Homes and Real Estate in Hastings, Minnesota

Hastings is the Dakota County seat where the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers meet, with historic homes, 37 parks, and about 30 miles of riverfront and park trails.

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Living in Hastings

Hastings is a river city at the junction of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers, with 22,154 residents at the 2020 census and an estimated 22,563 in 2025. It is the county seat of Dakota County.

I'm Lesley, a REALTOR® with Bridge Realty. We help buyers and sellers across the southeast metro, including Hastings and nearby Cottage Grove and St. Paul Park.

What is Hastings, MN like? The city describes itself as a suburb of the Twin Cities that keeps its river-town character. It has a historic downtown near the old steamboat landing, 37 parks, and about 30 miles of trails along the rivers and bluffs.

Talk to Lesley About Hastings

Talk to Lesley About Hastings What's My Hastings Home Worth?Call (651) 661-4770

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How Hastings grew, and what that means for buyers

Hastings was platted in 1853 and incorporated as a city in 1857, and the city's plan calls it the second-oldest city in Minnesota. It took its name from the middle name of Henry Hastings Sibley, one of the founding partners. It grew as a steamboat landing, a grain shipping point, and a milling center powered by the Vermillion River falls.

Historic homes. Much of the early housing was built on river terraces that rise well above flood level. In the Old Hastings Historic District, houses date from the 1860s to the 1920s.
The historic downtown. The East Second Street Historic District holds many of the two- and three-story brick and stone buildings from the late 1800s.
Later neighborhoods, built as the city grew from 6,546 people in 1950 to more than 22,000 today.

For buyers, an older Hastings home brings charm and also questions about its roof, foundation, wiring, and past updates. Changes to some historic buildings may need review by the city's Heritage Preservation Commission, so we check that before you plan a project.

Rivers, parks, and trails

The Ten-Mile Loop. A walking and biking trail that starts under the Highway 61 bridge, follows the Mississippi past Lock and Dam No. 2, climbs to a bluff overlook, and returns along the Vermillion River.
Vermillion Falls Park. A 35-foot waterfall in the middle of the city, on the loop trail.
Levee Park. Home to city events such as Music + Market.
Rivertown Dog Park and a disc golf course.
City parks. 37 parks on about 400 acres of open space, with about 30 miles of trails.

For recreation, the Hastings Civic Arena has two sheets of ice, and the city's aquatic center opens each summer.

Commute and schools

The commute. Highway 61 crosses the Mississippi at Hastings. 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, with on-demand rides in Hastings on Mondays and Wednesdays. We look at your daily drive before you choose a neighborhood.

Schools. Hastings Public Schools is based in the city. Boundaries vary by address and can change, so confirm the schools for any specific home with the district.

Hastings at a glance

County: the county seat of Dakota County. ZIP code 55033.
Population: 22,154 at the 2020 census, and an estimated 22,563 on July 1, 2025.
Size: about 10.3 square miles of land, with 37 parks on about 400 acres and about 30 miles of trails.
Homes: 76.4 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied, and the median value of an owner-occupied home was $322,400 in the Census survey for 2020 to 2024. That is a survey figure, not today's sale prices.
History: platted in 1853 and incorporated as a city in 1857, with houses from the 1860s to the 1920s in the Old Hastings Historic District.
Transit: no large fixed-route bus network. A DARTS circulator bus runs Tuesdays, and Transit Link provides dial-a-ride service.
Schools: Hastings Public Schools.
Trash: one city hauler. Homes with four or fewer units must use the city's hauler, Tennis Sanitation, for trash and recycling.

Checked November 2026. These facts come from U.S. Census QuickFacts, the City of Hastings history, Heritage Preservation Commission history, parks and recreation, public transit, and trash collection pages, and the city's 2040 land use plan.

How we help buyers and sellers in Hastings

Hastings has historic homes near downtown, homes near the rivers and bluffs, and newer neighborhoods, and each kind asks different questions. We help you compare them with facts, not guesses.

Buying. We begin with your budget and the steps of the purchase. See buying a home in Minnesota, our page for move-up buyers, and how we help buyers.
Selling. We price your home from recent Hastings sales, prepare it, and market it widely. See selling your home and our home value page.
Relocating. If you are moving to Minnesota and considering Hastings, our relocation page explains how to buy from a distance.

Comparing communities? We also work in nearby Cottage Grove and St. Paul Park.

Let's talk about Hastings

Whether you are buying your first home here, moving up, or selling, we would be glad to help. No pressure and no obligation.

Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770. What questions do you have?

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Hastings, Minnesota?

Hastings sits at the junction of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers, southeast of the Twin Cities, with the Vermillion River running through the city. Highway 61 crosses the Mississippi at Hastings.

How big is Hastings?

Hastings covers about 10.3 square miles of land. It had 22,154 residents at the 2020 census and an estimated 22,563 on July 1, 2025.

What county is Hastings, MN in?

Hastings is the county seat of Dakota County, Minnesota.

What ZIP code is Hastings, MN?

Hastings uses ZIP code 55033.

What is the median home value in Hastings?

The median value of an owner-occupied home in Hastings was $322,400 in the U.S. Census survey covering 2020 to 2024, and 76.4 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied. That is a survey figure. For what homes sell for today, ask us for recent sales in the neighborhood you are considering.

How do I look up property taxes on a Hastings home?

The county keeps the tax records. For Hastings, search Dakota County's property information lookup by parcel number or by street address to see the current tax and the assessed value. The county is also named on the home's tax statement.

Which school district serves Hastings?

Hastings Public Schools is based in the city. Confirm the district and the assigned schools for a specific address with the district, because boundaries vary and can change.

Is there public transit in Hastings?

Hastings does not have a large fixed-route bus network. The LOOP, a DARTS circulator bus, runs around the city on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Transit Link offers dial-a-ride service on weekdays, and Transit Link On Demand runs in Hastings on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $1 a ride.

Is there a hospital in Hastings?

Yes. Allina Health's United Hospital Hastings Regina Campus is at 1175 Nininger Road and offers inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care.

Is there a public library in Hastings?

Yes. Pleasant Hill Library is the Dakota County Library branch in Hastings.

How does garbage pickup work in Hastings?

Hastings uses one hauler for residential trash and recycling. City code requires homes with four or fewer units to use the city's hauler, Tennis Sanitation, and you set up service by calling them. Trash goes to the Recycling and Energy Center in Newport, where it is turned into energy.

How many parks and trails does Hastings have?

The Hastings Parks and Recreation Department maintains about 400 acres of open space, including 37 parks and about 30 miles of trails. The Ten-Mile Loop follows the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers past Lock and Dam No. 2 and Vermillion Falls Park.

Is there a waterfall in Hastings?

Yes. Vermillion Falls Park has a 35-foot waterfall on the Vermillion River, right in the city and on the Ten-Mile Loop trail.

Are there river or historic homes in Hastings?

Yes. Hastings has homes near the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers and many historic homes. In the Old Hastings Historic District, houses date from the 1860s to the 1920s, and some historic building changes may need review by the city's Heritage Preservation Commission.

How do I check if a Hastings home is in a flood zone?

Enter the address in FEMA's Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov. Your lender also checks the flood zone before closing, and we look at it with you before you make an offer. Parts of Hastings along the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers are floodplain, so this matters for any home near the water.

When did Hastings become a city?

Hastings was platted in 1853 and incorporated as a city in 1857, and the city's plan describes it as the second-oldest city in Minnesota. The county seat of Dakota County moved to Hastings from Mendota.

Is there an ice arena or pool in Hastings?

Yes. The Hastings Civic Arena at 2801 Redwing Boulevard has two sheets of ice, and the Hastings Family Aquatic Center at 901 Maple Street is open from early June to mid-August, with a zero-depth area and a 201-foot water slide.

Is there a dog park in Hastings?

Yes. The city runs the Rivertown Dog Park, and the park system also includes a disc golf course.

How much do I need to buy a home in Hastings?

Plan for earnest money, an inspection, your down payment, and closing costs. Down payments are often less than 20 percent, and some buyers qualify for assistance. A lender's Loan Estimate shows your expected cash to close.