The story of this market
The typical home in Racine, Wisconsin sells for about $250,000, or $145 per square foot.
Prices are up +15% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 38 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,033 a month.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
+5.2%
WI · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
Racine, Wisconsin
The Racine housing market is currently experiencing competitive conditions with significant year-over-year price appreciation, driven by limited inventory and steady demand. While the city faces challenges related to aging infrastructure and socioeconomic disparities, its affordability relative to the broader region continues to attract interest from both families and investors. Market activity remains stable, reflecting a balanced outlook for the near term.
No ARED county foreclosure postings attributed to Racine yet — the verified ledger covers every county the foreclosure ingest has read, attributed by published city area. Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.
Deterministic aggregate of 5 researched ZIP reports — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
Median prices moved up 15.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 38 days on market with 0.9 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
2% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 78.26% of asking — demand is holding steady.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.1% · poverty 18.5% — a stable, low-distress profile.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this city — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
A premier Lake Michigan beach that serves as a major recreational anchor for the city, driving seasonal tourism and local property appeal.
A significant cultural institution in the downtown area that enhances the city's profile and provides a focal point for community engagement.
A large municipal park offering extensive green space and recreational facilities that support the quality of life for local residents.
Racine is well-suited for family buyers and first-time homeowners looking for affordability relative to the broader Milwaukee metro area, as well as commuters who value access to the I-94 corridor. The city also attracts investors drawn to the steady rental demand and potential for value-add opportunities in its historic housing stock.
The Racine Unified School District serves the city with a diverse range of public educational options, though performance ratings across the district vary significantly by campus. Many schools face challenges related to socioeconomic factors, leading to a mixed landscape of academic outcomes that often trail higher-performing suburban districts in the surrounding county.
The city is served by a network of local roads and is positioned near the I-94 highway corridor, which facilitates regional travel to Milwaukee and Chicago. Public transit options are primarily provided by local bus services, which connect key residential and commercial districts.
Racine offers a robust amenity base centered on its extensive Lake Michigan waterfront, which features North Beach, a nationally recognized public beach, and a well-developed harbor. The city is home to numerous parks, including the expansive Horlick Park, and provides residents with access to a variety of trails, golf courses, and cultural venues like the Racine Art Museum.
The rental market in Racine is characterized by high demand and relatively low vacancy rates, driven by a significant population of renters seeking affordable housing options. While rent growth has been steady, the market remains sensitive to the supply of new multi-family developments, with a notable presence of individual investors managing smaller rental properties.
Racine's economy is anchored by a mix of manufacturing, healthcare, and education sectors, with major employers providing a stable base for the local workforce. The city is actively working to leverage its proximity to major regional hubs to attract new business investment and diversify its industrial base.
Racine is currently navigating a transition from its industrial manufacturing roots toward a more diversified economy, supported by its strategic location between Milwaukee and Chicago. While large-scale corporate relocations have been sporadic, the city benefits from ongoing infrastructure investments and efforts to revitalize its downtown and lakefront districts.
Current planning efforts are focused on waterfront development and the adaptive reuse of historic industrial sites to support modern residential and commercial needs. These projects are intended to improve the city's tax base and enhance the overall urban environment.
Parcels in Racine are subject to the Racine Unified School District, which manages the majority of public education, alongside various municipal and county-level special districts for utility and flood control services.
Racine experiences crime rates that are generally higher than the Wisconsin state average, with property and violent crime metrics trending above those of smaller, more rural neighboring communities. Local law enforcement continues to focus on community-based policing initiatives to address these persistent regional disparities.
The city faces moderate environmental risks, primarily related to its Lake Michigan shoreline location, which necessitates ongoing attention to flood management and erosion control. Property insurance markets in the region remain stable, though premiums are sensitive to national trends in severe weather coverage and aging infrastructure.
Property insurance in Racine is influenced by the city's proximity to Lake Michigan, with premiums reflecting regional weather patterns and the age of the housing stock. Market health remains stable, though homeowners are encouraged to maintain adequate coverage for wind and water-related risks.
Property taxes in Racine are levied by the city, county, and the Racine Unified School District, with the city's effective rate reflecting the high cost of municipal services and public education funding. Wisconsin's tax structure includes a state-level income tax and a local sales tax, with property assessments conducted annually to determine the tax burden on residential parcels.
Researched annual trajectory for this city, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Data retrieved from Census Reporter and U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.