$547,740Average Value$178Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
Preserving Nowthen’s rural charm and wide-open spaces
Formerly Burns Township, Nowthen incorporated as a city in 2008 to help protect the rural area from encroaching development in northern Anoka County. “The other towns around us have really turned into cities and grown two to three times their population,” Mayor Shane Hybben says. “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.” These days, the main draws to Nowthen are its expansive lots. “We have ordinances of 2.5 acres minimum and a 5-acre average, and there’s a lot of agriculture,” Mayor Hybben says. 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," Mayor Hybben says, "so people buying their first house aren’t buying in Nowthen.”
Bass Lake in Nowthen offers scenic views and fishing opportunities.
County roads in Nowthen wind through open landscapes and farmland.
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Large lots with room for horses, barns and more
Farmhouses, ranch-style and two-story contemporary homes in Nowthen often have room for horses, barns, hobby sheds and agricultural equipment. Many homes have wooded or wetland views, while some sit on miniature lakes. 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 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.
Nowthen homes offer large driveways for easy parking.
Neighborhoods in Nowthen display homes on expansive lots.
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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.
Lakes around Nowthen attract anglers and wildlife watchers.
Nowthen Memorial Park includes sports fields for local games.
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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.
Anoka Middle School for the Arts teaches grades six through eight.
Anoka High School serves more than 2,300 students.
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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 tend to 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 at stores like Walmart or Coborn's Grocery Store. 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.
Northwoods Bar and Grill in Nowthen serves classic American fare.
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
Photography Contributed By
Victoria Sharpe
Video By
Patrick Johnson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Paul Ekstrom,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Nowthen, MN sell after 5 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Nowthen, MN over the last 12 months is $547,980, down 38% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nearly 18 acres of prime land zoned R-3 Residential allowing for 7–15 units per acre offering exceptional potential for a townhome community or multi-family apartment development. Conveniently located along St. Francis Blvd (Highway 47), this property offers excellent visibility and accessibility in the growing city of Ramsey. With the flexibility of R-3 zoning, the site provides a wide range of
Incredible opportunity to own 13 private, heavily wooded acres with outstanding walkout potential! Thissecluded property offers mature trees, rolling terrain, and natural beauty, abundant wildlife, all justminutes from town. whether you're looking to build now or invest for the future, this property providesthe space, privacy, and setting that's hard to find.
Tucked away in the tranquil woods of Ramsey, MN, Emerald Estates offers a rare chance to own one of the highly sought-after 2.5+ acre wooded lots. These spacious, heavily wooded properties provide the perfect balance of privacy and convenience, allowing you to build the home of your dreams without the constraints of an HOA. Just minutes from both Elk River and Ramsey, you'll enjoy the tranquility
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
