Crookston, MN
Living in Crookston
Real small-town Minnesota, 25 miles from Grand Forks.
What it’s like to live in Crookston
Living in Crookston means living in a town of about 7,300 people on the Red Lake River, 25 miles east of Grand Forks. You get more house for your money than in Grand Forks, a university, a quiet downtown, and lake country a couple of hours down the road. For the big stuff, you still drive to Grand Forks.
I sell a lot of houses in Crookston, including a first home for a buyer who moved here from California and found her house in one weekend. Here’s what I tell people who are thinking about living there.
Crookston in a minute
The county seat, a college town and a farm town, all in one small package.
Named by a coin toss
Crookston is named for Colonel William Crooks, an engineer for the railroad that came through. Another group wanted to name the town after its first mayor, Captain Ellerey C. Davis. The story goes that they settled it with a coin toss. Davis lost. Source
Back to the topWho buys in Crookston
Mostly people who want or need to live in Crookston: they work there, study there, or their family is there.
Then there’s a second group. Some buyers want a little distance from Grand Forks. They live in Crookston and make the 25-mile drive to work. If you want small-town life, a bigger house for the money, and you don’t mind the commute, it’s a real option.
And sometimes the buyer is moving from a long way off. Delenn was living in California when she reached out to me through Zillow. She flew up for one weekend, we looked at several houses, and I saved the best one for last. Here’s her whole story, including the asbestos the inspection turned up and how we got her an extra $10,000 from the sellers to deal with it.
Back to the topWhat your money buys
More square footage and nicer homes for less money than in Grand Forks. You’ll notice the difference, but it’s not dramatic.
Crookston isn’t a different market from Grand Forks so much as a cheaper zip code in the same one. The list prices are close enough that you shouldn’t move 25 miles just to save money. But if you were going to like Crookston anyway, your budget stretches further there. Before you decide, add the drive into the math: gas, winter tires and your time.
Delenn’s house had a stained glass light over the dining room table and a game room addition out back with a pool table and a wood stove. She has since turned part of the basement into a rental unit, so the house helps pay for itself. That’s what a Crookston budget can look like.
Back to the topSmall-town Minnesota, for real
Crookston is the real deal small-town Minnesota. That’s the appeal and the catch in one sentence.
The downtown looks great, but there isn’t a lot going on there most nights. For concerts, Hawks hockey, Target runs and a real restaurant night, you’ll still drive to Grand Forks. If quiet is what you want, that’s a feature.
The road trip I take for no reason
This is a little silly, but my family and I sometimes drive out to the Walmart in Crookston on a slow Saturday. We have two in Grand Forks. The 25 minutes of open road makes it feel like a little road trip to somewhere new, and that’s the whole point.
Closer to lake country
The best thing about living in Crookston might be what’s east of it. You’re that much closer to the lakes around Bemidji, some of the most beautiful country in America, a couple of hours down the road. If your weekends involve a boat, a cabin or a fishing pole, that drive matters.
Back to the topSchools and the university
One public district for K through 12, plus a University of Minnesota campus in town.
The Minnesota part
Crookston is in Minnesota, so the same rules apply as in East Grand Forks.
- Income tax follows where you live. Live in Crookston and work in Grand Forks, and you pay Minnesota income tax, 5.35% to 9.85% in 2026. ND Tax MN Revenue
- New Minnesota residents get 60 days to switch their driver’s license. Minnesota law
- The Red Lake River runs through town. Look up any address on FEMA’s flood map and ask about flood insurance before you buy near it.
The full rundown on Minnesota versus North Dakota is on my East Grand Forks page. I’m a REALTOR, not a tax pro, so run your own numbers with one.
Back to the topQuestions people ask me about living in Crookston
Is Crookston a good place to live?
If you want real small-town Minnesota, yes. You get more house for the money, a quiet town, a university, and lake country closer than it is from Grand Forks. If you want restaurants, events and shopping close by, you’ll be driving to Grand Forks a lot.
How far is Crookston from Grand Forks?
About 25 miles, roughly a 25-minute drive. Some people live in Crookston and commute to Grand Forks for work every day.
Are houses cheaper in Crookston than in Grand Forks?
Generally, yes. You’ll usually get more square footage and a nicer house for the same list price. The difference is noticeable but not huge, so count the cost of the commute before you decide.
Do you sell homes in Crookston?
Yes, a lot of them. Delenn’s story is one: a first home bought from California, with one weekend to find it.
What schools are in Crookston?
Crookston Public Schools runs Highland Elementary and Crookston High School (grades 7 to 12). The University of Minnesota Crookston is also in town. See the schools section above.
Thinking about Crookston?
Let’s see how far your budget goes out there.
Tell me what you need and I’ll show you what it costs in Crookston compared to Grand Forks. Call or text me at 701.314.2202, or start with one of my free guides.
★★★★★
“About a week ago, I finalized the process of buying my first home—a single family house in Crookston, MN. Working with Josh as my realtor was the saving grace in what I feared would be an overwhelming process. Josh was informed and professional while also being emotionally available to help me through this new challenge. Every snag we hit he was able to help solve, and now I am a proud homeowner.”
Delenn G. – Relocated from California, bought in Crookston · Google
★★★★★
“Incredibly friendly and helpful during the entire process of our interstate move”
Tyler G. – Relocated from Kentucky, acreage outside Niagara · Google
Not quite what you needed?
The six communities I actually sell in are broken down one by one. If you’ve already picked the town and you’re ready to look, the buyer guide is the next one. And here’s who you’d be working with.