Brooklyn Center is Minnesota’s most diverse city by population. Over a third of the 32,000 residents are Black, and there are large Asian and Latino populations. The different cultures in Brooklyn Center are reflected in the city’s various businesses, events and houses of worship. “I recognize that places that are welcoming, that offer a place of belonging to everybody no matter what they look like or where they came from, are places that everybody wants to be,” says April Graves, mayor of Brooklyn Center.
Major employers include Medtronic, Luther Auto Group and city government. Many people are also self-employed. “We have a lot of entrepreneurs in our city,” Graves says. “That’s one of the ways our tax base has grown the most over the past several years.” Many residents also commute to the Twin Cities for work.
Brooklyn Center Water Tower with a view of the city.
Golf Course overview with different holes.
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Mid-20th-century homes make up most of Brooklyn Center
Homes is Brooklyn Center are a mix of townhouses and homes with a median price of $300,000 that aligns with Minneapolis’s median. “For a first-time homebuyer, it’s great,” Graves says. “You can get into homeownership, build equity which then builds generational wealth.” It is an older area, with most properties built in the mid-20th century. Garrison colonials and ranch styles like those in Garden City are common, as are townhouses and twin homes like those in West Palmer Ranch. Outliers include early-20th-century farmhouses, occasional new construction and a condo unit in the Twin Lake neighborhood.
Ranch Homes with an attached garage are in this neighborhood.
Here is beautiful home located on Twin Lake.
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Ample access to parks, trails and outdoor recreation
There is no shortage of parks in the city. “Even though it’s not a huge area, land-wise, a lot of it has been preserved with green land,” Graves says. Centennial Park is the largest of the city’s 24 parks at 48 acres. Many of the city’s events, including the annual Juneteenth Celebration, are held at the park’s amphitheater. The park also connects to the Shingle Creek Regional Trail, an 8-mile paved path through most of the city, passing the Brookdale Library and the local community center.
Shingle Creek Lake with great views of the tress and sky.
Friend playing basketball at Palmer Lake Park.
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A variety of diverse restaurants, with more on the way
Brooklyn Center’s restaurant scene reflects the city’s diverse population. “Whether it’s formalized or not, there are lots of different types of ethnic restaurants available in Brooklyn Center,” Graves says. "There’s an African restaurant, several Asian restaurants, and several Latin restaurants. You can definitely whet your palette in a lot of different places.” Many of these establishments offer take-out, although more sit-down options are opening across the city. Restaurants, stores and businesses are concentrated along Brooklyn Boulevard or Shingle Creek Crossing, Brooklyn Center’s largest shopping center. People will also travel to Minneapolis, which has close to 700 restaurants.
50's Grill Orbit restaurant is one of the local's favorite places to eat.
50's Grill is a classic burger & malt shop in the heart of Brooklyn Center.
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Open enrollments let families attend multiple school districts
Four school districts serve Brooklyn Center. “No matter where you live in the city, there are options to apply for the lottery for magnet schools,” Graves explains. Osseo Area Schools, which receives a B-plus, serves most of the neighborhood. It offers several STEM-focused magnet programs, like that at Brooklyn Middle STEAM School. Anoka-Hennepin School District earns an A-minus, while Robbinsdale Area Schools is rated B-minus. Brooklyn Center School District is the smallest of the four, with a population of just over 2,000. Niche gives the district a C-minus.
Garden City Elementary is located just off of Brooklyn Boulevard in the heart of Brooklyn Center
The student body at Garden City Elementary is diverse.
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Residents can access Twin Cities by car or bus
The juncture of interstates 94 and 694 is in Brooklyn Center, giving residents a clear path to the Twin Cities. Downtown Minneapolis is about 10 miles away, while Downtown St. Paul is almost a 20-mile drive. The Brooklyn Center Transit Center, operated by Metro Transit, is on the C and D Line of rapid buses that lead to Minneapolis. Most residents will fly out of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, about 22 miles away. It offers nonstop service to over 160 destinations. The closest hospital is North Memorial Health – Robbinsdale Hospital.
Local Highway 694 runs through Brooklyn Center connecting it to other neighborhoods.
Riders embarking at the bustling Brooklyn Center Transit Center.
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Brooklyn Center experiences cold, snowy winters
Brooklyn Center has cold winters with lots of snow. Temperatures can drop below 10 degrees, and the annual snowfall is nearly 60 inches. “In some ways, I think it’s nice to turn inward and focus on home and yourself,” Graves says. “Also, I think it helps you appreciate the good weather when you do get it.” During the rest of the year, the weather is fair. Some properties are at risk of flooding, especially those closest to Shingle Creek, Palmer Lake and the Mississippi River.
According to the FBI, instances of violent crime in Brooklyn Center increased by 18% from 2022 to 2023. Instances of property crime were down by 21%.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
