Mankato, at the confluence of the Minnesota and Blue Earth rivers, is a Minnesota city with small-town charm and a history that extends to the 18th century. Its name is derived from a Native American word meaning "greenish-blue earth,'' and its first European visitors trekked through in the 1700s looking for a passage to Asia. With a population of 44,000, this city has a suburban vibe, even downtown, with a main street lined with local shops and restaurants housed in early 1900s red brick buildings. Its strong education system consists of highly rated schools and a satellite campus for Minnesota State University, a top employer in the area. There is also expansive outdoor recreation as well as community events like Ribfest to keep locals connected.
Jeff Kaul, a Realtor with Century 21 Atwood Realty Inc., describes the people of Mankato as friendly and devoted to their community. “There's no question about it — if you live in Mankato and you need help, it won't take long for you to reach out your hand and get it. Whether it's an individual, a church, a local Lions Club or the Kiwanis Club, there’s always somebody here to lend a hand,” says Kaul. “Whenever something needs to get done, there’s always some organization to take charge of it and make things happen.”
The confluence of the Blue Earth and Minnesota Rivers is along the border of Sibley Park.
Residents can fish on the Rivershores of Land of Memories Park.
Front Street is lined with restaurants and is a popular destination in downtown Mankato.
The Riverfront Park neighborhood lies adjacent to downtown Mankato.
1/4
Popular industries and the Mankato housing market
The median home price is around $315,000, which is less than the national median. Homes in Mankato tend to stay on the market a little longer than the national average, but only by a few days.
Popular neighborhoods include Thomas Park and Sibley Park . Thomas Park is 2 miles from Mankato’s city center, providing proximity to shopping and dining while offering a sprawling suburban layout. Home prices here tend to be a bit higher than Mankato's norms. Sibley Park's residents enjoy comparatively more affordable homes as well as plenty of outdoor recreation at its namesake park.
Education and healthcare are the most popular fields, while top employers in the area include the Mayo Clinic Health System in Alexander Park , Minnesota State University, Mankato and Mankato Area Public Schools and Taylor Corporation.
A row of traditional style homes in the Sibley Park neighborhood.
The lawns around Thomas Park are always very well kept.
The Mankato Campus of the Mayo Clinic is located in Alexander Park.
The MSU Mankato campus is close by to the University Park neighborhood.
1/4
Parks, hockey games, museums and dinner theater
Mankato sprawls with 900 acres of parks and recreational hubs. Sibley Park, best known for its Storybook farm-themed playground, is a 100-acre expanse split into two sides, separated by a hill. The front portion has sprawling lawns, a petting zoo and a band shell. The river side features sledding hills, tennis courts and softball fields. Locals can fish at the pond or in the Minnesota and Blue Earth Rivers, which converge at the park. There are also several loop trails and gardens, as well as a barbeque pit, gazebo and pavilion. A little off the beaten path, Minneopa State Park sprawls with native prairie grasslands threaded with trails and with a waterfall at its center.
The Mankato Civic Center hosts major city events, with a 6,500-seat arena, a 2,200-seat grand hall and a Convention Center. The Minnesota State University Mavericks, a division 1 men’s hockey team, competes at the arena. “It draws a lot of people from out of town. People come from far away for the concerts and games,” says Kaul.
For dinner and a show, The Mankato Playhouse is a popular venue. “It’s a small theater in the old town area that puts on musicals and plays. It’s tiny, and it doesn’t hold a lot of people, but it’s very well-liked,” says Kaul. “You can go for a dinner show and have a full 4-course meal with cocktails and wine.”
The Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota features regular art and science activities and exhibits.
Sibley Park has a decorative tractor next to the koi pond.
The main waterfall at the Minneopa State Park in Mankato, MN.
The UNRL Rink is a nearby ice skating rink with dinning options near the Country Club Estate
The Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota is a popular spot for families in Lincoln Park.
1/4
The Mankato Public School District
The Mankato Public School District serves the residents of Mankato. The district receives an A-minus from Niche while also scoring the No. 1 spot for Best School Districts in Blue Earth County. Over 8,000 students are enrolled, with a student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1.
There are also several highly rated private schools, including Loyola Catholic School, Immanuel Lutheran School and the Mount Olive Lutheran School in Erlandson Park .
Minnesota State University has a Mankato campus, offering 130 undergraduate fields of study and 75 graduate degrees. Minnesota State is the second-largest university in Minnesota, with over 14,000 students.
At Rosa Parks Elementary, 54% of students are proficient in math and 46% in reading.
Prairie Winds Middle School has a 34% minority enrollment.
Mankato East Senior High offers Advanced Placement® coursework and exams.
MSU Mankato has 130 Undergraduate programs and 85 graduate programs.
1/4
River Hills Mall and Old Town
The Mankato shopping district can be divided into two distinct areas: River Hills Mall and Old Town. River Hills Mall, just east of Franklin Rogers Park , has Target, JCPenney, Barnes & Noble and Cinemark Theatres. Old Town, in the city center, features boutiques, restaurants and antique shops, some operating from preserved turn-of-the-century buildings. Over the last 15 years, a beer and wine culture has emerged. “We’ve also become kind of a hub for local wineries and breweries,” says Kaul. “There’s a lot of rural wineries.” Morgan Creek Vineyards, Indian Island Winery, LocAle Brewery and Mankato Brewery are a few popular spots, some directly in Mankato while others are a little farther out.
The River Hills Mall is a close by option for shopping with a wide variety of shops.
The historic Old Town area of downtown Mankato features several local shops and more.
The Pond Road Market is a gift and antique store in the Old Town area of Mankato, MN.
The Boulder Tap House is a great spot for cold draft beer right in the Country Club Estates.
1/4
Kiwanis Holiday Lights and Ribfest
Kiwanis Holiday Lights is a celebration of just that -- holiday lights. Beginning on Thanksgiving and lasting through New Year's Eve, this event opens with a night parade, sleigh rides and a choreographed light show. With August comes Ribfest, a popular festival and four-day-long food competition with live entertainment, a beer garden and, of course, a variety of rib chefs competing for the title. This widely attended event is held in Riverfront Park 's namesake green space. “There's not much going on there until summer, but once summertime hits, there are several weekends of music festivals. The biggest one is Ribfest,” says Kaul. “There's plenty of ribs eaten, plenty of beer drank, and plenty of music listened to.”
Kiwanis Lights is a popular event around the holidays.
Kiwanis Lights is hosted in nearby Sibley Park.
Local food trucks serve areas in and around downtown Mankato and Five Corners.
You can find an amazing selection of fresh food around Mankato Farmers Market.
1/4
Travel in Mankato and beyond
U.S. Route 169 runs through Mankato, providing a route to Minneapolis 80 miles north. Cyclists can ride the bike lanes throughout downtown. The Mankato Transit System provides seven weekday and two Saturday routes, with services to Rochester, Minneapolis and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is about 80 miles northeast.
Climate and Crime
Mankato experiences the four seasons with warm, wet summers and snowy, windy winters. It averages 43 inches of snow annually, more than the U.S. average of 28 inches.
In general, reports of violent crime in Mankato are below the national average, while reports of property crime are above.
Have been a realtor in the local area for the past 2 years specializing in helping customers find investment properties or transition from renting to buying their first home.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
