Quality of Life

A Thriving Regional Center

This thriving regional center serves as a shopping, tourism and healthcare magnet for southern Minnesota. It consistently ranks among the most livable small towns in the country.* Its amenities rival those in cities many times its size:

  • Cabela’s giant retail showroom, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year
  • A vibrant historic downtown business district built around a town square and anchored by Federated Insurance and Josten’s
  • Outstanding healthcare through Owatonna Allina Hospital and Mayo Clinic Health System-Owatonna
  • More than 700 acres of parks and trails, and two-championship golf courses
  • Four Seasons Arena, home of Minnesota’s largest county fair and Blades Junior A Hockey Team.

*2009 Money Magazine, American City Business Journals, 2005 and Demographics Daily, 2000

Education

From preschool to higher education, the Owatonna area offers the very finest in education. The Owatonna Public Schools are committed to maximizing students learning potential. With four elementary school locations, a  middle school (Grades 6-8) and high school (9-12) to serve the community with an enrollment of approximately 5,000 students.

Owatonna Public Schools Fact Sheet

Owatonna also is home to four parochial schools:

As well as school for our children, Owatonna offers higher education and community education for adults:

Owatonna also has several child development and day care facilities and provides educational and recreational programs for seniors.

Child Care Centers/Preschools

Owatonna has a large variety of child care centers, preschools and licensed providers. For child care information call Steele County Social Services: 507-444-7544 or contact the local (507-455-2560) and statewide (800-433-8108) Child Care Resource and Referral Service.

Health Care

Along with a Mayo Health System affiliated Clinic and Allina Hospital, local independent healthcare professionals offer high-quality services including dental care and eye care, chiropractic and rehabilitation services. Owatonna also has several full-service pharmacies staffed with people who care about healthy living.

Mayo Clinic Health System – Owatonna

The Mayo Clinic Health System-Owatonna has a new state-of-the-art facility located on 26th St NW.  They have a strong relationship with Mayo Clinic to assist you with the most trusted specialty care in the U.S.. Your health care needs always come first, whether that means primary care or specialty care services.

Contact the Mayo Clinic Health System-Owatonna at: 507-451-1120 or 1-800-628-2538

Owatonna Allina Hospital

The Owatonna Allina Hospital is a full-service, acute-care facility committed to caring for the community and believes the most valuable asset people can have is their good health. Owatonna Hospital provides a continuum of care, from disease prevention programs, to technically advanced inpatient and outpatient care, to medical transportation, home care and hospice services.

Contact the Owatonna Allina Hospital at: 507-451-3850

Dining & Shopping

There are a host of indoor activities from bowling to a movie, and interesting shopping opportunities from specialty shops to national chain retailers. No matter what your interest, you are sure to find something to enjoy in Owatonna.

Shopping & Dining Map

Entertainment & Recreation

History & Culture

Legend has it that Chief Wabena heard of the curing waters called minnewaucan. His daughter, Princess Owatonna, was very frail so he moved his tribe to the site of the natural springs on the banks of Maple Creek. Princess Owatonna drank from the springs daily and recovered her health. Her kindly spirit hovers near the bubbling waters and beckons weary travelers to pause in the beautiful valley and drink of the magic waters. You can visit the springs and the statue of Princess Owatonna at Mineral Springs Park. Although this makes a colorful and romantic campfire story, the name most likely originated from the major river running through Steele County, now named the Straight River. For hundreds of years before the arrival of the first white settlers, Native Americans camped on the banks of the river they called “Ouitunya”, which means straight.

Steele County Historical Society Village of Yesteryear
Owatonna Arts Center
State Orphanage Museum
Louis Sullivan Designed National Farmers Bank
Historic Walking Tours (PDF)
Owatonna Public Library

Recreation

The City of Owatonna Parks and Recreation Department provides diversified recreational program offerings and maintains in excess of 700 acres of parkland in the Owatonna area for your enjoyment including 5.2 miles of trails with future plans for expansion. The community also boosts three championship golf courses, a skate park, Four Seasons Civic Centre.

Owatonna Skate Park
Four Seasons Centre
Golf Courses
Nature & Camping
River Springs Water Park

Housing

Whether you are planning on purchasing, building or renting a home in Owatonna, you will find professional, friendly people to assist you. Owatonna is a growing community, adding houses each year and offering a wide variety of living opportunities to fit various lifestyles and budgets.

Owatonna Comprehensive Housing Study