The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 56212 sells for about $135,000, or $85 per square foot.
Prices are down 2.1% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 112 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $506 a month.
ZIP 56212 — Bellingham
The Appleton housing market remains stable with low transaction volume and modest price fluctuations. The market is driven by local demand and a limited supply of available homes, resulting in a slow-paced environment. Economic factors, including the lack of major new industry, keep the market in a neutral state.
Appleton is best suited for budget-conscious buyers, retirees, or those seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with a low cost of living.
Median prices moved down 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 112 days on market with 7.0 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 0.4% · poverty 8.5% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 56212, Swift County MN
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in Appleton are generally low, consistent with rural Swift County trends, though property crime remains the primary concern for local law enforcement.
The area is served by the Lac qui Parle Valley School District, which provides standard public education for the region's rural student population.
The region faces standard Midwestern climate risks, including severe thunderstorms and winter weather, with localized flood risks near the Pomme de Terre River.
Economic momentum is limited following the closure of the Prairie Correctional Facility, with the local economy currently focused on agriculture and small-scale services.
Property taxes are assessed by Swift County based on market value, with rates influenced by local school district levies and municipal requirements.
Commutes are primarily by private vehicle, with residents typically traveling to nearby regional hubs like Benson or Montevideo for employment.
Local amenities include access to the Pomme de Terre River for fishing and boating, as well as small community parks and local sports fields.
The rental market is characterized by limited inventory and low turnover, with demand primarily driven by local workforce needs.
The local economy is heavily reliant on agriculture and regional public services, with limited industrial diversification.
Transportation is almost exclusively via private vehicle, with no significant public transit infrastructure serving the area.
There are no major large-scale commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction in the city.
Swift County Assessor manages property valuations, utilizing a mass appraisal system for annual tax assessments.
Parcels are subject to Swift County taxes and the Lac qui Parle Valley School District levies.
Property insurance premiums are stable but reflect the regional risk profile for wind and hail damage common in Western Minnesota.
Minnesota has experienced modest net domestic migration, though rural areas like Swift County often see slight population outflows.
Minnesota is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court action to initiate the process, with statutory redemption periods for homeowners.
Sellers are required to provide a written disclosure statement regarding the condition of the property, including known material defects.
Data retrieved from Census Reporter and data.census.gov for ZCTA 56212.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Provides local fishing and recreational boating opportunities.
Central community space for local gatherings and outdoor activities.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.