Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 31 min5:29 am – 9:00 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 8 h 52 min7:45 am – 4:37 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People2,636 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 38.7945 householdsMedian household income $90,625Median home value $247,800Median rent $1,302 a month86% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $2,896 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting2.9% unemployment rate72% of adults are in the labour force, 1,388 employedMain industries: manufacturing 26%, education and health care 18%, retail 12%Average commute 20 minutes78% drive alone, 11% car-pool, 2% walk or cycle, 9% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages22% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher86% finished high school, 6% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 85%, Spanish 13%7% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 82°F, lows 62°FColdest month January: highs 22°F, lows 5°F35 in of rain a year, on about 65 dayswettest month June44 in of snow a year, on about 19 days9 days above 90°F, 160 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Owatonna station, 6 mi away
Nearby landmarksSouth Central College - Faribault Campuscollege · 7.9 miWells Lakelake · 8.4 miCannon Lakelake · 8.5 miCannon River Reservoirreservoir · 9.1 miStraight Riverriver · 9.4 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsPrairie Rose State Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 4.1 mi · 118 acresFaribault State Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 4.5 mi · 522 acresManthey Parkpark · 4.8 miLake Chase Parkpark · 4.9 miSwan State Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 5.9 mi · 238 acresRice Lake State Parkstate park · 10.3 mi · 781 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
EarthquakesNone of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 1970Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Very LowSteele County, MN, compared with all US countiesHighest-rated hazardsStrong wind Relatively ModerateHail Relatively ModerateSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality73% of days had good air in 2025267 of 365 days measured88 moderate, 5 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 5 unhealthy daysMedian index 35, worst day 175main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Dakota County, MN, 35 mi away
Internet at home91% of households have a broadband subscription66% have cable, fibre or DSL15% rely on a mobile data plan alone7% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterMedfordserves 1,200 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 20211 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation1,082 ft330 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalOwatonna Hospital4.5 miPost officeMedford Post Officeunder a mileTown hallMedford City Hallunder a milePoliceOwatonna Police Department6.2 miFire stationMedford Fire Departmentunder a mileSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 mi2 schools1 elementary, 1 highElementaryMedford Elementary Schoolunder a mileHighMedford High Schoolunder a mileCollegeSouth Central College - Faribault Campus7.9 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 55049 ZIP area.
