River Falls is a college town, a trout-stream town and, for a lot of our clients, the most complete small city on the Wisconsin side of the Twin Cities metro. It has a university, a river that runs through downtown, a well-regarded school district and a market that stays competitive. It also carries higher property taxes than its neighbors. Here is our honest guide to living in River Falls, WI.
The Setting
River Falls sits mostly in Pierce County, with part of the city in St. Croix County. The 2020 census counted 16,182 residents, and the 2025 estimate is about 17,900. The city is about 30 miles east of the center of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro. Wisconsin Highways 29, 35 and 65 serve the city. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is a major presence, and Chippewa Valley Technical College has a branch campus here.
Outdoors and Community
The Kinnickinnic River, a class one trout stream, runs through downtown and draws fly fishers and kayakers. Glen Park is a 41-acre park on the river bluffs, established in 1898, with a pool, playgrounds, trails and a swinging bridge over the South Fork rapids. Hoffman Park covers 53 acres with ball fields, a disc golf course, a skate park and the Tri-Angels Playground. Just outside town, Kinnickinnic State Park sits where the Kinnickinnic meets the St. Croix, with a sandy delta, a swimming area and quiet paddling.
River Falls Days, a weekend celebration with a parade, artisan marketplace and live music, is the signature community event, and The Falls Theater is the downtown movie house.
The River Falls Housing Market Right Now
The picture from Redfin is a little mixed, so here is how we read it. As of August 2026:
- Median sale price: $370,500, down 5.4% from a year earlier
From Redfin’s most recent detailed market page, which reports data through June 2026:
- Median days on market: 40, versus 45 a year earlier
- Sale-to-list ratio: 100.0%
- Homes selling above list price: 40.1%, up 3.9 points
- Homes with price drops: 15.2%
- Homes sold: 61 in June, up from 58
In plain English, River Falls remains one of the more competitive markets in our area: homes sell in about six weeks, they typically close at asking, and four in ten still go over list. The August median dipped, but with only a few dozen sales a month, the median bounces around with the mix of homes that sell, so a lower median does not mean you can expect a discount on a well-prepared home. Redfin’s competitiveness score is 74 out of 100.
Schools
The School District of River Falls has about 3,400 students. Niche gives it an A- overall and an A- for academics, with a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. On 2024-25 state tests, 49% of students were proficient in reading and 40% in math. Redfin lists GreatSchools ratings of 5 to 6 out of 10 for the elementary schools (Greenwood and Westside at 6, Rocky Branch at 5), so ratings differ from the district grade and we encourage families to tour schools and check attendance boundaries.
Taxes and Costs
River Falls is not a low-tax community. Ownwell lists a median effective rate of 2.02% and a median bill of $5,047 for River Falls on its Pierce County page, versus a Wisconsin median of 1.43%. The St. Croix County portion of the city shows 1.54% and $4,068 on its county page, so the rate depends on which side of the county line, and which school and municipal levy, applies to the home. We pull the actual tax bill on any property we show. Wisconsin’s advantage is more likely to show up in state income tax, where the 2026 top rate is 7.65% versus 9.85% in Minnesota, so run the combined numbers with a tax professional.
The Commute
River Falls is about 30 miles from the center of the metro, and Highways 29, 35 and 65 connect the city to the region. We recommend testing the drive at the time you would actually be commuting.
Is River Falls Right for You?
River Falls fits buyers who want a small city with a university, a river and a strong school district, and who accept paying more in property taxes and competing for homes. It suits families, remote workers and university-connected households. It is a less natural fit for buyers on a tight budget, anyone who needs a short commute into downtown Minneapolis, or those who prefer wide-open acreage and a quieter village feel.
Let’s Talk About Your Move
River Falls rewards preparation. We help buyers write competitive offers and help sellers price and present homes to capture the demand that is still here.
Thinking about River Falls? 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: median price as of August 2026, other metrics through June 2026; school data from Niche and GreatSchools; tax data from Ownwell; population from the 2020 census. Figures change monthly and are not a substitute for a current market analysis.
Explore More Communities We Serve
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