Soudan is a secluded community with a strong connection to the outdoors
Soudan, Minnesota, is an outdoorsman's retreat, far from the bustle of any large city or busy commercial district. Large employers, shopping centers and even schools are a far drive away, but this seclusion is one of the area's main draws. "Lake Vermilion and the surrounding lakes are also a big draw," says Sherry Anderson, Realtor at Vermilion Land Office Inc. In addition to boating and fishing, "Tourism and outdoor recreation are big here with snowmobiling, mountain biking and hiking on all the trails in the area," Anderson says.
Soudan is an unincorporated community located east of the city of Tower.
Lake Vermillion is a vacation destination for nature lovers and anglers alike.
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Every season is enjoyed outside through recreational activities
According to the Minnesota Historical Society, Soudan was named after the Republic of Sudan, not for similarities but for a direct contrast in climate. Unlike the African country, Soudan has a wet and cold environment, with nearly 80 inches of snow annually. However, the changing seasons are a selling point rather than a deterrent, and residents enjoy outdoor recreation year-round. Lake Vermilion is almost 40,000 acres large with more than 300 miles of shoreline, just 1 mile north of Soudan. "Walleye and muskie fishing are big around here, and you can spend a whole day boating on the water, stopping at waterside bars and restaurants," Anderson says. Ice fishing is common once the water freezes over, and there are more than 1,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails around the lake – with a few passing through the community.A walking trail connects Breitung Monument Park and Soudan Playground, which have a baseball diamond, playground, pavilion, basketball court and outdoor ice-skating rink.
The Mesabi Trail is a 132 mile paved bicycle trail running from Grand Rapids, Minnesota to Ely, Minnesota.
The community of Soudan has a modest playground for the residents to enjoy with their families
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Houses from the 20th century in Soudan are relatively affordable
Development began in the early 20th century, and bungalows, Cape Cops and simple Victorian cottages from the time sell between $75,000 and $140,000. Double-wide manufactured homes and Colonial Revivals from decades later are slightly more expensive, ranging from $100,000 to $180,000. With a single-family median price of $90,000, less than one-fourth the national median, the homes are a relatively affordable option for those wanting a vacation home. "There are people who live here year-round, of course, but there are also many who own homes just to live in for a season or two for the outdoor recreation," Anderson says.
Housing in Soudan comes in various styles from various eras.
Renovated cottages in Soudan come in various color styles.
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Soudan got its start as an iron ore mining community
At Soudan Underground Mine State Park, visitors can glimpse the area's rich history as a mining community. As the first iron ore mine in the state, the mine brought workers to live in Soudan beginning in 1884. The mine closed in 1962, and guided tours started shortly thereafter. Now, guests ride on authentic equipment more than 2,000 feet under the surface and travel by train underground for over a mile to the mine's deepest area.Tourists from out of town can stay at Vermilion Park Inn, which was once the local miner's hospital.
The Soudan Underground mine is known as Minnesota's oldest, deepest, and richest iron mine.
The historic Tower Train Depot was used for timber and iron ore and had a brief stint as a passenger line for tourism to the area.
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Limited shopping in Tower and more retail options in Virginia
Shopping is almost non-existent in Soudan, and the community's stand-alone store has the fitting name of Soudan's Only Store. The convenience store has a gas pump, snacks, pizza and ice cream. Some restaurants and shops are in nearby Tower, and according to Anderson, "Tower and Soudan are adjoining communities. They're really one and the same, and you can't talk about one without talking about the other." Zup's Food Store is a family chain grocer in Tower with a few locations in the surrounding counties. The City of Virginia is 30 miles southwest and has big-box stores, grocery stores and fast-food chains.
Zup's Foods in neighboring Tower is the local grocery store that serves both communities.
Big box stores like Target are found about 27 miles south in the city of Virginia.
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Far away traditional schools and a nearby alternative charter option
Children learn at Tower-Soudan Elementary School from kindergarten through sixth grade. The school is rated B by Niche and is a short drive away in Tower. From seventh through twelfth grade, students can attend North Woods Secondary School or Northeast Range School, rated B-minus and C-plus, respectively. Both schools are about 30 miles from Soudan.Parents may send their children to Vermilion Country School, a public alternative charter school in Tower. The school teaches seventh grade through graduation or age 21 – whichever comes first – and is unrated by Niche.
Northeast Range High School cultivates a supportive learning community where students develop confidence and academic skills alongside the values of respect, responsibility, and excellence.
The North Woods Secondary School community empowers students to discover their strengths through rigorous curriculum and meaningful partnerships that connect classroom learning to real-world applications.
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Important to know details about the remote community
Soudan is walkable for leisure, and bike trails are around for recreation, but residents rely heavily on cars for travel. Minnesota State Highway 169 runs south of the neighborhood, connecting 2 miles west to Tower and 20 miles east to Ely. Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital is in Ely, while Essentia Health-Virginia is in Virginia. Duluth International Airport is the nearest airport with commercial airlines and regular flights – 88 miles south.Soudan's CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
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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Discover comfort, charm and convenience in this delightful 2 bedroom, 1 bath home nestled in a peaceful small town just minutes from the sparkling shores of beautiful Lake Vermilion. Whether your looking for a year-round residence, a weekend getaway, or a vacation rental opportunity, this cozy home is the perfect base for exploring everything the area has to offer. Step inside to find a warm and
Sherry Zupancich AndersonVermilion Land Office, Inc.
Nestled on a corner lot in a peaceful small town just minutes from stunning Lake Vermilion this 4 bedroom home with a 3+ stall garage has tons of potential. The garage offers plenty of space for storage, workshop and parking. Public boat launch, beach, numerous hiking/biking/snowmobile/ATV trails and state park nearby. Whether you're looking for a weekend retreat, a year-round home, or an
Sherry Zupancich AndersonVermilion Land Office, Inc.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
456
Median Age
60
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
13.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
38.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$50,833
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$75,716
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.8%
College Graduates
23.1%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.7%
% Population in Labor Force
56%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
30''
Average Winter Low Temperature
-6°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
76''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
33/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
6/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
