Situated along the banks of the Mississippi River, Inver Grove Heights attracts buyers with its secluded suburban feel within reach of big-city amenities. The city is known for its array of housing options, ranging from townhouses to estates, and for being only a 10-mile drive from St. Paul, the capital of Minnesota. “Inver Grove Heights is a desirable place to live,” says Brian Hurt, Realtor with Re/Max Results. “Its proximity to the airport and major highways makes it a convenient commute for work or for travelers.” Established as a city in 1965, Inver Grove Heights was first settled as an agricultural and fishing hub with rolling farmlands and access to the river, however the late 1800s saw heavy industrial growth as a result of railroad expansion. Today, the city is now home to more than 36,000 residents — and the area's largest employers come from the service, retail and wholesale industries. Companies like CHS, a Fortune 100 company specializing in wholesale agriculture products, contributes nearly 10,000 jobs to the workforce. Here, quiet neighborhoods, paired with the beauty of the Mississippi River are counterbalanced by eight commercial shopping districts and amenities like the Veteran Memorial Community Center. Annual events like the Inver Grove Heights Days celebration plays a role in maintaining a know-your-neighbor vibe. With a balanced residential lifestyle and access to modern everyday essentials, Inver Grove Heights checks a lot of buyers' boxes in Northern Dakota County, all within 20 miles of the Twin Cities.
Lions Park fishing pier is a popular spot with residents in Inver Grove Heights.
The water tower of Inver Grove Heights is visible to motorists driving on Highway 52.
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Competitive market with ongoing new construction
The housing market here is “Competitive with low inventory and an extensive range of price points that make it accessible for people of all economic demographics,” says Hurt, who has over 20 years of experience selling in the area. “I’d say it's more competitive than outer suburbs and inner-city locations.” Homes in Inver Grove Heights tend to sell 15% faster than the national average and home ownership is high here. With a median sales price of $370,000, homes cost around $30,000 less than the average property in the U.S. For example, prices can range from as low as $150,000 for a two-bedroom condo unit to upwards of $1.5 million for a five-bedroom two-story Traditional with above average acreage. Neighborhoods, like Inver Wood Estates, offer established single-family homes with expansive lots and privacy, while Salem Square features multi-family condos, apartments and townhouses. Inver Grove Heights is seeing a fair number of new builds too on the northside, starting in the $300,000s for a two-bedroom multi-family property.
There is a recently constructed group of townhomes by M and I Homes in Inver Grove Heights.
There are opportunities for Ranch-style homes within the Inver Grove Heights housing market.
There are large Split-level homes
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Year-round activities and access to the Mississippi River Regional Trail
This city has 31 parks and a public golf course to keep residents occupied year-round. North Valley Park spans nearly 60 acres and has pickleball, baseball and disc golf facilities. Swing Bridge Park is another local option, complete with views of the Mississippi River and access to the 25-mile paved Mississippi River Regional Trail. The park's name comes from the Rock Island Swing Bridge — a local landmark constructed in 1894 that has been turned into a walking pier above the river. “Infamous gangster, John DIllinger, used the bridge as a getaway from the FBI during a raid in Dakota County in the 1930's,” explains Hurt. On the southside, the Rich Valley Athletic Complex has soccer and baseball fields that hosts both youth and adult sporting events. The city experiences all four seasons, with mild summers and cold winters, and an average of 56 inches of snowfall. In the winter, the city maintains six outdoor ice rinks with warming houses. The Veteran Memorial Community Center has a range of indoor facilities, like a fitness center, swimming pool and an arena with both turf and ice rink options. The public Inver Wood Golf Course is city-owned and features an 18-hole championship golf course and 9 additional executive holes, spanning 275 acres of greenery.
The historic Swing Bridge on the Mississippi River.
Inver Wood Golf Course has a driving range for people to practice.
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Seasonal events and the annual Inver Grove Heights Days
In September, residents can attend the annual Inver Grove Heights Days celebration which takes place at the Veterans Memorial Community Center and spans five days. It’s the biggest festival in the city and features live music performances, sports tournaments and a parade finale along Cahill Avenue. Other popular events include Music in the Park in August and Holidays in the Heights in December rounding out the city's yearly schedule of events.
Name-brand grocers and retailers along Cahill Avenue
Instead of a designated downtown area, the city has eight retail and shopping commercial districts. Most residents shop just north of State Road 55 and along Cahill Avenue. Commercial hubs, like Cahill Plaza and Concord Commons, feature name-brand grocers like Walmart and Cub Foods. Retailers, like Target and Dollar Tree, are also available nearby. The Mall of America is 12 miles west and is the largest shopping mall in the country, featuring 500 stores, 60 restaurants and several attractions, including Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor theme park with a variety of rides. When dining in the area, locals can choose from a range of national chain options or family-owned eateries located throughout the city.
Cub Foods is one of the primary grocers in Inver Grove Heights.
Inver Grove Brewing Co. serves craft beer, cocktails, wine, & has a full kitchen.
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High-marks at Dakota County Schools
Families in Inver Grove Heights are zoned to multiple public-school districts, including: Rosemount Apple Valley - Eagan Schools ISD 196; West St. Paul Mendota Heights Eaton Area Schools ISD 197; and Inver Grove Heights Schools ISD 199. Most students attend Inver Grove Heights Schools District ISD 199, which earn a B rating from review site, Niche. This district serves over 3,000 students and is ranked as the fifth-best district in Dakota County by Niche. There are three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Simley Senior High School earns a B-minus score and offers a rigorous curriculum with 18 AP courses. Private school options like Berea Lutheran School are also available here.
Salem Hills Elementary School provides education to students in Inver Grove Heights.
Simley High School won the AAAA Prep Bowl Championship in 2022 in Inver Grove Heights.
Inver Grove Heights Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
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Local transit and commutes into St. Paul on State Road 55
U.S. Route 52 runs vertically through Inver Grove Heights, connecting residents to U.S. Interstate 494 and State Road 55 for trips into St. Paul. Public rides are provided by the Metro Transit bus system, which operates throughout the city. When traveling farther outside of Minnesota, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is 11 miles away. For healthcare needs, the M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital is 7 miles from the community.
Crime
On average, Inver Grove Heights experiences lower crime rates than most cities in the U.S. In 2023, the Inver Grove Heights Police Department reported 30 violent incidents per 100,000 individuals. Comparatively, at the national level, the U.S. reported 109 incidents per 100,000 people during 2023.
I’ve been in the real estate business since 2011. My previous experiences with petroleum retail sites gave me a great education in working with commercial real estate. It has become my passion in real estate. I am, however, certainly not out of touch with Residential Real Estate. As a team member of ResComPros, we emphasize the ability to work with Residential, Commercial, and the Professional aspects of real estate. I toy with technology, or should I say, it toys with me. I’ve become the office guru for new technology and am constantly searching for new applications to keep us on top of the industry. We have a great team of realtors with many talents and specialties. We also have an amazing marketing/support team. On a personal note, I am married to Sandy, who is on our marketing team. We have two grown children and are very proud of the adults they have become. We have been nuts about Keeshonds for over 40 years and have had seven in that time. Our latest two are named Martin and Lewis and are well loved! I love to BBQ and experiment with smoking meat. We’ve had great success and love testing the results. I am a HUGE Twins fan, and my bestie Chuck and I share season tickets. Sandy and I have attended many games together and love it when family and friends can join us at the games
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