The St. Croix County, Wisconsin housing market has opened 2026 with a mix of strength, selectivity, and opportunity. Countywide, Redfin reported that the median sale price in February 2026 was about $426,250, up 17.2% year over year, while homes took about 84 days to sell on average, compared with 69 days a year earlier. At the same time, 74 homes sold in February, up from 58 the year before. That combination tells an important story: prices have held strong, but buyers are taking longer to make decisions and are becoming more price-sensitive.
Zooming out to Wisconsin, the broader market is showing a similar pattern. The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association reported that statewide existing-home sales were down 3.9% year over year in January 2026, then down 1.2% year over year in February 2026, even as median prices rose to $315,000 in both months. Inventory improved in February, but Wisconsin still had just 3.1 months of supply, which remains well below the six-month level usually associated with a balanced market. In other words, buyers have a bit more breathing room than they did before, but sellers still have the edge in many areas.
One of the biggest reasons the market has stayed active is that mortgage rates started the year lower than they were a year ago, even though they have moved back up recently. Wisconsin REALTORS® noted the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.10% in January 2026 and 6.05% in February 2026, helping affordability improve from last year. But by April 2, 2026, Freddie Mac’s weekly survey showed the average 30-year fixed rate had risen to 6.46%. That matters because the spring market was gaining momentum, and higher borrowing costs can quickly cool buyer urgency, especially in price-sensitive segments.
So how is St. Croix County doing since the beginning of the year? The short answer is: better on pricing than on speed. Prices are up meaningfully at the county level, but properties are not flying off the shelf the way they did in the ultra-frenzied years. That is creating a more normal market where pricing strategy, condition, and location matter more again. Sellers can still do very well, but homes that overshoot the market are more likely to sit. Buyers are still active, but they are more analytical than they were when rates were below 4%.
Which St. Croix County cities appear to offer the best return potential?
When people ask which cities are seeing the best return on investment, it is important to be careful with the term ROI. For owner-occupants, the best practical proxy is usually a mix of recent appreciation, relative affordability, and market liquidity. For investors, rent levels and operating costs matter too. Using recent Redfin city snapshots as a rough indicator, Roberts and New Richmond stand out for recent appreciation, while Baldwin also looks strong because of price growth paired with a competitive market and a still-attainable price point.
Roberts posted one of the strongest recent numbers in the county, with a median sale price of $380,000, up 15.6% year over year, and a median sale price per square foot up 21.5%. That is notable because it suggests buyers are willing to pay more not just overall, but on a per-foot basis as well. Roberts also benefits from its convenient location near Interstate 94, which supports commuter demand.
New Richmond also looks compelling, with a median sale price of $355,000, up 14.5% year over year. It remains only somewhat competitive, which can actually be a positive for buyers who want upside without facing the same level of bidding pressure seen in the hottest submarkets. The city also actively markets its excellent schools, natural beauty, and business growth, all of which help support long-term demand.
Baldwin is another city worth watching. Its median sale price was $365,000, up 9.4% year over year, and Redfin rates it as very competitive, with homes selling in about 43 days. Baldwin’s appeal comes from relative affordability combined with strong access: the village is about 30 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul and just one mile north of Interstate 94. That commute advantage is a major reason Baldwin continues to attract attention from buyers who want more house for the money.
Hudson remains one of the county’s most desirable markets, but it is a little harder to call it the best near-term ROI play based on recent Redfin pricing. Redfin shows Hudson’s median sale price at $340,000, down 27.6% year over year, though the market is still rated very competitive and homes sell in about 48 days. That does not necessarily mean Hudson is weak. It can also reflect a changing mix of homes sold from one year to the next. Hudson’s long-term appeal remains strong because of its river town setting, business base, and direct I-94 corridor access.
River Falls is in a similar category: highly appealing, but more mixed in the short-term numbers. Redfin shows a median sale price of about $360,000, down 4.0% year over year, with homes taking about 66 days to sell. Even so, River Falls has durable demand drivers that many small cities do not have, including the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, the Kinnickinnic River, and strong outdoor recreation amenities. That makes it a market many buyers continue to choose for lifestyle reasons, even when appreciation is not leading the county in a given month.
Somerset and Hammond showed softer recent pricing in Redfin’s latest snapshot, with Somerset down 19.8% year over year and Hammond down 6.4%. That does not automatically make them poor choices. In some cases, softer pricing can create better entry points for buyers who want long-term upside. But based strictly on recent momentum, they are not leading the county right now.
Why are people moving to certain St. Croix County locations?
The biggest reason is still the same one that has driven so much western Wisconsin growth for years: people want a better balance of space, lifestyle, and access to the Twin Cities. Wisconsin’s Department of Administration estimated St. Croix County’s population at 100,028 as of January 1, 2025, up 6,492 people from 2020, or roughly 6.94%. USAFacts also shows the county population grew 13.1% from 2014 to 2024. That is not a small shift. It shows that buyers and households keep choosing this county in meaningful numbers.
For Hudson, the draw is obvious: proximity to the Twin Cities, a strong business corridor, river-town character, and a well-established sense of place. The city highlights growth along the St. Croix River, the I-94 corridor, and expanding industrial areas, while regional highway improvements continue to support access. For many buyers, Hudson feels like the closest western Wisconsin option that still delivers a destination-style downtown and strong commuter convenience.
For River Falls, lifestyle is a huge factor. The city is home to the Kinnickinnic River, which River Falls describes as a popular recreation and natural area, and the area is also anchored by UW–River Falls. That gives the city a combination of college-town energy, outdoor access, and local services that appeals to both owner-occupants and longer-term investors.
For New Richmond, families are often drawn by the city’s strong community identity, schools, businesses, and continued development efforts. The city specifically points to natural beauty, excellent schools, and collaboration-focused economic development. That combination tends to attract households looking for value and a community that still feels like it has room to grow.
For Baldwin and nearby communities, the biggest pull is value plus location. Buyers can often find more home, more land, or a newer property for less than they would pay closer to the metro core, while still keeping workable access to Interstate 94. That formula continues to be attractive, especially for buyers relocating east from the Twin Cities.
What do the experts think will happen next?
Nationally, most major housing economists entered 2026 expecting a gradual improvement rather than a dramatic boom. The National Association of REALTORS® said it expects mortgage rates to be lower on average in 2026 and has forecast roughly 2% home price growth nationally, along with a stronger sales environment. In a separate forecast, NAR said existing-home sales could rise by 14% in 2026 if the expected recovery unfolds. Fannie Mae’s March 2026 housing forecast also projected mortgage rates easing later in the year, with outside coverage summarizing its expectation for rates to move toward the high-5% range by late 2026.
That said, the market has already shown that forecasts can change quickly. Freddie Mac reported the 30-year fixed rate had climbed back to 6.46% by April 2, 2026, and MBA reported mortgage applications fell sharply at the start of April. That means the broad expert view is still “better than 2024 or 2025, but not easy.” If rates ease later this year, demand could strengthen. If they stay in the mid-6% range or move higher, buyers will likely stay cautious and pricing will matter even more.
What this means for St. Croix County sellers and buyers
For sellers in St. Croix County, 2026 is still a good market, but not a careless one. Strong pricing is possible, especially in places like Roberts, New Richmond, and Baldwin, but presentation and pricing discipline matter much more than they did in the peak frenzy years. For buyers, this market is more workable than it was when inventory was tighter and bidding wars were constant, but affordability is still sensitive to mortgage-rate swings.
The bottom line is that St. Croix County is still one of western Wisconsin’s most compelling housing markets. The county continues to benefit from population growth, metro access, lifestyle appeal, and a range of city options that attract different kinds of buyers. If 2026 continues on its current path, expect a market that remains active, but more selective: strong homes in strong locations should continue to perform well, while overpriced listings may take longer to find the right buyer.
National Association of Realtors 2026 Outlook
Wisconsin Realtor Association Home Sale Report
