Situated north of the Mississippi River, Cottage Grove is known for its dairy farming and strawberry fields near the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. The city attracts Twin City commuters with its suburban feel, an acclaimed school district and a 15-minute drive to and from St. Paul. Cottage Grove's history dates back to the early 19th century when settlers were drawn to the area for its verdant soil along the Mississippi River, resulting in a rich farming and grain milling economy. Officially established as a city in 1974, railroad and manufacturing developments led to continued growth well into the early 2000s. Today, the city has over 40,000 residents and Fortune 500 companies like 3M, Renewal by Andersen and Up North Plastics, provide jobs to many in the area. Shopping centers and downtown entertainment options are also plentiful and surround the residential areas north of U.S. Route 10, while a few industrial pockets are separated to the south. “Cottage Grove has restaurants, shops and a great school system,” says Jessica Fisher, Realtor with Re/Max Professionals. “And its proximity to the Twin Cities Metro is desirable for commuters.” Despite its continued growth, the city takes pride in its traditions and maintains a community-oriented feel through local events like the annual Strawberry Fest.
The mighty Mississippi River borders the west side of Cottage Grove.
Up North Plastics is a large company in Cottage Grove where many residents work.
A row of new homes in the East Brooke Neighborhood.
U.S. Route 10, also known as Hwy 61, is the primary way to access the city.
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Strong market with pockets of new construction
Many move to Cottage Grove for the area's A-rated school district and ample housing options. “The housing market in Cottage Grove is strong,” says Fisher, who has over 6 years of experience selling in the area. “It has a great variety of housing for every phase of life. We have several new developments being built, so those who want to build their own home find our community appealing.” With a median sales price of $400,000, homes here are generally more affordable than the average property in the Minneapolis Metro Area. Prices range from as low as $150,000 for a one-bedroom townhouse to upwards of $1 million for a five-bedroom newly constructed Traditional. Cottage Grove's northside offers most of the housing opportunities in the city, with these developments often centered around neighborhood parks. New construction options are found in subdivisions like Woodward Ponds, a townhouse community; or in Calarosa which is primarily Craftsman and one-level villa houses. Homes along the Mississippi River do not sell for the million-dollar premiums like some other waterside communities, instead, houses sell between $400,000 and $825,000.
New housing developments are continuing to be built on the outskirts of Cottage Grove.
New traditional townhomes in a variety of styles are popping up in Cottage Grove.
Large homes exceeding the $1 million price tag offer spacious living in Cottage Grove.
Traditional homes with craftsman influences make up a majority of the homes in Cottage Grove.
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Education at SoWashCo Schools
Cottage Grove's families are zoned for South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools), and serves over 18,000 students, making it the sixth-largest district in Minnesota. Earning an overall A-minus rating from the review site Niche, students within the SoWashCo district may attend one of 16 elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools, or two non-traditional high schools. The district also features early learning programs for children up to five years old. SoWashCo’s high schools offer AP courses, and most students attend Park High School, which earns a B-minus from Niche and offers an IB program for students to enroll. Private options like Hope Christian Academy and Pine Harbor Christian Academy are also available nearby.
Hillside Elementary is on Hillside Trail.
Cottage Grove Middle School is located in Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
Park High School in Cottage Grove is the main high school in town.
Oltman Middle School is on Goodview Avenue.
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Seasonal activities and Cottage Grove Regional Park
Cottage Grove has 38 neighborhood parks totaling 1,500 acres of city-owned green spaces to enjoy. The city experiences all four seasons, with mild summers and cold winters, which average 48 inches of snow per year. Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park spans over 500 acres and is equipped for year-round outdoor recreation. It has a kayak launch and a fishing pier that is popular during the warmer months, and trails for snowmobiles and cross-country skiing come winter. Kingston Park has soccer fields, basketball courts, and tennis courts where athletes can train and compete. The Cottage Grove Ice Arena hosts winter sports year-round and offers open skate times for the public. The arena also hosts figure skating exhibitions and hockey games in partnership with SoWashCo Schools. The city also maintains eight outdoor ice rinks complete with warming houses where skaters can take breaks from the chilling temperatures between games. The public River Oaks Golf Course has an 18-hole layout with 57 sand bunkers and three ponds. It offers seasonal package deals and individual weekday passes for a fee.
The trails at Cottage Grove Ravine Park offer a great escape to nature.
Kingston Park primarily consists of soccer fields.
River Oaks Golf Course is an 18-hole golf course located south of Cottage Grove.
The Cottage Grove Ice Arena hosts hockey games of all levels throughout the year.
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The annual Strawberry Fest
In June, the city hosts the annual Strawberry Fest at Kingston Park. This four-day event celebrates Cottage Grove’s origins as an agricultural community filled with strawberry fields. The event features live music, food trucks, a parade and a fireworks display. “There’s a bean bag tossing tournament, a car show, a doggie dash, a pet show, a pie-eating contest and a top chef contest, so a lot of people bring in their recipes – and, of course, it has to include strawberries,” says Julie Prior Miller, the Cottage Grove marketing and communications specialist. “Last year, we had estimates of about 20,000 to 25,000 people.” It has been, and continues to be, a long-standing tradition for over 40 years.
Shopping hubs along Voyageur Highway
Most residents shop along Voyageur Highway, also known as U.S. Route 10, for everyday essentials. This hub features big box stores like Target, as well as grocery stores like Cub Foods. Local eateries and fast-food dining options are centralized and easily accessible. North of the city, the shopping area along 80th Street offers additional chain restaurants and a Hy-Vee grocery store.
Target is a popular shopping destination in Cottage Grove.
Taco Bell is one of many fast food options in Cottage Grove.
Cub Foods is a popular grocery destination for those who live on the south side of Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove has a large shopping center off the 80th St exit that features, a HyVee.
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Traversing the Twin Cities on Route 10
U.S. Route 10 cuts diagonally across Cottage Grove, connecting residents to neighboring areas like Hastings and the Twin Cities. The Metro Transit bus provides public rides from the Cottage Grove Park & Ride Station along Point Douglas Road. When traveling further outside the community, the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is 17 miles away. For healthcare, the Compcare Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine facility is located along 80th Street, while United Hospital is 10 miles south in neighboring Hastings.
Crime and contamination clean-up
On average, Cottage Grove experiences lower crime rates than St. Paul. In 2023, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees Cottage Grove, reported 30 violent crimes per 100,000 people. In recent years, some residents have experienced issues with groundwater contamination from neighboring industrial companies. A new water treatment plant to combat the release of PFAS, or “forever chemicals," is being constructed near Cottage Grove and is expected to be completed in 2025.
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