Kasson residents enjoy strong community about 15 miles from Rochester
Kasson blends small-town charm with easy access to Rochester, about 15 miles away. “It’s a convenient location for shopping and restaurants,” says longtime resident and Realtor John Buckingham with the Buckingham Team at Keller Williams Premier Realty. The community has a grocery store and family owned eateries, and people can easily hop on U.S. Route 14 to explore the options in Rochester and smaller surrounding cities. Kasson also has several city parks and a public library and hosts the annual Dodge County Fair.
Home styles range from older farmhouses to New Traditional houses
Oak trees dot grassy lawns in Kasson, where sidewalks line most residential streets. Older properties include mid-20th-century ranch-style houses, split-levels and Garrison Colonials, and some farmhouses and Craftsman homes date back to the late 19th century. Most of the area is made up of New Traditional houses built after 1980. Older residences typically cost $160,000 to $300,000, while newer construction can range from $300,000 to $550,000. There are some townhouses as well, which generally fall between $200,000 and $390,000.
Kasson-Mantorville schools are improving the arts department
Students attend Kasson-Mantorville Schools. “The school district is what keeps people coming back,” Buckingham says. Kasson-Mantorville Elementary School earns an A-minus from Niche, while Kasson-Mantorville Middle School receives a B-plus. Kasson-Mantorville High School scores a B-minus. The district is part of the 2025-2027 cohort for Minnesota’s Comprehensive Arts Planning Program, which will help develop the arts education program.
Cars and buses carry people to and from Rochester
State Route 57 goes through Kasson and intersects with U.S. Route 14, which leads into Rochester. Semcac manages Rolling Hills Transit, a shuttle service that runs between Rochester and Kasson. “It’s very cheap,” Buckingham says. Saint Mary’s campus of the Mayo Clinic is about 15 miles away. While Rochester International Airport is about a 25-mile drive, most people fly out of Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, about 70 miles away, because it offers more direct flights.
Local restaurants include barbecue, a bar and grill and Mexican food
While there are some chains and franchises near U.S. Route 14, most of the eateries in Kasson are locally owned. The Smokin’ Silverback is a barbecue restaurant with a saloon side, a full bar and occasional live music. At Pete’s Repeat, a bar and grill, daily specials include Taco Tuesdays and fish fries every Friday. Residents also travel to smaller surrounding cities for a bite to eat. Buckingham recommends Plaza Morena in Dodge Center, saying, “They have the best Mexican food around.” There is a Hy-Vee in Kasson. People do the rest of their shopping in Rochester, which has big box stores, including Walmart, Home Depot and Target.
People spend time at parks, the Kasson Aquatic Center and the library
Veterans Memorial Park is one of the most frequented parks in Kasson, with amenities like tennis courts, ball fields and a sand volleyball pit. It hosts free movie nights and the annual Kasson Festival in the Park, a community celebration with a kickball tournament, live music and a parade. The park is also home to the Kasson Aquatic Center, which has a lap pool, diving area, water slides and water play features. At Lions Park, there is a playground, green space and a skate park. Dodge County’s Restoration Park is also in Kasson, spanning 32 acres of prairies, wetlands and forests filled with paved walking trails. Patrons of the Kasson Public Library can participate in programs like Storytime, book clubs and bunco.
Minnesota’s oldest county fair is held in Kasson every summer
Kasson is home to the Dodge County Fair, Minnesota’s oldest of its kind. “I’ve taken my kids to the fair and my grandkids to the fair,” says Buckingham, who has lived in Kasson for nearly 50 years. “They all love it.” Every summer, people come from across the county to participate in activities like a bull riding challenge, livestock shows and an antique tractor display. Attendees can listen to live music and stop at the beer garden and food and craft vendors throughout the weekend.
