St. Joseph sits about 8 miles west of St. Cloud in Stearns County. It is home to the College of Saint Benedict, a small downtown along Minnesota Street and a trailhead on the Lake Wobegon Trail. With second-half property taxes due today, CSB+SJU Homecoming on Saturday and early voting opening at the St. Joseph Government Center later this month, here is a factual look at living and buying a home in St. Joseph.
Where it is and getting around
- Part of the St. Cloud metro. St. Joseph is in the St. Cloud metropolitan area, about 8 miles west of downtown St. Cloud. The ZIP code is 56374.
- County Road 75. Division Street in St. Cloud is County Road 75, and it runs west into St. Joseph. It is the main road through town.
- Interstate 94. I-94 runs past the city, with an exit at County Road 2 (Exit 160) for trips east toward the Twin Cities or west across the state.
Schools
- Public schools: St. Joseph is part of St. Cloud Area School District 742. Kennedy Community School, 1300 Jade Road, serves families from St. Joseph in preschool through grade 8. The current building opened in 2008.
- Check the boundary map. Attendance areas are set by address, so buyers should confirm the assigned schools for a specific home with District 742.
- Private school: St. Joseph Catholic School is a parish school in St. Joseph.
- Colleges: The College of Saint Benedict is in St. Joseph, and Saint John’s University is just outside town in Collegeville.
Parks and the Lake Wobegon Trail
- Lake Wobegon Trail: The St. Joseph trailhead and welcome center, 605 First Ave. NE, is on the north edge of town, within biking distance of downtown stores and restaurants. It has parking, restrooms, water, a picnic shelter and a bike repair station. The paved trail heads west toward Avon, Albany and Sauk Centre.
- Millstream Park, 725 County Road 75 W.: wooded walking trails along a stream and a park shelter the city rents out.
- Klinefelter Park, 1000 Dale St. E.: a paved walking trail around a wetland, plus a memorial monument.
Community and housing
St. Joseph counted 7,029 residents in the 2020 Census, up from 6,534 in 2010.
This month in St. Joseph
- Property taxes: Second-half property taxes are due today, Oct. 15, in Stearns County. See our property tax post.
- Homecoming: CSB+SJU Homecoming is Saturday, Oct. 17, with events on both campuses. See our Homecoming schedule.
- Early voting: St. Joseph city residents can vote early at the St. Joseph Government Center, 75 Callaway St. E., from Oct. 27 through Nov. 2. Any Stearns County voter can vote early starting Oct. 16 at the Stearns County Service Center in Waite Park or at St. Cloud City Hall. Check hours with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Tips for buyers looking at St. Joseph
- Confirm the school assignment for the exact address before you write an offer.
- Budget for the whole payment. Property taxes, homeowners insurance and any association dues add to the monthly cost.
- First-time buyer? Minnesota Housing’s Start Up program offers first mortgages and down payment loans. Read our Minnesota Housing guide.
- Look at upkeep. Our fall home prep checklist covers the furnace, roof, gutters and outdoor water items worth asking about on a showing.
- 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.
Sources: City of St. Joseph community profile; City of St. Joseph park pages for Millstream Park and Klinefelter Park; St. Joseph Newsleader 2026-2027 Resource Guide (PDF); U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts; Kennedy Community School (St. Cloud Area School District 742); CSB+SJU driving directions; Lake Wobegon Trail trailheads; Visit Sauk Centre: Lake Wobegon Regional Trail; Minnesota Secretary of State early voting locations. Checked Oct. 15, 2026.
Market figures and rates change often and are for general information only. Contact a licensed professional for advice on your situation.
Equal Housing Opportunity. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation.
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Sponsored by Dan DeMark, Realtor | LPT Realty (goldenrulerealestateservices.com). Thinking about buying or selling in St. Joseph or anywhere in Stearns or Benton County? Contact Dan for a real valuation of your home or help finding your next one.
Central MN Buzz is brought to you by Dan DeMark, Realtor | LPT Realty (goldenrulerealestateservices.com), illuminet and StarShot.
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