This installment of our community profiles feature takes us to the outer suburbs. Prior Lake and Lakeville are two neighboring communities located southwest of Minneapolis. Adjacent to the Minnesota River Valley, these two communities are beautiful in the fall, resplendent with the seasonal colors. Both communities offer a variety of benefits that make them popular with families, particularly younger families looking for a community to call home.
Prior Lake
A combination of good schools, low crime rates, highly educated demographics, ease of commuting to Minneapolis via State Highway 13, and an affordable, growing real estate market makes Prior Lake an attractive community for new families considering where to settle down and raise children. According to the 2010 census, 40.1% of the households in Prior Lake are home to children under the age of 18. Among the community’s attractions is its namesake, Upper and Lower Prior Lake, which is the largest lake in the southern Twin Cities metro area and the destination for many outdoor activities enjoyed by families throughout the year.
Population: 25,039
Median Home Value: $310,295
Median Household Income: $95,692
Distance from Minneapolis: 26 miles
Lakeville
Lakeville is one of the fastest growing cities in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, largely due to its location along Interstate Highway 35, convenient for people who commute to workplaces in the Twin Cities or the inner suburbs. With a great deal of new residential construction happening in Lakeville neighborhoods, now is an ideal opportunity for young families to purchase their first home, or move to a more spacious residence outside the Twin Cities urban centers. Because Lakeville is so popular with families—49.1% of households are home to children under 18—it’s easy for children and their parents to form social ties. Lakeville also offers families an excellent school system and sports programs.
Population: 59,866
Median Home Value: $289,490
Median Household Income: $94,635
Distance from Minneapolis: 25 miles
