Robert Clinton Bogard in the 1970s, 1978
Sartell’s story
120 years in pictures
Census counts: 240 in 1910, 19,351 in 2020. The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 1978 and 3 maps from 1950 on.
- 1906Sartell is settled
SartellMN
A town of 19,918, settled in 1906. Public schools that outperform most of Minnesota.
5 bordering townsMap →
Photo: Markrv at en.wikipedia · Public domain
Population
19,918
2025 Census estimate · +2.9% since 2020
Typical home
$336K
+2.4% in a year
Household income
$84K
median
Median age
34.8
years
Jobs based here
5,951
A commuter town
TownGrade
B+
#153 of 271 in MN
Is Sartell a good place to live?
For most people who can afford it, yes. Sartell grades B+ overall, ranked 153rd of 271 in Minnesota. Its public schools beat 94% of Minnesota towns on state tests and graduation. It is healthier than 86% of U.S. towns and the median household earns $84K. The catch is cost: the typical home is worth about $336K, 4.4 years of the St. Cloud metro’s $76K median household income. Only 6 of Minnesota’s 574 towns score lower on history. 29% of residents are under 18 in Sartell, where Minnesota’s towns sit at 23% and U.S. towns at 22%. The biggest park or preserve is Pinecone Central Park, at 70 acres.
What makes Sartell stand out
Where Sartell beats most towns.
A growing town
Sartell has grown 25% since 2010
15,876 counted in 2010 and 19,351 in 2020; an estimated 19,918 in 2025.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How Sartell grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Minnesota), ordered by how far Sartell is from typical.
SchoolsAOpen →HealthCentracare - St. Cloud Hospital 3.7 miles awayAOpen →Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listC−Open →Jobs & incomeA−Open →Cost of livingC−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 7.7 of 20; 3.6% of households have no car; 0.6% of workers walk, bike or ride transitC+Open →SafetyBOpen →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors5 miles of trails; 7% conserved landA−Open →History3 notable people born hereDOpen →Civic life3.1 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsB−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Sartell: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Sartell, and how to reach them.
PowerXcel Energy17.1¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterSartell water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet7 providers97% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Sartell’s trash rules yet
Register to voteOnlineIn Minnesota you can register online until 21 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (received 21 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereStearns County Service CenterStearns County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2025
ZIP code5637756377 99%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Sartell.
SchoolsA
For schools, Sartell earns an A
Its public schools are run by the Sartell-St. Stephen School District. Three of its 10 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
94%of MN districts it outscoresASchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sartell MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 983 | A |
| Sartell Senior HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 1,269 | A− |
| Riverview Intermediate SchoolTop results in townGrades 3–5 | Grades 3–5 | 914 | A |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MN on state tests and graduation
HealthA
For health, Sartell earns an A
20% of adults binge drink in Sartell. Sartell beats the Minnesota average on 8 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 0. 27% of adults have high blood pressure in Sartell.
86%healthier than U.S. townsAHealth Grade
| Sartell | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 18% | 16% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 31% | 35% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 8.4% | 10% | 12% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 11% | 12% | 14% |
32 measures vs. Minnesota
8 better24 too close to call0 worse
| What stands out | Sartell | MN |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults with diabetes | 8.4% | 10.1% |
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 9.5% | 11.4% |
Centracare - St. Cloud Hospital
3.7 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
74th
percentile among MN towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A−
About two in five of Sartell’s working residents commute to St. Cloud
Most working residents leave Sartell for work: only 14% work in town. The average trip to work in Sartell is 19 minutes. Jobs based in Sartell grew to 5,951 in 2023, 1,322 more than in 2013.
14%work in town
| Sartell | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 19 minutes | 23 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Working residents who work in town | 14% | 9.7% | 8% |
| Below the poverty line | 7.4% | 7% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Sartell14%
St. Cloud38%
Waite Park6%
Sauk Rapids5%
St. Joseph2%
5 mi
median commute distance
5,951
jobs based in Sartell
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
C+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 41% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
#134for trails in MN
| Sartell | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conserved land | 6.8% | 4.6% | 4.3% |
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.5 miles per square mile | 0.5 | 0.4 |
6.8%
conserved · 462 of 6,808 acres
4.8 mi
of trails · 0.5 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sauk River Regional Park | 0.8 mi | 56 |
| 2. Watab Creek Park | 0.3 mi | 10 |
| 3. Pinecone Central Park | 0.1 mi | 70 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Climate
In Sartell, expect snowy winters and pleasant summers
Sartell has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. Sartell’s July high is 82°F.
48″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter7–24°
Spring33–54°
Summer58–79°
Fall36–56°
Sep 30
typical first frost
May 7
typical last frost
+1.6°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C−
Sartell faces a high natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 64% of U.S. communities. Since 1997, 8 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Sartell.
64risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoesCold waves
8
paid flood claims since 1997
3
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Who lives here
More children than Minnesota overall
41% of Sartell adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more. Sartell has grown 2.9% since 2020, to 19,918 residents in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate. 15% of Sartell residents are 65 or older.
34.8median age · MN 38.8
| Sartell | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.8 years | 39.9 years | 40.5 years |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 41% | 33% | 29% |
| Aged 65 or older | 15% | 18% | 18% |
SartellMinnesotaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
15%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma5%
High school18%
Some college22%
Associate’s15%
Bachelor’s26%
Graduate15%
Women and men · all residents
52% women, 48% men
About 92 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±1.7 points). Across Minnesota, 49.9% of residents are women. Median age: women 35.5, men 34.3.
| Sartell | MN | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 14.6% | 12.1% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 14.7% | 10.7% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 9.6% | 8.8% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 11.4% | 13% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 15.4% | 13.5% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 10.8% | 11.6% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 8.4% | 12.9% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 8.6% | 10.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 6.6% | 7% | 7% |
| No diploma | 5.3% | 6.1% | 10.4% |
| High school | 17.6% | 23.3% | 26% |
| Some college | 21.8% | 19.5% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 14.5% | 11.8% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 26.4% | 25.6% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 14.5% | 13.8% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
SafetyB
Crime per resident in Sartell is lower than in 56% of U.S. towns
Reported crimes fell from 394 to 208 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings. Violent crime is rare: 13 reported in 2025, 0.6 per 1,000 residents.
56%of U.S. towns report more crimeBSafety Grade
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Sartell0.6
Minnesota2.3
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Sartell9.7
Minnesota14.3
U.S.15.5
56th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
52nd
percentile among MN towns
13
violent crimes reported in 2025
195
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
HousingCost of living grade C−
For cost of living, Sartell earns a C−
The typical Sartell home is worth about $336,000, up 2.4% in a year, close to the Minnesota typical home.
$336KZillow home value
| Sartell | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 62% | 75% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,275 a month | $1,192 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Sartell$336K
Minnesota$349K
Market temperature
25
days on market
99.1%
sale-to-list price
+2.4%
value change, 1 year
30
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Sartell
20pages on Sartell
The big questions
SchoolsABeat 94% of MN districts · 10 schoolsSafetyB0.6 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthABetter than MN on 8 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC−$336K typical home · up 2.4% in a yearWork & commuteA−$84K median household income · 5,951 jobs hereNatural hazardsC−FEMA risk higher than 64% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
5 within 15 miles of the center of Sartell
St Cloud Technical and Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Saint Cloud3.3 mi$6,124 in-state tuitionRasmussen University-MinnesotaUniversity or college · Private for-profit · St. Cloud4.8 mi$11,490 tuitionSaint Cloud State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Saint Cloud5.4 mi$10,245 in-state tuition
About 7 of every 100 Sartell residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Minnesota.
A commuter town
86% of working residents leave Sartell for work
Where Sartell’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
5,951jobs based in Sartell
14%of working residents work in town
5 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
Famous people from Sartell
3 notable people were born in Sartell.
About Sartell
City in Minnesota, United States
Sartell is a city in Benton and Stearns Counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota that straddles the Mississippi River. It is part of the St. Cloud metropolitan area. The population was 19,351 at the 2020 census, making it St. Cloud's most populous suburb and the fourth-largest city in central Minnesota, after St. Cloud, Elk River, and Willmar.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1907
- Area
- 10 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,030 ft
- ZIP code
- 56377
- Area code
- 320
Sartell’s neighbors
5 towns share a border with Sartell.
Le Sauk TownshipSauk Rapids TownshipSauk RapidsSt. CloudSt. Wendel TownshipSartell
How the neighbors grade
| Town | MN rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sartell | #153 | B+ | C− | B | A | A |
| Le Sauk Township | — | — | C | — | A | A− |
| Sauk Rapids · Sauk Rapids Township | #175 | B+ | B− | B− | B | B+ |
| St. Cloud | #269 | C− | B− | D | C− | B− |
| St. Wendel Township | — | — | B− | — | A | B+ |
Le Sauk Township and St. Wendel Township have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. Le Sauk Township and St. Wendel Township report no FBI crime data of their own. Sauk Rapids Township and Sauk Rapids are one community, graded once. Compare Sartell with a neighbor →
Questions about Sartell
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Sartell, MN a good place to live?
For most people who can afford it, yes. Sartell grades B+ overall, better than 73% of U.S. towns and #153 of 271 in Minnesota. It grades A for health, B for safety and A for schools. Hazard risk is its weak spot, with a C−.
Is Sartell, MN expensive?
Yes. Cloud, MN metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C−.
What is Sartell, MN known for?
3 notable people were born here, including Craig Sauer and Heather Gustafson.