Ten miles north of downtown Minneapolis, the city of Fridley is part of the metropolitan area's ‘first-ring’ suburbs. Known as “Friendly Fridley,” the city is home to hundreds of acres of parks that provide an escape from the big city. “We have 38 parks in the city of Fridley, which is a lot for a community our size,” says Mike Maher, the director of parks and recreation. The 2020 U.S. Census estimates the population at just under 30,000. Many commute to Minneapolis or St. Paul, but there are also many local job opportunities. According to the city’s 2023 comprehensive financial report, medical device company Medtronic is the largest local employer, with over 3,400 workers at its corporate headquarters. Mercy-Unity Medical Center, Cummins Power and a Target distribution center employ over 1,000.
"Friendly Fridley" is what this Anoka County city is known as.
Fridley is suburb of Minneapolis and located along the Mississippi River.
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Fridley parks slated for improvement
Over half of the city’s parks will be improved over the next several years. One of the first to be completed is Moore Lake Park. Pickleball courts and an ADA-compliant playground were added, as well as a community center that can be rented out for events. The lake on either side of Highway 65 was, at one time, a hot swimming spot. “Over time, that became less desirable, and it’s transitioned more to an outdoor recreation-based area that doesn’t focus on that,” Maher says. Motors are not allowed on the 100-acre lake. There are piers along the shore where anglers try their luck. In the winter, sometimes the ice is thick enough for four-wheeling. Commons Park is next for significant renovations. There is a sledding hill and outdoor hockey rink there, but renovation plans slated for 2026 include a splash pad and expanded parking. The Springbrook Nature Center has nearly three miles of trails and an indoor interpretive center as part of the roughly 130-acre nature preserve.
Moore's Lake Park has a community center and a large playground.
Kids enjoy climbing this unique climbing structure at Commons Park in Fridley.
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Mid-century Fridley housing
The median single-family house price of $315,000 is slightly below the national median home value. Ramblers and split-levels from the 1950s and ‘60s are the most popular styles. Townhouses and condos are largely concentrated in the Black Forest neighborhood in the southeast of Fridley. Mutli-family duplexes are also scattered throughout the community. A few low-cost manufactured homes are also available on the city’s north side.
Most homes in Fridley were built after the 1960s.
Fridley ramblers feature one or two-car garages.
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Pool tables galore at Two Stooges Bar & Grill
What started as a pool hall in 1988 expanded to a large sports bar with 43 pool tables. Two Stooges Bar & Grill has an expansive dining area, plenty of flat-screen TVs and several darts boards. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, Crooners Supper Club brings back a bygone era where people dressed up for dinner and enjoyed jazz or big band music while eating a meal. Most of the retail options are located on Highway 65 or University Avenue. Wild Things Antiques is hidden in a business park west of University Avenue, with over 40 vendors spread over 16,000 square feet. Grocery stores in Fridley include Cub Foods, Aldi and Walmart Supercenter.
Two Stooges has a large array of pool tables for enthusiasts.
Wild Things has several show rooms of antiques from several vendors and a coffee shop.
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Fridley ‘49er Days
Each year in mid-June, residents celebrate Fridley 49er Days, marking Fridley’s incorporation as a village in 1949. The festival starts with a parade—most events happen in Commons Park. The dates vary, but in June, the community gets together for a two-day garage sale. In 2024, there were over 170 sales. Trash to Treasure Day is the day after the sale when people leave items they no longer need on the curb for anyone to pick up.
Multiple school districts serve Fridley
While most children attend Fridley Public Schools, which is rated a C-plus on Niche, other school districts serve pockets of the city, including the A-minus Anoka-Hennepin School and Columbia Heights School District, which gets a B-minus. Private schools, including the Islamic K-12 Al-Amal School and the Catholic Totino-Grace High School, are rated an A.
Fridley Middle School serves students in grades 5-8.
Fridley Senior High School serves students in grads 9-12.
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Northstar commuter rail station in Fridley
Commuters to downtown Minneapolis can catch the Northstar line into downtown Minneapolis, which also connects to lines going to St. Paul. The last train from downtown to the Fridley station leaves a little before 6 p.m. Metro Transit bus lines run on Central and University Avenues. The nearest medical center is Mercy Hospital-Unity Campus on Fridley’s north side. It’s 22 miles from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Fridley crimes dip in 2022
Data from the FBI show that after a steady climb since 2015, violent crime dropped significantly in 2023, the latest year for which numbers are available. Property crime also dropped slightly in 2023. “Right now, Fridley is a safe area," says Carlos Bunay, a real estate agent with National Realty Guild. "I leave my doors unlocked at night, and nothing happens."
Brenda Schiemo-Smith was raised in Minnesota, with a Business degree from St. Cloud State University, and currently residing in Coon Rapids, MN. Her family life is full with husband, four sons, daughter-in-laws and 4 grandbabies! In addition to being a full-time real estate agent since 2003. Brenda owns and has operated apartments, vacation rental homes, and property management for other single-family homes and townhomes.
Also, with a love of travel both domestic and internationally, Brenda has worked for four years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the education and hospitality industries; plus travels to Singapore, Philippines, Germany, France, and Canada. After her travels, she worked in marketing positions for a food products company and an International Engineering Company in Minneapolis, MN.
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.
