Tower ZIP Codes — Saint Louis County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Tower, Minnesota and it is 55790. Area code: 218.

ZIP codes

143.61

sq mi land

46.83

sq mi water

218

area code

Tower, MN ZIP code map

About Tower, MN

Tower, Minnesota is a charming small city located in Saint Louis County. Known for its stunning natural surroundings, it offers residents and visitors a peaceful retreat in the heart of the North Woods. The city is steeped in rich history and is closely associated with the beautiful Lake Vermilion, which is a major attraction in the area.

Location & geography

Tower is situated in the northeastern part of Minnesota, approximately 12 miles southwest of Ely and about 35 miles northeast of Virginia. The city spans a land area of 143.61 square miles, complemented by an impressive water area of 46.83 square miles, which includes parts of the pristine Lake Vermilion. The terrain surrounding Tower is characterized by dense forests, rocky outcrops, and numerous waterways, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The community of Tower is small yet vibrant, with a strong sense of camaraderie among its residents. The local economy is primarily driven by tourism, outdoor recreation, and a handful of small businesses that cater to both locals and visitors. Daily life in Tower reflects the simple pleasures of living in a close-knit community surrounded by nature, where activities such as fishing, hiking, and snowmobiling are popular pastimes.

Transportation

Tower is accessible via Minnesota State Highway 169, which flows through the city and connects it to neighboring towns and attractions. The nearest major airport is the Range Regional Airport in Hibbing, which is about 70 miles away, providing access to regional and national flights. Local transit options are limited, but the scenic landscapes make driving an enjoyable experience.

History

Tower was founded in the late 1800s, initially serving as a hub for the iron mining industry that flourished in the region. Over the years, it evolved into a popular destination for tourism and outdoor recreation, particularly as Lake Vermilion drew visitors to its stunning vistas. A notable event in its history includes the establishment of the Tower-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, which was instrumental in preserving the mining heritage of the area.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Tower, Minnesota is that it is the home of the world's largest wood golf tee, which stands as a quirky monument to attract attention. The city also hosts various cultural events throughout the year, celebrating its rich history and close ties to the natural environment.

ZIP codes for Tower, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
55790	Tower	Saint Louis	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,871

Population

60.6

Median age

$77,969

Median household income

$44,788

Per capita income

$290,800

Median home value

$588

Median monthly rent

87.5%

Home ownership

9.8%

Poverty rate

4.8%

Unemployment

2,360

Housing units

33.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

136

60–64

121

256

65–74

230

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	250	13.4%
18 and over	1,621	86.6%
65 and over	706	37.7%
Median age	60.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 76.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 12.3%

Hispanic or Latino 4.8%

Two or more races 3.4%

Other race 2.9%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	1,504	76.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	241	12.3%
Hispanic or Latino	94	4.8%
Two or more races	67	3.4%
Other race	57	2.9%
Asian	2	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.9%

$10k–$15k 1.1%

$15k–$25k 6.5%

$25k–$35k 7.8%

$35k–$50k 10.2%

$50k–$75k 20.0%

$75k–$100k 17.1%

$100k–$150k 21.2%

$150k–$200k 6.1%

$200k+ 7.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.9%
$10k–$15k	1.1%
$15k–$25k	6.5%
$25k–$35k	7.8%
$35k–$50k	10.2%
$50k–$75k	20.0%
$75k–$100k	17.1%
$100k–$150k	21.2%
$150k–$200k	6.1%
$200k+	7.0%
Median income	$77,969

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.6%

$50k–$100k 9.8%

$100k–$150k 11.2%

$150k–$200k 8.9%

$200k–$300k 16.9%

$300k–$500k 23.2%

$500k–$1M 23.5%

$1M+ 1.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$290,800
Median rent / month	$588
Owner occupied	87.5%
Renter occupied	12.5%
Vacant	64.7%
Single-family detached	93.1%
Large apartment buildings	1.1%
Mobile homes	3.1%
Median rooms	4.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.14

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	5.1%
2000–2009	12.8%
1990–1999	15.0%
1980–1989	18.4%
1970–1979	18.1%
1960–1969	10.1%
1950–1959	11.0%
1940–1949	3.6%
1939 or earlier	5.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.4%
1 bedroom	15.0%
2 bedrooms	46.3%
3 bedrooms	26.7%
4 bedrooms	6.1%
5+ bedrooms	1.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.1%
1 vehicle	25.1%
2 vehicles	40.6%
3 or more	29.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.4%
Electricity	31.0%
Propane / LP gas	47.4%
Fuel oil	11.1%
Wood	6.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	519	59.6%
Cohabiting couple	47	5.4%
Male householder, no spouse	171	19.6%
Female householder, no spouse	134	15.4%
Households with children under 18	122	14.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	461	52.9%
Average household size	2.15

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	17.0%	17.6%
Married	66.7%	67.5%
Separated	0.9%	0.3%
Widowed	4.4%	6.5%
Divorced	11.0%	8.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%

Some HS, no diploma 3.6%

HS graduate 23.5%

Some college, no degree 21.1%

Associate's degree 18.6%

Bachelor's degree 21.3%

Graduate / professional 11.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.4%
Bachelor's or higher	33.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	22	10.3%
Kindergarten	2	0.9%
Elementary school	108	50.7%
High school	55	25.8%
College / grad school	26	12.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Professional & management 17.3%

Education & healthcare 15.8%

Manufacturing 9.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.9%

Construction 9.5%

Retail trade 8.4%

Public administration 5.9%

Agriculture & mining 5.8%

Finance & real estate 5.7%

Other services 4.9%

Transportation & utilities 4.2%

Information 1.6%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.8%
Service	12.4%
Sales & office	18.4%
Natural resources & construction	15.9%
Production & transportation	16.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	66.1%
Government	19.2%
Self-employed	14.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.7%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	69.1%
Carpool	4.9%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	3.2%
Other means	1.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	32.0

Poverty

All people 9.8%

Under 18 years 27.4%

18 and over 7.1%

Married-couple families 2.1%

Female-led households 42.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	50.9%
Retirement income	46.6%
Supplemental Security	3.6%
Cash public assistance	1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.0%
High cholesterol	38.0%
Heart disease	9.0%
Stroke	4.0%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	33.8%
Kidney disease	3.8%
Pulmonary disease	7.6%
Cancer	9.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.3%
No physical activity	22.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.3%
Fair or poor health	14.5%
Poor mental health	12.4%
Poor physical health	11.5%
No health insurance	8.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.0%
Visited dentist	65.6%
Cholesterol screening	93.3%
Teeth loss	10.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	133	8.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.9%
Under 18	3.6%
18–64 years	8.2%
65 and over	24.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	81.2%
Public insurance	47.6%
Uninsured under 19	0.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,778	95.0%
Spanish	5	0.3%
Other Indo-European	2	0.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,860	99.4%
Born in same state	1,853	99.0%
Born in different state	1,439	76.9%
Foreign born	7	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	11	0.6%
Not a US citizen	10	90.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	206	11%
French	132	7.1%
Italian	107	5.7%
Arab	79	4.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	23	1.2%
Dutch	11	0.6%
German	9	0.5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	46.6%
Internet access	88.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Tower, MN have?

Tower, MN has one ZIP code: 55790. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.