The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 56278 sells for about $135,000, or $98 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 85 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $748 a month.
ZIP 56278 — Ortonville
The housing market in 56278 remains stable with low inventory and modest price appreciation consistent with rural Minnesota trends. Demand is driven by local residents, resulting in a slow but steady pace of sales. Market conditions are expected to remain balanced due to limited new supply and consistent local demand.
This ZIP is best suited for local families, agricultural workers, and those seeking a quiet, low-cost rural lifestyle with strong community ties.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 85 days on market with 4.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
15% 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 2.0% · poverty 10.0% — 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 4.0%/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
ZCTA 56278, Big Stone 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 this rural area are consistently low, with incidents primarily limited to minor property-related issues that remain well below regional and national averages.
The area is served by local independent school districts that maintain small class sizes and are generally characterized by stable, community-focused academic environments.
The region faces standard Midwestern climate risks, including seasonal severe thunderstorms and occasional winter weather impacts; flood risk is generally localized to specific low-lying areas near water bodies.
Economic momentum is driven by regional agricultural production and small-scale local commerce, with limited large-scale industrial development currently underway.
Property taxes are assessed at the county level based on market value, with rates influenced by local school district levies and municipal service requirements.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents typically driving to nearby employment hubs in larger county seats or regional centers via state highways.
Local recreation centers on community parks, small-town athletic fields, and proximity to regional outdoor spaces for hunting, fishing, and seasonal activities.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and steady demand from local workers, with limited turnover and minimal short-term rental presence.
The economy is heavily anchored by the agricultural sector, including crop production and related support services, with secondary employment in local government and retail.
Transportation infrastructure consists primarily of state and county highways; there is no public transit system serving this rural area.
There are no major commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction in this ZIP code.
The county assessor manages property valuations based on annual market analysis and state-mandated assessment cycles.
Parcels are subject to local school district taxes and county-level levies for public services and infrastructure maintenance.
Property insurance premiums are generally stable, though coverage for wind and hail damage is a standard consideration for homeowners in this region.
Net domestic migration is generally flat, with a balance between long-term residents and modest interest from retirees or remote workers.
Minnesota operates as a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court oversight for the foreclosure process.
Sellers are required to provide a written disclosure statement regarding the condition of the property, including known material defects.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
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 extensive outdoor recreation including boating, fishing, and hiking trails.
Serves as the primary hub for local gatherings and youth sports.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.