Answers · MN
Cottage Grove vs Hastings, MN: How They Compare
The short answer
Cottage Grove and Hastings are both Mississippi River cities on Highway 61, but they sit in different counties. Cottage Grove is in Washington County, and Hastings is the county seat of Dakota County. Cottage Grove had an estimated 43,604 residents in 2025 on about 33.6 square miles, and Hastings had an estimated 22,563 on about 10.3 square miles, with many historic homes near its downtown.
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Side by side
| Fact | Cottage Grove | Hastings |
|---|---|---|
| County | Washington County | Dakota County (county seat) |
| ZIP codes | 55016 | 55033 |
| Population (2025 estimate) | 43,604 | 22,563 |
| Land area | About 33.6 sq mi | About 10.3 sq mi |
| Median owner-occupied home value (Census 2020-2024 survey) | $378,800 | $322,400 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 88.2% | 76.4% |
| School districts | South Washington County Schools | Hastings Public Schools |
| Main routes / transit | Highway 61 (shared with Highway 10); express Route 363 | Highway 61; DARTS circulator on Tuesdays; Transit Link dial-a-ride |
| Parks and trails (official figures) | Almost 2,000 acres of parkland; 38 neighborhood parks; nearly 100 miles of trails | 37 parks on about 400 acres; about 30 miles of trails |
Population is the Census estimate for July 1, 2025. The home value and owner share come from the Census survey for 2020 to 2024, so they are not today's sale prices. Confirm schools for any address with the district.
Homes
Hastings was platted in 1853 and incorporated in 1857. In the Old Hastings Historic District, houses date from the 1860s to the 1920s, and the East Second Street Historic District holds brick and stone buildings from the late 1800s. Later neighborhoods grew as the city went from 6,546 people in 1950 to more than 22,000. Changes to some historic buildings may need review by the city's Heritage Preservation Commission.
Cottage Grove grew mostly after the late 1950s. Thompson Grove and the older central neighborhoods have ranch and split-level homes from the late 1950s through the 1970s, and newer subdivisions and new construction include Eastbrooke, Hawthorne, Glacial Valley Estates, and Ravine Crossing. Old Cottage Grove, the original village, was platted in 1871.
The Census survey for 2020 to 2024 put the median owner-occupied home value at $378,800 in Cottage Grove and $322,400 in Hastings. Owners occupy 88.2 percent of homes in Cottage Grove and 76.4 percent in Hastings. Those survey figures are not today's sale prices.
Getting around
Highway 61 serves both cities. In Cottage Grove it connects north to Interstate 494 and St. Paul, and in Hastings it crosses the Mississippi River. Cottage Grove sits about 10 miles south of St. Paul.
Transit differs. Metro Transit express Route 363 runs from the Cottage Grove Park and Ride to downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis on workdays. Hastings does not have a large fixed-route bus network, but a DARTS circulator bus loops the city on Tuesdays, and Transit Link offers dial-a-ride service on weekdays.
Which one fits you?
If you want a historic home near a river downtown, Hastings has homes from the 1860s to the 1920s and sits where the St. Croix meets the Mississippi. If you want newer subdivisions or new construction, Cottage Grove has several. If you want an express bus to downtown, Cottage Grove has Route 363. For the outdoors, Hastings has 37 parks and the Vermillion Falls, and Cottage Grove has almost 2,000 acres of parkland and the Ravine Regional Park.
We help buyers compare both, home by home. Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770.
You can read more on our Cottage Grove page and our Hastings page.
Where these facts come from
Checked November 2026. These facts come from U.S. Census QuickFacts: Cottage Grove, U.S. Census QuickFacts: Hastings, City of Cottage Grove: parks, City of Cottage Grove: transit, City of Hastings: history, City of Hastings: Heritage Preservation Commission history, City of Hastings: parks and recreation, City of Hastings: public transit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cottage Grove or Hastings bigger?
Cottage Grove is bigger. It had an estimated 43,604 residents on July 1, 2025, on about 33.6 square miles of land. Hastings had an estimated 22,563 residents on about 10.3 square miles.
Which has newer homes, Cottage Grove or Hastings?
Cottage Grove has newer subdivisions and new construction, along with homes from the late 1950s through the 1970s. Hastings has many historic homes, including houses from the 1860s to the 1920s, and later neighborhoods too. We compare each home with you.
Are Cottage Grove and Hastings in the same county?
No. Cottage Grove is in Washington County, and Hastings is the county seat of Dakota County.
Which school districts serve Cottage Grove and Hastings?
South Washington County Schools serves Cottage Grove, and Hastings Public Schools is based in Hastings. Confirm the schools for a specific address with the district, because boundaries vary and can change.
How do I compare property taxes in Cottage Grove and Hastings?
The two cities use different county records. For Cottage Grove, search Washington County's property tax lookup by parcel number or address. For Hastings, search Dakota County's property information lookup by parcel number or address. Each shows the current tax and assessed value.
Is it easier to commute to Minneapolis or St. Paul from Cottage Grove or Hastings?
Both cities use Highway 61. Cottage Grove sits about 10 miles south of St. Paul and has express Route 363 to both downtowns on workdays. Hastings does not have a large fixed-route bus network. We look at your drive from the specific home before you choose.
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