The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 56081 sells for about $215,000, or $138 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.4% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 62 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $844 a month.
ZIP 56081 — Saint James
The housing market in 56081 remains stable with low inventory and modest price appreciation. Demand is driven by local residents and those seeking affordable rural living, with limited new construction activity keeping the market balanced.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking a quiet, affordable rural lifestyle with strong community ties and a lower cost of living compared to larger metro areas.
Median prices moved up 2.4% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 62 days on market with 4.8 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 6.5% · poverty 16.0% — a mixed stability profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 56081, Minnesota
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in this rural area are generally low and stable, consistent with regional trends in southern Minnesota.
The area is served by local independent school districts that maintain standard academic performance ratings for the region.
The area faces standard Midwestern climate risks, including seasonal severe thunderstorms and winter weather; flood risk is localized to specific low-lying areas near regional waterways.
Economic momentum is driven primarily by regional agriculture and small-scale local commerce, with limited large-scale industrial development.
Property taxes are assessed at the county level in Brown and Watonwan counties, with rates determined by local school district and municipal levies.
Commutes are primarily car-dependent, with residents traveling to nearby employment hubs like St. James or Mankato via state highway corridors.
Recreational opportunities include local community parks, access to regional trails, and proximity to rural outdoor spaces for hunting and fishing.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and steady demand from local workers, with limited turnover and minimal short-term rental presence.
The economy is anchored by the agricultural sector, including crop production and livestock, supported by local small businesses and regional service providers.
Transportation is dominated by private vehicle use on state highways; public transit options are extremely limited.
There are no major large-scale commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction in this ZIP.
Parcels are subject to local school district levies and county-wide tax assessments for public services.
Property insurance premiums are stable but reflect regional exposure to severe weather events common in the Upper Midwest.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 56081 profile.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Provides local fishing and recreational water access.
Small neighborhood parks serving the local population.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.