Waterville is a city in Le Sueur County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,750 at the 2020 census. It is close to Sakatah Lake State Park on the Cannon River. Waterville has a yearly celebration called "Bullhead Days," and it is held in early June; the residents of the town get together for food, fun, a parade, a carnival, and fireworks.

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

Town numbers

ZIP code56096

Area code507

Living in Waterville

Housing in Waterville

$195K Median sale price · Redfin, May 2026

The median sale price was $195,000 in May 2026.

A strong seller's market

Buyer’sBalancedSeller’s

Days on market13

Sale-to-list101.6%

Sold in May7

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Waterville

A⁺

Safety Grade A+

Waterville reports less crime per resident than 98% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade.

Violent crime per 1,000

Waterville 0

Minnesota 2.3

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Waterville 0

Minnesota 14.3

U.S. 15.5

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

Work & commute in Waterville

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Waterville for work: only 10% work in town. The top destinations are Mankato (11%), Faribault (10%) and Waseca (7%). Half commute less than 20 miles.

Mankato

11%

Faribault

10%

Waseca

Owatonna

10%Work in townlive and work in Waterville 20 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 432Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Waterville →

Health in Waterville

B⁺

Health Grade B+

Healthier than 68% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Minnesota

3worse than MN

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

Conditions 3▼ 9 close Habits all close Care all close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

7.1%More adults with heart diseaseMN 5.9% · worse 10.2%More adults who have had cancerMN 8.5% · worse 26.3%More adults with arthritisMN 22.3% · worse

Care nearby

Mayo Clinic Health System - WasecaWaseca · 10.6 mi · ER · rural critical access

Open Door Health CenterMankato · 20.1 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

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

Natural hazards in Waterville

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 72% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes💨 Strong wind

45Does Waterville flood?paid flood claims since 1983 6Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Waterville

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

Climate in Waterville

Full climate →

Waterville has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 6°, and about 52 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

26° / 10°Winter

55° / 35°Spring

80° / 59°Summer

57° / 37°Fall

How much snow does Waterville get?About 52 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 4, with the last in spring around May 2.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.9° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

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

Schools in Waterville

All Waterville schools →

School Grade B

The public schools Waterville’s kids attend outperform 64% of Minnesota’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictWATERVILLE-ELYSIAN-MORRISTOWNSchools2

Waterville Elementary AElementary · Grades PK–4 · 264 students Waterville-Elysian-Morristown SR. BHigh · Grades 9–12 · 232 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.