An "Energy City" with a promising future on the outskirts of Minneapolis
Standing tall above train tracks, old-fashioned Main Street pubs and riverfront parks in Elk River, Minnesota, is the city's 1920s-era water tower. It was repainted and restored to its former glory in 2021, red top and all. Today, its one of the area's most famous landmarks, a relic of a time when Elk River's economy was dominated by gravel mining, dairy farming and grist milling alongside the Mississippi and Elk Rivers. Over the last 40 years, the city has grown from a population of 6,000 to 26,000; and families move-in to brand-new subdivisions, with custom designed homes or restored early 20th-century farmhouses. "It's really booming out there," says Nicole Johnson of Realty Group, Inc. At the turn of the millennium, Elk River was nicknamed "Energy City," lauded for its sustainable living practices and emphasis on renewable energy technology. Solar installations, electric car charging stations and a wind turbine can be found throughout town, modern innovations that contrast with Elk River's historic shopping district. "If you're looking for country living with access to amenities, it's the place to be," says Johnson.
Elk River's historic, red-capped water tower stands as a sentinel at the heart of the city.
New subdivisions continue to grow as a sign of Elk River's thriving economic development.
A wind turbine towers over southern Elk River as a sign of its renewable energy goals.
Quaint shops and cozy diners wrapped in murals make their home in downtown Elk River.
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New subdivisions, mid-century homes and restored farmhouses
Elk River spans nearly 44 square miles, and housing is concentrated in the southern half of the city. Prospective buyers will find split-levels, ranch-styles and undeveloped plots of land beside Orono Lake. There are also post-2000s subdivisions with Traditional single-family homes and old farmhouses shaded by trees. "I've sold everything from brand new construction to properties from the early 1900s," says Johnson. With the exception of tightly-packed townhouses in new developments like the Marshes of Trott Brook Farms, lots in the city tend to fall on the larger size. "A lot of my buyers are looking for at least an acre lot," notes Johnson, adding, "They want enough room for their toys—snowmobiles and motorcycles—a lot of people here get toys before kids." When it comes to owning chickens in town, "the City doesn't have any rules," and it's relatively common to find backyard coops. Prices tend to hover between $275,000 and $550,000 for a single-family home, although large-scale custom-built estates on multiple acres can sometimes sell for around $700,000. Elk River, in general, is coveted for its comparative affordability. "You can still get fairly priced houses out here, and you're still getting a little bit more bang for your buck," says Johnson.
Classic split-level homes are a common house type in Elk River's older neighborhoods.
Charming ranch-style homes adorn the streets near downtown Elk River.
Many developments and subdivisions in Elk River have townhomes as residential options.
Custom homes with large driveways and expansive lots make up new development in Elk River.
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Over 14,000 students in Independent School District 728
Kids are incorporated into Independent School District 728, which—with a student enrollment of over 14,000—is one of Minnesota's largest. The district earns an overall B-plus grade from Niche, and its ranked number one in the state for math education. Students also have the option to enroll in German language classes, a reflection of the state's sizeable German population. Residents over the age of 17 can enroll in free classes at the Elk River Learning Lab, which offers ESL and ABE—Adult Basic Education—classes.
Elk River Senior High School ranks second best high school in Sherburne County.
Elk River's Vandenberge Middle School boasts a B- Niche grade.
Elk River's Lincoln Elementary School serves students in grades K-5.
St. Andrew Catholic School in Elk River provides faith-based learning in preschool and K-5.
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Winter weather activities in local parks
Elk River is home to more than 40 public parks and walking trails, some encompassing less than an acre at the center of subdivisions and some spanning several hundred. Beginning in November, folks gather for weekly "Winter Walks" in the Woodlands Trails Regional Park, meeting up to explore the wetlands. At more than 420 acres, it's the city's largest park and it also features an archery range, a natural play area and a golf club. According to Johnson, Minnesotans know how to take advantage of winter weather. "If you live in Elk River, you're either a snowmobiler or you have some kind of winter activity going on. There's ice fishing on the lake…Most Minnesotans, if there's water, there's ice fishing." Furniture and Things Community Event Center has an indoor ice arena, a senior activity center and turf fields for indoor athletic practice, which are especially popular when snow covers the fields at Oak Knoll Athletic Complex and Dave Anderson Athletic Complex. Orono Park, meanwhile, has a splash pad, boat launches and fishing piers used during the warm weather season. It also hosts an event called Elk RiverFest in July.
Woodlands Trails Regional Park in Elk River boasts miles of trails for summer or winter use.
Furniture and Things Community Event Center features ice hockey and skating in Elk River.
Oak Knoll Athletic Complex features expansive fields for baseball and lacrosse in Elk River.
Elk River's Orono Park has an expansive playground, picnic shelter, and swimming beach.
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Big box retail opportunities and a historic downtown
According to Johnson, "You don't have to drive much" to reach big-box amenities in Elk River. Recent years have seen the addition of shopping plazas like Elk Park Center along U.S. Highway 169. There are fast food chains, multiple grocery options—everything from ALDI to Coborn's—and retailers like Menards, a Walmart Supercenter and, according to Johnson, "One of the biggest" Harley Davidson stores in the area. "I've definitely gone up there to go shopping," she says. These recent developments are contrasted with Elk River's historic downtown, which Johnson calls "adorable." There's still a small-town drug store, a "hole-the-wall" community bar and diners that serve American classics. Civil War veterans are buried in Orono Cemetery, and hitching posts still stand from the days before cars.
ALDI serves Elk River as one of many affordable grocery options.
Walmart is Elk River's main big-box retailer for home goods.
Find antiques and other knickknacks at Antiques Downtown in Elk River.
McCoy's Irish Pub is an Elk River favorite for classic American bar fare.
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Weekly farmers markets and outdoor concerts
Community events are year-round in Elk River. There's a downtown farmers market every week; vendors set up outside from June through October and relocate inside to the YMCA on Business Center Drive between November and May. Furniture and Things Community Events Center houses a day-long Makers Market in October, another in May and a Holiday Market closer to Christmastime. On several nights throughout the summer, families can pack lawn chairs and blankets for the free Rivers Edge Commons outdoor concert series. There's also an annual "Night to Unite" in August, an evening when households around the city set up backyard cookouts, pool parties and slip-and-slides open to neighbors.
Downtown Elk River hosts a weekly farmers market from June through October.
The Elk River farmers market relocates to the YMCA monthly from November to May.
Furniture and Things Community Events Center hosts makers markets in Elk River.
Rivers Edge Commons in downtown Elk River hosts night concerts throughout the summer.
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Highway access and the Northstar Commuter Line to Minneapolis
Elk River is intersected by U.S. Highway 169, which Johnson says makes traveling to surrounding lakefront communities relatively simple. Minneapolis is approximately 33 miles from the city along Interstate 94, and some residents rely on the Northstar Commuter Line, which stops in Elk River and travels all the way to Target Field Station just outside of Downtown Minneapolis. Saint Paul is about 40 miles away via U.S. Highway 10, and the Twin Cities' international airport is accessible along Interstate 494. Elk River is home to a North Memorial Health Clinic & Urgent Care, but North Memorial Health in Maple Grove provides more comprehensive options, everything from imaging services to primary care.
Dropping crime rates in Elk River
Between 2021 and 2022, crime in Elk River fell by nearly 20%. Rates here are higher than approximately 54% of United States cities, although violent crimes are by far the least common. Most reports can be attributed to instances of fraud, disorderly conduct and vandalism, according to police department data. In 2022, the city implemented the Neighbors Public Safety Service app, which allows community members to share photos and videos related to public safety. The Police Department also partners with organizations like Neighborhood Watch and Senior Citizen Crime Prevention Awareness.
Written By
Sara Caskey
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Karels
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Elk River by the Numbers
27,699
Population
43
Average Days on Market
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)$385,900
Median Single Family Price$405,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft$206
Months Of Supply4
Demographics and Finance
Population Density173 ppl/acre
Median Household Income$89K
Higher than National Average$71K
% Owners79%
Higher than National Average63%
College Graduates27%
Lower than National Average34%
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Elk River, MN
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Meadowvale Elementary School
B+
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#2 Twin Lakes Elementary School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 Otsego Elementary School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#4 Parker Elementary School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#5 Zimmerman Elementary School
B
Niche
#6 Lincoln Elementary School
B
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#7 Westwood Elementary School
B
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#8 Isd 728 Focus/Journey
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Rogers Middle School
B+
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#2 Salk Middle School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#3 Zimmerman Middle School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#4 Vandenberge Middle School
B-
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#5 Elk River Middle School ALC
#6 Isd 728 Focus/Journey
Best Public High Schools
#1 Rogers Senior High School
B+
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#2 Elk River Senior High School
B
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 Zimmerman High School
B-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#4 Ivan Sand Community High School
C
Niche
2
GreatSchools
#5 C.O.M.P.A.S.S.
#6 Isd 728 Focus/Journey
#7 Ivan Sand Community School- Intermediate School
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