SCEDC: Slow rebound continues for homebuilding in St.Croix County

Slow Rebound Continues for Homebuilding in St.
Croix County

October 10, 2017

From 2001-2004, St. Croix County builders recorded 4,745 one- and two-family home starts, including 1,230 at a high point in 2003, according to the Wisconsin Builders Association. Home starts in St. Croix dipped under 1,000 in 2005 with 952, resulting in a long, downward slide through 2009 when 123 starts were recorded. An upward trend began in 2010 with 132 one- and two-family starts. In 2016, there were 359 home starts in St. Croix, and through September, there were 294 starts in 2017.

Several factors impacting the decline include weakened growth and uncertainty as a result of attack of September 11, 2001, the Great Recession (December 2007-June 2009), the global financial crisis (2007-08) and subprime mortgage crisis (2007-09). The list may also include changing home buying patterns from consumers, changing demographics, and lack of home ownership interest from younger buyers.

Credit: Wisconsin Builders Association

1999: 701

2000: 774

2001: 1,089

2002: 1,219

2003: 1,230

2004: 1,207

2005: 952

2006: 483

2007: 373

2008: 226

2009: 123

2010: 132

2011: 131

2012: 182

2013: 234

2014: 225

2015: 286

2016: 359

2017: 294 (Jan-Sept)