$293,105Average Value$185Average Price per Sq Ft75Homes For Sale
Vacation land for the Twin Cities and beyond
A 14,000-person lake town known as Minnesota’s vacationland, Brainerd is where many Minnesotans own second homes, and where an increasing number are opting to stay full-time. With remote work leading to increased flexibility, more and more Minnesotans have moved to Brainerd. The city's outdoor lifestyle and direct access to both the Whitefish Chain of Lakes and the Gull Chain of Lakes make it appealing. As do the lake's luxury resorts which feature both fine dining options and championship golf courses. The lakes also offer some of the state’s best fishing, which is a popular year-round activity here. Lifelong resident and Realtor Adam Kalenberg says the city’s also popular with 'snowbirds' — the term used to describe people who live in the warmer southern states during the winter and who migrate to the Midwest for the summers. “If you can afford it, winter in Florida or Arizona and summer up here – that’s everyone’s dream,” he says. “I always say this is vacation land for the Twin Cities, but we have buyers coming in from all over the country,” says Realtor Michael Fish. “Over half my sales in the last few years have been to out-of-state buyers.” Despite Minnesota’s cold winters, Kalenberg wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. “I can go visit Vail or Montana, but for all-around lifestyle and affordability, I’d pick Minnesota,” he says. “It’s a great place to live and work. If I were looking at moving to Minnesota, I would definitely recommend checking out the Brainerd Lakes area.”
The Whitefish and Gull Chain of Lakes in Brainerd offers lakeside living and year-round recreation.
Luxury resorts in Brainerd reside next to scenic lakes and pristine golf courses.
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Lakefront homes in Brainerd’s growing luxury market
Brainerd’s average home value is $350,000, which is about $200,000 below the national average. Brainerd offers everything from modest bungalows and ranch-style homes to New Traditional houses and luxury lakefront mansions, which has become a growing market. “Many come here to buy their dream vacation home,” Fish says. “For us, a $1.5 million listing used to take a year, or two or three years to sell. Now, that listing will sell in 30 to 60 days,” Kalenburg says. “We’ve seen people build million-dollar garages for their toys. They build their homes, and then they want an indoor pickleball court and a golf simulator, that sort of thing. People have been investing in some large significant homes being built on the lakes, and we didn’t see that 10 or 15 years ago.” Fish goes on to explain that: “The Brainerd, Baxter, and Crosslake area in Minnesota is a magnet for real estate buyers, thanks to its stunning local economy, and safe, family-friendly environment. We have every reason to believe that between the pressure from out of state and from the growing tourism in the area that the market will only get stronger in the coming years.”
The Brainerd Lakes Area is home to many luxurious lakeshore homes with private dock access.
Classic ranch-style homes are common in older neighborhoods in Brainerd.
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Whitefish Chain of Lakes, Gull Chain of Lakes and an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course
Between the Whitefish Chain of Lakes and the Gull Chain of Lakes, Brainerd offers plenty of outdoor activity year-round. “It’s absolutely beautiful in the winter with lots of ice fishing, snowmobiling and skiing,” Kalenburg says. “There’s plenty to do in the winter, but summer is the reason why people live here. Our area is known for having wonderful fishing. It’s all freshwater, with lots of great bass fishing and panfishing. There’s a lot of muskie in the area. It’s a great outdoorsy area with deer hunting and fun game farms. There’s lots of stuff to do.” Brainerd also features several championship golf courses, including Deacon’s Lodge, designed by Arnold Palmer. “We have some of the best golf courses in Minnesota,” Kalenburg adds. “We have local designers that have put together fantastic places. It’s really become a destination for groups that want to golf and stay at all the resorts.”
The Brainerd Lake Area features a number of championship golf courses.
Brainerd is a top destination in Minnesota for fishing and water recreation.
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Brainerd Public Schools and Central Lakes College
Brainerd Public Schools gets a B-plus rating on Niche and is also ranked by the site as the top school district in all of Crow Wing County. Lowell Elementary gets an A-minus rating and ranks as the top public elementary school in Crow Wing County. Central Lakes College is a public community college with a campus in Brainerd and students who attend can pursue associates degrees or complete the Minnesota transfer curriculum for eligibility to transfer to a four-year university.
Most area students attend Brainerd Senior High School.
Central Lakes College, a comprehensive community and technical college, resides in Brainerd.
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Restaurants on the Gull Chain of Lakes
“On the Gull Chain, there are 17 restaurants on the lake, and it’s fine dining. You can get risotto, filet or bar food, and there’s great fish,” Kalenburg says. “We also have great businesses in town. We have healthcare and Costco and all the things you wouldn’t expect in a midsize town. We have all that you need, but you can still feel like you’re up north in a cabin.”
Ernie's on Gull is a Brainerd dining favorite, servicing up classic American fare with scenic lake views.
Brainerd residents can shop Costco Wholesale for affordable deals on bulk goods.
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Weather and the Brainerd Police Department
Brainerd’s humid continental climate gives it warm summers and severely cold winters. “For buyers unfamiliar with the northern climate, it’s important to understand just how cold winters can get here,” Fish says. “Over the years, I’ve had several buyers purchase homes only to sell and move after underestimating the challenges of the winter months. The cold, snow, and ice can be intense, and adjusting to these conditions requires a certain mindset.” Regarding natural disasters, Kalenburg considers Brainerd much safer than many other parts of the country. “We get occasional tornadoes or high winds, but we don’t get the devastation that so many parts of the country get. We’re in a very safe area, which feels important right now,” he says. The Brainerd Police Department reports decreased violent crime and increased property crime in Brainerd during 2023, and Brainerd's violent and property crime rates both exceed the U.S. average.
Minnesota State Highways, Crow Wing County Public Transit and Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport
Minnesota State Highways 18, 25, 210 and 371 run through Brainerd, and Crow Wing County Public Transit offers dial-a-ride services for Brainerd residents who need transportation assistance. “We’re only two hours from Minneapolis, and we also have an airport here that will fly you to Minneapolis,” Kalenburg says. “If you want to do business from Brainerd, it’s pretty easy to run your company here. You have quick access to the airport, so you can travel. You can do business while looking out over the lake.” Kalenburg reiterates that COVID brought a population boom to Brainerd, with many Minneapolis residents opting to live at their lake cabins full-time rather than staying in the city, which was experiencing high crime at the time.
The Fourth of July and the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza
“Brainerd is the Fourth of July capital of Minnesota,” Kalenburg says. “We have several days of fireworks. We have wonderful family-owned resorts in our area, Grand View Lodge and Madden’s. They’re incredible. We’ll anchor up on the lake for the day and then have bonfires at night. There’s no place in the country I’d rather be than Brainerd on the Fourth.” Brainerd’s winter events include an annual polar plunge and the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza. First held in 1991, the annual ice fishing tournament has become the largest ice fishing contest in the world. It raises funds for the Brainerd Jaycees, a local youth-centric nonprofit that provides ways for young people to give back to the Brainerd community.
Grand View Lodge in Brainerd hosts their annual 'Party at the Pines' Fourth of July celebration.
Brainerd's Fourth of July celebration continues at Madden's Resort, where fireworks can be seen over Gull Lake.
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Written By
Ellen Daly
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Karels
Video By
Conar McDaniel
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jared Lundgren,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
On average, homes in Brainerd, MN sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Brainerd, MN over the last 12 months is $259,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your dream home offering expansive river views in the perfect location for convenience in the Ahren's Hill neighborhood. Conveniently located near the hospital, schools and Brainerd/Baxter. This 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom residence boasts over 2,600 square feet of luxurious living space, all meticulously remodeled from top to bottom by an unmatched builder renowned for their attention to
Don't miss this three bedroom, two bath Brainerd home located just minutes from town. Home features an open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets, tiled shower, deck, storage shed, fenced back yard an attached two car garage, maintenance free siding, central air and so much more.
This charming and adorable 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom rambler located in NE Brainerd showcases single level living and many notable updates while original oak flooring and sit-in bay window provide unique character from years past. Privately separated, the primary suite provides ample space with a full bathroom and sizable walk-in closet! A centrally located second full bath serves the 2 additional
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own an updated 4-bedroom home with a boat slip on the sought-after North Long Lake. This home features new flooring, granite countertops, updated bathrooms and a brand-new AC unit. The open layout offers vaulted ceilings and is centered around a beautiful fireplace that adds warmth and character to the heart of the home. Need more space? The dedicated office
Beautifully Remodeled 3-Bedroom Home on a Corner Lot! Step inside this completely remodeled 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home, updated from the studs in with modern finishes and thoughtful design throughout. Located on a desirable corner lot, this property offers both charm and convenience with a spacious layout and quality upgrades at every turn. The home features new paint and flooring, along with a
Welcome to a beautifully crafted, fully furnished log cabin just steps from Upper South Long Lake. Built in 2016, this authentic cabin blends timeless “Up North” charm with modern comfort, offering the perfect year-round retreat.Located just two hours from the Twin Cities, this 2-bedroom, 2-bath home was thoughtfully designed for both relaxation and functionality. Inside, you’ll find
Fantastic 2-bedroom apartment available for rent! Conveniently located within walking distance of all the amenities Brainerd has to offer. Features include on-site laundry and off-street parking. Rent is $925.00 plus electricity, with heat, garbage, and water included.
Special: $500 deposit, $500 rent credit, and $100 monthly rental decrease for the length of your lease term on remodeled units only until 12/31/2025.Newly updated units with new cabinets, countertops and appliances, window treatments and flooring.
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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.
