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Windom

Windom

Located in Cottonwood County

$176,667 Average Value
$116 Average Price per Sq Ft
30 Homes For Sale

Windom balances convenience with country living

Windom is a small Midwest community with the amenities of a larger metropolis. “We’re the county seat and a rural town that’s had pretty good industries since 1950,” says Realtor Gary Vanderwerf with River’s Edge Realty, who has sold in the area for around 25 years. The city has an industrial park with manufacturing plants, processing facilities and distribution centers that supply hundreds of local jobs. Residents also have access to medical care at the Windom Area Hospital, which is opening a new four-story building in 2025. “For a town our size, we have great medical facilities,” Vanderwerf says. Complete with department stores and state highways, Windom offers convenience without the congestion and costs of big city living.

Downtown Windom features local shops, thriving businesses and inviting restaurants.
Downtown Windom features local shops, thriving businesses and inviting restaurants.
Windom combines rural charm and urban amenities for a unique Midwest lifestyle.
Windom combines rural charm and urban amenities for a unique Midwest lifestyle.
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A robust park system with recreation on water, ice and land

Windom has numerous reservoirs nearby for ice, shore and boat fishing. Tegels Park rests on the banks of Cottonwood Lake, and Island Park, along the Des Moines River features various public facilities and a campground. Island Park has football and baseball fields, a canoe launch and a swimming pool. Windom Arena provides indoor amenities, including an ice rink, athletic courts and an equestrian center. The arena hosts rodeos and horse shows throughout the year and during the Cottonwood County Fair. The Windom Recreation Area is a relatively new addition to the system with baseball fields, trails and a sledding hill. Mayflower Park has a disc golf course, and Windom Country Club’s golf course is open to the public.

Windom Arena features an ice rink, multipurpose courts and an equestrian center.
Windom Arena features an ice rink, multipurpose courts and an equestrian center.
Island Park offers scenic riverfront views along the Des Moines River in Windom.
Island Park offers scenic riverfront views along the Des Moines River in Windom.
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Single-story architecture dominates the market

Housing options primarily consist of single-family ranch-style homes and Capes. Most sell between $100,000 and $350,000, though houses in need of renovations and large properties may fall outside this range. Streets typically have a suburban layout with densely packed lots, and driveways keep parked cars out of the streets. Sidewalks are common in some areas, and residents often walk their dogs, jog or bike on the roads.

A mix of housing styles in Windom ensures comfort and choice for local families.
A mix of housing styles in Windom ensures comfort and choice for local families.
Ranch designs in Windom provide room to grow for local families.
Ranch designs in Windom provide room to grow for local families.
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A town square centered around commercial development

The Cottonwood County Courthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sits in the heart of Windom. Local businesses and boutiques surround the Neo-Classical structure, which is lined with grass, walking paths and benches. “A lot of places in the Midwest are built around a square with a courthouse in the middle, and ours is probably the farthest area north that you’ll see that,” Vanderwerf says. Apart from this central shopping district, a stretch of stores, gas stations and fast-food spots dot Minnesota Highway 60. The city has a Hy-Vee supermarket and a Runnings store for houseware, farm supplies and tools. The nearest Walmart is 30 miles away in Worthington. Windom has a Duffy’s Bar & Grill, known for its rustic atmosphere and wood cabin layout. Phat Pheasant Pub and Jack Slade’s Steakhouse share a space and serve home-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Historic Cottonwood County Courthouse anchors downtown Windom with classic architecture.
Historic Cottonwood County Courthouse anchors downtown Windom with classic architecture.
Windom offers a variety of dining options, from casual cafés to family restaurants.
Windom offers a variety of dining options, from casual cafés to family restaurants.
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Education through the Windom Public School District

Children begin at Windom Area Elementary before transitioning to Windom Middle and Windom Senior High. All three schools score B ratings on Niche. Southwest West Central Service Cooperative’s Alternative Learning Centers are also available, and students can complete graduation requirements through STARRS Online Academy.

Windom Middle School promotes respect and responsibility in an inclusive learning environment.
Windom Middle School promotes respect and responsibility in an inclusive learning environment.
Windom Senior High School empowers Windom Senior High School prepares students as critical thinkers and problem solvers.
Windom Senior High School empowers Windom Senior High School prepares students as critical thinkers and problem solvers.
Hands-on learning at Windom Area Elementary blends art, science and technology.
Hands-on learning at Windom Area Elementary blends art, science and technology.
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A small community with plenty of traditions and activities

The city has numerous annual events, and the Windom Community Center hosts private gatherings. The Market on the Square is a recurring farmers market throughout the warm months, and the Windom State Theater has played blockbuster movies for over 110 years. Riverfest kicks off the summer with a parade, car show and contests, including a beauty pageant, fishing competitions and a mini tractor pedal pull for kids. During the holidays, people gather for Christmas by Candlelight to visit Santa and listen to carolers.

Three major highways run through town

U.S. Route 71 and Minnesota state highways 60 and 62 are the area’s main thoroughfares. “It’s a quiet town, so other than on Highway 60, you don’t have to wait for traffic to clear,” Vanderwerf says. The city is 150 miles southwest of Minneapolis and about 92 miles from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Windom has no regular buses, and the closest flights take off from Minneapolis.

Grace Pitney
Written By
Grace Pitney
Bob Yukich
Photography Contributed By
Bob Yukich
Jaried Frogosa
Video By
Jaried Frogosa

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

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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

Parks in this Area

Windom Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$173,750
Median Sale Price
$164,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$173,750
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$180,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
61
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
9%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$116

Area Facts

Number of Homes
726
Number of Homes for Sale
30
Median Year Built
2012
Months of Supply
5.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,926
On par with the national average
1,930
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,670
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,969

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Windom Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
4,904
Median Age
41
Population under 18
26.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$55,633
Significantly below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$73,653

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
89.2%
College Graduates
22.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.5%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
31''
Average Winter Low Temperature
8°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
24''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

29 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

7 / 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.
Windom