Sartell sits on the Mississippi River just north of St. Cloud, and it is one of the few cities in the area that reaches into both Stearns and Benton counties. Here is a factual look at living and buying a home in Sartell this fall.
Where it is
- Two counties. Sartell is in both Stearns and Benton counties, which together make up the St. Cloud metro area.
- On the water. The city straddles the Mississippi River, and the Watab River also runs through town.
- ZIP code: 56377.
Community
- Population: Sartell counted 19,351 residents in the 2020 Census.
- A river-town start: Sartell grew up around lumber and a paper company. French fur traders called the spot “The Third Rapids,” because it was the third set of rapids they reached heading north up the Mississippi from St. Anthony Falls. One of the first settlers was Joseph B. Sartell, who arrived in 1854.
Schools
- Three districts. Most of Sartell is served by the Sartell-St. Stephen School District (ISD 748). Parts of east Sartell are in the Sauk Rapids-Rice district, and parts of south Sartell are in the St. Cloud district.
- Sartell-St. Stephen schools include Oak Ridge Early Learning Center, Pine Meadow Primary School, Riverview Intermediate School, Sartell Middle School and Sartell High School.
- Check the address. The city itself tells prospective residents to confirm boundary lines with the school district, so check the assigned schools for a specific home before you make an offer.
Parks and trails
- More than 20 parks. Sartell has more than 20 neighborhood and regional parks. The city lists 29, covering nearly 363 acres.
- Trails: The city says about 70 miles of trails connect nearly every corner of Sartell. There is a mountain bike trail at Sauk River Regional Park, and Pinecone Central Park grooms cross-country ski trails in winter.
- Other amenities listed by the city include community gardens, a dog park, a disc golf course, a splash pad and outdoor pickleball courts.
The market in both counties
Because Sartell sits in two counties, it helps to look at both. In September 2026, according to Minnesota Realtors:
- Stearns County: 183 closed sales, median sale price $316,250.
- Benton County: 38 closed sales, median sale price $297,575.
See all the numbers in our September home sales report.
Tips for buyers looking at Sartell
- Know which county a home is in. Property taxes, the county assessor and some services depend on whether the home is on the Stearns or Benton side.
- Confirm the school district for the exact address, since three districts serve the city.
- Budget for the whole payment. Property taxes, homeowners insurance and any association dues add to the monthly cost.
- First-time buyer? Read our guide to Minnesota Housing’s Start Up program.
- Bought this year? Apply for homestead by Dec. 31. See our homestead deadline guide.
- Get a real valuation. Online estimates can miss a home’s condition and recent sales nearby. A local agent can pull comparable sales for a specific property.
- Comparing towns? See our spotlights on Sauk Rapids and St. Joseph.
Sources: City of Sartell: Parks & Trails, Education and Our History; Sartell-St. Stephen School District; Minnesota Department of Revenue 2020 city populations (PDF); Sartell, Minnesota (Wikipedia); Minnesota Realtors Local Market Updates, September 2026: Stearns County and Benton County. Checked Oct. 22, 2026.
Market figures and rates change often and are for general information only. Contact a licensed professional for advice on your situation.
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