Moving to Stockton, Minnesota

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

Stockton, Minnesota is a small rural town located in the heart of Minnesota. The city lies on the banks of the Root River and is surrounded by rolling hills and lush farmlands. The climate in Stockton is typical of the Midwest, with cold winters and hot summers. Snowfall can be heavy in winter, but temperatures rarely dip below freezing. The history of Stockton goes back to its founding in 1854 when it was incorporated as a village. It was later incorporated as a city in 1875 and has since grown to its current population of just over 4,000 people.

Politically, Stockton is part of Goodhue County and is represented by both state legislators and local officials. The economy is largely driven by agriculture, with many farms located nearby producing corn, soybeans, hay, beef cattle and dairy products. In addition to agriculture, there are also some small manufacturing businesses in the area that are involved in woodworking and metal fabrication.

The schools in Stockton are run by the local school district which includes three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. There are also two private schools located within the city limits that serve students from kindergarten through grade 12. There are also several post-secondary educational institutions within driving distance for residents who wish to pursue higher education opportunities.

Stockton has several landmarks that attract visitors from all over Minnesota including the historic Root River Bridge which spans across the river downtown; the Stockton Opera House which hosts live performances throughout the year; Stapleton Park which features a playground area for children; and Lake Byllesby which provides fishing opportunities for both locals and tourists alike.

Population: 682. Estimated population in July 2024: 780 (+14.4% change)
Males: 354 (51.9%), Females: 328 (48.1%)

Winona County

Zip code: 55988

Demographics

Median resident age: 31.0 years
Median household income: $41,250
Median house value: $94,200

Population by Race

Races in Stockton:

White Non-Hispanic (98.8%)
American Indian (0.7%)

Ancestries: German (49.9%), Norwegian (21.3%), Polish (16.1%), Irish (11.7%), United States (2.9%), English (2.8%).

Elevation: 740 feet

Land area: 1.6 square miles

Population by Education

Stockton, Minnesota is a small town in the heart of Goodhue County with a population of 1,007 according to the 2019 census. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, Stockton is home to a diverse array of people and businesses. The majority of Stockton’s population (about 72%) are Caucasian, while other ethnicities make up 28% of Stockton’s population. About half (46%) are married and almost a third (32%) have children under 18 living with them. The median age in Stockton is 37.7 years old and most residents are between 25 and 44 years old. The median household income for Stockton is $67,000 which is slightly higher than the state average for Minnesota. The unemployment rate in Stockton is 3.3%, which is lower than the national average and reflects the strong economy of this small town.

Stockton also has a strong sense of community that helps bring people together from all walks of life. Many residents take part in outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, camping and biking along the beautiful banks of the Mississippi River or at any one of Stockton’s many local parks such as Riverside Park or Mill Creek Park. In addition to outdoor activities, there are many cultural events that take place throughout the year such as art shows, music festivals and theater performances at local venues like The Grand Opera House or The Palace Theater located right downtown on Main Street where you can also find an array of boutiques and restaurants offering delicious local cuisine from all around Minnesota!

For population 25 years and over in Stockton

High school or higher: 79.7%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.5%
Unemployed: 5.7%
Mean travel time to work: 19.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Stockton city

Never married: 29.1%
Now married: 51.4%
Separated: 1.3%
Widowed: 4.0%
Divorced: 14.1%

0.3% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +108 (+18.8%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Stockton:

COMMUNITY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 9 miles; WINONA, MN)
FRANCISCAN SKEMP MED CTR-ARCADIA HOSP (about 26 miles; ARCADIA, WI)
ST ELIZABETH HOSPITAL (about 31 miles; WABASHA, MN)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Stockton:

LA CROSSE MUNI (about 38 miles; LA CROSSE, WI; Abbreviation: LSE)
ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL (about 50 miles; ROCHESTER, MN; Abbreviation: RST)
CHIPPEWA VALLEY REGIONAL (about 61 miles; EAU CLAIRE, WI; Abbreviation: EAU)

Other public-use airports nearest to Stockton:

WINONA MUNI-MAX CONRAD FLD (about 6 miles; WINONA, MN; Abbreviation: ONA)
RUSHFORD MUNI (about 16 miles; RUSHFORD, MN; Abbreviation: 55Y)
HOUSTON COUNTY (about 36 miles; CALEDONIA, MN; Abbreviation: CHU)

Amtrak station near Stockton:

10 miles: WINONA (65 E. MARK ST.). Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, full-service food facilities, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, taxi stand, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Stockton:

WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 9 miles; WINONA, MN; Full-time enrollment: 6,568)
SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA (about 9 miles; WINONA, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,969)
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE (about 42 miles; LA CROSSE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 8,669)
WESTERN WISCONSIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 43 miles; LA CROSSE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 2,973)
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 46 miles; ROCHESTER, MN; Full-time enrollment: 3,368)
LUTHER COLLEGE (about 47 miles; DECORAH, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,566)
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE (about 56 miles; EAU CLAIRE, WI; Full-time enrollment: 9,866)