It should come as no surprise to Saint Croix Valley residents that a mid-year report card was posted by a local know-it-all. Topics were randomly selected, bordering on arbitrary, making the grades equally arbitrary. Comments next to each grade offer praise or suggestions for improvement.
Unemployment
Unemployment rates are published every month for a variety of geographic areas. The U.S. rate for June was estimated at 4.2% (down from May’s 4.3%) while Wisconsin’s rate was 3.3% (down from 3.4% a month earlier). St. Croix’s rate was 3.5%, an increase from May’s rate of 3.0%. That’s a big jump. St. Croix ranks 46th among the 72 counties — Lafayette County’s 2.5% ranks the lowest for unemployment and Iron County ranks the highest at 4.9%. Wisconsin’s rank among the 50 states is 11th best, which is far better than Minnesota’s 33rd place ranking for its rate of 4.4%. The grade for Unemployment is “C+”
Workforce participation
As a frustrated Casey Stengel once asked his baseball players, “Can’t anybody here play this game?” The more appropriate question is, “Doesn’t anybody here work?” The participation rate measures the percentage of the working age population who are either employed or actively looking for work. Line up 100 working age people and the participation rate should be 85%, right? Nope, it’s more like 64.5% in Wisconsin and a dismal 61.5% in the U.S. These percentages continue to decline while business and industry scream for workers. The grade for labor force participation is a lowly “D.” We can do better.
Sales tax revenue
St. Croix County has collected an extra half-cent tax since April 1987 and it represents a reliable source of revenue to fund capital improvements using cash. For the first six months of this year, St. Croix received roughly $6.35 million compared to around $5.98 million over the same period in 2025. Last year the county collected a record $13.31 million in sales taxes. A new record for 2026 is forecast by the know-it-all. The grade for sales tax revenue is an “A” and consumers are urged to keep spending. Back-to-school, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday shopping are approaching.
On affordability
The Wisconsin Realtors Association (WRA) is one of many sources for tracking home sales by county, which leads to median prices. A month’s worth of data may be an outlier, but six or 12 months yield trends. WRA’s stats show 445 sales in St. Croix from January to June of 2026 for a year-to-date median sale price of $412,000. That’s a 7.7% increase over 2025’s first six months. St. Croix’s median price does not lead the state. Ozaukee County’s $513,245 from 572 sales is the midyear leader.
WRA also publishes an Affordability Index. The Index for June was 118 compared to 120 for June 2025, meaning the Index was down -1.7% from a year ago, making home purchases less affordable in relative terms.
And the grade? How about a “B” in this category? The market is active and sales are occurring. Buyers (consumers) can’t expect prices to decline. Save your money for a downpayment and sign a purchase agreement to get in the game. Renting does not build equity. Affordability in the Saint Croix Valley has been discussed for several decades without definitive action.
Land use issues past and present
In the early 2000’s sand fracking in west central Wisconsin burst onto the scene. Mining companies sought permits to extract a unique type of sand to supply oil fields in North Dakota and elsewhere with a critical resource to increase production. St. Croix County successfully addressed zoning voids and over time fracking demands subsided.
Dairy production is a key contributor to the regional economy. But what do you do with millions of gallons of waste (a kind word for manure)? Several international companies attempted to introduce anaerobic digesters as a solution. Zoning ordinances were revised again, and while the need to address manure waste continues, no digesters or other solutions have not been permitted.
Solar projects arrived on the scene in St. Croix County a few years ago. At least one project was approved by the county’s Board of Adjustment in 2021 and a second gained approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) in 2023. None of the larger scale projects have been built, however. An application for a new solar project will likely be filed with the PSC within months, causing heartburn and indigestion for St. Croix officials. The county found itself $35,000 to $45,000 lighter from outside legal fees in attempting to negotiate an optional joint development agreement that was eventually scuttled. Meanwhile, the zoning ordinance was revised to better regulate solar projects. Stay tuned for the next move.
Data centers are the latest land use issue in front of the county. Guess what? More amendments to the zoning regulations are in the works and perhaps a moratorium will give zoning staff a little breathing room.
The grade for local land use challenges addressed by the county is a “B-” due to reactive (as opposed to proactive) responses. The next land use controversy could be that tiny iceberg out on the horizon.
Just like in real life with ups and downs, the report card looks pretty good. Challenges are ahead and so is the balance of summer. Class is dismissed.
Bill Rubin is a 30-year resident of the Hudson area and might be a little bit of a know-it-all