Manufacturing hub with a rich history along the Minnesota River
In June, the sound of fireworks signifies the end of Dan Patch Days, a weekend-long tradition that dates back to the 1950s when Savage was still a small farming community on the outskirts of Minneapolis. “They decided to name the festival after this racehorse: Dan Patch. And the city itself is named after his owner, Marion Savage,” explains Janet Williams, the first female Mayor to serve four consecutive terms in the city. Savage attracts buyers because of its suburban feel, A-rated schools and prominent history along the Minnesota River. Incorporated in 1892, the city was first occupied by the Dakota people and served as a trading post and riverfront transportation hub. Today, Savage is home to around 33,000 residents and has given way to manufacturing corporations and brand-new subdivisions. Major employers, like Fabcon Precast, a construction company specializing in concrete slabs, is headquartered in the city and contributes more than 500 jobs to the local workforce. The city’s population grew exponentially over the past few decades and Savage is about 90% developed. “There were just a few hundred people in town when I was a boy,” says Will Williams, board member of the Savage Historical Society. According to Will, “Savage was also very important in World War II. We had an army camp here – Camp Savage. And believe it or not, they also built ships here at Port Cargill on the Minnesota River.” With top-notch schools and a strong sense of community, Savage continues to attract new residents to Scott County, all just 15 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis.
Savage is located just 20 miles south of the Twin Cities.
One of the recently completed neighborhoods near Savage's business district.
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New construction with multi-car garages
The real estate market in Savage is desirable for its commuter accessibility and ongoing new developments. “It’s a newer community – you have a bunch of new construction because they have the land to expand,” says Jeff Young, local Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway North Properties. Housing styles here range from multi-family townhouses to single-family ranch-styles and split-levels dating back to the 1980s and ‘90s. With a median sales price of $425,000, homes cost slightly more than the national average. For example, prices can start in the low $200,000s for a two-bedroom townhouse, while larger homes on the city's west side can reach into the $700,000s for a single-family home complete with a three-car garage. Lot sizes average over a quarter-of-an-acre, meaning there’s more than enough space for backyard firepits, swing sets and garden plots. Some lakefront properties can even surpass the million-dollar mark.
A rambler home in near the historic downtown portion of Savage.
A model home in the Big Sky Estates development on the southern edge of Savage.
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A-rated education at Scott County Schools
Families in Savage are zoned to three public school districts: Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools and Shakopee Public Schools. Most students attend Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, which earns an A-minus rating from the review site Niche and is also ranked as the second-best district - out of nine total - in Scott County by Niche. The district has seven elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Many students in Savage attend Prior Lake High School, which earns an overall A-minus grade and serves around 3,000 students. The school also offers an advanced curriculum with 15 AP courses for higher education prep.
Redtail Ridge is one of the best elementary schools in the state. All fifth graders get to spend a week at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Center.
Hamilton Ridge Elementary serves children in grades K through 5.
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City parks and gatherings at Savage Community Park
Savage has 23 parks and 30 miles of paved trails to keep residents occupied throughout the year. The city also experiences all four seasons: mild summers and cold winters with an average of 42 inches of snowfall. In the winter, the city maintains four outdoor skating rinks equipped with warming houses from December through February. The Savage Community Park, spans over 50 acres and is the primary gathering spot for city center. It has a fishing pond, skate park, baseball fields and pickleball courts. The Savage Sports Center is also located here and provides a climate-controlled indoor facility with batting cages and a turf field for soccer or lacrosse. Acres of protected wildlife border the city to the north and south, like the Savage Fen Scientific and Natural Area which is home to nearly 300 acres of wetlands. Here, visitors can enjoy birdwatching or wildlife viewing in the spring or snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the winter. On the southside, Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve also offers year-round seasonal activities on its 2,785 acres of greenery.
McColl Pond has a fishing pier at Savage Community Park.
A unicyclist on the trail at Murphy-Hanrehan Park.
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The annual Dan Patch Days
In June, residents can attend the Dan Patch Days celebration, which is named after Savage's award-winning racehorse known for his 1906 record-breaking mile performance at the Minnesota State Fair. A three-day event celebrating the city of Savage, the event kicks off on Friday with live music performances and food trucks, continues with a parade and fireworks display and concludes on Sunday with a pancake breakfast at the local fire station. The Dan Patch Days event is hosted in partnership with the City of Savage and has been a long-standing tradition since 1953.
Nearby grocers and bites along Egan Drive
Most residents shop on the southside, along Egan Drive, which connects residents to commercial hubs like Savage Town Square, O’Connell Square and Southcross Shoppes. Here they'll find name-brand grocers like Cub Foods, Hy-Vee Grocery and Fresh Thyme Market. For big-box retailers and department stores like Macy’s, Kohls and Costco Wholesale, folks look to the Burnsville Center just 5 miles east. For fresh produce, the seasonal Savage Farmers Market is held at the city’s historic train depot on Sunday mornings from June until October. When dining in the area, locals have their pick between fast-food chains and family-owned eateries. Notable mentions include the Windmill Cafe, which has been serving up biscuits and gravy, chocolate chip pancakes and scrambled eggs for over a decade. In Savage, long-time residents give directions based on the cafe. “You could say, ‘It’s at the intersection of Highway 13 and Quentin.’ Or, ‘just look out for the old Windmill,’” says Will Williams.
The Windmill Cafe in Downtown Savage serves breakfast all day.
Cub Foods is another major grocery store in the shopping district that borders Prior Lake.
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Local transit and access to U.S. I-35W
State Road 13 runs through Savage, connecting residents to neighboring areas and U.S. Interstate 35W. While the city is primarily dependent on cars; the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, or MVTA, provides public bus routes along Princeton Avenue. The Dan Patch Line no longer connects Savage to Minneapolis via train, however, drivers can make it downtown in 15 miles or about a half-an-hour commute on I-35W. When traveling farther outside of Savage, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is 17 miles from the community. For healthcare, the Fairview Hospital is 6 miles away in neighboring Burnsville.
Crime
On average, Savage experiences lower crime rates than most cities in the U.S. In 2023, the Savage Police Department reported 45 violent incidents per 100,000 individuals. Comparatively, the U.S. reported 109 incidents per 100,000 people during 2023.
Real estate has been my life. Before being licensed in 1986, I was a processor for a real estate firm for 10 years, then an appraiser for 5 years. It's what I love to do; most of my business comes from repeat & referrals of satisfied customers. Consistently I've been a member of the RE/MAX Platinum Club. My designations include CRS, GRI & CDPE & Broker.
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