Le Sueur is home to Green Giant and a strong Main Street
The Minnesota River runs alongside Le Sueur and, over thousands of years, helped fertilize its soil. Today, Le Sueur is known for its agricultural heritage and for national brands like Green Giant. “It’s not really a classic river town. You’d say it’s more of just a farming community,” says John Clay, a Realtor with Associated Realty who has worked in the area for nearly 40 years. “There are some older homes, some newer homes, some food-processing plants. There’s a little bit of industry.” Along with the farming industry, residents enjoy a vibrant Main Street and access to Mankato, about 30 minutes away, and the Twin Cities, about an hour.
Older cottages and ranch-style, plus newer subdivisions
The gridded residential streets of downtown Le Sueur slope downward, toward Main Street and the river. Most of the cottages, bungalows and ranch-style homes in the town core were built in the first half of the 20th century. Prices range from $90,000 to $290,000, with renovated properties on the upper end of the spectrum. On the outskirts, newer homes often sit on large lots in subdivisions. Ranch-style and bilevel houses here can sell for $220,000 to $580,000.
Le Sueur-Henderson School District includes a new elementary school
The Le Sueur-Henderson School District serves the community and receives an overall B-minus grade from Niche. Le Sueur-Henderson Elementary opened in 2024 for kindergarten through fifth grade and is not yet rated by Niche. Le Sueur-Henderson Middle and High are housed in the same building. The middle school receives a B grade, while the high school gets a B-minus. Students can take any of the high school's eight Advanced Placement courses.
Giant Days celebrate Le Sueur's agriculture and the Jolly Green Giant
Le Sueur was the birthplace of the Green Giant vegetable brand and its famous mascot, the Jolly Green Giant. Though the company now maintains a smaller presence in Le Sueur, the city still celebrates its symbol with Giant Days, a summer festival that features a corn-eating contest, live music, fireworks and beer brewed specifically for the event. The community also puts on holiday celebrations, including Christmas in the Valley, headlined by a parade and a tree lighting.
Shopping and dining along downtown's Main Street
Restaurants and local shops line Main Street, Le Sueur’s main commercial corridor. The Green Mill Bar and The Bar and Grill sit side by side, each staples of downtown with cheap drinks and classic pub bites. The area is also home to thrift stores, hardware shops and the city’s main supermarket, Radermacher’s. Otherwise, residents have to head towards Mankato for more shopping options.
Recreation at city parks, including American Legion Park
The Minnesota River skirts the west side of Le Sueur, and much of the area surrounding the river is forested. River Park has a trail around the water for hiking or cross-country skiing, plus a water access for canoes or kayaks into the water. American Legion Park is the largest city park, with playgrounds, a baseball diamond, an outdoor hockey rink and the public pool. Bruce Frank Field, the home of Le Sueur’s high school and amateur baseball teams, is adjacent to the park, as is an indoor ice arena. Open to the public, the Le Sueur Country Club has an 18-hole golf course about 4 miles from downtown.
Local employers and commutes on Highway 169
Highway 169 runs through Le Sueur, leading to larger cities like Mankato, 25 miles south, and Minneapolis, 60 miles northeast. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, 55 miles away, has the closest commercial flights. “It’s sort of in between Mankato and the Twin Cities, so the people that live in Le Sueur, they may commute to either,” Clay says. However, Le Sueur residents often commute within the community, working at one of its several large employers. The Minnesota River Valley Transit demand-response system operates within Le Sueur for those without a car. The Ridgeview Le Sueur Medical Center is located in the community.
