2020 · Winter scene · Library of Congress
Windom’s story
Windom in pictures
6 postcards, papers and photographs from public archives.
- 2020Winter scene
WindomMN
A town of 499. Public schools that outperform most of Minnesota.
Population
499
−14.2% since 2010
Median home value
$221K
Census ACS
Household income
$106K
median
Median age
42.5
years
Jobs based here
106
A commuter town
What makes Windom stand out
The 3 things Windom does most differently from other towns.
CSchool Grade
Schools
Better than 31%
of MN districts
School Grade C.
0 miof trails
Outdoors
#48 most trails in MN
0.3 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
1.4% of the town is conserved land.
100 U.S. towns● Windom
Health
58% of U.S. towns are healthier
on CDC estimates
Better than MN on 0 measures, worse on 8.
Small town
499 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
MarshallRed RockAustinNevadaWindom
Windom’s report card
Now in Windom
Be the first to start the conversation.
Residents weigh in
Windom is #5 of 238 in MN for “Highest graduation rate”. Fair?
Your answer becomes a post in Windom’s Town Square.
Start a conversation
Upcoming events
Nothing on the calendar.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Windom. Another town gets a different order.
Schools
Windom’s public schools outperform 31% of Minnesota districts
The public schools Windom’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 69% of Minnesota’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.
CSchool Grade
| School | Grades | Students | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smec Alc | 5–12 | 70 | C− |
| SMEC Credit Recovery | 9–12 | — | Not graded |
| Reset | 1–12 | 11 | Not graded |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MN on state tests and graduationAll 3 schools →
Work & commute
Most working residents commute out of Windom
Most working residents leave Windom for work: only 3% work in town. The top destinations are Austin (39%), Rochester (15%) and Dodge Center (4%). Half commute less than 17 miles.
3%work in town
Where working residents work
In Windom3%
Austin39%
Rochester15%
Dodge Center4%
Red Rock3%
17 mi
median commute distance
106
jobs based in Windom
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Outdoors
1.4% of Windom is conserved land
0.3 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves.
#48for trails in MN
1.4%
conserved · 323 of 22,897 acres
0.3 mi
of trails · 0 per sq mi
#115
most conserved land in MN
#117
most walkable in MN
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Schottler Wildlife Management Area | — | 162 |
| 2. Mentel Wildlife Management Area | — | 19 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-USParks & trails →
Health
Healthier than 42% of U.S. towns
Windom beats the Minnesota average on 0 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 8.
C+Health Grade
32 measures vs. Minnesota
0 better24 too close to call8 worse
| What stands out | Windom | MN |
|---|---|---|
| More adults with COPD | 6.7% | 5.4% |
| More uninsured adults | 9.1% | 7.5% |
| More adults who get no exercise | 26.9% | 22.3% |
Mayo Clinic Health System - Albert Lea and Austin
25.2 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental
11th
percentile among MN towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
Climate
Snowy winters, pleasant summers
Windom has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 6°, and about 43 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
43″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter10–26°
Spring34–54°
Summer58–79°
Fall37–57°
Oct 5
typical first frost
Apr 30
typical last frost
+1.2°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Natural hazards
High risk, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 65% of U.S. communities.
65risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesDrought
28
paid flood claims since 1978
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
A commuter town
97% of working residents leave Windom for work
Where Windom’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
106jobs based in Windom
3%of working residents work in town
17 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Windom
Township in Minnesota, United States
Windom Township is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 640 at the 2000 census. The largest town in the township is Rose Creek with a population of 354 people. All other area in the township is unincorporated. After unsuccessfully trying two names, the township was named in honor of Senator William Windom of Winona.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Population
- 520
- Area
- 36 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,237 ft