Watonwan County, MN Property Records
Property records in Watonwan, Minnesota document ownership, parcel boundaries, assessed values, property taxes, legal descriptions, sales history, and recorded land documents such as deeds or mortgages. These records are useful for buyers, sellers, homeowners, researchers, and professionals who need to verify ownership, estimate tax obligations, review assessment details, or understand a property’s history.
Official Watonwan property information is maintained by county offices such as the Assessor, Auditor/Treasurer, and Recorder. Users can start by visiting the county’s website for official Watonwan property records, where they can find property assessment resources, tax information, land records guidance, and contact details for the appropriate department. For certified copies or legally recorded documents, users may need to contact the Watonwan County Recorder directly.
Watonwan County, MN Property Records & Statistics
Watonwan County is one of Minnesota's lower-cost housing markets. The median rent is $686, well under the state median of $808 and the national median of $840.25. Renter-occupied housing accounts for 17.96% of homes, slightly above the state's 16.38% but below the national 21.81%, so owners still make up the large majority of households.
The median home value is $92,000, less than half the Minnesota median of $190,000 and well under the national median of $173,750. Property taxes are comparatively heavy: the median property tax rate of 1.14% exceeds the state rate of 0.98% and the national rate of 0.74%. Even so, because home values are low, the amount owners pay in tax is likely to be modest in dollar terms.
Median household income is $63,750, below Minnesota's $70,066 and just under the national figure of $65,108. Unemployment is the main weak spot, with a rate of 3.67% compared with 2.29% in the state and 2.87% nationally.
Overall, the data shows an inexpensive county for buyers and renters, with low home prices and rents, higher tax rates, below-average incomes, and a labor market that is softer than the state and national averages.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Watonwan
Watonwan County property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuation data, and foreclosure filings. The county has 8,305 total parcels, including 5,075 residential and 357 commercial parcels, with tax records covering 95.87% of the population for the 2025 assessment year. Valuation data is available for 3,287 properties, with the latest valuation update on August 19, 2025.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 8,305 |
| Residential Parcels | 5,075 |
| Commercial Parcels | 357 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 95.87% |
| Assessment Year | 2025 |
| Deed Records | 500 |
| Mortgage Records | 478 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 3,287 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Notice of Trustee Sale Records | 53 |
How to Search Watonwan County, MN Property Records
Watonwan County's recorded land records are kept by the County Recorder in St. James. The office holds the deeds, mortgages, and related documents that go with the county's 8,305 parcels, and these records are used to confirm ownership, review transfers, and check for liens.
Begin with the Watonwan County Recorder page, which describes the office and the services it provides. If you need to submit a document, the Watonwan County e-Recording page explains how to record documents electronically.
To search, collect the property address, the owner's name, or the parcel number. Use that detail to identify the parcel, then look for the deeds or mortgages recorded against it. Check names and dates on each result to be sure it matches the property you are researching. Records can show owners, legal descriptions, recorded transfers, and mortgage and foreclosure filings.
For in-person or phone help, the Recorder's Office is at 710 Second Ave S, St. James, MN 56081, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The phone number is 507-375-1216, and staff can help if a record does not appear in your search.
Watonwan Registrar of Deeds
The Watonwan County Probate Office is located at 710 Second Ave S, St. James, MN, 56081 and can be reached at 507-375-1216. Office hours are Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through the official website co.watonwan.mn.us.
Watonwan County Recorder
Watonwan County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Watonwan County property records by address?
Start with the Watonwan County Recorder page, then have the full street address ready. If your first attempt does not find the parcel, try a shorter version of the address or a parcel number. You can also call the Recorder's Office at 507-375-1216 and ask staff to help locate the property.
How can I find property owners in Watonwan County?
Owners are named on recorded deeds, which are kept by the County Recorder. Contact the office at 710 Second Ave S, St. James, or call 507-375-1216 and give the address or parcel number. Ask for the most recent deed on the property so you can see the current owner and the date of the transfer.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Watonwan County?
The county's tax records show the 2025 assessment year and include 8,305 parcels. To see the value of a specific property, have the address or parcel number ready and call the Recorder's Office at 507-375-1216 for direction to the assessment staff. The Watonwan County Recorder page is also a good starting point.
Where can I find Watonwan County property tax bills and payment records?
Tax statements are tied to a parcel number, so find that number on a deed or earlier bill first. If you cannot locate a statement, call the Recorder's Office at 507-375-1216 and ask which county office issues and collects property taxes. They can point you to the right department and its hours.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Watonwan County?
Deeds and mortgages are recorded with the County Recorder. See the Recorder page for services, or use the e-Recording page if you need to submit documents electronically. In person, visit 710 Second Ave S, St. James, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Where can I access Watonwan County parcel maps and GIS information?
The county has 8,305 parcels, and maps are usually maintained by county land records or mapping staff. Call the Recorder's Office at 507-375-1216 to ask where parcel maps and GIS layers are published. Parcel maps are useful for reference but are not a legal survey of boundaries.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Watonwan County?
Permit and zoning requirements depend on the property's location, because cities may manage their own rules. For land inside a city, contact that city's office. For other land, call the county at the Recorder's number, 507-375-1216, and ask which department handles land use and building permits.
How can I create a list of property owners in Watonwan County?
The county's records are best for property-by-property lookups. To assemble a list, gather the parcel numbers you need and request each deed from the Recorder's Office at 710 Second Ave S, St. James, or by phone at 507-375-1216. For a large or bulk request, ask staff what information they can supply.