Affordable and safe. Strong K-12 school systems. A long list of recreational opportunities. Mitchell County exemplifies the best of Northern Iowa. Located along the Minnesota border about two hours south of Minneapolis, getting here is easy with quick access to Interstates 35 and 90.

Live a Healthy Lifestyle

The Cedar and Wapsipinicon Rivers wind through the county, dotted with dozens of nature trails along thousands of acres of public lands. Hiking, biking, boating and fishing – it’s all available in Mitchell County. There’s also a five-acre lake and multiple cold-water trout streams. The Mitchell County Conservation Board is the steward of many of our beautiful trails, campgrounds and outdoor venues.

Indoors, you can work out at the Cedar River Complex year-round in Osage; it has an indoor pool, track, weights, basketball and racquetball courts, fitness classes and activities geared toward children and families. Mitchell County Regional Health Center full-time employees also have access to on-site fitness equipment in Osage.

Dedicated to Education

The county prides itself on strong public schools with solid academic and extra-curricular opportunities. Osage Public Schools,  St. Ansgar Community School District, and Riceville Community School District serve the area. There is also an active library system throughout the region and programs offered for all ages through the Iowa State University Extension office.

Festivals, Food and the Arts

Summer and Fall in Mitchell County means it’s festival time! The patriotism of our region comes alive on Fourth of July, with a large parade in Osage and a major fireworks show in Mitchell. Add to that Wapsi Days in Riceville, Brat Daze in Stacyville, and Town & Country Days in St. Ansgar and your weekends can fill up fast. For arts lovers, summer brings a series of musicals and plays courtesy of the Cedar Summerstock Theatre.

Autumn Artistry, organized by the Osage Chamber of Commerce, is one of the premier arts festivals in the county. The annual event, always held on the 3rd Saturday in September, features local artists, artisans, antiques, fall and holiday décor, delicious foods, live music and one of the largest car shows around. The event is free for shoppers to attend, and in recent years has showcased well over 100 vendors from across the state of Iowa and Southern Minnesota. Vendors are located throughout downtown Osage and at the Mitchell County Fairgrounds.

For foodies, there are dozens of restaurants in the county. It’s not unusual to find the menu focusing on farm-to-table options, with locally grown produce. Limestone Brewery crafts artisan brews and hosts special events, and Frisky Fox Vineyard is a family owned vineyard and winery.

Cost of Living

The average home price is $129,000 in the county, with the overall cost of living lower than the national average.