Moving to Wabasso, Minnesota

by btobers · Published June 19, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Wabasso is a small city in Minnesota with a population of about 1,000 people. It is located in the southeastern corner of the state, near the Iowa border. The geography of the area is mostly flat with some rolling hills and small lakes and streams. The climate is moderate with cold winters and warm summers.

The city has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century when it was founded as a railroad town. In the early 20th century, Wabasso was an important stop for travelers on their way to Minneapolis or St. Paul. The city also had several industries, including sawmills and flour mills, that provided employment for many of its citizens.

Politically, Wabasso is part of Redwood County and has traditionally been a Republican stronghold in Minnesota politics. In recent years, however, there has been an increase in support for Democratic candidates among the citizens of Wabasso as well as other surrounding communities in Redwood County.

Economically, Wabasso relies mainly on agriculture and tourism as its primary sources of income. There are several large farms in the area that produce corn, soybeans, wheat, hay and other crops while also providing jobs to local residents. Additionally there are several tourist attractions nearby such as Fort Ridgley State Park which attracts visitors from all over Minnesota each year during its summer season peak times.

Wabasso is home to two public schools; Wabasso Elementary School serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade while Wabasso High School serves students from seventh through twelfth grade. Both schools offer quality education programs that have earned them high ratings by state educational standards organizations over the years.

There are several notable landmarks located within or near Wabasso including Fort Ridgley State Park which offers scenic views of nearby rivers and lakes; the historic Redwood County Courthouse which dates back to 1872; and St Mary’s Catholic Church which was built in 1889 by German immigrants who settled in this area at the time.. Additionally there are numerous small parks located throughout town with playground equipment and picnic areas where locals can enjoy outdoor activities like fishing or hiking during warmer months.

Population: 643. Estimated population in July 2024: 656 (+2.0% change)
Males: 311 (48.4%), Females: 332 (51.6%)

Redwood County

Zip code: 56293

Demographics

Median resident age: 38.1 years
Median household income: $35,972
Median house value: $50,000

Population by Race

Races in Wabasso:

White Non-Hispanic (99.2%)
Two or more races (0.6%)

Ancestries: German (60.5%), Norwegian (15.6%), Irish (6.7%), United States (5.8%), Czech (3.9%), Polish (3.4%).

Elevation: 1080 feet

Land area: 0.8 square miles

Population by Education

Wabasso, Minnesota is a small town located in Redwood County, Minnesota. The population of Wabasso as of 2019 is 553 people. It is a rural community with a strong farming industry, but it also has some light manufacturing and service businesses that provide employment opportunities for the town’s residents. The majority of the population is Caucasian, but there are also some Hispanic and Native American people living in the area. The median age of the population is 47 years old, and the median household income is $50,822.

The town has many amenities for its residents including schools, churches, banks, restaurants, and grocery stores. There are several parks located around town as well as recreational facilities such as golf courses and tennis courts. Wabasso also boasts beautiful lakefront properties which attract many visitors during the summer months. The city has a low crime rate and offers a safe environment for its residents to live in. Overall, Wabasso provides an excellent quality of life for its citizens and visitors alike.

For population 25 years and over in Wabasso

High school or higher: 79.6%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.1%
Unemployed: 0.9%
Mean travel time to work: 18.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Wabasso city

Never married: 23.2%
Now married: 60.1%
Separated: 0.8%
Widowed: 9.9%
Divorced: 6.0%

0.5% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -38 (-5.6%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Wabasso:

REDWOOD AREA HOSPITAL (about 13 miles; REDWOOD FALLS, MN)
SPRINGFIELD MEDICAL CTR/MAYO HLTH SYS (about 22 miles; SPRINGFIELD, MN)
WESTBROOK HEALTH CENTER (about 27 miles; WESTBROOK, MN)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Wabasso:

BROOKINGS MUNI (about 109 miles; BROOKINGS, SD; Abbreviation: BKX)
ST CLOUD REGIONAL (about 114 miles; ST CLOUD, MN; Abbreviation: STC)
JOE FOSS FIELD (about 118 miles; SIOUX FALLS, SD; Abbreviation: FSD)

Other public-use airports nearest to Wabasso:

REDWOOD FALLS MUNI (about 16 miles; REDWOOD FALLS, MN; Abbreviation: RWF)
SPRINGFIELD MUNI (about 23 miles; SPRINGFIELD, MN; Abbreviation: D42)
TRACY MUNI (about 27 miles; TRACY, MN; Abbreviation: Y68)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Wabasso:

SOUTHWEST STATE UNIVERSITY (about 37 miles; MARSHALL, MN; Full-time enrollment: 3,405)
RIDGEWATER COLLEGE (about 52 miles; WILLMAR, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,711)
SOUTH CENTRAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE-MANKATO (about 86 miles; NORTH MANKATO, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,186)
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE (about 88 miles; ST PETER, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,355)
MINNESOTA STATE UNVERSITY-MANKATO (about 89 miles; MANKATO, MN; Full-time enrollment: 11,210)
SAINT CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY (about 106 miles; ST CLOUD, MN; Full-time enrollment: 12,913)
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 107 miles; BROOKINGS, SD; Full-time enrollment: 7,353)

Schools

Public high school in Wabasso:

WABASSO SEC. (Students: 244; Location: 1333 MAY ST.; Grades: 07 – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Wabasso:

WABASSO EL. (Students: 122; Location: 1333 MAY ST.; Grades: PK – 06)

Private primary/middle school in Wabasso:

ST ANNE (Students: 119; Location: BOX 130 1023 CEDAR; Grades: KG – 6)

Libraries

Library in Wabasso:

WABASSO PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $50,924; Location: 1248 OAK ST; 10,444 books; 210 audio materials; 364 video materials; 43 serial subscriptions)