Best Cities for Families in Minnesota
Minnesota ranks #15 of 50 for families, with a families score of 77.9. Eden Prairie is its best city for families at 71.8.
- Minnesota, all states
- #15 of 50
- Population
- 63,051
Why Minnesota Works for Families
Minnesota is a strong state for families, ranking #15 out of 50. With strong schools, a low violent crime rate of 223.5 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $87,117, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs track close to the national average with a cost-of-living index of 98.6.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Minnesota shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 83.6%, trailing the national average. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 65/100. At $20,592 a year for center-based infant care, childcare is a significant budget item that families need to plan for.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Minnesota performs reasonably well, with a violent crime rate below the 50-state average at 223.5 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 98.6, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Eden Prairie | A+ | 71.8 | 71.7 | 69 | 96 | 53 | 63,051 |
| 2Plymouth | A+ | 70.8 | 71.5 | 54 | 96 | 53 | 79,220 |
| 3Lakeville | A+ | 70.8 | 70.9 | 61 | 97 | 54 | 74,354 |
| 4Minnetonka | A+ | 70.4 | 71.8 | 67 | 91 | 53 | 53,064 |
| 5Edina | A+ | 70.3 | 72.2 | 64 | 94 | 45 | 53,262 |
| 6St. Louis Park | A+ | 67.8 | 68.0 | 64 | 77 | 59 | 49,594 |
| 7Maple Grove | A+ | 67.4 | 69.2 | 51 | 90 | 55 | 71,173 |
| 8Woodbury | A+ | 67.4 | 68.4 | 48 | 94 | 53 | 78,305 |
| 9Eagan | A | 67.1 | 65.7 | 58 | 89 | 58 | 68,000 |
| 10Apple Valley | A | 66.8 | 64.0 | 61 | 83 | 58 | 55,679 |
| 11Brooklyn Park | B+ | 66.4 | 61.6 | 62 | 71 | 65 | 83,876 |
| 12Burnsville | B+ | 65.2 | 61.7 | 63 | 86 | 62 | 64,463 |
| 13Blaine | A | 64.4 | 63.8 | 54 | 95 | 59 | 72,488 |
| 14Duluth | B | 63.8 | 58.6 | 54 | 70 | 81 | 87,093 |
| 15Bloomington | B+ | 63.1 | 62.8 | 56 | 68 | 61 | 88,665 |
| 16Rochester | B+ | 62.6 | 62.4 | 53 | 85 | 73 | 122,330 |
| 17Coon Rapids | B+ | 62.0 | 59.7 | 58 | 87 | 64 | 63,468 |
| 18St. Paul | B | 61.8 | 57.9 | 57 | 55 | 67 | 307,284 |
| 19St. Cloud | C | 56.8 | 51.3 | 41 | 66 | 83 | 70,629 |
| 20Minneapolis | C+ | 53.2 | 54.0 | 53 | 11 | 63 | 427,246 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Minnesota for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Minnesota a good state for families?
Minnesota ranks #15 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 77.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (77/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (31/100).
What is the best city for families in Minnesota?
Eden Prairie ranks #1 in Minnesota for families with a score of 71.8/100, followed by Plymouth and Lakeville.
What factors are most important for families in Minnesota?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.