City of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin

Gateway to the St. Croix Valley

Demographics

Western Wisconsin has experienced one of the fastest growth rates in the state over the last 20 years. As a result, the City of St. Croix Falls has grown rapidly and continues to experience a rapid increase in population. Much of the growth is attributed to the close proximity of the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropaolitan area along with being one of four major accesses into Wisconsin from Minnesota across the U.S. Highway 8 bridge. due to the effects of the glacial period, many lakes and streams exist in Northwest Wisconsin. These water bodies provide recreational opportunities and weekend retreats for residents of the metropolitan areas. A large amount of the economic growth and traffic is attributed to these factors as residents of the metropolitan area discover the short commute and quality of life are more appealing than living in a heavily congested area.

The Wisconsin DOT is in the process of making upgrades to US highway 8 to improve access and traffic flow into Wisconsin. These upgrades will also increase opportunities for development along the Highway 8 corridor and provide added incentive for people to relocate and commute from the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area.

According to census data, the population of St. Croix Falls was 1,497 in 1980, 1,640 in 1990, and 2,033 in 2000. Between 1990 and 2000, the City of St. Croix Falls grew 24%. Please see charts and graphs below.

Population Growth and Estimates

Historical Census Data with Projections
Year 24% 30%
1950 1065 1065
1960 1249 1249
1970 1425 1425
1980 1497 1497
1990 1640 1640
2000 2033 2033
2005 2277 2338
2010 2521 2643
2015 2823 3039
2020 3126 3436

Population and Flow Projections - City of St. Croix Falls, WI

The City of St. Croix Falls is located along the western edge of Polk county, in northwest Wisconsin. The cCity is approximately 40 miles northeast of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and 45 miles west of Rice Lake, WI. The City is served by State highways 35, 87and US highway 8 - which is the east-west route between Minnesota and Wisconsin, connecting northern counties of Wisconsin to the St. Paul-Minneapolis metropolitan area.

The area is very scenic and provides a number of recreational opportunities for weekend and vacation tourists. The City of St. Croix Falls is bordered on the west by the historic St. Croix River, which as been designated as a National Scenic Riverway. Many lakes, rivers, and streams provide fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities in the near vicinity. The City itself is situated in a rural environment dominated by high bluffs along the scenic St. Croix River.

The topography is irrelegular and suppots numerous lakes, rock outcroppings, and depressions created by glacial lobes. The area is drained via the St. Croix River. The river flows in a southerly direction, creating the western edge of the City and serving as the boundary between Minnesota and Wisconsin. The rough topography contributes to the scenic reatures, but presents a physical challenge to new deleopment.

Medical Facilities

St. Croix Falls Corporate Limits
Residential 1,066 acres 48%
Commercial 286 acres 13%
Industrial 217 acres 10%
Agricultural 418 acres 19%
Conservancy 143 acres 6%
Recreational 102 acres 4%
Total 2,232 acres
Summary of in-patient health care facilities in St. Croix Falls-WI
Name of Facility Type of Facility Number of Beds
St. Croix Falls Regional Medical Center Hospital 74
St. Croix Valley Good Samaritan Nursing Home 95

Building Permits

Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
New Single Family Homes
Permits Issued 6 10 6 5 6
Valuation $780,000 $1,334,241 $753,241 $776,978 $913,017
New Multiple Family Buildings
Permits Issued 6 32 8 4 6
Valuation $2,304,000 $1,836,00 $729,376 $643,300 $882,880
New Commerical/Industrial
Permits Issued 3 4 5 3 1
Valuation $948,600 $4,775,197 $2,441,200 $904,712 $6,700,000
Totals
Total Permits Issued 39 59 47 62 52
Valuation $4,867,236 $8,520,226 $3,676,017 $2,982,523 $10,092,400

Financial Institutions within the City

  • Eagle Valley Bank, National Association
  • Mutual Savings Bank (Branch of Milwaukee)
  • The River Bank (Branch of Osceola)
  • S&C Bank (Branch of New Richmond)

Source: American Financial Directory

Education

The Schnool district of St. Croix Falls provides education for 1,093 students in grades K through 12. the District, with a total of 143 employees, owns and operates 3 schools, 2 of which are located in the City of St. Croix Falls.

US Census data

Population Trend: City of St. Croix Falls
1990 US Census 1,640
2000 US Census 2,033
2002 Population Estimate 2,054
Percent of Change 1990 - 2000 +23.96%

Income and Age Statistics

City of St. Croix Falls Polk County State of Wisconsin
1999 per capita income $21,384 $19,129 $21,271
1999 median household income $39,350 $41,183 $43,791
1999 median family income $54,063 $48,538 $52,911
2000 median gross rent $425 $440 $540
2000 Median value owner occupied housing $108,400 $100,200 $112,200
2000 Median age 40.7 yrs 38.7 yrs 36.0 yrs

Housing Statistics, City of St. Croix Falls, WI

1990 2000 %Change
All Housing Units 735 926 25.99%
Source: 1990 & 2000 Census of Population and Housing

Employment/Unemployment Data

Average Employment Average Unemployment
Year Polk County Polk County State of Wisconsin
1998 21,480 4.1% 3.4%
1999 20,830 3.6% 3.0%
2000 21,474 3.7% 3.5%
2001 21,773 6.0% 4.8%
2002 July 22,572 5.2% 4.7%