village | 3,208 | $80,395 | $1,191 | 13 mi |
| Hammond | village | 1,960 | $82,721 | $944 | 4 mi |
| Roberts | village | 1,858 | $93,400 | $1,628 | 6 mi |
| Woodville | village | 1,424 | $80,104 | $1,068 | 10 mi |
| Glenwood City | city | 1,260 | $72,917 | $1,305 | 14 mi |
| Star Prairie | village | 674 | $77,188 | $1,047 | 12 mi |
| Houlton | CDP | 240 | $113,345 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Deer Park | village | 223 | $66,875 | $694 | 11 mi |
| Wilson | village | 200 | $88,750 | $1,667 | 14 mi |
| Emerald | CDP | 191 | $84,500 | n/a | 10 mi |
Counties near St. Croix County
Pierce County is closest, 21 miles from center to center; the sixth, Dakota County, is 39 miles off. St. Croix County's $103,046 median trails 2 of the six and beats 4; the range runs $74,824 (Dunn County) to $115,345 (Washington County). The list crosses into Minnesota, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Croix County | - | $103,046 | $1,271/mo | 78% |
| Pierce County, WI | 21 mi | $92,109 | $1,044/mo | 75% |
| Washington County, MN | 22 mi | $115,345 | $1,710/mo | 81% |
| Dunn County, WI | 27 mi | $74,824 | $985/mo | 67% |
| Polk County, WI | 30 mi | $77,219 | $957/mo | 81% |
| Ramsey County, MN | 32 mi | $81,568 | $1,329/mo | 61% |
| Dakota County, MN | 39 mi | $106,318 | $1,548/mo | 75% |
Budget math at the St. Croix County median
DTI math using St. Croix County medians ($103,046 income, $1,271 rent):
- $103,046 a year is $8,587 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $1,271, which is 15% of it
- Under a 36% cap, $3,091 total minus rent leaves $1,820
If your rent is above $1,271, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before borrowing in St. Croix County
Where the St. Croix County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Car trouble. For St. Croix County drivers (19% with 45-minute-plus trips), price the repair against the car's value first.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 52% of St. Croix County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
St. Croix County demographics against Wisconsin
Bachelor's degree or higher: 39% of St. Croix County adults. 4.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | St. Croix County | Gap to Wisconsin | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 39.5% | +6.1 pts | +17.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 6.6% | -4.0 pts | -6.6 pts |
| Work from home | 16.5% | +3.4 pts | +7.8 pts |
| No high school diploma | 3.1% | -3.3 pts | n/a |
| No vehicle | 3.3% | -3.1 pts | -2.2 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.1% | -1.2 pts | -3.8 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | -0.7 pts | -1.8 pts |
| Median age | 40.4 | +0.2 yrs | -1.1 yrs |
| Minutes to work | St. Croix County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.5% |
| 60+ min | 7.2% |
Checklist for St. Croix County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Wisconsin license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Checking a lender's license in Wisconsin
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with St. Croix County borrowers answers to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. If a St. Croix County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. State-level detail for St. Croix County borrowers is in the Wisconsin guide.
More guides for St. Croix County
For statewide rules and data, see the Wisconsin guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is $103,046 a good income in St. Croix County?
It is the county median, so half of St. Croix County households earn more and half less; 52% earn $100,000 or more.
Can a St. Croix County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $1,271 median rent and $8,587 median monthly income, rent alone uses 15%; add other debts before a new payment.
I own my home in St. Croix County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 78% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
How many towns are in St. Croix County?
The Census Bureau counts 14 places mainly in the county, led by Hudson, New Richmond, Baldwin, North Hudson, Somerset.
Can St. Croix County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Wisconsin county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.