Situated along Highway 61, Hugo attracts buyers with its secluded-feel, ongoing new development and quick 20-mile commute to St. Paul. During the early 2000s, Hugo saw an uptick of new residents, with around 5,000 people moving to the city within the past 15 years. Most were looking for a place to live long-term, hoping to settle down within reach of the Twin Cities. Established as a city in 1972, Hugo was first occupied by the Dakota people who used the land to farm wild rice. European settlers followed suit and built out the area’s agricultural and lumber milling industries, and with the expansion of the Northern Pacific Railroad, Hugo became a known stop along the route. Later, the completion of U.S. Highway 61 solidified Hugo's position as a Twin Cities suburb. Today, the city is home to around 17,000 residents and its top employers include manufacturers like Westmor Fluid Solutions and Western Spring. “Clients love how peaceful and safe Hugo seems to be and how neighbors truly help each other,” says Joy Erickson, Realtor with The Joy Erickson Real Estate Team at Edina Realty. “The city is growing with amenities, including new restaurants, shopping, medical and neighborhood activities.” Local shops like Grundhofer's Old Fashion Meats provide an air of old world charm, while annual events like the Hugo Good Neighbor Days plays a role in establishing a community-oriented environment all year long. City-folk will find refuge in Hugo, with its small-town vibe and growing retail scene, on the northwestern border of Washington County.
There are over 16,000 residents in Hugo and it continues to grow vividly.
Hugo is a car dependent neighborhood and often have locals travel on Highway 61.
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New Traditionals, multi-family townhouses and ongoing development
The housing market in Hugo is desirable for its wide range of options and plentiful stock of new construction options. “The city has been growing for quite a few years with a lot of newly constructed homes and townhomes,” says Erickson, who has almost 20 years of real estate experience selling in Hugo. “In the last 12 months, sales are actually up 20% over 2023." With a median sales price of $440,000, home prices here are nearly the same as the national median. Prices in Hugo can range from as low as $200,000 for a two-bedroom townhouse to upwards of $1 million for a newly constructed five-bedroom two-story traditional with a multi-car garage. Single-family homes make up the majority of the market here, and multi-family dwellings account for a third of this mix. Homes in Hugo tend to sell within 34 days on the market, which is slightly faster than the national average of 41 days. Most homes here were built in the early 2000s, with 2005 as the median construction year. There are newly constructed homes and developments built as recently as 2024.
The Adelaide neighborhood in Hugo offers medium traditional style homes.
Homebuyers in the Hugo market can expect affordable 2 bedroom townhouses for sale.
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Community gatherings at Lions Volunteer Park
Hugo has 20 parks and 20 miles of trails spanning nearly 470 acres of green spaces. “Residents value our open spaces and parks,” says Rachel Juba, Hugo’s community development director. “The city has parks that are easily accessed by trails, and we have recreational amenities designed for all ages." The Lions Volunteer Park is a staple within the community, with a parkour obstacle course, skate park and playground that kids can enjoy. There are also sports fields for baseball and designated courts for basketball, pickleball and tennis. For a stroll or a bike ride, the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail offers 12 miles of paved paths along U.S. Highway 61. Golfers can visit Oneka Ridge Golf Course on the southside, which offers an 18-hole championship course and golf simulators for year-round play. On the east side, Wild Wings of Oneka is a shooting range and hunting club with sporting clays. And with several lakes and ponds scattered throughout town, plenty of fishing opportunities, boating excursions and small beaches are within reach. Hugo experiences all four seasons, from hot summers to freezing winters with an average low of three degrees Fahrenheit. Winter sports, like cross country skiing at Irish Avenue Park, ice skating at Hugo Elementary School and sledding at Oak Shore Park are common throughout the colder months. Parks are constantly being improved in Hugo. The city plans to build Bernin Park, a 24-acre area with a fishing dock on Oneka Lake.
Lions Volunteer Park has a large playground with lots of activity fields.
Victor Gardens has a park with fountains and park benches.
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The annual Hugo Good Neighbor Days
In June, residents can attend the annual Hugo Good Neighbor Days at Lions Volunteer Park. The three-day event features live music performances, carnival rides, a parade and a display of fireworks to enjoy. There’s a wide range of events, from the backyard ribfest and bingo at the pavilion to Hugo’s got talent throughout the weekend. The Hugo Lions, a community service organization, hosts the festival to raise money and foster a know-your-neighbor atmosphere.
Four districts in Washington County
Families in Hugo are split between four school districts in Washington County: White Bear Lake Area Schools, Forest Lake Public Schools, Stillwater Area Public Schools and Mahtomedi Public Schools. Most students attend Forest Lake Public Schools, which earns an overall B rating from the educational review site, Niche. It serves over 5,000 students and is known for its robust athletics program, which ranks among the top 50 districts in Minnesota. There are seven elementary schools, one middle and one high school. Most students attend Forest Lake Area High School, which also earns a B from Niche. Private options like St. Peter Catholic School and Frassati Catholic Academy are also available.
Students at Central Middle School scored above the state average in reading and math.
Forest Lake Area High School serves students in grades 9-12.
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Local grocers and eateries in downtown Hugo
Most residents shop on the west side at Victor Marketplace along Victor Hugo Boulevard. There’s a Festival Foods here for groceries and everyday essentials nearby. The commercial hub also features a deli, a liquor store, and a coffee shop for convenience. Maplewood Mall is 10 miles south, offering more than 130 shops and department stores like Macy’s, JCPenney and Kohl’s in northern St. Paul. For quality meats, the locally-owned Grundhofer's Old Fashion Meats offers steak, brisket and pork. It has served the community since 2007 and is known for its unique flavor iterations like their gummy bear brat. For a bite to eat, locals have their choice of fast-food chains or family-owned eateries in downtown Hugo. “Popular restaurants include Blue Heron, Amian and Campanelle,” says Erickson. “And The Argyle Moose is a fun gift shop that sells items made by Minnesota artisans.”
The Victor Marketplace is home to a series of local shops in Hugo.
The Blue Heron Grill is a lively locale in the city of Hugo.
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Traversing Hugo and trips into St. Paul on U.S. I-35E
Highway 61 runs north to south through the city, connecting residents to neighboring areas and U.S. Interstate 35E for direct trips into St. Paul. “One of my clients laughs when people talk about ‘traffic’ here as she has mostly wildlife in her backyard compared to the noisy traffic in the urban area she previously lived in,” says Erickson. Hugo is primarily car-dependent, however, public rides are provided by the Metro Transit bus, which operates from the Park & Ride along I-35E. When traveling farther, the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is 26 miles away. For healthcare, the M Health Fairview St. John's Hospital is 10 miles south of the community.
Crime
According to FBI data, Hugo experiences lower violent crime rates than most cities in the United States in general. In 2023, the Washington County Sheriff's Office, which oversees Hugo, reported significantly less incidents than the national average.
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Hugo, MN sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Hugo, MN over the last 12 months is $425,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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