Rockford has a rustic atmosphere within 45 minutes of the Twin Cities
Tucked between farmland and the banks of the Crow River, Rockford is a growing community of roughly 4,500 people. Rolling hills, fields and forests surround the town and create a rustic atmosphere within 45 minutes of the Twin Cities metro area. Derrick Monroe, a resident and owner of Derrick Monroe Group with Lakes Area Realty, said he moved to the area when he was 18 to open his own auto shop. “Rockford was a few miles from where I grew up and prices were more affordable,” he says. “It still feels a little country, but close to the city.” Community engagement is important to many residents, which Monroe says contributes to the small-town vibe. “When there are new businesses in town, a lot of people will plug them on social media and say good things. If someone is going through something in town or if there’s a fundraiser, people are supportive,” he says. “There are cool things to do led by local people, and there’s a lot of community support and events.”
Riverside Park is a hub for events and outdoor recreation
The Crow River has kayaking, canoeing, fishing and tubing. The river is accessible from a boat launch at Riverside Park, the city’s signature 7-acre green space. In addition to being the site of most town events, the park features an ice rink, a playground and paved walking trails along the river. Rolling terrain and sweeping landscapes make Lake Rebecca Park Preserve a go-to for hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing. “It’s only a minute outside of town,” Monroe says. “It has a nice swimming beach and you can fish. It’s got miles of paved trails that people bike and rollerblade on.” Hunters and trappers may own, lease or receive permission to hunt on private land, but there are two wildlife management areas within a 20-minute drive. “When it’s deer season and bird season, you can hear the booms all day,” he says.
Arts, STEM and the IB program at Rockford Area School District
Students can attend schools in town at the Rockford Area School District. Rockford Elementary School, graded B-plus by Niche, is an arts magnet school with specialized programming. All third and fourth graders participate in weekly piano lessons, and the school has an artist residency program where students can learn from Twin Cities-based musicians and artists. Environmental studies is the primary focus of B-rated Rockford Middle School, which features outdoor learning areas and gardens. Rockford High School, rated B-plus, offers the International Baccalaureate program to earn college credit and prepare for higher education.
Median home prices are lower than Delano
Rockford’s housing stock largely consists of single-family homes and townhouses, many of which were built after the 1970s. The community has a single-family median price of $360,000, which is lower than Delano’s median of about $450,000. “Prices are still a little more attractive than surrounding communities and outlying metro areas,” Monroe says. Homes typically cost between $300,000 and $450,000, but larger homes and new builds in subdivisions range from $400,000 to about $550,000. Although most townhouses sell for $300,000 to $400,000, detached units can cost between $400,000 and $500,000.
Highway 55 leads to the Twin Cities
While Rockford has several local restaurants and businesses, most folks head to Buffalo, about 10 miles away, for shopping, services and medical care at Buffalo Hospital. State Highway 55 is the city’s main thoroughfare and connects to Interstates 394 and 494. Drivers can reach Minneapolis within 45 minutes, while St. Paul and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are about an hour away.
Local restaurants in town, more options in Buffalo
“We have a handful of spots for food, and I think everything is locally owned here,” Monroe says. At The Brothers Eatery, “You’ve got your typical small town diner with breakfast food. There’s also a new restaurant that just moved in called Rockford Roadhouse. That’s a small but more upscale type of bar.” Tacos La Chule has familiar Mexican favorites like birria, chimichangas and margaritas, while Clays Bar and Grill has burgers and bar fare. “You don’t need to go anywhere for food, but there’s no grocery store or pharmacy in town. But hospitals, services and shopping are all within a 10-minute drive,” he says. Aside from Buffalo, residents head to Delano, about 10 minutes away, or Maple Grove, about 25 minutes away, for more options.
Three days of fun during Rockford River Days
While the town has events year-round, Monroe says two stand out. “They do Rocktoberfest in October where they bring in bands for the community with food trucks, and there’s no charge. There’s also a local parade every year in August for Rockford River Days. It’s three days of this small-town carnival with local vendors, marching bands and a parade.”
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
