In this report, La Follette students investigate eviction patterns in Racine County, Wisconsin’s third-highest county for evictions.
Summary
This report examines eviction patterns in Racine County, Wisconsin, on behalf of Legal Action of Wisconsin. Racine County ranks third in Wisconsin for evictions, yet little literature exists on where evictions occur in the county and landlord practices in those areas. Using 2023 Racine County court data and U.S. Census tract information, the study identifies high-eviction areas and recurring landlords, as well as how demographic factors like race, age, and rent prices correlate with eviction rates. This report also includes courtroom observations and interviews with housing and law experts to contextualize its findings that evictions occur disproportionately in 15 census tracts, where landlords are less successful at removing tenants through filings but collect revenue through money judgments. The report recommends a series of actions, including the development of community-based eviction mediation resources and the collection and analysis of apartment complex property value data.
Information
- Course: Workshop in Public Affairs, PA 869, taught by Mary Michaud, Spring 2025
- Authors: Dorcas Donkoh, Benjamin Jaccard, Summer Mitchell, and Megan Westerman
- Client: Legal Action of Wisconsin