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Owatonna, MN

Frequently asked questions

Owatonna, MN

Owatonna is a city and the county seat of Steele County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 26,420 at the 2020 census. Owatonna is home to the Steele County Fairgrounds, which hosts the Steele County Free Fair in August. Interstate 35 and U.S. Highways 14 and 218 are three of the main routes in the city.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 14.62 square miles (37.87 km2); 14.53 square miles (37.63 km2) is land and 0.09 square miles (0.23 km2) is water. The oldest part of the city (including the downtown area) is on a low-lying area on the eastern bank of the Straight River, extending towards the south from Maple Creek. The city has grown in all directions and now lies on both sides of the river, as well as above the ridge north of Maple Creek. Significant growth in recent years has occurred to the northeast, where homes have been built along the ravine of Maple Creek as well as alongside Brooktree Golf Course, to the north, and the southeast. 

Geographical landmarks of note include Kaplan's Woods, a hardwood nature preserve on the southern border of the city; Cinder Hill, a steep 60-foot hill on Linn Avenue overlooking downtown that local athletes use for training; the Straight River dam, originally used to power a mill and now reconstructed to include a fish ladder; and the Forest Hill Cemetery, an old wooded cemetery on the ridge north of Maple Creek that marks the boundary between the oldest parts of the city and more recent developments. Record rainfall events from September 22 to 24, 2010, caused flooding of the Straight River and Maple Creek in and near Owatonna, with developments in the floodplains of both streams completely inundated.

Owatonna was first settled in 1853 around the Straight River. The community was named after the Straight River, which in the Dakota language is Wakpá Owóthaŋna. A popular, but apocryphal, story is that the town is named after "Princess Owatonna", the daughter of local Native American Chief Wabena who was supposedly healed by a nearby spring's magic waters, which were said to be rich in iron and sulfur. The earliest the Owatonna area was settled was in 1854. It was platted in September 1855, incorporated as a town on August 9, 1858, and as a city on February 23, 1865.

Health and wellness are integral to Owatonna's community ethos. The local healthcare sector is well-supported by the Owatonna Hospital, ensuring residents have access to quality medical services. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Owatonna 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 CrossFit Holdfast, Owatonna Fitness, and Love to Lift. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Owatonna, such as Kaplan's Woods Park and Mineral Springs Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Owatonna, MN include the MN State Public School Orphanage Museum, River Springs Water Park, Little Theatre of Owatonna, and Owatonna Arts Center.
 

Population: 26,470 (2022). Elevation: 1,132 ft (345 m).  Area: 15.20 sq mi (39.36 km2). ZIP Code: 55060. Area Code: 507. 
 

FAQs

What is the history of Owatonna, MN?

Owatonna is rich in history. The region where Owatonna is located was historically used by Native Americans as a hunting area. The only known periodic encampment was at Rice Lake for hunting and harvesting wild rice. Upon its founding by settlers in 1854, the area was named Owatonna after the Dakota name for the Straight River, “Wakpá Owóthaŋna.”

What are the demographics of Owatonna, MN?

Owatonna, MN is home to a population of 26.4k people, of which 98% are citizens. As of 2021, 4.82% of Owatonna, MN residents were born outside of the country (1.27k people). In 2021, there were 18.9 times more White (non-Hispanic) residents (22.5k people) in Owatonna, MN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.19k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.1k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is Owatonna, MN famous for?

Owatonna is the home to the only known Orphanage Museum in the nation where over 10,000 children lived from 1886 to 1945. The museum includes a visit to a children’s cottage where visitors learn about daily life in a state institution. Featuring a narrative from a former ward of the state, it’s a visit not soon forgotten.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Owatonna

Owatonna Hospital

CrossFit Holdfast

Owatonna Fitness 

Love to Lift

Kaplan's Woods Park 

Mineral Springs Park

MN State Public School Orphanage Museum 

River Springs Water Park 

Little Theatre of Owatonna 

Owatonna Arts Center

About Owatonna

DataUSA

Explore Minnesota

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