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Austin, MN

Frequently asked questions

Austin, MN

Austin is a city in, and the county seat of, Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 26,174 at the 2020 census. The town was originally settled along the Cedar River and has two artificial lakes, East Side Lake and Mill Pond. It was named for Austin R. Nichols, the area's first European settler.

Hormel Foods Corporation is Austin's largest employer, and the town is sometimes called "SPAM Town USA". Austin is home to Hormel's corporate headquarters, a factory that makes most of North America's SPAM tinned meat, and the Spam Museum. Austin is also home to the Hormel Institute, a leading cancer research institution operated by the University of Minnesota with significant support from the Mayo Clinic.

Fertile land, trapping, and ease of access brought first trappers and then the early pioneers to this region. The rich gameland attracted Austin Nichols, a trapper who built the first log cabin in 1853. At that time there were "about twenty families in the area." More settlers began to arrive by wagon train in 1855, and by 1856 enough people were present to organize Mower County. In 1856 the settlement adopted the name "Austin", in honor of its first settler. That year the first hotel opened to travelers and the first physician, Dr. Ormanzo Allen, moved to town. The first newspaper, the Mower County Mirror, was started in 1858.

Austin is in western Mower County in southeastern Minnesota. It is 20 miles (32 km) east of Albert Lea, 41 miles (66 km) southwest of Rochester, 100 miles (160 km) south of Minneapolis, and 12 miles (19 km) north of the Iowa border. The city is bordered to the south by Austin Township, to the east by Windom and Red Rock townships, and to the north by Lansing Township and the city of Mapleview. Austin is bordered to the west by Oakland Township in Freeborn County.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Austin has a total area of 13.39 square miles (34.68 km2), of which 13.29 square miles (34.42 km2) are land and 0.11 square miles (0.28 km2), or 0.79%, is water. Its elevation is approximately 1,200 ft (370 m). The Cedar River, a tributary of the Iowa River, flows southward through the east side of the city. Tributaries within the city include Turtle Creek from the west and Dobbins Creek from the east.

The major industries in Austin include food processing, manufacturing, and healthcare, with the Mayo Clinic Health System serving as a prominent healthcare provider. Austin places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, evident in the numerous facilities and programs dedicated to residents' well-being. The Austin YMCA is a community hub, offering fitness classes, sports, and wellness programs for all ages. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Total Fitness Gym and CrossFit HUSH. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Austin, such as the Batchelder Trail and John Wellner Memorial Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Austin, MN are SPAM Museum, Jay C Hormel Nature Center, Hormel Historic Home, and Mower County Historical Society. 

Population: 26,171 (2023). ZIP code: 55912. Area code: 507. Elevation: 1,181 ft (360 m). Area: 13.43 sq mi (34.79 km2).

FAQs

Is Austin, MN a good place to live?

Austin is filled with historic homes, established neighborhoods like Austin Acres, over 28 community parks, and has direct access to numerous blue-collar and white-collar career opportunities within the city.  Additionally, Austin contains the amenities of big city living that include: Walmart, Hy-Vee Grocery Store, and Culver’s Restaurant. Geographically, Austin is only a crow fly away (12 miles) from the Iowa border on Hwy 218.  Due to its proximity, many northern Iowa residents commute to Austin businesses, utilize its healthcare services, and visit its retail stores. Additionally, Austin is ideally located 42 miles from Rochester, Minnesota on Interstate 90 (I-90); thus making Austin an appealing place to call home.  In general, Austin is considered an affordable place to live and is considered a community to invest in personally and professionally.

Is Austin, MN expensive to live in?

Austin’s cost of living index stands at 129.1, making it more affordable than some major US cities, but higher than the national average, with estimated monthly and annual incomes required to live comfortably set at $2,600 and $58,800 for singles, and $110,520 for families. Significant factors affecting the cost of living in Austin include housing prices with a median property price of $577,400, transportation costs with average annual car insurance at $1,159 for full coverage, utility expenses averaging $170 per month, and the cost of internet ranging per provider. Austin offers a competitive job market with an average salary of $72,000 and diverse neighborhoods catering to the lifestyle, safety concerns, and affordability requirements of families, young professionals, and individuals.

What is the history of Austin Minnesota?

Austin is situated along the Cedar River, just north of the Iowa state line, in a farming area specializing in corn (maize), soybeans, peas, and livestock. It was settled in 1853, laid out in 1856, and named for its first settler, Austin R. Nichols, who was originally from New York State. Mills were built on the river, and economic development increased with the arrival of the railroad in the late 1860s. A community college campus is located there, as is the Mower County Historical Society. Hormel Foods Corporation (originally founded as Geo. A. Hormel & Company), a meatpacking and food-processing corporation begun in Austin in 1891, is the economic mainstay, supplemented by other food-processing concerns and the manufacture of cardboard cartons.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Austin

Mayo Clinic Health System

Austin YMCA

Total Fitness Gym 

CrossFit HUSH

Batchelder Trail 

John Wellner Memorial Trail

SPAM Museum

Jay C Hormel Nature Center 

Hormel Historic Home 

Mower County Historical Society

Living In Rochester, MN

Bramlett Residential

Britannica

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