Rothsay is a city in Otter Tail and Wilkin counties in the State of Minnesota. The population was 498 at the 2020 census. One of Rothsay's major tourist attractions is the large prairie chicken statue near the northwest outskirts of the town. The Otter Tail County portion of Rothsay is part of the Fergus Falls Micropolitan Statistical Area, while the Wilkin County portion is part of the Wahpeton, ND—MN Micropolitan Statistical Area.

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

Town numbers

ZIP code56579

Area code218

Living in Rothsay

Housing in Rothsay

$252K▲ 5.3% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Rothsay home is worth about $252,000, up 5.3% in a year, 28% below the Minnesota typical home.

Only 1 sale in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Work & commute in Rothsay

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Rothsay for work: only 4% work in town. The top destinations are Fergus Falls (16%), Wahpeton (8%) and Pelican Rapids (6%). Half commute less than 21 miles.

Fergus Falls

16%

Wahpeton, ND

Pelican Rapids

Breckenridge

4%Work in townlive and work in Rothsay 21 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 164Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Rothsay →

Health in Rothsay

Compared with Minnesota

3worse than MN

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 29 are too close to call.

Conditions 2▼ 10 close Habits 1▼ 3 close Care all close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

15.8%More smokersMN 13.1% · worse 25.5%More adults with arthritisMN 22.3% · worse 9.5%More adults who have had cancerMN 8.5% · worse

Care nearby

St. Francis Medical CenterBreckenridge · 16.2 mi · ER · rural critical access

Community Health Service Inc. MoorheadMoorhead · 35.5 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

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

Natural hazards in Rothsay

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 67% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🧊 Hail

0Does Rothsay flood?no paid flood claims on record 1Disasters that paid out herefederal disaster sent FEMA money to Rothsay MapRothsay vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

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

Climate in Rothsay

Full climate →

Rothsay has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 80°, a January night drops to 0°, and about 50 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

22° / 4°Winter

52° / 32°Spring

79° / 57°Summer

54° / 35°Fall

How much snow does Rothsay get?About 50 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 3, with the last in spring around May 5.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.4° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

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

Schools in Rothsay

All Rothsay schools →

School Grade A

The public schools Rothsay’s kids attend outperform 85% of Minnesota’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the top.

DistrictROTHSAY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTSchools2

Rothsay Elementary A-Elementary · Grades PK–6 · 194 students Rothsay Secondary B-High · Grades 7–12 · 140 students

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