The Town FilesSouth Bend, Minnesota
Township in Blue Earth County · population 1,581 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $260,400
- Household income
- $87,500
- Jan low / Jul high
- 6° / 82°
- Snow a year
- 39 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 29
- Median age
- 42.9
South Bend is a township of 1,581 people in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. The median home is worth $260,400, below the typical Minnesota town ($301,800). It ranks easier by car than 99% of Minnesota towns, better for retirees than 95% of Minnesota towns, quieter than 78% of Minnesota towns.
How South Bend ranks
Percentile among Minnesota towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Minnesota towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in South Bend is worth $260,400, below the typical Minnesota town ($301,800). Homes cost about 3.0 times the median household income of $87,500, which is more affordable than 69% of Minnesota towns. Median rent is $1,155 a month. 69.6% of households own their home.
| Housing | South Bend | Typical Minnesota town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $260,400 | $301,800 |
| Median rent | $1,155 | $991 |
| Median household income | $87,500 | $87,375 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.0× | 3.4× |
| Homeownership | 69.6% | 88.6% |
| Median year built | 1962 | 1979 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.3% | — |
Who lives in South Bend
| People | South Bend | Typical Minnesota town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.9 | 42.7 |
| Age 65 and over | 25.1% | 20.0% |
| Under 18 | 21.5% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 26.2% |
| Below the poverty line | 5.3% | 6.9% |
| Veterans | 8.2% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.3% | — |
| Work from home | 5.5% | 11.1% |
| Average commute | 16.3 min | 24.5 min |
| Homes with broadband | 90.7% | 90.2% |
Weather in South Bend
July highs average 81.9°F and January lows 5.7°F. About 33.9 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 38.7 inches of snow (typical Minnesota town: 47.0 in). Expect about 11 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 161 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
29 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of South Bend since 1950, compared with 14 for the typical Minnesota town. 5 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF2, struck on June 25, 2010 about 9.7 miles from the town center. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 1 deaths and 7 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on June 16, 2025.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 75 times; the largest was 3.50 inches on April 13, 2026.
Severe weather in Blue Earth County since 1996
Blue Earth County has been included in 24 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, tornado.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| June 28, 2024 | Flood | DR-4797: Severe Storms And Flooding |
| April 7, 2020 | Biological | DR-4531: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3453: Covid-19 |
| June 12, 2019 | Flood | DR-4442: Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding |
| September 5, 2018 | Flood | DR-4390: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding |
Jobs and pay in Blue Earth County
Blue Earth County had 41,255 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $56,997 a year. Unemployment was 2.3% in 2023; in South Bend itself the ACS puts it at 3.6%.
Towns near South Bend
- North Mankato, MN3.9 mi · 14,275 people · home $262,100
- Judson, MN4.9 mi · 534 people · home $264,100
- Belgrade, MN5.9 mi · 1,052 people · home $457,100
- Rapidan, MN6.0 mi · 1,051 people · home $311,400
- Mankato, MN6.3 mi · 44,488 people · home $261,700
- Lake Crystal, MN6.7 mi · 2,539 people · home $204,400
- Garden City, MN7.2 mi · 844 people · home $280,900
- Lime, MN8.8 mi · 946 people · home $423,500
South Bend questions
Is South Bend, Minnesota a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, South Bend scores better for retirees than 95% of Minnesota towns and quieter than 78%. 25.1% of residents are 65 or older (median age 42.9).
How much does a house cost in South Bend?
The median owner-occupied home in South Bend is valued at $260,400 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $87,500, so homes cost about 3.0 times income. Median rent is $1,155 a month.
What is the weather like in South Bend?
July highs average 81.9°F and January lows 5.7°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 33.9 inches of precipitation a year and 38.7 inches of snow.
Does South Bend get tornadoes?
29 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of South Bend since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF2 on June 25, 2010. The typical Minnesota town has had 14.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)