Dodge Center is an industrial hub with close community near Rochester
Dodge Center is a small city between Rochester and Owatonna that offers convenience and community. “I think that the community has a sense of togetherness and closeness,” says city administrator Lee Mattson, citing the Natalie Webb Family Aquatic Center as an example. “That was largely built with local money and local fundraising. Once the community decided they wanted a pool, the city decided they were going to put some money in, but they still had to raise $1.6 million. It only took them a couple of months to do it.” The city is also known for its industrial jobs, with offices for the cement truck manufacturer Con-Tech Manufacturing and McNeilus, which makes garbage trucks for Oshkosh Corporation.
Local restaurants draw in Rochester residents
Dodge Center has a variety of eateries, ranging from the Mexican dishes at Plaza Morena to the comfort food at Center Family Restaurant. Union Coffee Cafe goes beyond coffee, with sandwiches, soups and a bakery that specializes in pies. “We’re seeing people from Rochester driving out 20 minutes to come to lunch,” Mattson says. Residents can get most groceries at Sunshine Foods and drive the 20 miles into Rochester for big box stores like Target, Walmart and Home Depot.
Homes range from 19th century farmhouses to new construction
Sidewalks line many of Dodge Center’s streets. Towering trees shade grassy lawns that are situated close together. Most lots are less than a quarter of an acre. The oldest homes, like farmhouses and American Foursquares, date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The rest of the housing market consists of ranch styles and split levels from the mid-20th century and New Traditional residences built after 1980. “We have a mix of housing - old housing, new housing and some character houses in town,” Mattson says. Prices range from $150,000 to $300,000 for most older residences, while newer ones can cost $300,000 to $500,000.
Recreation includes a wooden castle, aquatic center and golf club
North Park is one of the most visited parks in the city because of its large wooden playground that looks like a castle. “It was built largely with volunteer labor,” Mattson says. He also says that neighboring cities like Byron and Kasson will bus people in just to play on the castle. Other amenities include baseball fields, a basketball court and a soccer field. At the Natalie Webb Family Aquatic Center, locals swim laps, go down water slides, and practice diving. At the Dodge Center Public Library, patrons can participate in activities like Storytime, a knitting group and book clubs. “They host some of the programs in City Hall now because the library is not big enough to host all the people that attend,” Mattson says. Dodge Country Club has a public 18-hole course, although members get a discount. There is a paved trail for golf carts.
Triton Public Schools have a well-known business program
Dodge Center is part of the Triton Public School District. Triton Elementary and Triton Middle Schools receive a B-minus from Niche, and Triton High School earns a B. The high school's Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter won six Finalist placements at the BPA 2025 National Leadership Conference. “We are quite proud of that,” Mattson says.
Community comes together for Dodger Days and the business expo
Dodger Days is a celebration of community that happens every Father’s Day weekend. Neighbors play games, compete in a softball tournament and enjoy free live music. The rest of the programming includes city-wide garage sales and fireworks. There is also a fly-in breakfast at the Dodge Center airport, where small, privately owned planes land long enough to enjoy some pancakes. “It’s a full weekend of celebration,” Mattson says. The city hosts the Dodge County Business Expo at Triton High School every spring. There, people can network with local shops and organizations like the Dodge County Veterans Services. “It brings several thousand people through in one morning, looking at the things people can do and can get in Dodge County,” Mattson says.
People drive between Dodge Center and Rochester
U. S. Route 14 goes through Dodge Center and into Rochester. The closest emergency room is about 25 miles away at the Saint Mary’s campus of the Mayo Clinic Hospital. While Rochester International Airport is only about 30 miles away, many drive 70 miles to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport because it offers more direct flights.
