Local Living
Benson or Montevideo? A West Central Minnesota Relocation Choice
Compare Benson and Montevideo by school boundaries, county offices, healthcare locations and regional routes before choosing a home in West Central Minnesota.
West Central Minnesota
Swift County homes for sale
Swift County, seat Benson, is home to about 9,719 people. Janet Matchinsky serves all 7 of its towns, from the county seat to the smallest communities on the map.
Service area
Where Swift County sits
Southwest of Alexandria on U.S. 12 and Highway 9. Benson, Kerkhoven and Murdock are agricultural towns with modest home prices and long-tenured owners.
Swift County at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Population (2023 estimate) | 9,719 (U.S. Census Bureau) |
| County seat | Benson |
| Land area | 742.0 sq mi (Census Gazetteer) |
| Water area | 10.1 sq mi |
| Towns on this page | 12 |
Largest first
Towns in Swift County
The largest towns in Swift County by 2023 population are Benson (3,437), Appleton (1,365), Kerkhoven (788), and Murdock (298). Every town below has its own page with population, school district, nearest lakes and Janet's sales nearby.
BensonPop. 3,437AppletonPop. 1,365KerkhovenPop. 788MurdockPop. 298ClontarfPop. 128De GraffPop. 110DanversPop. 100
Chippewa County towns
Chippewa County has no page of its own on this site, so its towns are listed here under Swift County, the nearest hub.
A prairie county southwest of Willmar. Montevideo is the county seat and Clara City and Maynard are the smaller towns.
Lake finder
Lakes in Swift County
A prairie county with Monson Lake State Park near Sunburg and the Chippewa and Pomme de Terre rivers, not big lake country.
No Swift County lake has its own page on this site yet. The lake finder covers every lake Janet works, and the county's towns are listed above.
Talk to Janet
Buying or selling in Swift County
If Swift County is on your list, Janet can line up showings, pull comparable sales, and connect you with a local lender. Call or text (320) 219-2488 to get the search started.
Sellers in Swift County can start with a quick call to (320) 219-2488. Janet will schedule a walk-through, pull comparable sales, and set a price that brings showings.
Sell in Swift County
Each larger town has its own seller page with the process, what has sold nearby and the home value form. Smaller towns use the main sell page.
FAQ
Questions about Swift County
What is the first step to selling in Swift County?
Ask Janet for a market analysis, which is free and carries no obligation. She will walk through the home, pull comparable sales from NorthstarMLS, and tell you what it would list for. She will also tell you what is worth doing before photos.
What is winter access like for rural homes near Swift County?
City streets and county roads are plowed by the city and the county. Township roads are plowed by the township, and private drives and some lake roads fall to the owner or an association. Janet asks who plows the road before you buy.
Do homes in Swift County have a well and septic?
Inside city limits, most homes are on municipal water and sewer, and outside town, private wells and septic systems are the norm. Minnesota requires a well disclosure at sale, and most counties here require a septic compliance inspection when a property changes hands.
See all communities or read the relocation guide.
From the blog
Reading about Swift County
Ready when you are
Talk to Janet about Swift County
Full-time broker, one phone number, every town on this page.