$264,038Average Value$157Average Price per Sq Ft32Homes For Sale
A Midwest town that welcomes the cold and college students
From Beethoven, to bluegrass to brrrrrr, Winona has festivals figured out, even going so far as to feature artificially made ice as the centerpiece of a mid-winter event in a Minnesota community that already gets more than 3 feet of snow a year.
The city of 26,000 along the banks of the Mississippi River prides itself on a slate of happenings all year long, focusing on such topics as music, films, beer, native American culture and more. Some attract attention from around the country and around the world, but many of them bank on the region’s natural attractions as a starting point.
“The beauty of the area,’’ says Realtor Gile Gibbons of Edina Realty. “I mean, it’s on the river and it’s got beautiful bluffs. A lot of it is just how pretty the city is and the surrounding area. For any outdoor enthusiasts, it’s a great place.’’
Adding to the landscape of the city is Winona State University, an institution of about 5,500 students occupying a city-center campus. “I would say it’s something in between a small town and a college town,’’ Gibbons says.
Lake Winona has walking trails and canoes for rental in the warmer months.
Winona State University is an atomic icon for the area.
1/2
Fishing, swimming and boating in Winona's waters
Winona’s shoreline forms a crescent around Lake Winona, a popular spot for swimming and boating. The lake is best known for its stock of largemouth bass, which residents can fish for from one of three piers. Immediately south of Lake Winona is Garvin Heights City Park, where hikers take to the elevated wooded trails and are rewarded with an overlook view of the city. For the sportier types, the Lake Lodge Recreation Center has everything covered. Residents can rent aquatic equipment and enjoy a day on the water kayaking, pedal boating or canoeing. When snow accumulates, the center also rents ice skates and snowshoes.
There is a fishing pier on Lake Winona for residence to enjoy.
Garvin Heights Park is located along the southern Bluffs and has an entire view of the city.
1/2
Climbing the walls at the Winona Ice Fest
One of the newest attractions is the Winona Ice Fest, launched in 2024 to a large following. The emphasis on ice is not lost on the city that averages close to single-digit lows in the winter. Ice walls made by pumping water on sheer rock faces at Winona Ice Park set the scene for dozens of climbing enthusiasts, from beginners to experts to scale the walls.
During more temperate times, fans of Shakespeare, barbecue, classical music, camping and more come to town. Among the oldest is Steamboat Days, a five-day span in June, that dates back nearly 80 years and features rides, fishing contests, fireworks, parades and more.
Sugarloaf Bluff is an iconic rock formation.
Ice climbers try their skills along the rock walls in Winona Ice Park.
1/2
Tiny lots and spacious homes
The city is largely residential, with even, gridded streets throughout. This uniformity means that most residential lots are of similar size. “They’re stacked pretty tightly,” says Gibbons. “Normal lots are basically 50 by 150 feet, that’s kind of a standard lot in town.” Homes themselves can be quite spacious. Classic bungalows and ranch-styles with two or three bedrooms are common, averaging 1,250 to 1,500 square feet. More expensive homes can be up to around 2,500 square feet. The median price is $225,000.
Bungalows and ramblers make up most of the housing styles in the Winona area.
There are many other classic homes styles in Winona many of them built in the mid to late 20th century.
1/2
Grabbing a bite near the Mississippi River
Most of Winona’s restaurants cluster along the edge of the Mississippi River. Pizza spots and other businesses catering to college students aren’t hard to find, Gibbons says, adding that finer dining often requires a drive. Various bars also appear close to the waterfront. Walmart Supercenter and Target sit at the major intersection on the south end of the community for weekly essentials.
The Acoustic Café is a popular gathering place for locals.
Many shops line the main street in Winona historic buildings corridor
1/2
Winona Area Public Schools
Students living in Winona can attend class in the Winona Area Public School District, rated C overall by Niche. Nearly 2,500 students learn across the district’s five total schools, benefitting from an average student-to-teacher ratio of 14 to one. Winona State is best known for its school of education.
At Washington-Kosciusko Elementary, 42% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 37% scored at or above that level for reading.
Winona Senior High School is ranked 143rd within Minnesota.
1/2
Commuting in Winona is fast and easy
Winona’s residential and commercial center follows Highway 14 for about 5 miles from end to end. Driving from west to east across the city lasts about 10 minutes with good traffic. Commuting from one end of the city to its commercial center by the waterfront takes even less time. Residents can utilize the Winona Transit Service’s bus system as well. Taking the aforementioned route by bus makes for a 4-mile, 30-minute trip. The Winona Health Hospital is located on the city’s south side.
Crime and flash floods in Winona
Crime rates in Winona generally match those of national and state norms, though year-to-year fluctuations are common. The biggest environmental concern is flooding. According to the Winona County Emergency Management staff, flooding kills more Minnesotans than anything else weather-related. They warn residents of flash floods, which cause rainfall to accumulate quickly and make night driving especially dangerous. Because the city is on a floodplain, flood insurance is strongly recommended.
Written By
Malcolm Longerbeam
Video By
Kyle Keyes
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jenny Cisewski,
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 Winona, MN sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Winona, MN over the last 12 months is $220,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Sharp twin home on quiet street ready to move in. This three bed, two bath updated home is very low maintenance. The yard is very private with wooded area and a shed. Great home for entertaining NO HOA fee. New washer, dryer, refrigerator, RO system, softener, carpets, upstairs shades, landscaping, fencing and so much more.
This charming 4-bedroom, 2-bath, 2-story home blends classic character with modern updates! Inside you’ll find fresh paint, updated kitchen and bathrooms, new laminate flooring, tall ceilings, and beautiful maple hardwood floors. The kitchen features a center island, perfect for gathering and everyday use. Enjoy the bonus of a walk-up attic offering great storage or future living space potential,
Angela ThompsonColdwell Banker River Valley, REALTORS
Welcome to this charming ranch-style home situated on a spacious corner lot along the city's popular parade route, offering a perfect blend of comfort, style, and convenience. Featuring three bedrooms on the main level and two bathrooms, this well-maintained home is designed for both easy everyday living and relaxed entertaining. The vaulted ceiling in the main floor family room creates an open,
A rare blend of historic elegance and modern income potential—this stately property is a standout in the heart of Winona. Full of original charm, it features beautiful woodwork, hardwood floors, pocket doors, built-in hutches and bookshelves, and multiple fireplaces throughout. The main living space offers 5- bedrooms, 3-bathrooms, and the convenience of main-floor laundry—providing plenty of
Nestled in a picturesque valley yet conveniently within city limits, this property offers the best of both worlds—beautiful bluff views and a tranquil, private setting. Whether you’re seeking a site for multiple homes or your dream building site, this location presents endless possibilities.The property includes a home that, while in need of significant TLC, provides a solid foundation for
Welcome to Washington Crossing Apartments, the epitome of comfortable and stylish living in the charming city of Winona, Minnesota. Our fabulous community offers a variety of well-appointed apartment homes designed to meet the needs of modern living with incredible historical touch.Nestled in a picturesque setting, Washington Crossing Apartments combines the tranquility of suburban living
APARTMENTS & SHORT-TERM STAYS - Our recently renovated apartments are located in this charming and historic Winona building. The studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units are equipped with modern amenities and boast high ceilings, large windows, and original maple flooring that add to their timeless appeal.As part of Winona's bustling downtown area, tenants can enjoy easy access to
Located across from Lake Winona. Heat, water, trash removal, plus internet and cable package included with rent. Amenities: A/C, off-street parking, and laundry facilities onsite. No pets and no smoking property.
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.
