On the banks of Zumbro River in Minnesota is Olmsted County’s county seat, the city of Rochester. Rochester is the largest city in Minnesota behind the Twin Cities metro area.
Population and Number of Homes
The recent census from 2010 shows that Rochester has 106,760 citizens. There were over 45,000 housing units making the density of people 1,955 for every square mile. The breakdown of the population by age is
| Age Group | Percent of Population |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | 24.80% |
| 18 to 24 | 8.30% |
| 25 to 44 | 29.40% |
| 45 to 64 | 24.80% |
| Over 64 | 12.70% |
Based on this breakdown 35 is the median age.
Local Economy
The Mayo Clinic is far and away the largest employer located in Rochester. More than 30,000 are employed by the medical clinic and each year more than 2 million people visit Rochester for an appointment at Mayo. The restaurants, retail establishments, and various clinic offices of Mayo make up most of downtown Rochester.
Average Weather
The climate in Rochester goes to both extremes. The hottest time of the year occurs in July when temperatures can reach 82 degrees. The coldest time of the year is January when the temperatures get as low as 3 degrees.
The spring and summer months will see a fair amount of rainfall with a total of 30 inches falling over the city in the course of a year. In the winter months, a grand total of 47 inches of snow will descend on Rochester scattered across the whole season.
Universities, Colleges and Junior Colleges
Rochester is home to a number of small colleges and universities. Here is a list of some of the most notable schools
- Rochester Community and Technical College
- University of Minnesota Rochester campus
- Mayo School of Health Sciences
- Mayo Graduate School
- Mayo Medical School
Within a radius of 50 miles of Rochester, there are also other notable schools such as St Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona State University, and the University of Wisconsin – River Falls campus.
Public School System
Over 16,000 students are served by the Rochester Public School system. There are 3 major high schools
- Century High School
- John Marshall High School
- Mayo High School
Over 20 elementary and secondary schools meet the needs of the younger students.
Private Schools
Several faith based organizations operate private schools within Rochester. Most of these schools offer grades from Kindergarten through the 12th grade all on one campus
- Schaeffer Academy
- Faith Christian School
- Victory Christian Academy
- Rochester Pentecostal School
Important Stats for Level of Education
For the Rochester residents that are at least 25 years of age, here are the main education stats.
93.7% graduated from high school
41.5% have earned a bachelor’s degree
16.1% have earned either a graduate or professional degree
The unemployment rate is only 2.7%
Transportation Options
There are 3 taxi businesses that operate within Rochester. Rochester International Airport, the 2nd most active airport located in Minnesota, is a few miles from the downtown area.
At this time there is no bus service available to the general public.
Popular Restaurants and Other Hot Spots
Considering that Rochester is a rather populous city it is no surprise at the number of restaurants and the wide range of cuisines offered.
- Chester’s Kitchen and Bar – typical American menu
- Newt’s Downtown – burgers
- Victoria’s Ristorante & Wine Bar – Italian cuisine along with pizzas and wine
- Nupa Mediterranean Cuisine – great food from the country of Greece
- La Perla Poblana – authentic Mexican restaurant
- Pho Chau – Vietnamese food
- Canadian Honker – specializes in Gluten free offerings
Hospitals
Considering the presence of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester there are no shortages of hospitals in the area.
- Mayo clinic Methodist Hospital
- Mayo Psychiatry and Psychology Treatment Center
- Olmsted Medical Center
- May Clinic St Mary’s Hospital
Outdoor Activities
The park system maintained by Rochester covers more than 5 square miles and has over 100 different park sites. In an effort to boost activity and healthy living within the city, the park authority maintains 85+ miles of trails. The trails are paved and open to walkers, runners, and bikers.
Why Choose us as Your Rochester Mortgage Lender?
We are a Mortgage Lender specializing in mortgage loans since we first opened our doors. With licensed offices in 47 states, we have the staff and the experience to meet any home loan needs.
We were named to Mortgage Executive Magazine's list of Top 100 Mortgage Companies in America. In 2018 we were awarded as a Top Mortgage Lender in Top Dollar Volume by Scotsman Guide. We were also named a Top Workplace by the Houston Chronicle for the 5th year. Finally, we were named to Inc. 5000 list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America.
Besides these accolades, we are proud that President Ron Zach was named to National Mortgage Professional Magazine’s list of the 40 most influential mortgage professionals under 40.
How to Buy a Home in Rochester with Little or No Money Down
Of course you want to buy a home in Rochester with no down payment. Who doesn’t?
Here’s how you do it:
Many people never buy the home of their dreams simply because they don't think they have enough money for the down payment. They have been told through the years that they need 10% or 20% of the purchase price in order to buy a home. Well, this is true for the conventional/conforming loan programs but not for Rochester Government loans.
So why have so many Lenders told them this?
It’s because selling homes to people with 10% or 20% down is easier than selling homes to people who have little or no money for a down payment. Most mortgage loan officers would rather go after the "easy sale" than try to help people who would rather save the down payment money for a rainy day or for current and future repairs/upgrades.
