$352,695Average Value$178Average Price per Sq Ft25Homes For Sale
Pine Island residents create a supportive community near Rochester
Pine Island is a bustling, small city with a welcoming community about 15 miles from Rochester. “That’s basically our biggest selling point, that we are a nice, small town with great schools near a major Minnesota city,” says Rachel Gray, director of the Van Horn Public Library. Residents are actively involved in the community, joining the bowling league at Trailhead or donating to the local food pantry that is open to everyone. Local religious organizations manage other programs, such as the baby drive for clothes, diapers, and other necessities at the United Methodist Church. “There’s a really, really nice community here,” Gray says. “There’s a lot of different things that try to help our neighbors help ourselves.”
Pine Island sits about 15 miles from Rochester and Saint Mary’s campus.
Outdoor pickleball courts in Pine Island host friendly matches.
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Homes get older as they move closer to the city center
Sidewalks line the streets of Pine Island. Older homes dating back to the late 19th century, including bungalows, ranch styles and Victorian-era houses, are close together with small, grassy lawns toward the city center. As properties move farther out, New Traditional builds with Craftsman or colonial influences on larger, manicured lots are common. Many homes have driveways and garages, and there is ample room for street parking. Older single-family houses typically cost between $150,000 and $300,000, while newer properties range from $300,000 to $600,000. Some townhouses are in the southern part of the city and can cost between $230,000 and $350,000.
Near downtown, bungalows, ranch homes, and Victorian houses line walkable blocks.
Newer Pine Island homes often range from $300k to $600k.
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Pine Island schools are well-rated by Niche
The city has its own school system, Pine Island Public School District. Students start at Pine Island Elementary School before attending Pine Island Middle and High School's shared campus. The high school partners with Southwest Minnesota State University to offer the College Now program, where university professors work with high school teachers to teach college-level courses. All three schools earn a B-plus from Niche.
Pine Island Elementary nurtures learners within the close-knit district.
Pine Island High School offers college-level course options.
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Residents prefer to shop and dine at local establishments
Locally owned businesses make up most of the small restaurant scene in Pine Island. Trailhead Grill and Lanes is a community favorite that serves American fare and daily specials. The grill is also a popular recreation space, with a bowling alley, pool table and sand volleyball. Agave Tex-Mex is another favorite among locals. “Gee, I love their chimichangas,” Gray says. Yoyo Yummies is a food trailer in the city that specializes in traditional Hmong, Korean and Thai dishes. People get groceries from the independently owned Island Market. “They’re very good about if people are asking for specific things, getting those so people don’t have to go into Rochester,” Gray says. The Pine Island Farmers Market, every Thursday evening from the middle of June to the end of October, sells fresh produce, meats, cheeses and baked goods. For most other shopping, residents head into Rochester, where Walmart, Target and Home Depot are located.
Trailhead Grill and Lanes pairs comfort food with bowling, pool, and sand volleyball.
Shop local at the Pine Island Farmers Market, held from June to October.
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Recreation options include parks, trails and the library
Trailhead Park is the largest park in the city and marks the start of the Douglas Trail, a 12-and-a-half-mile-long trail along an abandoned railroad that ends in Rochester. At the park, there are horseshoes, open fields and a playground. There is a canoe launch that lets out onto the Zumbro River. Pickleball players head to the courts next to the Cheese Factory, and there is an ice-skating rink. Pine Island Golf Course is a public 18-hole course that spans 140 acres. At the Van Horn Public Library, patrons can enroll in the summer reading program or join one of the many book clubs, including Books and Brews, held at the South x SouthEast Brewing Company. The library’s newest feature is its pollinator garden. “It’s been a lot of fun to see the kids, and even the adults, react to that,” Gray says. “We’re all very excited for things to be blooming.”
Pickleball adds casual recreation to Pine Island’s park network.
Summer reading at Van Horn Library encourages young readers in Pine Island.
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U.S. Route 52 leads to the closest hospital and airport
Pine Island is a car-dependent community. U.S. Route 52 is the main thoroughfare and leads directly into Rochester. The closest hospital is Saint Mary’s campus of the Mayo Clinic, about 15 miles away. Rochester International Airport is also a 15-mile drive, although most people travel about 60 miles to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Community comes together for the Pine Island Cheese Festival
The Pine Island Cheese Festival is a longstanding tradition that started in 1936 when cheese factories comprised most of the job market. Attendees can play in pickleball and golf tournaments and go on carnival rides. There is also live music, a beer garden, craft vendors and, of course, a cheese market. Every January, people come together for the Winter Fest, a day-long celebration with ice skating, skiing, sled racing and a chili feed. “It’s just to celebrate the community in the winter,” Gray says.
Written By
Zia Sampson
Photography Contributed By
Jacob McAllister
Video By
TJ Wengert
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lynn Frantzen,
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Pine Island, MN sell after 59 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Pine Island, MN over the last 12 months is $302,500, down 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Completely Remodeled Rambler - This move-in ready three bedroom, two bathroom home has been beautifully updated from top to bottom with new paint, new can lights with dimmers, flooring, windows, siding, roof, seamless gutters. Enjoy lots of natural light coming in and an open kitchen/dining/living room area with stainless steel appliances. The lower level features new ceilings, new carpet, paint,
Charming and updated, this 2,547 sq ft split level home is perfectly situated on a quiet culde sac just minutes from downtown Pine Island and an easy commute to Rochester. This homefeatures 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with an inviting open-concept layout. The bright kitchenis highlighted by a large bay window that fills the space with natural light and flowsseamlessly into the main
5.41 Acres Pristine Country Home with Massive Shed/Workshop endless opportunities. This beautifully maintained four-bedroom, three-bath home has main-floor living, vaulted great room with large windows filling the space with natural light. The open-concept kitchen and dining area feature Corian countertops, stainless steel appliances, LVP flooring, and quality woodwork throughout this
Modern Living in Downtown Pine Island — Just 15 Minutes from Rochester!!Built in 2019, our newer apartments offer contemporary comfort in a prime location. Nestled in downtown Pine Island and just off Hwy 52, you're an easy 15-minute drive to Rochester and under an hour from Minneapolis.Each apartment features:- Open-concept floor plans with modern finishes- Private
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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.
