Brooten ZIP Codes — Stearns County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Brooten, Minnesota and it is 56316. Area code: 320.

ZIP codes

134.85

sq mi land

4.26

sq mi water

320

area code

Brooten, MN ZIP code map

About Brooten, MN

Brooten, Minnesota, is a charming small town nestled in Stearns County. Known for its friendly atmosphere and rich local heritage, this vibrant community offers a unique blend of rural charm and modern living. With a single ZIP code, 56316, Brooten is a quintessential example of small-town America, inviting visitors to experience its tranquility and warmth.

Location & geography

Brooten is situated in central Minnesota, offering a scenic landscape characterized by a mix of wooded areas and open farmland. The town is approximately 13 miles southwest of the larger city of Sauk Centre and about 30 miles north of Willmar, making it a peaceful retreat while still being accessible to nearby urban amenities. Covering a land area of 134.85 square miles and a water area of 4.26 square miles, Brooten features a balanced geography that includes both land and water resources.

Community & economy

The community of Brooten is known for its close-knit character and the welcoming nature of its residents. Local industries primarily revolve around agriculture and small business enterprises, contributing to the town's economic stability. Daily life in Brooten is reflective of a rural lifestyle, where community events and local gatherings play a significant role in fostering connections among residents.

Transportation

Brooten is accessible via local roads linking to significant highways, including Minnesota State Highway 55, which connects to surrounding areas. The nearest major airport is the St. Cloud Regional Airport, located approximately 40 miles to the north. Public transportation options may be limited, but the town’s road network facilitates easy travel for residents and visitors alike.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Brooten began as a hub for settlers attracted by the rich agricultural land of central Minnesota. Over the years, it developed key industries primarily focused on agriculture, which remains a cornerstone of the local economy. Notable events in the town's history include the construction of the railroads that helped establish Brooten as a vital transportation point in the region.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Brooten is that it boasts a strong community spirit, reflected in numerous annual events that draw residents together, such as local festivals and parades. Additionally, the town is located near the scenic shores of Lake Trapline, which provides recreational opportunities for fishing and boating enthusiasts.

ZIP codes for Brooten, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
56316	Brooten	Stearns	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,493

Population

43.9

Median age

$69,211

Median household income

$39,199

Per capita income

$205,400

Median home value

$863

Median monthly rent

84.4%

Home ownership

12.5%

Poverty rate

3.3%

Unemployment

618

Housing units

14.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

105

35–44

109

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	322	21.6%
18 and over	1,171	78.4%
65 and over	297	19.9%
Median age	43.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85.8%

Two or more races 6%

Hispanic or Latino 4.5%

Other race 3.1%

Asian 0.3%

Black or African American 0.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	1,342	85.8%
Two or more races	94	6%
Hispanic or Latino	71	4.5%
Other race	48	3.1%
Asian	5	0.3%
Black or African American	3	0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	1	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 5.4%

$10k–$15k 8.1%

$15k–$25k 9.4%

$25k–$35k 5.2%

$35k–$50k 7.0%

$50k–$75k 24.7%

$75k–$100k 11.4%

$100k–$150k 14.3%

$150k–$200k 8.1%

$200k+ 6.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.4%
$10k–$15k	8.1%
$15k–$25k	9.4%
$25k–$35k	5.2%
$35k–$50k	7.0%
$50k–$75k	24.7%
$75k–$100k	11.4%
$100k–$150k	14.3%
$150k–$200k	8.1%
$200k+	6.5%
Median income	$69,211

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 15.0%

$50k–$100k 13.1%

$100k–$150k 9.6%

$150k–$200k 10.6%

$200k–$300k 31.3%

$300k–$500k 11.3%

$500k–$1M 5.4%

$1M+ 3.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$205,400
Median rent / month	$863
Owner occupied	84.4%
Renter occupied	15.6%
Vacant	13.7%
Single-family detached	89.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.1%
Mobile homes	4.3%
Median rooms	6.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.31

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	2.9%
2000–2009	10.1%
1990–1999	7.8%
1980–1989	6.9%
1970–1979	12.9%
1960–1969	6.7%
1950–1959	10.8%
1940–1949	10.1%
1939 or earlier	31.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.4%
1 bedroom	8.4%
2 bedrooms	30.3%
3 bedrooms	34.9%
4 bedrooms	16.2%
5+ bedrooms	8.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.7%
1 vehicle	27.1%
2 vehicles	34.9%
3 or more	31.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	15.7%
Electricity	10.9%
Propane / LP gas	64.0%
Fuel oil	2.4%
Wood	6.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	278	45.1%
Cohabiting couple	24	3.9%
Male householder, no spouse	197	32.0%
Female householder, no spouse	117	19.0%
Households with children under 18	131	21.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	224	36.4%
Average household size	2.28

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	28.5%	22.9%
Married	52.7%	58.0%
Separated	1.8%	1.2%
Widowed	3.1%	9.6%
Divorced	13.9%	8.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.1%

Some HS, no diploma 5.1%

HS graduate 36.9%

Some college, no degree 21.0%

Associate's degree 17.1%

Bachelor's degree 11.1%

Graduate / professional 3.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.8%
Bachelor's or higher	14.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	25	7.8%
Kindergarten	24	7.5%
Elementary school	165	51.6%
High school	74	23.1%
College / grad school	32	10.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 19.1%

Manufacturing 16.6%

Education & healthcare 16.5%

Retail trade 9.4%

Construction 7.4%

Other services 6.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.3%

Professional & management 4.3%

Transportation & utilities 4.2%

Wholesale trade 2.9%

Information 2.6%

Public administration 2.6%

Finance & real estate 1.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	38.5%
Service	10.8%
Sales & office	15.7%
Natural resources & construction	15.4%
Production & transportation	19.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	72.2%
Government	10.5%
Self-employed	16.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.7%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.5%
Carpool	2.9%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	4.0%
Other means	2.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.6

Poverty

All people 12.5%

Under 18 years 17.7%

18 and over 11.1%

Married-couple families 2.5%

Female-led households 55.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.6%
Retirement income	16.1%
Supplemental Security	1.8%
Cash public assistance	3.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	8.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.0%
High cholesterol	32.8%
Heart disease	8.2%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	8.6%
Arthritis	27.8%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	6.9%
Cancer	8.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.9%
No physical activity	24.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.3%
Fair or poor health	13.8%
Poor mental health	12.9%
Poor physical health	10.6%
No health insurance	11.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.0%
Visited dentist	68.2%
Cholesterol screening	89.7%
Teeth loss	12.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	123	10.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.9%
Under 18	0.9%
18–64 years	8.6%
65 and over	28.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.2%
Public insurance	40.8%
Uninsured under 19	7.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,423	95.3%
Spanish	41	2.9%
Other Indo-European	38	2.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	3	0.2%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,437	96.2%
Born in same state	1,419	95.0%
Born in different state	1,176	78.8%
Foreign born	18	1.2%
Naturalized citizen	56	3.8%
Not a US citizen	20	35.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	485	32.5%
Italian	125	8.4%
English	70	4.7%
Arab	67	4.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	30	2%
Dutch	24	1.6%
German	9	0.6%
Irish	2	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.3%
Internet access	78.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Brooten, MN have?

Brooten, MN has one ZIP code: 56316. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.