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Orton

A township of 200 people in Wadena County, Minnesota

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Now in Orton

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Around town

The places and views that make it Orton

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The Orton album

0 of 12 shotsNeighbors document Orton together

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Outdoors in Orton

Parks & trails →

Map of Orton: conserved land, trails and the top places to walk

Conserved land7.6%1,684 of 22,083 acres

Trails2.4 mi0.1 mi per sq mi

Parks & preserves3named on the map

1Burgen Lake Prairie Wildlife Management Area1,452 acres Directions

2Anderson's Crossing115 acres

3Huntersville State Forest21 acres

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

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Know Orton

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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About Orton

Township in Minnesota, United States

200Population

34.8 sq miArea

1,345 ftElevation

Orton Township is a township in Wadena County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 200 at the 2020 census.

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

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Living in Orton

Work & commute in Orton

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Most working residents leave Orton for work: only 0% work in town. The top destinations are Menahga (36%), Park Rapids (9%) and Alexandria (4%). Half commute less than 19 miles.

Menahga

36%

Park Rapids

9%

Alexandria

4%

Henrietta

3%

0%Work in townlive and work in Orton 19 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 4Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Orton →

Health in Orton

Compared with Minnesota

1better than MN·13worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 18 are too close to call.

Conditions 8▼ 4 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 1▲ 1▼ 5 close Mind 2▼ 3 close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

79.7%More adults treating high blood pressureMN 76.1% · better 7.6%More adults with COPDMN 5.4% · worse

Care nearby

St. Josephs Area Health ServicesPark Rapids · 19.3 mi · ER · rural critical access

Scenic Rivers Health ServicesNorthome · 86.4 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP code 56477 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Orton →

Natural hazards in Orton

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 46% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌪️ Tornadoes

0Does Orton flood?no paid flood claims on record NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 12 declared for Wadena County MapOrton vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Orton →

Climate in Orton

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Orton has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 79°, a January night drops to -1°, and about 51 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

22° / 3°Winter

52° / 30°Spring

77° / 56°Summer

53° / 35°Fall

How much snow does Orton get?About 51 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Sep 25, with the last in spring around May 14.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.8° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

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

Libraries near Orton

Nearest: Park Rapids Public LibraryPark Rapids · 19.6 miles · 41 hrs a week

Famous people from OrtonWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Orton.Meet them →

Where Orton is

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Imported town boundary

Minnesota · MN · Wadena CountyTown boundary on OpenStreetMap →

Around town

Bordering towns

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How things work in Orton

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Town hall & decisionsTrash, recycling & yard wasteUtilities & servicesStreets, parking & getting aroundSafety & preparednessSchools & learningParks, sports & recreationHealth & emergency care