Glencoe offers rural living, convenience and work opportunities
Glencoe is the seat of McLeod County and a gateway to rural Minnesota, less than 60 miles west of Minneapolis. Founded in the mid-19th century, the city has grown alongside its railroad, which is still active and handles freight transportation. Over time, healthcare, manufacturing and agriculture have also spurred its growth. "It's a small, bustling little town, surrounded by farmers," says Realtor Rachel Huls, who's been selling homes for over 20 years and owns a team through RE/MAX Results Realty. She notes that people are attracted to Glencoe for its modest home prices and work opportunities. "Seneca Foods is the big plant there, and a lot of people work there." Glencoe has a small commercial corridor and is located roughly 15 miles from Hutchinson for more options. The town provides a healthcare facility offering various services, from general to emergency care and at-home care for seniors. Glencoe also boasts recreational parks, including a new dog park and a country club.
Walkable blocks, acreage properties and historic homes
Local architecture showcases the town's history and evolution. "We have some [early] 1900s and pre-1900s housing," Huls says. "And a lot of big ramblers from the 1950s and '70s. We also had quite a bit of development at the turn of the 21st century." Older homes are often closer to the railroad, built in the National Folk design, some featuring pitched and gabled roofs, front porches and detached garages. The town is in a grid formation, with tree-lined streets, some with sidewalks that make walking to stores, restaurants or the hospital easier. On the outskirts, acreage properties offer more space and privacy. The median sales price in Glencoe is lower than the state's figure, at around $260,000. Small fixer-uppers start at $80,000, and larger acreage homes reach $710,000. Rare new construction and properties near the country club also command some of the highest prices.
Students attend B-to-B-minus rated schools
Glencoe-Silver Lake School District participates in school choice and covers public education. Lincoln Elementary, serving kindergarten through second grade, earns a B-rating on Niche. Lakeside Elementary gets the same rating and educates third through sixth graders. Glencoe-Silver Lake Junior High School and Glencoe-Silver Lake High School both hold B-minuses. The high school offers dual enrollment and advanced placement opportunities.
Parks offer playgrounds, sports fields and space for pups
Residents enjoy two main parks. Oak Leaf Park draws local softball players to its fields and anglers to its pond. Kids meet on the playground, and the aquatic center is alive during the summer months, with kids splashing under mushroom fountains and divers leaping into the water. Oak Leaf Park also hosts Vollmer Field, where the Glencoe Brewers play home games. Oscar Olson Park has another playground and soccer fields for pickup games. Community collaboration, spearheaded by the Rotary Club, led to Glencoe's first dog park — which debuted in 2025. Glencoe Country Club is in town, offering a public championship golf course. Adrenaline lovers tackle the jumps and curves at the local BMX track.
Comfort food, coffee and some retail, but more in Hutchinson
The dining scene is centered around U.S. Highway 212 and main roads. Bump's Family Restaurant serves hearty comfort food for breakfast and lunch. Unhinged Pizza is a popular spot to grab a slice. Rhema Coffee is a go-to for a caffeine break and also serves food. Mexican restaurants and neighborhood bars add to the mix and fast-food options like Dairy Queen and Burger King are also available. When it's time to stock up, Coborn's Grocery Store and DG Market are in town for groceries. Glencoe's retailers include auto parts stores, a hardware store and a handful of clothing shops, including a dress boutique and a tuxedo rental that offers dry cleaning and alteration services. Major chains such as Target and Walmart Supercenter are around 15 miles away in Hutchinson
Celebrating community every June
The Glencoe Days festival happens in June. Held at Oak Leaf Park, it celebrates the community through entertainment from live music to a downtown parade, fireworks and activities for all ages.
Transportation options, from walking to taking the highway or bus
Glencoe's downtown is compact and pedestrian-friendly, though due to its rural layout, some areas are best reached by car or bike. U.S. Highway 212 connects the city to the Minneapolis metro area, while State Highways 22 and 15 serve as key north-south routes. Trailblazer Transit offers weekday public transit to regional destinations up to one mile beyond county lines. The Glencoe Municipal Airport is around four miles east. Twin Cities and Western Railroad's main hub is in Glencoe.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
