Eleven miles from downtown Minneapolis, Hopkins is considered a first-ring suburb, which is a stark contrast to its beginnings as a farming community. When Hopkins was incorporated in 1893 as the Village of West Minneapolis, most residents were employees of the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Company, which manufactured farm equipment. By the early 1920s and into the 1940s, Hopkins was known as the Raspberry Capital of the World, with more than 800 acres of berry fields. Now, measuring in at only 4 square miles, Hopkins could be easily overlooked. With fewer than 20,000 people, it has a bit of a small-town feel, but it comes to life with its bustling downtown area, great schools and a variety of housing options that are more affordable than most neighboring areas. "Hopkins has an amazing small-town feel while being close to the city," Joseph Carmack, a Realtor at Carmack Real Estate Group says. "The east side is great for those that want a short commute and proximity to box store shopping. Personally, I love the north side due to its quiet streets and short walk to the amazing restaurants in downtown Hopkins."
Downtown Hopkins has many features such as art galleries like Zeller Studio.
A sign and water tower welcomes people to the city of Hopkins.
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From midcentury split-levels to mixed-use condos
Despite the city’s small size, there are a range of housing styles and prices in Hopkins. In established midcentury neighborhoods like Hobby Acres, there are curvy roads lined with split-levels and ranch-style homes that are typically priced from the $400,000s to the mid $600,000s. In a neighborhood like Nine Mile Cover, which is home to many brick condo buildings, units are usually listed in the low $100,000s, compared to the mixed-use condo buildings on Mainstreet, which can range from $250,000 to $350,000. The median price for a single-family home in Hopkins is $443,000, and $379,250 and $125,000 for townhouses and condos, respectively.
A group of townhomes near downtown Hopkins.
There are many different variations of Cape Cod style homes in Avenues West.
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Manufacturing, distribution major employers in Hopkins
Hopkins has two major employers: Cargill and Supervalu. Cargill is a multinational corporation based in nearby Minnetonka that employs about 1,500 people. The company supplies food, ingredients, agricultural solutions and industrial products. There’s also a Supervalu distribution center in Hopkins — one of the company’s largest — that employs around 1,300 people.
Hopkins North Junior High School provides its students a well-rounded curriculum in Minnetonka.
Hopkins Senior High School teaches students in the Hopkins Public School District in Minnetonka.
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Hopkins holds annual Raspberry Festival
No event defines Hopkins as well as the Hopkins Raspberry Festival. Founded in 1935 to boost business during the Great Depression, the five-day festival features live music, sporting events, a craft fair, a parade, fireworks and more. It’s scheduled around the third weekend in July every year to coincide with peak raspberry-picking season, honoring Hopkins’ past as a major raspberry producer in the 1920s-1940s.
Hopkins has celebrated the Hopkins Raspberry Festival since 1935.
Attendees enjoy the Hopkins Raspberry Festival performances at Downtown Park.
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Ice skating, golfing and a splash pad at Hopkins parks
There are a handful of parks in Hopkins offering different types of recreation. Central Park is an 18-acre green space with grills, an outdoor ice-skating rink, pickleball courts, and a walking trail. In warmer weather, Burnes Park has a splash pad to cool off in, and Hilltop Park offers big shade trees to relax under. Hopkins is also popular with golfers, as it’s home to the private Oak Ridge Country Club, which is more than 100 years old and, in addition to its championship-level course, has restaurants, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a fitness center. Meadowbrook Golf Course is a public course in the city that’s also well-loved.
Burnes Park has many features such as a basketball court.
Hopkins Pavilion is an ice skating rink that has open skating for residents during the week.
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Mainstreet boasts local shops, al fresco dining
Hopkins’ main drag is called Mainstreet (yes, all one word), and is a bustling street lined with local cafes, breweries, shops and restaurants – some with al fresco dining options during the warmer months. Carmack recommends Munkabeans Coffee for unique holiday drinks, and Pub819 for lunch or dinner. "Their Phuket curry bowl is a 10 out of 10," he says. There are also a lot of mixed-use buildings on Mainstreet, combining local eateries and shops with condos and apartments. For a traditional grocery store, Cub is about 2 miles away at The Shoppes at Knollwood, which also has box stores like Nodstrom Rack, Old Navy and Kohl’s.
Nacho's Mexican Grill serves tacos, enchiladas, tamales, and other familiar Mexican staples.
K'kinaco is a Japanese and Peruvian fusion restaurant in downtown Hopkins.
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A 10-mile drive from Minneapolis
Hopkins is also close to both U.S. 169 and State Highway 7, which connect drivers to highways leading into Minneapolis. There are currently some Metro Transit bus stops, including rush hour bus lines, and by 2027, the city expects to have three stops on the METRO Green Line Extension light rail. The nearest airport is the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, 15 miles away. Methodist Hospital is the nearest hospital at 3 miles away.
Hopkins Public Schools earn high marks
Most students in Hopkins attend Hopkins Public Schools system, which earns an A-minus on Niche. The district has seven elementary schools, including a Chinese Mandarin immersion school, two middle schools and one high school. There are also one charter high school, Ubah Medical Academy, and two private schools, The Blake School and Chesterton Academy.
Hopkins North Junior High School provides its students a well-rounded curriculum in Minnetonka.
Hopkins Senior High School teaches students in the Hopkins Public School District in Minnetonka.
Matthew leads the Austinson Real Estate Team at Keller Williams. He has a passion for helping people meet their real estate goals, combined with years of experience and breadth of knowledge, make for unbelievably easy experiences for his clients. Whether you're looking for a financial investment, just want to love where you live, or are working around one of life's curve-balls, let him do the heavy lifting! You won't regret it!
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.
