Population166,731 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Community Connections Beyond the City Streets
Olmsted County, MinnesotaOlmsted County brings together southeastern Minnesota communities and institutions, including Mayo Clinic, with parks and trails for time outdoors. Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo, Chester Woods Park, and Root River Park offer different starting points. Local services and recreation information help connect the county’s urban and township settings. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 166,731 residents in Olmsted County, Minnesota, on July 1, 2025.
Olmsted County at a Glance
Population166,731 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatRochester
Largest MunicipalityLitchfield
Established1855
ZIP Codes12
Total Area, Including Water654.758 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-55 - IL-16 - IL-127
Area Codes217
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Olmsted County
Olmsted County
Olmsted County's character comes from the relationship between major institutions, smaller communities, and public spaces. The county serves cities and townships in southeastern Minnesota, with Mayo Clinic among the organizations that call it home. Its park system adds another dimension, linking places such as Chester Woods, Oxbow, and Root River Park to everyday recreation. Looking beyond a single destination reveals a county where community life includes both institutional connections and the local landscapes people use for outings and time outdoors.
Use the county's parks and trails pages to compare Chester Woods Park, Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo, Lake Zumbro Park, and Root River Park. Facilities and activities vary, so an individual park page is the best place to plan a visit. Residents can also use county directories for services and contacts, while the cities and townships pages help identify the relevant local community for a particular address.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Olmsted County brings together southeastern Minnesota communities and institutions, including Mayo Clinic, with parks and trails for time outdoors. Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo, Chester Woods Park, and Root River Park offer different starting points.
Community Story
Olmsted County's character comes from the relationship between major institutions, smaller communities, and public spaces. The county serves cities and townships in southeastern Minnesota, with Mayo Clinic among the organizations that call it home.
Explore Locally
Use the county's parks and trails pages to compare Chester Woods Park, Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo, Lake Zumbro Park, and Root River Park.
Community institutions, local places, and fresh air close by
A Closer Look
Olmsted County
Places and perspectives from Olmsted County
MPR News — Minnesota
MPR News hosts Senate debate between Flanagan, Tafoya
Democratic nominee Peggy Flanagan and Republican nominee Michele Tafoya appear at noon Friday in their only scheduled debate…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Olmsted County
Stories from every corner of Olmsted County.
MPR News hosts Senate debate between Flanagan, Tafoya
Democratic nominee Peggy Flanagan and Republican nominee Michele Tafoya appear at noon Friday in their only scheduled debate…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Sam Zimmerman paints his North Shore roots
A collection of paintings and stories by Sam Zimmerman captures memories of life in northern Minnesota. His new…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
St. Cloud races could decide who controls Legislature
The mixed politics of St. Cloud-area voters have led to some razor-thin outcomes in past elections. And it…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Grandmother, daughters and grandson among 6 victims who died in a Wisconsin plane crash
Family members say a grandmother, two of her adult daughters and her grandson were among the six people…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Teen shooter kills 4 at Oregon elementary school before being shot by a witness
Authorities say a 16-year-old opened fire at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, killing three children and a…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Byron Intermediate School – Elementary; grades 03-05. 501 10TH AVE NE, BYRON, MN 55920. 507-775-6620.
Chatfield Secondary – High; grades 07-12. 205 UNION ST NE, CHATFIELD, MN 55923. 507-867-4210.
Dover-Eyota Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 27 KNOWLEDGE RD SW, EYOTA, MN 55934. 507-545-2632.
Pine Island Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-04. 8749 COUNTY ROAD 5, PINE ISLAND, MN 55963. 507-356-8581.
Rochester Math & Science Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-06. 415 16TH ST SW, ROCHESTER, MN 55902. 507-252-5995.
Rochester Beacon Academy – High; grades 06-12. 974 SKYLINE DR SW, ROCHESTER, MN 55902. 507-258-5351.
Bamber Valley Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 2001 BAMBER VALLEY RD SW, ROCHESTER, MN 55902. 507-328-3030.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester – Acute Care Hospitals. 1216 Second Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55902. 507-255-5123.
Olmsted Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 1650 Fourth Street Southeast, Rochester, MN 55904. 507-288-3443.
Community Behavioral Health Hospital Rochester – Psychiatric. 251 Wood Lake Drive Southeast, Rochester, MN 55904. 507-206-2561.
Public Safety
Emergency Services Resources
Montgomery County Administration
Find information about county leadership, departments, and public services.
(217) 532-9530
County Clerk's Office
Vital records, elections, licenses, and official documents.
(217) 532-9531
County Treasurer
Property taxes, payments, and financial services.
(217) 532-9525
Building & Zoning Department
Permits, inspections, zoning, and property information.
(217) 532-3941
Health Department
Community health programs, services, and resources.
(217) 532-5541
County Extension Office
Agriculture, community education, and youth programs.
(217) 532-3941
State Parks Resources
Montgomery County Administration
Find information about county leadership, departments, and public services.
(217) 532-9530
County Clerk's Office
Vital records, elections, licenses, and official documents.
(217) 532-9531
County Treasurer
Property taxes, payments, and financial services.
(217) 532-9525
Building & Zoning Department
Permits, inspections, zoning, and property information.
(217) 532-3941
Health Department
Community health programs, services, and resources.
(217) 532-5541
County Extension Office
Agriculture, community education, and youth programs.
(217) 532-3941
Trails
Utilities
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Rochester – Main – 101 2Nd Street Se, Rochester, MN 55904. 507-328-2300.
Stewartville Public Library – 110 2Nd Street Se, Stewartville, MN 55976. 507-533-4902.
Courts Resources
Montgomery County Administration
Find information about county leadership, departments, and public services.
(217) 532-9530
County Clerk's Office
Vital records, elections, licenses, and official documents.
(217) 532-9531
County Treasurer
Property taxes, payments, and financial services.
(217) 532-9525
Building & Zoning Department
Permits, inspections, zoning, and property information.
(217) 532-3941
Health Department
Community health programs, services, and resources.
(217) 532-5541
County Extension Office
Agriculture, community education, and youth programs.
(217) 532-3941
DMV
Transportation Resources
Montgomery County Administration
Find information about county leadership, departments, and public services.
(217) 532-9530
County Clerk's Office
Vital records, elections, licenses, and official documents.
(217) 532-9531
County Treasurer
Property taxes, payments, and financial services.
(217) 532-9525
Building & Zoning Department
Permits, inspections, zoning, and property information.
(217) 532-3941
Health Department
Community health programs, services, and resources.
(217) 532-5541
County Extension Office
Agriculture, community education, and youth programs.
(217) 532-3941
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Olmsted County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Olmsted County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
166,731 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
654.758 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Your county commissioners, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Garbage & recycling, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Parks and Trails, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Someone in jail, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with these official Minnesota resources: Locations; Disability parking certificates; Renew my tabs. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Olmsted County’s character comes from the relationship between major institutions, smaller communities, and public spaces. The county serves cities and townships in southeastern Minnesota, with Mayo Clinic among the organizations that call it home. Its park system adds another dimension, linking places such as Chester Woods, Oxbow, and Root River Park to everyday recreation. Looking beyond a single destination reveals a county where community life includes both institutional connections and the local landscapes people use for outings and time outdoors.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
County Photo Credits
- OlmstedGovtCenter — Jonathunder. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized by Wikimedia; otherwise unmodified.
- 1875OronocoSchool — Jonathunder. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized by Wikimedia; otherwise unmodified.
- 1909ConleyCamera — Sears Roebuck. Public domain. Resized by Wikimedia; otherwise unmodified.
- 1915postcardHotelZumbroRochesterMN — Bloom Brothers. Public domain. Resized by Wikimedia; otherwise unmodified.
- 2010-1014-FranksFordBridge — Bobak Ha’Eri. CC BY 3.0. Resized by Wikimedia; otherwise unmodified.
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