About

Today, over 27,000 people call Owatonna home. It is a community that boasts high average income levels, high education levels and adds new homes every year.

Five Partners. One Goal.

Owatonna Partners for Economic Development builds on the strengths of five organizations to meet the development needs of existing and locating businesses. Partners work together to coordinate services, accommodate requests and fast-track decisions.

Community Profile


With a commitment to growth and access to services, Owatonna is equally committed to a quality of life – to care enough to leave a legacy for generations to come.

So please, take a closer look at Owatonna, stay a while – make it home.

Community Profile (PDF)

DEED Community Profile (PDF)

Population Growth

On Pace for Sustained Growth. With diverse job opportunities and exceptionally high quality of life, Owatonna is on pace to thrive and continue to grow its population base. Steele County anticipates comparable growth, well ahead of most non-metro areas.

Major Employers

Manufacturing and Insurance Mega-Center. Steele County has one of the highest concentrations of manufacturing jobs in Minnesota* — more than double the state average. The county also outpaces the nation in the percentage of finance/insurance jobs — a mark of its skilled, diverse workforce. Owatonna boasts more than 40 industrial firms, several with international distribution. Major employers include:

  • Viracon (architectural glass)
  • Federated Insurance (business insurance)
  • Truth Hardware (window hardware)
  • SPX (automotive tools)
  • Wenger (musical equipment)
  • Josten’s (school rings/recognition)
  • Cybex (exercise equipment)

* 28.7% versus 13.2% manufacturing employment in 2004, QCEW.

Retail Market Analysis

Owatonna’s primary and secondary retail trade area consists of $285 million dollars of purchasing power. Ideally situated on three primary highway systems, Interstate 35 and U.S. Highways 14 and 218, Owatonna presents an ideal location for retail shoppers. The three shopping areas are the Cedar Mall/Oakdale shopping area on the south side, Hoffman Drive and the north side shopping area and the downtown area in the heart of the city. All three areas are united in their promotional efforts to make Owatonna an exciting place to shop.

Owatonna has a total of more than 500 retail, wholesale and professional firms supporting its large industrial base. Boasting over 40 industrial firms, Owatonna’s business community provides jobs for a labor force in excess of 17,000 people.

Retail Market Study 2013 (PDF)