$752,239Average Value$311Average Price per Sq Ft6Homes For Sale
Farmland turned popular vacation spot
Despite being only 15 miles east of the bustling state capital and not much farther from Minneapolis, Afton is a Minnesota neighborhood that’s about half farmland, half woodland and 100% rural charm. With miles of St. Croix River shoreline, a 1,600-acre state park and a popular ski resort, it’s easy to see why city folk love spending their summer and winter vacations in Afton — and why about 3,000 Minnesotans have settled here full-time. “We get a lot of visitors from Saint Paul and Minneapolis in Afton, a lot of boaters — Afton is a big boater community,” says Rebecca Nickerson of the Afton Area Business Association. “It’s a fairly quiet life with a lot of nature nearby.”
Afton Marina is the gateway to the Lake St. Croix, as well as the majestic Mississippi.
Afton Alps has 5 chalets and winter season runs mid-November through mid-March.
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Diverse housing stock and prices to boot
Whether homebuyers settle near Afton’s small downtown strip along the river, amid the forests covering the city's eastern section or on a plot of farmland in the west, there’s a bevy of unique homes to choose from. Downtown Afton is studded with several historic farmhouses — some dating back to the 1850s — within easy walking distance of two marinas and other nearby businesses. Heading west away from the river, large, wood cabins with modern flair and more recently built Craftsman mansions can be found. Smaller, older Afton homes typically list between $300,000 and $600,000, while the neighborhood’s largest properties with over 5,000 square feet set on a dozen or more acres can stretch past the $2 million mark.
Large craftsman homes can be found on the western side of Afton.
Afton offers historic farmhouses near the downtown strip, some of which date back to the 1850s.
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Skiing, hiking, canoeing, oh my!
Living in Afton means being right down the road from several of eastern Minnesota’s most coveted nature escapes. Afton State Park is a true year-round park, with direct access to the St. Croix River for swimming and canoeing during the warmer months, 28 backpacking sites, over 20 miles of trails and 18 miles of cross-country ski trails. Its slopes are also known for the occasional celebrity sighting or two. “We have Jessie Diggins, the Olympic gold medalist from here,” Nickerson says. “I just saw her training here last week.” However, if locals rather hit the slopes in a more traditional ski resort setting, Afton Alps offers 300 acres and 50 trails of snowy fun.
Afton Alps in has a total of 36 trails with 17 chairlifts.
Afton State Park is dog friendly, enjoy your next hike with man's best friend.
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Downtown eats and groceries across the border
After a long day of outdoor excursions, downtown Afton is a local’s go-to to explore locally owned shops and eateries. Even the biggest appetite is appeased at The Lumberyard Pub, which serves classic American fare alongside a sizeable beer and spirit list. Just down the strip, Swirl boasts an ever-changing selection of wines and hosts a popular wine club that lets members taste new concoctions before they hit the shelves. For a sweet treat to cap off the day, residents hit Selma’s Ice Cream Parlour, Minnesota's oldest ice cream shop. Nickerson, who owns Selma’s, recommends a scoop of Zanzibar ice cream. Grocery shopping can be quite the adventure for natives, as the closest markets are 7 miles away across the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. However, getting to stores like Walmart, Aldi and County Market is a breeze with Interstate 94. If shoppers prefer to stay in the state, Jerry’s Foods is about 9 miles west of Afton.
Afton residents flock to The Current when Surf and Turf is on the menu.
Many Afton residents head to Jerry's Foods to get their fresh produce.
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Top-ranking schools and real-world skills
Stillwater Area Public Schools serves most of Afton; elementary-age students can begin their education at Afton-Lakeland Elementary School. It earns a B from Niche and runs programs that focus on building real-world skills, like teaching coding, problem-solving and math skills through LEGO robotics. Students can move on to Oak-Land Middle School, which earns a B-plus from Niche, followed by Stillwater Area High School. This massive school of over 2,600 students features a range of creative extracurriculars, including award-winning student journalism outlets and high-ranking music programs. It earns an A-minus rating from Niche and is ranked the fourth-best public high school in Washington County.
Afton-Lakeland Elementary School sits near the banks of the St. Croix River.
Stillwater Area High School serves the Afton, MN residents.
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Cars get commuters to Saint Paul
Resort-style yet rural living means that commuters are car-dependent. Public transportation is not readily available within the neighborhood, and amenities are typically farther away. However, professionals who work in Saint Paul are never more than a 30-minute drive from the city — even if they live in Afton’s farthest reaches — due to the area’s proximity to I-94. When locals need to travel especially far, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is about 25 miles to the west.
Downtown Afton invites you for a superior shopping, restaurant and entertainment experiences.
Almost half of Afton is devoted to scenic farmland.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cheryl Larson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Afton State Park
Camping
Picnic Area
Multi-Purpose Field
Steamboat Park
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Cully Park
Humphries Park
Petit Park
Valley Creek Park
Town Square Park
Transit
Airport
Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain
39 min drive
Reviews
Niche Reviews
4.05 Reviews
4.0Current Resident
3/29/2017Niche Review
I grew up in Afton and loved being surrounded by open spaces and forests. Having this beautiful and safe area to bike through, hike through, and play in during my childhood is something I appreciate a lot looking back. At the same time, Afton is close enough to the cities to attend special events or even commute.
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Afton
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Afton, MN sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Afton, MN over the last 12 months is $1,025,677, up 13% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Built in 2015 by Natural Spaces Domes, nationally recognized for sustainable, high-performance dome construction, this one-of-a-kind 3 bed, 3 bath geodesic home offers 4,190 square feet of energy-efficient living on 5.178 wooded acres in Afton. The open floor plan features soaring ceilings, expansive windows, and a flexible layout with potential for up to 5 bedrooms. Natural light floods the
Welcome home to this beautifully updated home on just over two acres in Afton. Recent upgrades include new Andersen windows, siding, roof, tankless water heater, A/C, and more. Inside, you’ll find warm hardwood floors, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, upgraded vanities, brushed gold fixtures, and tasteful accents of wainscoting and shiplap. The heated and cooled outbuilding,
Welcome to this beautifully updated home that blends modern comforts with natural beauty. You’ll appreciate the extensive upgrades, including new interior paint throughout, brand-new carpeting in both bedrooms, and new main flooring in the kitchen, living room, dining room, library, and hallway. Enjoy cozy living with underfloor heating on the main level and in the master bath, complemented by a
Exquisite former custom model home by Bruce Lenzen nestled on nearly 7 private wooded acres in the heart of Afton. Showcasing timeless craftsmanship and impeccable quality throughout, this five-bedroom, four-bath home features custom millwork and top notch finishes in every room.The bright and open main level offers panoramic views of the surrounding acreage through oversized windows. A gorgeous
24.1 Acre Light Industrial opportunity with excellent exposure to Interstate 94, HWY 95 Manning, and Hudson Road, yet lower taxes of a smaller city. Interstate Frontage with 167,000 vehicles per day. Adjacent to Amazon Distribution Center in Woodbury MN. Acceptable uses include office space, riding stable, schools, nature center, manufacturing, light industrial. Available utilities electric,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cheryl Larson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,029
Median Age
50
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
20.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
28.1%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$121,857
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$155,457
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.5%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
55.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
19.5%
% Population in Labor Force
60.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
33''
Average Winter Low Temperature
3°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
41''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
16/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
