Section Image

Park Rapids

Park Rapids

Located in Hubbard County

$310,593 Average Value
$230 Average Price per Sq Ft
10 Homes For Sale

Park Rapids is an outdoor destination

Park Rapids, Minnesota, is a city of about 3,600 people in the Heartland Lakes area. Numerous lakes and ponds pepper this touristy region, and Park Rapids is only within a few miles of some large fishing holes. The area also has a historic downtown, resorts and many other recreational amenities. “It’s beautiful with its lakes and trees, and there are so many outside attractions for people to do, whether it’s hiking, golfing or biking. There’s just an endless amount of things people can do outside,” says Stephanie Carlson, owner of Enjoy, a candy store and ice cream shop in the city’s downtown. “This is a community where so many people retire because it’s so beautiful out here.”

The community has homeowners, renters and vacationers

Lots in Park Rapids can span multiple acres and are sometimes surrounded by mature trees. Many of the neighborhood's residential streets do not have sidewalks. Houses include ranch-style, New Traditional and Craftsman homes. The area also has some secluded cabin-style homes with distinct log exteriors. Many homes within Park Rapids and the areas right outside the city go from about $210,000 to $550,000. A few homes near the lakes go from $590,000 to $830,000. Several investment properties go for under $100,000. The area also has many vacation properties; rentals make up nearly half of the homes here. “In the winter, we’re just a small, quiet community,” Carlson says. “In the summer, the population has to at least quadruple.”

Recreation ranges from golf to fishing and boating

Park Rapids is about 2 miles from Long and Fish Hook lakes. Each spanning over 1,500 acres, the lakes have ample walleye and largemouth bass and some northern pike. Long Lake also has boat launches on its northern and southern shorelines. The city has a few parks along the banks of Fish Hook River. One is Heartland Park, which has a playground, beach and fishing pier. The park’s other amenities include horseshoe, pickleball and basketball courts. The area offers access to Heartland State Trail, a nearly 50-mile-long path that goes as far as the small city of Cass Lake. Snowmobiling is one of the winter hobbies here, while Headwaters Golf Club provides a public 18-hole course.

Downtown has cafes, ice cream, Italian fare and craft beer

Many of Park Rapids’ restaurants are downtown. Walkers here may pass a few prominent murals and landmarks like Park Theater, an art deco movie house built in 1939. Downtown boutiques sell anything from personal gifts and candy to clothes and quilt fabric. Enjoy’s popular items include ice cream on freshly made bubble waffle cones. “They’re actually a work of art,” Carlson says. “They all have these different candies sticking out of them.” Other downtown staples include Bella Caffe, which serves coffee, sandwiches and other options. Necce’s Ristorante serves wines and authentic Italian food, while The Good Life Cafe has handcrafted comfort foods. Revel Brewing offers craft beers. Hugo’s Family Marketplace is available for groceries.

Students attend Park Rapids Area Schools

The city is home to the Park Rapids Area Schools district, which receives a C-plus from Niche. Students may start at Century Elementary School before going to Century School for their middle school years. Both schools get C-plus grades. Park Rapids Area High School receives a B-minus. The high school’s trap shooting team won a state clay target championship in 2025.

Community rings in the holidays downtown

Shortly after Thanksgiving, hundreds come to downtown Park Rapids to celebrate the start of the holiday season. The festivities culminate in lighting the city’s Christmas tree on Main Street. Visitors may grab some cookies and hot chocolate during the Yuletide Sampler and watch an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.” “Downtown looks like it’s right out of a Hallmark movie,” Carlson says.

State and national highways connect Park Rapids to its neighbors

Minnesota State Highway 34 and U.S. Highway 71 pass through Park Rapids and connect the city to the region's other communities. Located about 50 miles north, Bemidji Regional Airport is the nearest place for commercial flights. Delta Air Lines serves the airport, providing travelers with daily round-trip flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. CHI St. Joseph’s Health of Park Rapids serves the community’s medical needs.

Winter brings frigid temperatures

Newcomers to the area should anticipate some frigid winter days, as Park Rapids averages a winter low of minus 3. However, the area typically receives just over 20 inches of snow annually, or less than half of some parts of the Minneapolis area.

Yann Ranaivo
Written By
Yann Ranaivo

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Jason Bristlin, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
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. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Park Rapids Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$372,000
Median Sale Price
$248,800
Median Single Family Sale Price
$262,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$174,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
63
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-51%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$230

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,146
Number of Homes for Sale
10
Median Year Built
1972
Months of Supply
1.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,804
Below the national average
1,927
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,692
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
17,424

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Aug 2
    12 - 4pm

    18772 Estate Dr, Park Rapids, MN 56470

    $299,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,652 Sq Ft
    • 18772 Estate Dr

    Discover your serene retreat at this enchanting Park Rapids country home, nestled on 7.93 picturesque acres with deeded access to the tranquil Mud Lake. This charming residence boasts 3 spacious bedrooms and 2 well-appointed bathrooms, along with the convenience of an attached 2-car garage. The property features a beautifully wooded lot that provides both privacy and natural beauty. Additionally,

    Brian Halik Wolff & Simon Real Estate

    Section Image

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Park Rapids Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
3,649
Median Age
40
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$42,596
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$58,290

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
92.4%
College Graduates
21.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.9%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.5%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
24''
Average Winter Low Temperature
-3°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
21''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

41 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

45 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

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.
Park Rapids
Jason Bristlin
The Real Estate Company of Detroit Lakes
Section Image