Hector ZIP Codes — Renville County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Hector, Minnesota and it is 55342. Area code: 320.

ZIP codes

161.67

sq mi land

0.01

sq mi water

320

area code

Hector, MN ZIP code map

About Hector, MN

Hector is a quaint city located in Renville County, Minnesota. Known for its friendly community and agricultural backdrop, it offers a small-town charm with a rich history. With a single ZIP code of 55342, Hector remains a tight-knit community with a focus on local businesses and outdoor activities.

Location & geography

Hector is situated in west-central Minnesota, surrounded by the natural beauty characteristic of the region. The city is approximately 12 miles northeast of the larger community of Willmar, 7 miles east of Buffalo Lake, and about 14 miles south of the city of Bird Island. Covering a land area of 161.67 square miles and a water area of just 0.01 square miles, Hector features predominantly flat terrain ideal for agriculture.

Community & economy

The character of Hector is marked by a strong sense of community and engagement among residents. The local economy is primarily supported by agriculture, with many residents involved in farming or related industries. Daily life in Hector often revolves around community events, local fairs, and a commitment to preserving the charm of this picturesque Minnesota town.

Transportation

Hector is conveniently located along Minnesota State Highway 4, providing easy access for both residents and visitors. The nearest major airport is the Willmar Municipal Airport, located about 14 miles away. Public transportation options are limited, but the city's layout encourages walking and cycling for short distances.

History

Hector was founded in the late 19th century, establishing itself as a hub for the surrounding agricultural community. Historically, the city has been known for its grain production and has seen growth influenced by various key agricultural developments. Notable events in the city's history include its early settlement patterns and the establishment of local businesses that continue to serve the community today.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Hector is that it hosts an annual event called the Hector Corn Carnival, which celebrates the area’s agricultural roots and attracts visitors from surrounding regions. Additionally, the city is home to a unique collection of murals that depict the history and culture of the community.

ZIP codes for Hector, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
55342	Hector	Renville	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,819

Population

41.1

Median age

$61,518

Median household income

$34,065

Per capita income

$129,600

Median home value

$1,083

Median monthly rent

81.4%

Home ownership

7.1%

Poverty rate

2.8%

Unemployment

748

Housing units

14.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

114

25–34

107

103

35–44

112

45–54

104

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	371	20.4%
18 and over	1,448	79.6%
65 and over	331	18.2%
Median age	41.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 88.7%

Two or more races 4.9%

Hispanic or Latino 3.3%

Other race 2.1%

Asian 0.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Black or African American 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	1,668	88.7%
Two or more races	93	4.9%
Hispanic or Latino	62	3.3%
Other race	40	2.1%
Asian	8	0.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	6	0.3%
Black or African American	4	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 2.2%

$10k–$15k 3.1%

$15k–$25k 8.1%

$25k–$35k 9.8%

$35k–$50k 12.3%

$50k–$75k 23.6%

$75k–$100k 13.3%

$100k–$150k 16.5%

$150k–$200k 6.3%

$200k+ 4.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.2%
$10k–$15k	3.1%
$15k–$25k	8.1%
$25k–$35k	9.8%
$35k–$50k	12.3%
$50k–$75k	23.6%
$75k–$100k	13.3%
$100k–$150k	16.5%
$150k–$200k	6.3%
$200k+	4.8%
Median income	$61,518

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 13.9%

$50k–$100k 18.7%

$100k–$150k 27.3%

$150k–$200k 16.7%

$200k–$300k 12.2%

$300k–$500k 8.2%

$500k–$1M 2.6%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$129,600
Median rent / month	$1,083
Owner occupied	81.4%
Renter occupied	18.6%
Vacant	18.8%
Single-family detached	83.8%
Large apartment buildings	6.8%
Mobile homes	4.1%
Median rooms	6.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.66

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.8%
2000–2009	7.8%
1990–1999	5.8%
1980–1989	4.4%
1970–1979	14.0%
1960–1969	12.1%
1950–1959	13.3%
1940–1949	12.4%
1939 or earlier	29.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	5.8%
1 bedroom	5.8%
2 bedrooms	20.4%
3 bedrooms	43.5%
4 bedrooms	22.5%
5+ bedrooms	2.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.3%
1 vehicle	24.2%
2 vehicles	37.1%
3 or more	33.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	52.0%
Electricity	11.7%
Propane / LP gas	29.5%
Fuel oil	4.9%
No fuel used	1.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	339	47.4%
Cohabiting couple	47	6.6%
Male householder, no spouse	165	23.1%
Female householder, no spouse	164	22.9%
Households with children under 18	166	23.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	255	35.7%
Average household size	2.52

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	37.6%	27.1%
Married	49.7%	51.3%
Separated	0.5%	0.3%
Widowed	1.3%	9.1%
Divorced	10.9%	12.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.9%

Some HS, no diploma 7.2%

HS graduate 37.6%

Some college, no degree 22.4%

Associate's degree 15.7%

Bachelor's degree 12.0%

Graduate / professional 2.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.8%
Bachelor's or higher	14.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	44	11.1%
Kindergarten	9	2.3%
Elementary school	155	39.2%
High school	94	23.8%
College / grad school	93	23.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 29.8%

Manufacturing 17.7%

Agriculture & mining 11.1%

Retail trade 7.7%

Other services 5.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.4%

Construction 4.3%

Wholesale trade 3.7%

Professional & management 3.6%

Transportation & utilities 3.5%

Public administration 3.5%

Finance & real estate 2.9%

Information 1.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	27.3%
Service	30.2%
Sales & office	19.7%
Natural resources & construction	8.5%
Production & transportation	14.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.3%
Government	10.5%
Self-employed	7.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	74.6%
Carpool	9.7%
Public transit	0.9%
Walk	2.9%
Other means	2.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.6

Poverty

All people 7.1%

Under 18 years 6.2%

18 and over 7.3%

Married-couple families 3.5%

Female-led households 10.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	36.5%
Retirement income	19.0%
Supplemental Security	3.9%
Cash public assistance	1.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.9%
High cholesterol	32.5%
Heart disease	7.5%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	26.0%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	6.8%
Cancer	7.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.7%
No physical activity	23.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.6%
Fair or poor health	13.8%
Poor mental health	13.2%
Poor physical health	10.7%
No health insurance	11.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.7%
Visited dentist	67.7%
Cholesterol screening	89.9%
Teeth loss	12.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	109	7.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.0%
Under 18	8.7%
18–64 years	12.8%
65 and over	23.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	67.5%
Public insurance	46.5%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,715	94.3%
Spanish	19	1.1%
Other Indo-European	13	0.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	6	0.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,796	98.7%
Born in same state	1,796	98.7%
Born in different state	1,620	89.1%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	23	1.3%
Not a US citizen	2	8.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	244	13.4%
French	117	6.4%
Italian	94	5.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	52	2.9%
Arab	36	2%
Dutch	29	1.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.3%
Internet access	87.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Hector, MN have?

Hector, MN has one ZIP code: 55342. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.