Minneapolis

Best Minneapolis suburbs for families

Ranked on a families weighting: schools at 30%, amenities within two miles at 20%, and the four poll questions about children, safety and sidewalks at 20%. Cost still counts, at 15%. The full weighting is shown at the bottom, and it is not the same as the overall score.

Updated Sep 2026·60 suburbs considered, 10 listed
1
taken by William Wesen
Eden Prairie$474k median · 21.4 min commute
Schools B+Amenities BResidents inactive
75
Family score
overall 74 B
2
Edina City Hall
Edina$646k median · 20.4 min commute
Schools B+Amenities B−Residents inactive
74
Family score
overall 74 B
3
Carleton College campus photo.
Northfield$329k median · 17.7 min commute
Schools B+Amenities BResidents inactive
72
Family score
overall 65 C+
4
An aerial view of the historic downtown area of Stillwater, Minnesota, as viewed from over the St. Croix River.
Stillwater$414k median · 20.1 min commute
Schools BAmenities B−Residents inactive
70
Family score
overall 69 B−
5
St. Louis Park City Hall
St. Louis Park$387k median · 20.2 min commute
Schools C+Amenities A−Residents inactive
70
Family score
overall 71 B−
6
taken by William Wesen 10/01/2006
Apple Valley$370k median · 24.6 min commute
Schools BAmenities BResidents inactive
70
Family score
overall 68 B−
7
City Hall for the city of Eagan, MN
Eagan$397k median · 21.2 min commute
Schools B−Amenities BResidents inactive
70
Family score
overall 70 B−
8
Exterior of the Lakeville, MN city hall.
Lakeville$453k median · 23.6 min commute
Schools BAmenities CResidents inactive
69
Family score
overall 70 B−
9
White Bear Lake$332k median · 22.0 min commute
Schools B−Amenities B−Residents inactive
69
Family score
overall 66 C+
10
Photo showing the Bulwer Junction Depot. The depot was a depot for the Soo Line. Built in 1887, it was in service for 95 years. In 1982 it was donated to the Ne
New Brighton$365k median · 20.0 min commute
Schools B+Amenities C−Residents inactive
68
Family score
overall 67 C+
This list's weighting
Schools 30%Amenities 20%Resident poll (Q2, Q5, Q6, Q8) 20%Cost of living 15%Housing 10%Commute 5%

Poll components only count for places with eight or more resident responses; for the others the remaining weights re-normalise to 100%.

Other Minneapolis lists
Most affordable Minneapolis suburbsBest Minneapolis suburbs for schoolsShortest commutes to Downtown MinneapolisMost walkable Minneapolis suburbsBest Minneapolis suburbs for young professionalsHow we score Minneapolis suburbs →

Photos from Wikimedia Commons: Eden Prairie (Appraiser · Public domain); Edina (Widgetkid · CC BY-SA 4.0); Northfield (Dogs1337 · CC0); Stillwater (August Schwerdfeger · CC BY 4.0); St. Louis Park (Joekristoff · CC BY-SA 4.0); Apple Valley (Appraiser · Public domain); Eagan (Tylervigen · CC BY 4.0); Lakeville (Allmightyduck · CC BY-SA 3.0); New Brighton (Myotus · CC BY-SA 4.0).