Named for its garden-like atmosphere, Eden Prairie, Minnesota appeals to those looking for a bit more privacy than can be found northeast in Minneapolis' more industrial and corporate-centered communities. “It’s an amazing community with beautiful neighborhoods, trails and parks everywhere,” says Mary Jo "Josie" Patterson, Realtor with Helgeson/Platzke Real Estate Group. “Eden Prairie schools are incredible and the location is ideal for all buyers.” Situated north of the Minnesota River, verdant natural areas and a recreational lifestyle centered around its 19 lakes is to be expected. Home to 64,000 residents, this Hennepin County community was newly developed in the mid-19th century and maintained its peaceful vibe, with agricultural fields making up most of its acreage for the next century. The expansion of U.S. Interstate 494 and the development of the Flying Cloud Airport — located at the city’s southern corner — led to the region's rapid population growth. C.H. Robinson, a supply-chain freight distributor, and Optum, a healthcare organization, are the area's top two employers.
Locals are accustomed to an average of 100 snow days per year and a range of weather from single-digit temperatures in January to upwards of 83 degrees Fahrenheit in July. With 1,000 acres of parkland and a 92% quality of life rating — according to the biennial quality of life survey — Eden Prairie continues to attract buyers to this evergreen city on the outskirts of Minneapolis.
Eden Prairie Center is a large shopping mall in Eden Prairie.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Two
View of the War Memorial located in Eden Prairie, MN.
A sculpture of SandHill Cranes is on display near the transit station in Eden Prairie.
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Higher price tags and increased privacy
The average home in Eden Prairie costs $100,000 more than the typical Minnesota home. “The market here is still strong, but listings have increased,” says Patterson, who has been selling in the area for over 25 years. “And homes, properly updated for the sale price, sell very quickly.” With a median sales price of $460,000, prices range from the low $200,000s to over $2 million. On the lower end, buyers will find two-bedroom condo units with 1,000 square feet of space. While those with higher budgets can expect to spend from $700,000 into the low millions for a modern Craftsman-style home with six bedrooms and a footprint of over 7,000 square feet. A classic 1980s bi-level with updated interiors and 3,500 square feet tends to sit in the middle of the market range at $550,000. The oldest homes here date back to the early 1900s, but most houses in Eden Prairie were built after 1970, and new construction projects are continually bringing new options into the market. Mature trees and thick greenery adorn front lawns, allowing for a sense of privacy between neighbors, and lot sizes range from a quarter acre to just over 1 acre.
Georgetown style townhomes are in this development near Flying Cloud Airport.
Eden Prairie townhome development.
Recently constructed luxury craftsmans line the street of this development.
Luxury housing can be found in new developments on the bluffs of Eden Prairie.
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Thousands of acres of outdoor space
Eden Prairie has more natural areas and public park acreage than the surrounding towns in the Twin Cities Metro area. Over 4,500 acres of open space wetlands call Eden Prairie home, along with an additional 1,000 acres of public park spaces and 19 lakes. Bryant Lake Regional Park is one of the area’s largest and most popular, and features acres of paved walking and biking trails, sports facilities and many water access points. On hot summer days, locals of all ages flock to Bryant Lake Beach to lounge on the sand or go for a swim in the cool water. Golf enthusiasts also won’t have to travel far since Eden Prairie has three private golf courses within the community. Each course requires club membership fees.
These Eden Priaire residents are enjoying a bike ride in the neighborhood.
Aerial view of Purgatory Creek Park located in Eden Prairie, MN.
Bryant Lake Regional Park offers a public boat launch into Bryant Lake.
View of the beautiful Bear Path Golf Course located in Eden Prairie, MN.
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Top-rated Eden Prairie Schools
The Eden Prairie community has top-rated public schools, which is one of the biggest draws to the area. Eden Prairie Schools earns an A-plus overall grade and is also rated as the third-best school district in Minnesota according to the review site, Niche. Here, schools include one high school, one middle school and six elementary schools, all of which serve local students, and receive ratings of A-minus or higher. Most local ninth through twelfth graders attend Eden Prairie High School, which is ranked as the second best public high school in Minnesota and the second-best school in the state for its college preparatory initiatives. The student-to-teacher ratio here is 18-to-1, and learners can peruse a catalog of over 50 extracurricular clubs and activities. High school students can also earn college and career skills through one of the nearly 40 college-level courses offered, which allows them to earn both college credits while fulfilling high school requirements prior to graduation.
View of the main entrance of Eden Prairie High School located in Eden Prairie, MN.
View of Central Middle School sign and main entrance located in Eden Prairie, MN.
View of the main entrance at Prairie View Elementary located in Eden Prairie MN.
Aerial view of The International School of Minnesota located in Eden Prairie MN.
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Local eateries and major retailers at Eden Prairie Center
Shopping is available here at Eden Prairie Center, home to around 100 retailers, restaurants and entertainment spots at the intersection of Interstate 494 and U.S. Route 212. Big-box grocers and department stores, like Costco, Walmart, Target and Cub Foods are also nearby. In addition to the city’s wide variety of chain restaurants and shops, there are several popular local spots favored by Eden Prairie residents. Lions Tap began as a roadside stand serving cold beer before developing into a gas station in the 1930s. Today, this unassuming bar is known for serving up delicious burgers and cold brews in a relaxing atmosphere. Other popular spots include Redstone American Grill and Smith Coffee & Cafe.
Enjoy some drinks after a long day at work or sit down for a nice meal at Redstone.
The Lion's Tap is a famous burger spot down in the valley on the southern edge of Eden Prairie.
Eden Prairie Center is a popular place for residents located in Eden Prairie, MN.
Eden Prairie Center is a large Shopping Mall near the Indian Hills neighborhood.
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Crime
Eden Prairie experiences significantly lower crime rates than Minneapolis. In 2023, the Eden Prairie Police Department reported a violent crime rate of only 303 incidents per 100,000 people, while the Minneapolis Police Department reported 2,901 incidents per 100,000 people for this same time period.
Daily commutes and access to I-494
U.S. Route 212 and Highway 5 both stretch east and west across the city, which travelers take to access I-494. While the city is primarily car-dependent, those seeking public options take the Southwest Transit bus, which operates into Minneapolis on weekdays. When traveling further outside the community, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is 16 miles away. For healthcare, St. Francis Regional Medical Center is 10 miles away in neighboring Shakopee.
Coming soon to Eden Prairie
Several new development projects have been recently approved in Eden Prairie, including many multi-family developments, including Blue Stem North, a two-building complex planned to add 425 units to the community. An assisted living facility is also planned for Hennepin Town Road, and five single-family subdivisions have been approved, including the Noble Hill development, which will bring 50 Craftsman-style, four and five-bedroom homes to Spring Road, just south of Flying Cloud Airport.
Growing up in the Twin Cities, I was always captivated by the architectural designs of the homes here in Minnesota.
Natural materials like Riverstone and cedar wood, coupled with high-quality construction, have always held a special place in my heart. Inspired by my passion for architecture, I enrolled at Dunwoody College to earn my first architecture degree.
After completing my first degree at Dunwoody, my design work caught the attention of the Minnesota president of the American Institute of Architects, Toby Rapson.
Recognizing my potential, Toby recommended that I attend the University of Minnesota School of Architecture to earn my second degree in architecture and become a licensed architect. Following my success at the University of Minnesota, I had the privilege of working with renowned contractors like Mortenson Construction. Later, I had the opportunity to collaborate with distinguished architects in the Twin Cities, which ultimately led me to the exciting task of designing Lifetimes across the country.
As I reflected on my career, I began to explore new opportunities that aligned with my interests. I realized that real estate would be an incredible field for me to pursue. It would allow me to combine my passion for architecture with the opportunity to work with members of my own community. The thought of being there with my clients, step-by-step, to ensure they have a stress-free experience in a potentially overwhelming market, fills me with immense pride.
I am deeply passionate about sharing my architectural expertise and background with buyers and sellers. I believe in working closely with clients to provide the best possible advice and guidance.
I am honored to be working with a great company like Keller Williams Realty Integrity Edina. I am committed to elevating the real estate experience by making a positive impact on the lives of our clients through innovative and design-driven architecture.
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.
