[5] Goodhue formerly had a rail line running through the eastern edge of the incorporated area, roughly parallel to and west of State Highway 58.

Since the mid-1990s, Goodhue, like many Midwestern municipalities with medium to large elevator operations, has seen its housing base and population grow.

The first significant growth in 20 years began with construction of several homes in an annexed area north of Third Avenue and west of Sixth Street known as "East side".

The Goodhue Wildcats won Class A State Championships in football in both 2003 and 2007, and the Goodhue Girls Basketball won the Class A State Championship in 2016, 2017, and 2024.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.94 square miles (2.43 km2), all land.

Of all households, 23.6% were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Of all households, 27.3% were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.