New Richmond is one of the larger and more self-sufficient communities on the Wisconsin side of the St. Croix Valley. With just over 10,000 residents, its own school district, a downtown with real events, and a market that is moving noticeably faster than a year ago, it draws buyers who want a full-service small city rather than a bedroom village. Here is our honest guide to living in New Richmond, WI.
The Setting
New Richmond sits in St. Croix County, where Wisconsin Highway 64 runs east-west and Highway 65 (Knowles Avenue) runs north-south. The 2020 census counted 10,079 residents. A dam on the Willow River sits near the town center, and the city is home to New Richmond Regional Airport, a large general aviation field north of downtown with more than 275 based aircraft. Northwood Technical College also has a campus here. The nearest commercial airport is Minneapolis-Saint Paul International.
Parks, Events and Community
The park system is a real selling point. Mary Park has a boat launch on a 20-acre lake, pickleball, basketball and tennis courts, and Will’s Playground, an all-abilities playground built by the community. Hatfield Park has a fishing pier, a free skatepark and ball fields, and Freedom Park offers athletic fields and sand volleyball along Hatfield Lake. The Doughboy Trail and John Doar History Trail add walking routes. Willow River State Park, with about 13 miles of trails and views of Willow Falls, is also in the area, according to the Visit New Richmond guide.
The event calendar is full for a city this size. Fun Fest takes over downtown East 3rd Street each July with live music, food vendors and a carnival, drawing thousands. The year also includes a St. Patrick’s Day parade, the Park Art Fair at Mary Park, Barrels and BlueGrass at 45th Parallel Distillery in late September, a downtown Trick or Treat on October 30 this year, and Hometown Holidays in early December. Check Visit New Richmond for current dates.
The New Richmond Housing Market Right Now
As of August 2026, Redfin reports for New Richmond:
- Median sale price: $389,900, up 13.0% from a year earlier
- Median days on market: 52, down 7 days from last year
- Sale-to-list ratio: 99.7%
- Homes selling above list price: 28.2%, down 6.0 points from last year
- Homes sold: 71, down 6.6% from last year
In plain English, prices are climbing quickly, but buyers are not in a bidding-war market. Homes are selling about a week faster than last year and almost at asking price, yet fewer than three in ten go over list, and the number of closings is slightly lower. A 13% jump in a city this size can also reflect which homes happened to sell, so we look at the trend over several months, plus the condition and price band of the specific home. Redfin rates the overall market as somewhat competitive.
Schools
New Richmond is served by the New Richmond School District, with about 3,500 students and a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Niche gives it an overall B+ and an A- for academics. On 2024-25 state tests, 45% of students were proficient in reading and 39% in math. Individual elementary schools vary: Redfin’s GreatSchools ratings show Paperjack Elementary at 9 out of 10, Starr Elementary at 6, and Hillside Elementary at 4. If schools drive your search, we recommend visiting and looking at attendance boundaries before choosing a neighborhood.
Taxes and Costs
Ownwell reports a median effective property tax rate of 1.38% in New Richmond and a median bill of $3,975, versus 1.40% for St. Croix County and a Wisconsin median of 1.43%. That is not a property tax bargain, and the bill on a newly purchased home may be higher than the median because it reflects assessed values. Where Wisconsin often comes out ahead is state income tax: the 2026 top rate is 7.65%, compared with 9.85% in Minnesota. We suggest checking your own situation, including reciprocity rules for Minnesota workers, with a tax professional.
The Commute
St. Paul is roughly 30 miles from New Richmond. Highways 64 and 65 are the main local routes, and the best way into the metro depends on where you work, so we recommend testing the drive at your actual commute hour before you commit.
Is New Richmond Right for You?
New Richmond fits families who want a real city with its own schools, parks and events, and buyers who prefer a small city to a bedroom village. It is a tougher fit for a daily commuter who needs a fast drive downtown, or for buyers who want the top school ratings in every attendance area. The recent price jump also means sellers’ expectations are rising.
Let’s Talk About Your Move
Whether you are comparing New Richmond with River Falls, Hudson or Somerset, we will pull real comparable sales and walk you through the trade-offs.
Thinking about New Richmond? Get in touch with the Carchedi Group to start the conversation, or find out what your current home is worth if a move is on the table.
Market data from Redfin as of August 2026; school data from Niche and GreatSchools; property tax data from Ownwell; population from the 2020 census. Figures change monthly and are not a substitute for a current market analysis.
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