Howard Lake is a city in Wright County, Minnesota, United States. It hosts the annual Wright County fair. The population was 2,071 at the 2020 census.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code55349

Area code320

Living in Howard Lake

Housing in Howard Lake

$345K▲ 3.5% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Howard Lake home is worth about $345,000, up 3.5% in a year, close to the Minnesota typical home.

Only 4 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Howard Lake

A⁺

Safety Grade A+

Howard Lake reports less crime per resident than 96% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade.

Violent crime per 1,000

Howard Lake 0.9

Minnesota 2.3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Howard Lake 1.7

Minnesota 14.3

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Howard Lake

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Howard Lake for work: only 13% work in town. The top destinations are Buffalo (6%), Cokato (6%) and Winsted (5%). Half commute less than 20 miles.

Buffalo

Cokato

Winsted

Delano

13%Work in townlive and work in Howard Lake 20 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 1,325Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Howard Lake →

Health in Howard Lake

B⁺

Health Grade B+

Healthier than 73% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Minnesota

1worse than MN

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 31 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▼ 11 close Habits all close Care all close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

11.2%More older adults who have lost all their teethMN 8.9% · worse

Care nearby

Hutchinson HealthHutchinson · 19.3 mi · ER

Odhc ShakopeeShakopee · 33.2 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Howard Lake · CMS · HRSAHealth in Howard Lake →

Natural hazards in Howard Lake

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 27% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes💨 Strong wind

0Does Howard Lake flood?no paid flood claims on record NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 15 declared for Wright County MapHoward Lake vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Howard Lake →

Climate in Howard Lake

Full climate →

Howard Lake has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 5°, and about 41 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

25° / 8°Winter

54° / 34°Spring

80° / 59°Summer

56° / 37°Fall

How much snow does Howard Lake get?About 41 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 10, with the last in spring around Apr 30.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.5° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Howard Lake →

Schools in Howard Lake

All Howard Lake schools →

A⁻

School Grade A-

The public schools Howard Lake’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 75% of Minnesota’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictHOWARD LAKE-WAVERLY-WINSTEDSchools9

Journeys Alternative ProgramElementary · Grades K–8 · 9 students St. James Lutheran SchoolElementary · Grades PK–8 · 110 students Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Middle BMiddle · Grades 5–8 · 393 students Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Sec. CHigh · Grades 9–12 · 411 students HLWW Alternative Learning ProgramHigh · Grades 9–12 · 24 students Step TD ProgramHigh · Grades 11–12 · 18 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within MN. Ratings are from neighbors.