at a glance

The city of Waseca, with a population of 9,410, sits between Clear and Loon lakes at the crossroad of State Highway 13 and U.S. Highway 14. The city is an hour away from the big city amenities of the Twin Cities, in addition to 25 miles to Mankato and 58 miles to Rochester.

Waseca is a Dakota word that means “rich, especially in provisions.” The city of Waseca was incorporated as a village in 1868 and as a city in 1881. Waseca celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2018. Walking along State Street through downtown Waseca will take you back in time with its historic look. The city’s downtown was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.

Waseca is governed by a seven-member city council, which includes the mayor. The council employs a city manager to run its day-to-day operations and has numerous boards and commissions in which there is a typical mix of council representatives and citizen volunteers. For more information, visit City Hall at 508 S. State St., go online at ci.waseca.mn.us or call 507-835-9700. The Public Safety Center, which houses the Waseca Police and Fire Departments and Connections Safe Exchange Center, is at 303 S. State St.

WASECA COUNTY

Waseca County ranks 50th out of Minnesota’s

87 counties with 18,968 residents and totals 433 square miles. The county is located in the heart of the south central Minnesota lakes region and some of the state’s finest agricultural land. There are 21 lakes in the county, representing about 10 square miles. The Sutlief family was the first to file a claim in Waseca County, in Wilton Township in 1854. Waseca County was organized in 1857. Some of the county’s early communities have vanished, but some continue to flourish.

Five county commissioners, each elected from a different district, dictate county policy, approve expenditures and operate as its ditch authority. A county administrator oversees operations. Beyond the city of Waseca, the communities of Janesville, New Richland and Waldorf touch the corners of the county. Most county offices are located at the historic Waseca County Courthouse, its annex and east annex in the 300 block of North State Street. Human Services are provided by a three-county collaborative, Minnesota Prairie County Alliance, with offices in Waseca at 1004 W Elm Ave, as well as additional offices in Owatonna and Mantorville. The Waseca County Sheriff’s Office and county jail are just behind the courthouse at 122 Third Ave, Waseca.

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Waseca County’s major employers include agriculture and natural resources, food manufacturing, educational and professional services, machining, electronics, electrical components, retail trade, fishing and hunting, and health care services and social assistance.

There are more than 10 institutions of higher education within a 50-mile radius, working to fill the need for a strong workforce.

TRANSIT

A county-wide bus service that includes a one-hour route through Waseca and Dial-a-Ride in the remainder of Waseca County began in early 2016. For more information, visit SMART Transit-Southern Minnesota Area Rural Transit on Facebook.

Waseca Municipal Airport is located just outside of town, with 18 T-hangars, a paved 3,400 foot-long runway, and new arrival and departure building. For more information visit ci.waseca.mn.us.

HEALTH CARE

At the center of Waseca’s wide array of health care options is Mayo Clinic Health System in Waseca. The hospital and clinic at 501 N. State St. offer quality health care in a hometown setting.

In 2022, Mayo broke ground on a renovation project to its Emergency Department. The construction project will include renovations to the emergency department entrance, a new wing of exam and treatment rooms and a new ambulance garage that will ensure a faster transition of patients from an ambulance to the facility.

Its health care providers have access to the same resources as their colleagues at larger Mayo facilities, including Rochester. Find it online at mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/waseca.