12 Reasons Owatonna is Named 'Great Place to Live'

Slide another feather into Owatonna's cap after the town was named a "Great Place to Live" by a national website. Livability.com came up with 12 points of emphasis for the recognition. Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism (OACCT) president Brad Meier states in the Tuesday Talk e-newsletter, "We can think of a few more...Owatonna is consistently ranked among the most livable small towns in the country."

Cost of Living

Livability.com states, "Your dollars will stretch much farther in Owatonna, which offers an affordable cost of living." They cite a median home value ($232,000) which is below the national average ($308,000) and "Owatonna offers plenty of free ways to have fun."

Downtown Revitalized

Downtown Owatonna is seeing a big change, "with a trio of major projects taking place simultaneously that will revamp several city blocks."

Owatonna's a Safe Place

Livability.com posts, "You'll feel welcomed in Owatonna, a city focused on community spirit and public safety," citing the annual Safety Camp for elementary students run by the parks and recreation, police, sheriff and fire departments.

Plenty of Jobs

The website indicates that Owatonna "has grown from its agricultural heritage and now is a place with a diverse economy that includes a strong industrial, financial and service base."

Owatonna business — Roy Koenig/Townsquare Media

Daikin sign — Roy Koenig/Townsquare Media

Good Health Care

With the Mayo Clinic Health System and Owatonna Hospital, "Residents have access to premier healthcare within Owatonna."

Grade-A Education

Livability.com says, "Owatonna has a mix of top-notch public and private schools...Also, a new high school is scheduled to open in fall 2023."

new school — Roy Koenig/Townsquare Media

Local Dining/Shopping Opportunities

"Owatonna is home to dozens of restaurants...Downtown Owatonna is lined with fun shops and boutiques."

Torey's Restaurant — Roy Koenig/Townsquare Media

Central Park Coffee — Roy Koenig/Townsquare Media

History and Architecture

"Historic downtown Owatonna officially became a National Register Historic District in 2015."

Culture and Arts

Livability.com writes, "Residents and visitors can experience Owatonna's arts and culture scene by enjoying live outdoor music, catching a theater performance, or checking out art exhibits showcasing local and regional artists at the Owatonna Arts Center."

Easy Access to Big Cities

Minneapolis/St. Paul is just an hour away.

Outdoor Adventures

Owatonna has more than 800 acres of parkland and paths throughout over 30 city parks.

winter, parks, Owatonna — Roy Koenig/TSM

Year-Round Events

Every month of the year you can find a special event scheduled in Owatonna.

Dairy Days — Roy Koenig/Townsquare Media

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The 10 Smartest Counties in Minnesota

With data from Lumina Foundation, we have the most educated to least educated counties across Minnesota. The rankings are based on the percentage of the population that has an Associate's degree or higher.

Gallery Credit: Carly Ross