The total population of the St. Croix River Valley counties fall into three groups – Washington County is, by far, the most populous; Pierce, Polk, St. Croix and Chisago fall into a middle group with between 40,000 and 90,000 people; Burnett County is, by far, the least populous.
Minnesota and its St. Croix River Valley counties have tended to have faster population growth since 2010; for perspective, the U.S. population grew by 6% between 2010 and 2019.
Wisconsin, with a population of 5.79 million according to the U.S. Census, has grown at half the rate of Minnesota with its slightly smaller population (5.56 million).
Pierce and St. Croix counties have grown relatively rapidly because of their proximity to the Twin Cities – 38% of Pierce County workers and 41% of St. Croix County residents are employed in another state.
The negative rate of population change in Polk and Burnett counties is concerning.