$404,385Average Value$201Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
Esko has spacious homes not far from Duluth or natural outlets
Spacious, wooded lawns on rolling hills define the small, unincorporated community of Esko, Minnesota. Not far from Duluth, the area got its name from Esko's Corner, an early corner store opened by a settler of the same name. The area remained mostly undeveloped until the mid-1900s when a growing need for more spacious homes around Duluth moved west. Now, Esko has large homes on spacious lots, and residents enjoy the untouched land around them. "I love to hike, bike, ski and just be outdoors," says Jamie Sathers-Day, a broker at JS Realty. "I love the rural aspect, but if I want to go into town, I have Duluth in one direction and the smaller Cloquet in the other."
Homes have more land and more bedrooms than those in nearby cities
The oldest homes in Esko, including Cape Cods, bungalows and cottages, are from the early 1900s and range from $140,000 to $220,000. Most homes are from the past three decades and feature new traditional and Modern Craftsman designs. The larger houses, ranch-style homes and Colonial Revivals are more expensive, selling between $300,000 and $600,000 on average. "Most lots are over an acre, and some are even over four acres," Sathers-Day says. "You get that rural feeling living here, but you're close enough to neighbors that you're not disconnected. Even though it's rural, it's still a neighborhood." A few outlying homes, with five or six bedrooms and upwards of 10 acres, reach up to $1 million in price. With a median price of $390,000, Esko's median is not far from the nation's. However, the median price of homes in Esko is more than Duluth's by nearly $100,000. There is a high homeownership rate, with 94% of houses being owner-occupied.
A top school district in the Duluth area has all grade levels in one building
Esko Public Schools is the second-best school district in the Duluth area as stated by Niche, and according to Sathers-Day, "The schools are a big reason why people move to Esko." Winterquist Elementary School teaches prekindergarten through sixth grade and is rated A-minus by Niche. Lincoln Secondary School covers seventh through twelfth grade and is rated B. The two schools share one building at Esko's center, within 3 miles of each home.
Esko School Fields is a mile north of the building, where teams practice and play after school. The football field has a rubber track, baseball diamonds and outdoor ice rinks that are open to the public.
Small neighborhood parks and large state parks offer recreation opportunities
Six miles from the center of Esko is Jay Cook State Park. The park, which is among the state's most visited state parks, has over 8,000 acres of campgrounds, trails, river access and a gorge. "It's a huge draw to the area," Sathers-Day says. "People go there for hiking, biking, skiing and even rafting on the St. Louis River." The Minnesota State Parks' bird checklist has more than 190 bird species for visitors to look out for and check off during their visits.Northridge Park is in the neighborhood along Midway River, an offshoot of the St. Louis River. The little park has a field, playground and swing set. More parks are west in Cloquet, including Braun Park and Hilltop Park. Baseball leagues play at Braun, while soccer leagues play at Hilltop. Those wanting to try disc golf can practice at Hilltop Park's full course.
Going elsewhere for shopping and dining
Esko is almost entirely residential, with limited shops and stores. TequillaTown Mexican Cuisine opened in 2023, across from the area's school building. "It's a small community. We don't have many retail options here," Sathers-Day says. "But you live in Ekso to enjoy the quiet rural living and then go elsewhere for shopping and dining." Locally owned restaurants and shops are in Cloquet, including Bearaboo Coffee Escape and Heart Berry, a home goods store featuring scarves, blankets and art with traditional Ojibwe Indigenous designs. Walmart, Super One Foods, fast-food chains, Aldi and department stores are also in Cloquet, while Duluth has more shopping centers and a mall.
Esko has a low crime rate
Esko has a CAP Index score of 1 out of a possible 10, while the national average is 4.
Important to know
Cloquet is 5 miles northwest and has sizeable employers like Community Memorial Hospital. Esko is just north of Interstate 35, which leads 14 miles northeast to Duluth, where some of the area's largest employers are. Esko acts as a rural bedroom community for the two cities, and according to Sathers-Day, "People who work in Cloquet or Duluth would love to live in Esko."Duluth International Airport is 20 miles away, near the mall and shopping centers along Duluth's Miller Trunk Highway. The Carlton County Standard Bus Route makes one stop in Esko three times a day from Monday to Friday. The route passes through the county's small towns and cities.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tracey Tellor,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Jay Cooke State Park
Dunlap Island Park
Athletic Park
Pine Valley Recreation Area
Esko Playground
Transit
Airport
Duluth International
35 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Esko
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Esko, Duluth sell after 35 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Esko, Duluth over the last 12 months is $433,794, up 23% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Open House, Saturday April 26th from 1:30 to 3 p.m. One Level living at it's finest! 3 BR, 2 bath Esko townhome overlooking a pond where the wildlife play. 2 car attached garage. Spacious pantry off the DR. Updated appliances 2016-2018. In-floor heat & gas fireplace. Mini split for A/C in LR. Electric Hot water heater 2022. Apple tree. City sewer & a shared well. Steel siding with stone accents.
Welcome to 49 Stillmeadow Rd, Esko, MN—a charming 4-bedroom Colonial home nestled on 1.4 acres, just 1 mile from Esko schools! This immaculate property blends modern updates with timeless character, offering a warm and inviting space for everyday living and outdoor enjoyment. Step inside to a spacious foyer and a heated breezeway connecting the 2-car attached garage—perfect for stashing jackets,
Beautiful 3br 2 bath slab home on beautifully landscaped 4.5 acre lot. Kitchen features beautiful cherry cabinets with granite countertops which is open to the living room and dining area which has a door leading out to patio. Master suite features walk in closet and 3/4 bath and its own entrance leading out to a patio which is wired for hot tub and soffits have plug in for lights. Living room
This property features 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, offering a total of 2,200 square feet of living space. The living room provides ample room for relaxation and entertainment, while the kitchen includes essential amenities for daily cooking needs. The bathrooms are equipped with double vanities and a tub/shower combination for convenience. This home has four bedrooms, allowing for comfortable
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tracey Tellor,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,107
Median Age
43
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
26.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$104,924
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$124,738
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.6%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
42.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.3%
% Population in Labor Force
72.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
32''
Average Winter Low Temperature
2°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
93''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
5/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
