NORTH BRANCH, MN REALTOR · LOCAL GUIDE

LIVING IN NORTH BRANCH

North Branch became a township in 1861 and incorporated in 1881. In 1901 it split into a village around downtown and a surrounding township, which later incorporated as the village of Branch. After years of discussion, voters approved putting the two back together, and the cities officially merged in November 1994. Swedish roots run deep here — among U.S. cities with 10,000 or more residents, North Branch has the highest concentration of people with Swedish ancestry.

That history shows in today’s housing. Near Main Street and Central Park you’ll find older homes on a traditional grid, and beyond downtown there are newer neighborhoods and rural properties spread across 36 square miles. The North Branch of the Sunrise River runs through town, and Chain Lake sits within the city’s park and trail system. With a grocery store, local shops, churches and restaurants in town, most day-to-day errands don’t require a trip to the metro.

The paved Sunrise Prairie Regional Trail follows an old railroad corridor through North Branch, with a trailhead at Roger Johnson Park, and the newer Flink Avenue Trail links neighborhoods to the Sunrise River and nearby shopping. North Branch Midsummer Days, which marked its 100th celebration in 2026, fills Central Park and Main Street each June with a parade, a midway, street dances and fireworks.

North Branch sits at the junction of I-35 and Highway 95, so the drive to downtown St. Paul is typically around 45 minutes, with Minneapolis a bit farther depending on traffic. Highway 95 heads west toward Cambridge and east toward the St. Croix River. With a full downtown, a regional trail and the interstate at its doorstep, North Branch works well for people who want a real hometown with room to spread out.

NORTH BRANCH AT A GLANCE

Population: 10,787
Size: 36 sq mi
Incorporated: 1881
Schools: North Branch ISD 138
River: Sunrise River
Commute: I-35 · Hwy 95
County: Chisago
Summer festival: Midsummer Days
Drive to MSP Airport: about 65 minutes (50 miles), off-peak
Drive to Downtown Minneapolis: about 55 minutes (46 miles), off-peak
Drive to Downtown St. Paul: about 55 minutes (43 miles), off-peak

NORTH BRANCH SCHOOLS

North Branch is served by North Branch Area Public Schools (ISD 138). The district includes Sunrise River School, North Branch Area Middle School and North Branch Area High School, along with the Norse Area Learning Center and an early learning program. The city is also home to Phoenix Academy of Art and Science, a K–6 charter option. On rural parcels near the city’s edges, it’s a good idea to confirm the district for the specific address, and I’m glad to help with that.

What the percentages mean: the percentage beside each school below is the share of North Branch’s children of that school’s age who live in its attendance area — ages 5–10 for elementary, 11–13 for middle and 14–17 for high school (about 927, 472 and 652 children in the 2020 Census). District percentages use all children ages 5–17. It shows where the city’s kids are assigned; it is not a test score or a rating. Students per grade is each school’s 2025–26 enrollment divided by the number of grades it serves.

School districts serving North Branch: North Branch (ISD 138) — all of the city’s school-age children.

HOW NORTH BRANCH’S SCHOOL DISTRICTS COMPARE STATEWIDE

North Branch (ISD 138): reading 44% and math 39% proficient on the 2025–26 state tests — test-score rank #209 of 326 Minnesota districts; 4-year graduation rate 86% (class of 2025), #237 of 317

Proficient = share of tested students who met or exceeded Minnesota’s grade-level standards (MCA, MTAS and Alternate MCA, all tested grades). Test-score rank = position among Minnesota school districts (charter schools not included) by the average of reading and math proficiency; school ranks compare each school with all Minnesota public schools at the same level. Ranks are calculated by Minnesota Chuck from Minnesota Department of Education data and are not an official state rating.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS SERVING NORTH BRANCH

Sunrise River Elementary: North Branch (ISD 138) — all of North Branch’s children that age; grades 1–5, about 196 students per grade; reading 46%, math 56% proficient (2025–26), #393 of 893 Minnesota elementary schools

MIDDLE SCHOOLS SERVING NORTH BRANCH

North Branch Middle School: North Branch (ISD 138) — all of North Branch’s children that age; grades 6–8, about 199 students per grade; reading 46%, math 30% proficient (2025–26), #169 of 264 Minnesota middle schools

HIGH SCHOOLS SERVING NORTH BRANCH

North Branch High School: North Branch (ISD 138) — all of North Branch’s children that age; grades 9–12, about 202 students per grade; reading 35%, math 17% proficient (2025–26), #330 of 435 Minnesota high schools; 4-year graduation 93%

Sources: Minnesota Department of Education, School Attendance Areas, SY2025-26; Minnesota Department of Education 2025–26 assessment results and graduation rates (Minnesota Report Card); U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census (children by age, by census block); Minnesota Department of Education 2025–26 enrollment. Boundaries can change, so confirm the assigned school with the district for a specific address.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What school district is North Branch, MN in?

North Branch is served by North Branch Area Public Schools, Independent School District 138. The district’s schools include Sunrise River School, North Branch Area Middle School and North Branch Area High School. For rural properties near the edges of the city, confirm the district for the specific address.

What county is North Branch, MN in?

North Branch is in Chisago County, and with about 10,800 residents at the 2020 census it’s the county’s largest city. It sits at the junction of I-35 and Highway 95, north of Stacy and Wyoming, and covers about 36 square miles after the 1994 merger of North Branch and the neighboring town of Branch.

How far is North Branch from Minneapolis, St. Paul and MSP Airport?

Driving from the center of North Branch at off-peak times, downtown Minneapolis is about 46 miles (roughly 55 minutes), downtown St. Paul is about 43 miles (roughly 55 minutes) and MSP Airport is about 50 miles (roughly 65 minutes). Rush-hour traffic adds time, and drives vary with which part of North Branch you start from.

What is there to do in North Branch?

North Branch has the Sunrise Prairie Regional Trail and the Flink Avenue Trail, parks such as Central Park and Roger Johnson Park, and the Sunrise River. Each June, North Branch Midsummer Days brings a parade, midway, street dances and fireworks — a tradition that marked its 100th celebration in 2026.

Is North Branch a good place to buy a home?

North Branch offers a full-service downtown, older homes near Main Street, newer neighborhoods and rural lots, plus direct I-35 access. Whether it’s right depends on your budget, commute and lot preferences. I’m happy to walk you through the options and what homes are really worth.

NEARBY CITIES I SERVE

Stacy · Wyoming · Chisago City · Lindström · Center City · Shafer · Isanti · Forest Lake

Thinking about buying or selling in North Branch? Use the form at the top of this page, or call or text me at 763-218-2573. — Chuck Glasser, Realtor®, RE/MAX Results