History and education combine in this small suburban city
“Cows, Colleges, and Community” is the slogan of Northfield, which Money.com named one of the best places to live in 2024. Founded as an agricultural center along the Cannon River in 1855, crop fields still circle the locale of 21,000 people. Manufacturing, healthcare and education industries now support the city, where various amenities have caught the eye of those looking for small-town living in the North Star State. “Northfield is a diverse, small and warm community,” says Ruthie Gilbertson, a native and Realtor with eXp Realty. “People have discovered that we have great schools, two colleges and are 44 miles from Minneapolis.”
Northfield has a welcoming slogan: " Cows, Colleges, and Contentment".
Northfield has quaint downtown shops and restaurants located on Division Street.
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Northfield Public School District partners with local colleges
Carleton College has served the community since the mid-19th century alongside St. Olaf College, which is known for its award-winning music programs. "They’re a huge part of our community,” Gilbertson says. “The whole vibrancy of the city is a reflection of the two.” The college’s art museums and theater departments add to Northfield's established art scene, underscored by Northfield Arts Guild and the murals and galleries that fill the downtown district.
Northfield Public School District enrolls students across the city and maintains an A rating on Niche. The district is also home to the Community Education Department, which shares resources for programs centered on adult learning, early childhood education and care for people with disabilities.
Northfield Senior High School is ranked 41st amongst Minnesota schools.
Northfield is home to the prestigious Carleton College.
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From historic downtown homes to newly built subdivisions
Northfield’s median home price is slightly below the national median value. “We have a lot of early 1900s homes and a few from the 1800s,” Gilbertson says. “Our downtown and surrounding areas are older, and they’ve done a great job not overdeveloping it.” Architecture varies in this portion of the city, from American Foursquares to bungalows and Victorian styles. Fanning out are mid-to-late 20th-century suburbs dominated by ranch and Cape Cod styles. Homebuyers will also find remodeled properties throughout the city and a handful of newly built subdivisions near its outskirts.
Northfield has historic housing options near downtown and the college campus.
Northfield has contemporary home styles on the east side.
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Cowling Arboretum is a Northfield hot spot
“Cowling Arboretum is massive… it’s Northfield’s Central Park,” Gilbertson says. Managed by Carleton College, the arboretum stretches hundreds of acres, where hiking trails teeming with local wildlife transform into cross-country skiing routes during cold winters. Thirty-five city parks offer space for residents to recreate on and off the waterfront during hot, muggy summers. The East River Trail connects several green spaces and winds through the city's southern half. Avid golfers can become Northfield Golf Club members and play on the club's private 18-hole course.
Northfield has an arboretum on the Carleton College campus.
Northfield has a members only golf club with a driving range.
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Defeat of Jesse James Days brings in folks from across the region
On September 7, 1876, the James-Younger Gang came to town with its sights set on the First National Bank of Northfield. Locals quickly armed themselves and successfully halted the robbery, chasing Jesse James and fellow outlaws out of the city. Northfield celebrates its win over the notorious criminal during Defeat of Jesse James Days, held the weekend after Labor Day. “It’s a Northfield holiday,” Gilbertson says. “We took his gang down and celebrate each year.” Hundreds of thousands attend the event, which features live reenactments of the standoff, a carnival and other activities.
Shop and dine locally along Division Street
Locally owned restaurants and shops fill the city’s downtown district. Most reside within longstanding brick-clad storefronts lining Division Street, where outdoor dining, clothing racks and boutique goods dot the sidewalk. However, locals enjoy a wide range of cuisine across the city, as many eateries sit back from State Route 3 alongside big-box retailers and supermarkets.
Northfield has many small shops on Division Street.
Goodbye Blue Monday Coffee House has craft coffees and is a great place to study in Northfield.
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Commuting to Minneapolis
Northfield is slowly becoming a hub for Minneapolis workers. “It’s a great commuter town,” Gilbertson says. State Route 3 is the main thoroughfare and connects those making daily trips to the City of Lakes, 44 miles north. Commuters looking to avoid inner city traffic can hop on the Metro transit system's Orange Line at 98th Street Station in Bloomington for a 25-minute ride into downtown.
Northfield's crime statistics and flooding concerns
According to the Northfield Police Department, the city experienced its lowest overall crime rate in five years in 2023. Federal Emergency Management Agency data shows that properties and roadways near Cannon River are susceptible to flooding after heavy rainfall. The city is currently raising funds for flood walls and other safety infrastructure after two notable floods in 2010 and 2016.
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Source: Public RecordsDisclaimer: 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.
