Population18,400 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Courthouse Stories And Distinctive Village Landmarks
Houston County, MinnesotaCaledonia serves as Houston County’s civic center, while places such as Brownsville and Spring Grove add their own local character. The county’s public history includes a long debate over the seat of government, followed by construction of a courthouse that became a lasting community landmark. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 18,400 residents in Houston County, Minnesota, on July 1, 2025.
Houston County at a Glance
Population18,400 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatCaledonia
Largest MunicipalityLitchfield
Established1854
ZIP Codes12
Total Area, Including Water568.837 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-55 - IL-16 - IL-127
Area Codes217
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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 Houston County
Houston County
Houston County's seat was contested during its early years. Court history records county materials arriving in Caledonia in 1855 and a later county-seat vote in 1874. The courthouse built in 1885 was designed by Maybury and Sons. That sequence makes the building more than an architectural object: it represents decisions about where county business belonged. Elsewhere, Brownsville's brewery caves and historic church illustrate how individual communities preserve different kinds of evidence from the county's past.
Begin in Caledonia to connect the courthouse with the county-seat story, then select another community for a different perspective. Brownsville's listed historic features and Spring Grove's setting offer possible directions for further research. Check whether individual historic sites are open to visitors before building an itinerary around them. The county becomes more interesting when civic history is paired with the smaller landmarks that distinguish one local community from another.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
Caledonia serves as Houston County's civic center, while places such as Brownsville and Spring Grove add their own local character.
The Local Story
Houston County's seat was contested during its early years. Court history records county materials arriving in Caledonia in 1855 and a later county-seat vote in 1874.
Explore The County
Begin in Caledonia to connect the courthouse with the county-seat story, then select another community for a different perspective. Brownsville's listed historic features and Spring Grove's setting offer possible directions for further research.
Follow civic landmarks into the stories of neighboring communities.
A Closer Look
Houston County
Places and perspectives from Houston 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 Houston County
Stories from every corner of Houston 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
University of Minnesota Extension
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.
Caledonia Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 511 W MAIN ST, CALEDONIA, MN 55921. 507-725-5205.
Houston Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-06. 310 S SHERMAN, HOUSTON, MN 55943. 507-896-5323.
La Crescent Montessori & STEM Acad – Elementary; grades KG-06. 1116 S OAK ST, LA CRESCENT, MN 55947. 507-895-4054.
La Crescent-Hokah Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-04. 504 S OAK ST, LA CRESCENT, MN 55947. 507-895-4484.
Hospitals 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
Public Safety
Emergency Services
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 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
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.
Hokah Public Library – 57 Main, Hokah, MN 55941. 507-894-2665.
Houston Public Library – 202 East Cedar Street, Houston, MN 55943. 507-896-7323.
La Crescent Public Library – 321 Main Street, La Crescent, MN 55947. 507-895-4047.
Spring Grove Public Library – 172 West Main, Spring Grove, MN 55974. 507-498-5800.
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
Motor Vehicle Services
Transportation
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 Houston County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Houston County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
18,400 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
568.837 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Recycling, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Vehicle Registration, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Veteran Services, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Voter Registration, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Job Opportunities, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Department of Corrections, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Emergency Management, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Airport, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Libraries, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
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
- Caledonia Commercial Historic District — Kevin Schuchmann. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized by Wikimedia; otherwise unmodified.
- BridgeL4013 — Jonathunder. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized by Wikimedia; otherwise unmodified.
- Christian Bunge, Jr. Store NRHP 82002964 Houston County, MN — Jon Roanhaus. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized by Wikimedia; otherwise unmodified.
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