Page 74 - 2015 Compass Now

Another lead indicator of the economy in a community is the number of building permits issued because
new residential housing construction and renovations often lead to additional types of economic growth.
Locally, the Great Rivers Region has remained stable in the number of permits issued since 2009. Figure 3
shows this information.

Figure 3: Number of New Building Permits

300 La Crosse Monroe Trempealeau Vernon Houston
250 28
200 234 102 75 61 33
150 21
100 223 97 76 63 34
28
50 240 116 51 44
0
255 90 54 52
2009
2010 278 101 65 50
2011
2012
2013

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2009-2013 5-Year American Community Survey

Table 3 shows the median home and rental values for our area. Home and rental values are often used as
measurements to help indicate how the general economy is fairing. The Great Rivers Region is trending
similarly to Wisconsin and Minnesota (62.9% increase), with a 60.1% increase in median home value
between 2000 and 2012.

Table 3: Median Home and Rent Values

County/Region 2000 Home Values 2012 Home Values % Change Rent/Month

La Crosse $94,400 $153,600 +61.5% $726

Monroe $79,300 $134,400 +59.0% $743

INCOME/ECONOMIC Trempealeau $81,200 $133,300 +60.9% $618

Vernon $79,300 $136,800 +58.0% $615

Houston $92,600 $151,100 +61.3% $585

Wisconsin $109,900 $169,000 +65.0% $759

Minnesota $118,100 $194,300 +60.8% $819

Source: 2000 U.S. Census, Summary File 3; 2010 U.S. Census Summary File 1;

2008-2012 U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS),

U.S. Census Bureau 2009-2013 5-Year American Community Survey

66 COMPASS NOW 2015