Living in Austin, MN

A Local’s Guide to Living in Austin, MN

“SPAMtown USA,” also known as Austin, Minnesota, is best known for its contribution to society, both domestically and internationally, for the creation of SPAM.  This salty, tinned meat was produced by Hormel Food Industries in 1937 and was popularized during WWII as a staple for U.S. soldiers.  As Hormel Food Industries grew, the community around it developed to what it is now.  

 

Today, Austin is considered a medium-sized, densely populated community of roughly 26,000 residents.  It sits quietly in southern Minnesota’s Mower County and is conveniently the county seat.  It 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.  In contrast, it also boasts a rural feel due to being surrounded by nature and numerous small, farm towns like Lyle (12 miles), Brownsdale (10 miles) and Adams (17 miles). 

 

Geographically, Austin is only a crows fly away (12 miles) from the Iowa border on Hwy 218.  Due to its close 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.  

 

Best Choices for Home-Styles & Neighborhoods in Austin, MN

As you tour the city Austin and its layout, it is noticeably obvious that it has positively grown and expanded from the inside to the outside.  For example, the center of Austin is made up of charming, 100 to 150+ year victorian-styled homes, but as each decade in history passed, the home styles and neighborhood trends evolved on the edge of the city’s expanding perimeter.  Moreover, the northeastern neighborhoods are made up of ranch and bungalow style homes that were developed in the 1930’s to the 1950’s.  By the 1970’s, a revamped ranch-style home with detached garages entered Austin.  Then, by the 1980’s split-levels and bi-levels were all the rage.  Today, newer (less than 25 years old) homes are primarily found in the Austin Acres neighborhood (Western and Southwestern Austin) and in the vicinity of the Austin Country Club and the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center (Northeastern Austin).  These homes are primarily single-family houses and townhouses.  On the outskirts of town, opportunities to own a home with acreage and outbuildings exist.  Lastly, if your dream is to build a new construction home, numerous buildable lots are scattered throughout the city and its perimeter.  Overall, Austin is full of a variety of housing options and has something for everyone. 

 

Most Affordable Place to Live: Austin, MN

In general, Austin is considered an affordable place to live and is considered a community to invest in personally and professionally.  Numerous opportunities exist to gently remodel older homes in well established neighborhoods for owning or as an investment (i.e. house flipping, rental unit, etc.) 

 

As of 2022, Austin’s median home sale value is $123,000.  Approximately, 70% of Austin’s homes are owned and 30% are rented.

 

Best Places to Work in Austin, MN

Enjoy the short commute to work by gaining employment at one of Austin’s top employers!

  1. Hormel Foods

  2. Quality Pork Processors

  3. Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin

  4. Austin Public Schools

 

Best Schools and Childcare Opportunities in Austin, Minnesota

School-aged children consist of about 20% of the population (roughly 5,000 people) of Austin.  Numerous opportunities, public and private, are available for families looking for the right school for their child(ren). The Austin Public Schools has 5 elementary schools scattered throughout the community that includes: Woodson Kindergarten Center (Kindergarten only), Banfield Elementary School (Grades 1-4), Neveln Elementary School (Grades 1-4), Southgate Elementary School (Grades 1-4) and Sumner Elementary School (Grades 1-4).  In terms of public middle schools, Austin has I.J Holton Intermediate School (Grades 5-6) and 

Ellis Middle School (Grades 7-8).  Lastly, Austin’s sole public high school is Austin High School.  In addition to public schools, Austin is also home to Pacelli Catholic Schools; a private, tuition based, Pre-K through 12th grade school system.  More specifically, Pacelli Schools has a Preschool & Montessori Program (Pre-K), the Pacelli Elementary School (Grades PreK-5), the Pacelli Middle School (Grades 6-8) and the Pacelli High School (Grades 9-12).  

 

In terms of preschools and early childhood education, Austin Public Schools offer services for Ages 3 & 4 Pre-K.  Other popular choices of preschool and wrap-around childcare within Austin, include:  St. Olaf Wee Learning Center, the Discovery Learning Center, the Congregational Preschool, the YMCA Preschool at Austin Community Recreation Center, the Semcac Head Start and the Apple Lane Child Care center. Lastly, as children transition to elementary schools, both the public and the private (Pacelli Catholic Schools) schools offer some form of before and after school-aged childcare program.  

 

Next, when it comes to college, Riverland Community College has a campus conveniently located in Austin. This 2 year college offers a wide array of degrees and certificates that include accounting, electrician, cosmetology, farm management, nursing (RN & LPN), web developer and more.  

 

Best College Scholarship in Austin, MN

In 2019, the Hormel Foundation started the “Austin Assurance Scholarship” program for Austin high school (public or private) graduates.  This program gives free post-secondary education at Riverland Community College in Austin!  

 

Best Community for Cultural Diversity

Over the years, Austin’s corporate businesses and industries aided in the cultivation of a diverse, multicultural population and in turn, it influenced a variety of ethnic restaurants and businesses within the community.  For Mexican restaurants, Austin offers El Sueño Taqueria, 1910 fresh, Maya Taqueria and El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant.  For Asian restaurants, China Star and Mongolian BBQ and Japan Panda are favored.    

 

Best Essential Businesses in Austin, MN

In recent years, businesses and retail shops have expanded that attract local residents, commuters off of Interstate 90 and citizens from nearby rural communities in Minnesota and Northern Iowa. World renowned healthcare is available within city limits at Mayo Health Systems-Austin (An affiliated entity of Mayo Clinic Corporation).  Crafters and creators have access to Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts and Walmart.  Microbreweries are popping up like Angry Hog Brewery and Gravity Storm Brewery.  Steve’s Pizza is a community favorite restaurant.  Last, but not least,  Austin Country Club and Meadow Green Golf Course are sure to give the golfing enthusiasts a run for their money. 

 

Visit Austin’s Business Directory for a more comprehensive business list!

 

Best Attractions within Austin, MN:

Austin is full of endless opportunities to occupy your free time, but the best attractions involve Hormel. Over the past several decades, the Hormel family and its Foundation has created numerous gifts for its residents and tourists alike.  First, the SPAM Museum & Visitor Center offers history of SPAM while enjoying entertaining photo opportunities and interactive displays.  Next, tour and study the architecture of the Hormel family’s 140 year old Hormel Historic Home.  Lastly, immerse yourself in nature at Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.  Enjoy hiking or biking (9 miles of trails) through the 532 acre property.  Take advantage of an educational class on bee hives or learn the art of tapping maple trees for syrup.  Lastly, embark on a canoeing adventure down the cedar river in the summer and a candlelight cross country skiing outing in the winter.  

 

In addition to Hormel related attractions, Austin’s offers a variety of popular activities that are sure to get you off of the couch.  First, hop on your bicycle and cruise all or part of the 13 miles of hard-surfaced Austin Bike Trails. Then, comfort those achy muscles with a dip in the pool at the new YMCA Austin Community Recreation Center.  Next, grab a bite of SPAM at B&J Bar and Grill or if you are feeling ambitious, try your luck at the Tendermaid Sandwich Shop’s burger and milkshake eating contest.  For reference, the current record (2016) is held by Molly Schuyler with 30 cheeseburgers, 1 malt, 1 bag of chips, 84 oz. water in 26 minutes.  Next, if your belly is too full to keep you from riding your bike, grab a book and relax at Sweet Reads. However, if your belly isn’t bursting yet, you can have supper with friends at Piggy Blues BBQ.  Finally, don’t forget to tune up your bicycle at Rydjor’s bike shop while you admire their vintage bike collection.  Also, pay special attention to the 2003 Waterford as it was the late Robin Williams’ bicycle. 

 

Best Events and Festivals in Austin, MN

  • Independence Day Parade:  The community parade on the 4th of July at 11am.

  • Austin ArtWorks Festival:  A celebration at the end of August of a variety of artforms and artists from near and far.  

  • Mower County Fair:  Is a yearly celebration in August that is full of farming, entertainment and 4-H exhibits.  On your way inside the gate, don’t forget to grab a pic with Buffy the Cow and her witty sign.  (Buffy has become quite the roadside attraction!)

 

Best Day-Trips Nearby (Less than 50 miles Away from Austin, MN):

 

Best International Airports Nearby to Austin, MN

 

Other Important Links

New Resident of Austin Information