Preserving Nowthen’s rural charm and wide open spaces
Northern Anoka County has grown over the years, but residents in Nowthen are intent on maintaining their rural, small-town appeal. Formerly Burns Township, Nowthen was incorporated as a city in 2008 in order to protect it from encroaching development from neighboring cities and maintain the area’s rural character. “The other towns around us have really turned into cities and grown two to three times their population,” Mayor Shane Hybben says. “We have ordinances of 2.5 acres minimum and a 5-acre average, and there’s a lot of agriculture. The agriculture really makes it quaint and unique, and makes it feel like it’s rural even though it’s got cities growing up all around it.”
Large lots with room for horses, barns and more
The primary draw to Nowthen is the expansive lot sizes, but the extra room comes at a cost. “You have to be able to afford a house with 5 acres and most younger people can’t afford that … so people buying their first house aren’t buying to Nowthen,” Hybben says. Farmhouses, ranch-style and two-story contemporary homes have room for horses, barns, hobby sheds and agricultural equipment. Many homes have wooded or wetland views, while some sit on miniature lakes. The median cost of a home is $615,000. Homes in need of cosmetic upgrades with less than 5 acres can cost between $200,000 and $450,000, but most homes cost between $400,000 and $600,000. Large, custom-built homes with additional acreage, outbuildings, or lake frontage can range from $700,000 to about $1 million. There is no city water or sewer service, so homeowners have their own wells and septic systems.
Enjoying the great outdoors at parks and at home
Abundant wetlands and woodlands attract wildlife, and many residents enjoy the great outdoors without leaving home. Homeowners sip coffee on front porches, tend to lawns and gardens, and watch the sunset from patios. The Carl E. Bonnell Wildlife Management Area is a prime spot for birdwatching in the spring, and sportsmen can hunt for game like deer, pheasants and even bears. Anglers have dozens of ponds and miniature lakes to fish from, including Twin Lakes Park. In addition to a fishing pier and swimming beach, the park features a playground, a disc golf course, walking trails and a pavilion. Young athletes compete on the sports fields and sports courts at Nowthen Memorial Park. Rum River Central Regional Park, about 6 miles away, offers year-round recreation with hiking, skiing, horseback riding, and canoeing and kayaking on the namesake river.
Nowthen parents have three public school district options
Nowthen sprawls across about 35 miles, and students can attend one of three public school districts: Anoka-Hennepin School District, Independent School District 728 or St. Francis Area Schools. Anoka-Hennepin receives an A-minus from Niche and is one of the largest school districts in the state. The district has an enrollment of about 38,000 students with 25 elementary schools, six middle schools and five high schools. Another option is ISD 728, a B-plus school system with about 14,000 students spread across 10 elementary schools, six middle schools and four high schools. St. Francis Area Schools, C-plus, is the smallest district, serving about 4,000 students with three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Parents can opt to send their kids to St. John Lutheran School, a private pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade school that is unrated by Niche.
Nowthen Threshing Show and Heritage Days bring residents together
Locals come together for events like Heritage Days, a free annual celebration with kids activities, vendors, tractor pulls and a giant pumpkin contest. “There’s a guy that’s got a Guinness World Record for giant pumpkins and he’s from Nowthen, so we do a giant pumpkin contest every year now,” Hybben says. The Nowthen Threshing Show draws thousands of visitors during a three-day showcase of historic and antique tractors and engines. Attendees can expect live entertainment, demonstrations of old-world skills like blacksmithing and grain threshing, tractor pulls and a flea market.
Two restaurants in town, more options in Elk River
Residents enjoy a simple life and prefer large lot sizes over amenities like shopping centers and downtown hubs. The community has two restaurants, a convenience store, a plant nursery and a handful of businesses on County Road 22. Bill’s Superette has a limited selection of everyday essentials and produce, but residents must head to Elk River, about 5 miles away, for a true grocery run. Bootleggers Saloon and Eatery is a roomy tavern with burgers, wings, and indoor and outdoor seating. Northwoods Bar and Grill, another local watering hole, serves up American fare in a laid-back atmosphere. The Nowthen Farmers Market runs from June through September in the Bill’s Superette parking lot and moves indoors to the town hall during the winter.
County roads connect to the Twin Cities
County Roads 5 and 22 serve as the area’s main thoroughfares. It’s about a 35-mile drive to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. M Health Fairview Clinic in Elk River has an urgent care facility, but one of the closest emergency rooms is about 12 miles away at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
