Regional Growth Spurs Housing Push in Racine County and Southeast Wisconsin
Job Growth Drives Housing Demand
Major employers such as Amazon, Uline, Haribo, Microsoft, and Eli Lilly are expanding across Racine County and Southeast Wisconsin, creating thousands of new jobs. This rapid growth has put pressure on the housing market, prompting economic development leaders to focus on residential needs alongside traditional commercial development.
Racine County’s Response
At the Milwaukee Business Journal’s Racine/Kenosha Growth Summit on Oct. 22, RCEDC‘s Executive Director, Jenny Trick, noted that Racine County has added roughly 5,000 multifamily units since 2018. Still, demand continues to outpace supply—especially for more attainable single-family “starter homes.” Financing hurdles and large-lot zoning requirements remain barriers for developers looking to build smaller homes.
Regional Collaboration
The panel also included Rebecca Gries of the Milwaukee 7 (M7) and Nicole Ryf of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance (KABA). Together, they emphasized that economic development organizations across Southeast Wisconsin—from Walworth to Sheboygan counties—are increasingly collaborating to share strategies and replicate successful housing solutions. They also highlighted the need for strong partnerships with municipal leaders, as housing development often requires multiple layers of local approval.
Looking Ahead
With large-scale projects like Microsoft’s data center in Mount Pleasant moving forward, Racine County and Southeast Wisconsin are poised for continued economic momentum. Expanding diverse housing options will be essential to supporting workforce needs and sustaining long-term regional growth.