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St. Croix EDC presents housing study preview: population growth, affordability gaps flagged
Summary
Melissa Meschke of the St. Croix County Economic Development Corporation reported preliminary housing-study findings that show population growth and rising home prices, and said the county will receive a completed housing study in June with community roadshow events planned.
Melissa Meschke, executive director of the St. Croix County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), presented the EDC's annual update and previewed preliminary findings from a countywide housing study.
Meschke said the EDC is focusing on housing, workforce attraction and retention, business retention and childcare; the EDC currently receives roughly 40% of its funding from the county and supplements that with memberships and sponsorships. She said the EDC had 129 members and posted 6.7% revenue growth in 2024.
On housing, Meschke said Wisconsin projections estimate a county population increase of about 10% between 2020 and 2050 and that household sizes are shrinking — a pattern that increases demand for housing units. She presented preliminary figures showing a marked run-up in median home sale price in the county and said Census estimates indicate about 19% of homeowners and 36% of renters are housing cost‑burdened (paying more than 30% of income for housing). The EDC expects to complete its housing study in June and will hold a multi-community 'roadshow' to present findings and gather public comment.
Supervisors asked about defining "affordable" for local contexts and whether marketing or incentives could attract employers across the state border; Meschke said housing constraints and the absence of shovel‑ready large parcels were the biggest limitations for business recruitment.
The committee thanked the EDC and requested to be alerted when the housing study is ready for roll-out and community roadshows.
