Isanti among fastest growing U.S. counties

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Isanti, Scott and Sherburne counties were among the fastest-growing counties in the United States last year in terms of the number of new housing units, according to a report by the Census Bureau.

The number of housing units in Isanti County rose 6.1 percent with 745 new units from July 2001 to July 2002, putting the northern metro-area county 13th among the nation's fastest-growing counties.

Scott County posted a 5.5 percent increase to rank 27th, and Sherburne County had a 4.5 percent increase to place 46th.

No other Minnesota counties were among the top 100, but St. Croix County just across the border in Wisconsin ranked 28th.

Nationwide, the number of housing units increased 1.3 percent to 119.3 million during the period, the report said. The data is based on building permit data for all types of housing.

In Isanti County, most of the growth is on the edge of the city of Isanti and in Cambridge, where relatively low land prices and affordable housing is the big draw, said County Assessor Curt Becker. Additional jobs at new Target, Menards and Wal-Mart stores also are contributing to the growth, he said.