Kasson, Minnesota Largest City in Dodge County
Thirteen miles west of Rochester on the Highway 14 corridor — home of the K-M KoMets, the Midwest's largest working-class truck show, Minnesota's oldest county fair, and a municipal utility powered 50% by renewables.
Kasson-MN.com Directory
Rochester's Thriving Western Neighbor
Kasson is the largest city in Dodge County, Minnesota, with 6,851 residents at the 2020 census and an estimated population above 7,000 today — one of the fastest-growing communities in the Rochester metro area. Sitting at the junction of U.S. Highway 14 and Minnesota State Highway 57, Kasson is a full-service hub for western Dodge County and an easy commute to Rochester and the Mayo Clinic.
The city was incorporated on February 24, 1870, and named for Jabez Hyde Kasson, owner of the original townsite who settled here in 1856. Today the city's motto says it plainly: "We're Ready For You." Kasson pairs small-town affordability with a young median age, strong household incomes, and a school district families move here for.
It's also a town that punches far above its weight in events — hosting both the Dodge County Free Fair, Minnesota's oldest county fair, and the Big Iron Classic, the Midwest's largest working-class truck show.
A Municipal Renewable Energy Leader
Kasson runs its own municipal electric utility serving every home and business in town — with solar installed on City Hall in 2011 and the Aquatic Center in 2013, and half its power drawn from wind and renewable sources.
Three Signature Events That Define Kasson
From mid-summer to September, Kasson hosts a run of events that draw tens of thousands of visitors to Dodge County — listed here in chronological order.
Dodge County Free Fair
July 15–19, 2026. A tradition dating back to 1858 — over 165 years of 4-H, FFA and Open Class exhibits, carnival rides, fair food, and grandstand action including bull riding, stock car racing and demolition derby. Free gate admission; grandstand events ticketed.
📍 Dodge County Fairgrounds, Kasson MN
dodgecountyfreefair.com | (507) 634-7736Festival in the Park
Held the second weekend in August at North Park. A volunteer-organized hometown celebration featuring a parade, fireworks, the Kasson Ambassador ceremony, bellyflop and eating contests, and live music — a Kasson tradition for over three decades.
📍 North Park, Kasson MN
Big Iron Classic
September 11–12, 2026. The Midwest's largest working-class truck show, held the first weekend after Labor Day. Over 600 semis on display, vendors, live music, the Friday night light show at dusk, Saturday's Parade of Big Rigs through Mantorville, and the Saturday truck pull ($10 — everything else is free).
📍 Dodge County Fairgrounds, Kasson MN
bigironclassic.comSix Parks, a Pool & Year-Round Ice
Kasson maintains six city parks plus two major recreation facilities — summer swimming at the Aquatic Center and winter skating at the Dodge County Ice Arena.
Veterans Memorial Park
Kasson's flagship park — home of the Aquatic Center, tennis courts, sand volleyball, ball fields, picnic shelters and a full playground.
Lions Park
Skate park, playground, picnic tables and open green space — a draw for skaters from across the surrounding communities.
Kasson Meadows Park
Playground and plentiful green space serving the city's northeastern residential neighborhoods.
East Diamond Park
Dedicated baseball and softball diamond serving youth and adult leagues in the community.
Bigelow-Voight NW Park
Open green space for outdoor recreation on the northwest side of the city.
Blaine's Northeast Park
Green space and recreation area serving Kasson's northeast neighborhoods.
🏊 Kasson Aquatic Center
201 7th Street NW | (507) 634-7755. Open seasonally each summer, with solar panels powering the facility since 2013 as part of Kasson's renewable energy initiative.
Pool & Rec Info🏒 Dodge County Ice Arena
100 11th St NE, Kasson. A year-round ice facility hosting hockey leagues, figure skating programs and public open skating for residents throughout Dodge County.
Ice Arena InfoKasson-Mantorville Schools — Go KoMets!
Kasson shares Independent School District 204 with neighboring Mantorville. The K-M KoMets — royal blue and white — compete in the Hiawatha Valley League and are a major reason young families choose Kasson.
Kasson-Mantorville High School
101 16th St. NE, Kasson | (507) 634-2961. Home of the KoMets, with athletics across the Hiawatha Valley League plus strong fine arts and activities programs.
KMHS WebsiteKasson-Mantorville Middle School
606 16th St. NE, Kasson | (507) 634-4464. Serving students from Kasson and Mantorville in a tight-knit middle school environment.
District WebsiteKasson-Mantorville Elementary
Strong reading, math and science focus with a STEM initiative through Project Lead the Way — one of the district's standout early education programs.
KMES WebsiteK-M Community Education
Early childhood programs and community enrichment for all ages, including the "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten" early literacy program.
Community EdOn the National Register of Historic Places
Five Kasson properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, anchoring a downtown shaped by Prairie School architecture and 150+ years of history.
Kasson Municipal Building
The old City Hall, designed by renowned Prairie School architects Purcell & Elmslie and listed on the National Register in 1982 — one of the finest examples of Prairie School civic architecture in southeastern Minnesota.
Historic Kasson Water Tower
Standing on 4th Avenue NW, the historic water tower is a defining landmark of Kasson's skyline and a beloved symbol of the city.
Jacob Leuthold Jr. House
A historic residence reflecting the architectural character of Kasson's early residential development.
Eureka Hotel
A historic commercial building woven into the fabric of Kasson's original downtown business district.
Kasson Public School
The 1912-era school building earned its National Register listing through preservation work by KARE — the Kasson Alliance for Restoration — a testament to the community's commitment to its heritage.
Things to Do & Places to Stay
Kasson State Theatre
221 Main Street West. A family-friendly movie house featuring the largest curved screen in southeastern Minnesota, plus a party room for private events. A true community landmark.
kassontheatre.com
Kasson Public Library
16 1st Avenue NW. Books, programs and services for all ages, guided by the city's Library Board. A community gathering point in the heart of town.
Baymont by Wyndham
301 8th Street SE. Kasson's primary hotel — convenient lodging for County Fair and Big Iron weekends, or visits to Rochester and the Mayo Clinic just up Highway 14.
Banking Services
Full-service banking in town, including Home Federal Savings Bank and Bremer Bank branches serving residents and businesses across Dodge County.
Business & Services in Kasson
As Dodge County's largest city and a Rochester MSA community, Kasson supports a full range of commercial services along the Highway 14 corridor.
🍽️ Food & Dining
- Local restaurants & bars
- Fast food & quick service
- Pizza & casual dining
- Seasonal fair & event vendors
🔧 Home & Auto
- Auto repair & dealerships
- Building & construction
- Farm equipment & supply
- Hardware & home improvement
🏥 Health & Personal
- Medical & dental clinics
- Pharmacy services
- Hair salons & barbers
- Fitness & wellness
🏦 Finance & Professional
- Banks & credit services
- Insurance agencies
- Legal & accounting
- Real estate services
🏨 Lodging & Travel
- Baymont by Wyndham
- Rolling Hills Transit
- Rochester Int'l Airport access
- Hwy 14 & Hwy 57 junction
📋 Advertise Here
- Directory on kasson-mn.com
- Hwy 14 corridor audience
- County Fair & Big Iron traffic
- Rochester metro market reach
Is Your Kasson Business Listed?
Reach residents plus the tens of thousands of visitors who come to Kasson each year for the County Fair, Big Iron Classic and Festival in the Park. Directory listings and local SEO available.
List Your BusinessKasson MN — Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Kasson from Rochester, Minnesota?
Kasson sits about 13 miles west of Rochester along U.S. Highway 14 — roughly a 15–20 minute drive to downtown Rochester and the Mayo Clinic, making it one of the most popular commuter communities in the Rochester metro area.
What is Kasson MN known for?
Kasson is best known for the Big Iron Classic, the Midwest's largest working-class truck show with over 600 semis each September, and the Dodge County Free Fair, Minnesota's oldest county fair dating back to 1858. It's also the largest city in Dodge County and a renewable energy leader, with 50% of its municipal power from wind and renewable sources.
What school district serves Kasson?
Kasson is served by the Kasson-Mantorville School District (ISD 204) — home of the K-M KoMets. The district includes K-M Elementary, Middle School and High School, all located in Kasson, plus community education and early childhood programs.
What is there to do in Kasson MN?
Catch a movie on southeastern Minnesota's largest curved screen at the Kasson State Theatre, swim at the Aquatic Center, skate at the Dodge County Ice Arena, explore six city parks, walk the historic downtown with its Prairie School architecture and landmark water tower, and plan around the big three: the County Fair in July, Festival in the Park in August, and Big Iron in September.
Is Kasson MN a good place to live?
Kasson combines a median age of about 35, strong household incomes, a well-regarded school district, its own municipal utilities and a short commute to Rochester's Mayo Clinic job market — which is why it has been one of Dodge County's fastest-growing cities for decades.
When was Kasson founded?
The townsite was settled in 1856 by Jabez Hyde Kasson, the city's namesake, and Kasson was officially incorporated on February 24, 1870.
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