Wheaton ZIP Codes — Traverse County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Wheaton, Minnesota and it is 56296. Area code: 320.

ZIP codes

236.97

sq mi land

4.29

sq mi water

320

area code

Wheaton, MN ZIP code map

About Wheaton, MN

Wheaton, Minnesota, is a charming city known for its friendly community atmosphere and beautiful landscapes. Located in Traverse County, it serves as a hub for agriculture and local businesses. This small town is an ideal destination for those seeking a quiet yet engaging lifestyle in the heart of Minnesota.

Location & geography

Wheaton is situated in west-central Minnesota and is surrounded by several neighboring towns, including Campbell, approximately 10 miles east, and Elbow Lake, about 15 miles southeast. The city encompasses a land area of 236.97 square miles, complemented by a water area of 4.29 square miles. The terrain in and around Wheaton features a mix of flat landscapes and rolling hills, making it scenic for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The community of Wheaton is characterized by its strong sense of belonging and active participation in local events. With its economy largely rooted in agriculture, residents benefit from a mix of small businesses and farming enterprises that sustain daily life. The city prides itself on friendly neighborhoods and various recreational opportunities, fostering a close-knit environment for families.

Transportation

Wheaton is easily accessible via State Highway 75, which runs north-south through the city and connects it to nearby towns. The nearest airport is the Fergus Falls Municipal Airport, located approximately 40 miles southwest, providing essential transportation options for travelers. Public transit is limited, primarily serving local needs with community-supported vehicle services.

History

Wheaton was founded in the late 19th century and quickly became a focal point for early settlers attracted to the fertile land. The city's economy historically centered on agriculture, which continues to play a significant role today, alongside small business development. Notable events include the annual Traverse County Fair, which has been celebrated for many years, showcasing the community's rich agricultural heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Wheaton is that it is home to the historic Fort Wadsworth, which was established during the Dakota War of 1862 and played a role in the region's military history. Another little-known aspect is that the city hosts various annual events that highlight local culture and traditions, drawing visitors from surrounding areas.

ZIP codes for Wheaton, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
56296	Wheaton	Traverse	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,858

Population

46.3

Median age

$54,329

Median household income

$36,511

Per capita income

$97,800

Median home value

$564

Median monthly rent

80.4%

Home ownership

9.0%

Poverty rate

4.7%

Unemployment

861

Housing units

16.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

116

35–44

125

45–54

55–59

60–64

104

65–74

112

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	361	19.4%
18 and over	1,497	80.6%
65 and over	542	29.2%
Median age	46.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 89.7%

Two or more races 3.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 2.7%

Hispanic or Latino 1.9%

Other race 1.5%

Black or African American 1%

Group	Count	%
White	1,699	89.7%
Two or more races	59	3.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	52	2.7%
Hispanic or Latino	36	1.9%
Other race	29	1.5%
Black or African American	19	1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.1%

$10k–$15k 8.2%

$15k–$25k 13.8%

$25k–$35k 9.0%

$35k–$50k 11.1%

$50k–$75k 15.4%

$75k–$100k 15.0%

$100k–$150k 12.1%

$150k–$200k 5.6%

$200k+ 6.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.1%
$10k–$15k	8.2%
$15k–$25k	13.8%
$25k–$35k	9.0%
$35k–$50k	11.1%
$50k–$75k	15.4%
$75k–$100k	15.0%
$100k–$150k	12.1%
$150k–$200k	5.6%
$200k+	6.7%
Median income	$54,329

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 24.6%

$50k–$100k 26.2%

$100k–$150k 14.8%

$150k–$200k 8.9%

$200k–$300k 13.6%

$300k–$500k 6.3%

$500k–$1M 4.7%

$1M+ 0.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$97,800
Median rent / month	$564
Owner occupied	80.4%
Renter occupied	19.6%
Vacant	15.8%
Single-family detached	79.6%
Large apartment buildings	2.3%
Mobile homes	2.1%
Median rooms	6.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.20

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	2.6%
2000–2009	3.4%
1990–1999	17.7%
1980–1989	7.1%
1970–1979	13.2%
1960–1969	9.7%
1950–1959	9.6%
1940–1949	11.3%
1939 or earlier	25.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	10.4%
2 bedrooms	32.4%
3 bedrooms	33.9%
4 bedrooms	18.3%
5+ bedrooms	5.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.6%
1 vehicle	38.4%
2 vehicles	34.0%
3 or more	21.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.1%
Electricity	30.6%
Propane / LP gas	48.6%
Fuel oil	16.5%
Wood	0.5%
No fuel used	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	349	40.2%
Cohabiting couple	27	3.1%
Male householder, no spouse	197	22.7%
Female householder, no spouse	295	34.0%
Households with children under 18	205	23.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	389	44.8%
Average household size	2.06

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.8%	18.5%
Married	45.0%	45.9%
Separated	0.4%	4.6%
Widowed	6.7%	22.1%
Divorced	16.1%	8.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.3%

Some HS, no diploma 3.8%

HS graduate 38.3%

Some college, no degree 23.7%

Associate's degree 15.7%

Bachelor's degree 11.3%

Graduate / professional 4.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.8%
Bachelor's or higher	16.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	12	3.3%
Kindergarten	21	5.8%
Elementary school	163	45.4%
High school	112	31.2%
College / grad school	51	14.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.1%

Agriculture & mining 14.5%

Manufacturing 10.3%

Retail trade 9.4%

Professional & management 7.2%

Public administration 6.8%

Other services 6.4%

Finance & real estate 4.9%

Transportation & utilities 4.6%

Wholesale trade 4.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.1%

Construction 3.5%

Information 1.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	38.9%
Service	16.5%
Sales & office	22.8%
Natural resources & construction	12.0%
Production & transportation	9.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	65.9%
Government	22.1%
Self-employed	12.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	73.8%
Carpool	10.7%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	2.9%
Other means	0.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.2

Poverty

All people 9.0%

Under 18 years 7.8%

18 and over 9.3%

Married-couple families 3.2%

Female-led households 9.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	49.1%
Retirement income	27.9%
Supplemental Security	2.1%
Cash public assistance	10.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	13.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.9%
High cholesterol	34.0%
Heart disease	9.0%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	8.6%
Arthritis	30.2%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	7.0%
Cancer	9.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.5%
No physical activity	23.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.4%
Fair or poor health	13.8%
Poor mental health	11.9%
Poor physical health	10.5%
No health insurance	10.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.5%
Visited dentist	68.0%
Cholesterol screening	91.8%
Teeth loss	11.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	127	8.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.7%
Under 18	3.3%
18–64 years	14.3%
65 and over	27.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	73.7%
Public insurance	50.1%
Uninsured under 19	1.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,771	95.3%
Spanish	59	3.3%
Other Indo-European	48	2.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	11	0.6%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,813	97.6%
Born in same state	1,810	97.4%
Born in different state	1,310	70.5%
Foreign born	3	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	45	2.4%
Not a US citizen	18	40.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	265	14.3%
French	145	7.8%
Italian	115	6.2%
Arab	75	4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	35	1.9%
English	23	1.2%
German	19	1%
Irish	6	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	46.7%
Internet access	85.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Wheaton, MN have?

Wheaton, MN has one ZIP code: 56296. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.