Compare cities · September 2026
Norwood Young America vs. Waconia
Homes in Waconia sold for a median $475,000 over the 12 months through September 2026, 46% more than in Norwood Young America ($325,000). Homes sold faster in Waconia: 49 days on market on average, against 69 in Norwood Young America. Waconia's homes are newer, with a median year built of 2001 against 1982. Waconia is closer to downtown Minneapolis: about 48 minutes by car, against 54. The two are about 8 miles apart, roughly a 15-minute drive.
Housing market, 12 months through September 2026
| Measure | Norwood Young America | Waconia |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $325,000 | $475,000 |
| Change from a year earlier | −3.0% | −1.0% |
| Homes sold | 51 | 270 |
| Days on market | 69 | 49 |
| Share of original list price | 97.7% | 98.1% |
| Price per square foot | $183 | $222 |
| New listings | 74 | 617 |
| Homes for sale (September 2026) | 11 | 113 |
| Months of supply (September 2026) | 2.6 | 4.6 |
Source: Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update (NorthstarMLS data).
The homes
| Measure | Norwood Young America | Waconia |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner estimate) | $299,300 | $431,000 |
| Median year built | 1982 | 2001 |
| Single-family homesShare of all housing units, detached houses | 79% | 84% |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75% | 80% |
| Median rent | $1,073 | $1,330 |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024.
The place
| Measure | Norwood Young America | Waconia |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 3,774 | 13,831 |
| Land area | 2.5 sq mi | 5.6 sq mi |
| Drive to Downtown Minneapolis | 54 min | 48 min |
| Drive to Downtown Saint Paul | 62 min | 57 min |
| Drive to MSP Airport | 50 min | 45 min |
| Drive to Mall of America | 47 min | 41 min |
| Drive to University of Minnesota | 57 min | 51 min |
| Average commute to work | 31.9 min | 25.2 min |
| Lakes of 10+ acresMinnesota DNR lake outlines touching the city | 4 | 3 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2024 estimates and TIGER/Line; drive times from OpenStreetMap routing (light traffic).
Norwood Young America
School districts: Central Public School District
Largest lakes: Barnes Lake (119 acres), Brand Lake (78 acres), Young America Lake (76 acres), Braunworth Lake (37 acres)
Waconia
School districts: Waconia Public School District
Largest lakes: Lake Waconia (3,080 acres), Burandt Lake (97 acres), Reitz Lake (92 acres)
How we compare places: by their homes, housing market and location only, from public sources, never by who lives there. Medians describe the middle home; both places have homes well above and below them.
Quick answers
Norwood Young America or Waconia?
Is Norwood Young America or Waconia more expensive?
Waconia. The median sale price was $475,000 there and $325,000 in Norwood Young America over the 12 months through September 2026, according to the Minneapolis Area REALTORS® Local Market Update. The median is the middle sale, so both have homes well above and below it.
Where do homes sell faster, Norwood Young America or Waconia?
Waconia: 49 days on market on average against 69, over the 12 months through September 2026.
Which is closer to downtown Minneapolis?
Waconia, about 48 minutes by car in light traffic (54 from Norwood Young America). To downtown Saint Paul: 62 minutes from Norwood Young America, 57 from Waconia.
How far apart are Norwood Young America and Waconia?
About 8 miles in a straight line between their centers, or roughly 15 minutes by car.
Which has more lakes, Norwood Young America or Waconia?
Norwood Young America has more: 4 lakes of 10+ acres touch Norwood Young America (largest: Barnes Lake) and 3 touch Waconia (largest: Lake Waconia), by Minnesota DNR lake outlines.
Which school districts serve Norwood Young America and Waconia?
Norwood Young America: Central Public School District. Waconia: Waconia Public School District. School district lines don't follow city lines, so check the district for a specific address before you buy.
Should I buy in Norwood Young America or Waconia?
It depends on your budget, the kind of home you want and where you need to get to each day. This page compares the homes, prices and locations; a Huerkamp Home Group agent can show you homes in both and walk you through what's selling now.
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Deciding between them?
See homes in Norwood Young America and Waconia.
A Huerkamp Home Group agent can show you homes in both, tell you what's selling and for how much right now, and help you decide. There's no cost to buyers.