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Anoka

Anoka

Located in Anoka County

$348,059 Average Value
$191 Average Price per Sq Ft
95 Homes For Sale

A bustling suburb where two rivers meet

Anoka, Minnesota, is a former mill town where sawmills, flour mills and woodworking plants cropped up during the mid-1840s. Nowadays, it’s firmly a residential suburb, located 20 miles northwest of Minneapolis and 26 miles northwest of St. Paul. It’s located at the confluence of the Mississippi River and Rum River, and its name comes from a combination of the Dakota word a-no-ka-tan-han, meaning on both sides of the river, and the Ojibwa word on-o-kay, which means working waters. The rivers continue to play a large role in the city’s identity today and is also the site of the city's key park - Peninsula Point Park. “There’s a lot of events that take place there throughout the year,” local and Realtor Lonn Boles of The Boles Group says. “There’s always something going on.”

Anoka is located next to the Mississippi River.
Anoka is located next to the Mississippi River.
Peninsula Park is in the Coon Rapids neighborhood of Minneapolis.
Peninsula Park is in the Coon Rapids neighborhood of Minneapolis.
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Home prices vary by neighborhood in Anoka

Home prices can vary widely in Anoka, depending on the neighborhood. For example, the Rum River Shores neighborhood features mostly new construction options and prices typically range from the mid $400,000s to $1 million. The 7th Ave and Main neighborhood is a more established area, with condos and midcentury designs like ramblers and Colonial Revivals, and prices ranging from $250,000 to $350,000. The median home price in Anoka is $345,000, which is lower than the national median.

Classic houses are located throughout central Anoka.
Classic houses are located throughout central Anoka.
Anoka has new housing developments in the north end of town.
Anoka has new housing developments in the north end of town.
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Anoka Middle School for the Arts is located in Anoka, MN the Halloween capitol of the world.
Anoka Middle School for the Arts is located in Anoka, MN the Halloween capitol of the world.

Anoka is the Halloween Capital of the World

In 1937, a 12-year-old named Harold Blair traveled to Washington, D.C., and spoke to Congress. He left that meeting with an official document declaring Anoka as the Halloween Capital of the World (yes, it’s trademarked). Anoka is believed to be one of the first cities in the U.S. to celebrate Halloween, with the first spooky festival and parade held in 1920. The event was said to be started as a way to divert local kids from Halloween pranks like cow tipping and disassembling wagons. More than 100 years later, the only times the festival was canceled were in 1942 and 1943 because of World War II. Otherwise, the show goes on and includes both a day parade and a night parade, a house decorating contest and more.

Anoka parks offer year-round recreation

Anoka has parks located throughout the city, with a few taking advantage of the rivers’ shorelines. Peninsula Point Park is situated at the convergence of the Rum River and Mississippi River and has walking trails, a playground and an area for fishing from the shorelines of the rivers. The parks also cater to both Minnesota’s warm summers and cold winters, with the Anoka Aquatic Center featuring a pool and water slides, and Rick Sorenson Park boasting multiple ice-skating rinks and a warming house.

The Anoka aquatic center has slides and other water features.
The Anoka aquatic center has slides and other water features.
Rick Sorenson Park has an ice rink in the winter.
Rick Sorenson Park has an ice rink in the winter.
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A busy Main Street with shops, restaurants

Main Street in Anoka is busy, with four lanes across, but it retains that classic downtown feel with many local shops and restaurants housed in attached brick buildings. There are antique shops, a French market, cafes, a quilt shop, and numerous bars and restaurants. Despite its traffic, Main Street does have sidewalks and crosswalks for those who want to shop and stroll safely. Second Avenue and Jackson Street also have shops and restaurants, and its quieter location means there are al fresco dining options. “It’s a great little downtown,” Boles says. “You can get pretty much anything there.” Anoka is also home to Riverdale Commons, which has box store staples like Target, Walgreens and PetSmart.

Downtown Anoka has various restaurants serving classic fare.
Downtown Anoka has various restaurants serving classic fare.
Downtown Anoka has various local shops selling, antiques, house decor, and clothing.
Downtown Anoka has various local shops selling, antiques, house decor, and clothing.
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Commuter rail and highway access makes Anoka well-connected

Anoka has a stop on the Northstar commuter rail line from Minneapolis. It also has quick access U.S. Highways 10 and 169, as well as Minnesota State Highway 47, which connect to larger interstates in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The closest hospital is Mercy Hospital, which is about 2 miles away.

Anoka-Hennepin is largest school district in Minnesota

Anoka is part of the Anoka-Hennepin School District, which earns an A-minus rating from Niche. The district is the largest in the state, with 25 elementary schools, six middle schools and seven high schools. Of those high schools, five are traditional, while two are alternative high schools. The district serves 13 communities in Anoka and Hennepin counties.

Anoka High School enrolls over 2300 students.
Anoka High School enrolls over 2300 students.
Anoka Middle School for the Arts serves over1600 students
Anoka Middle School for the Arts serves over1600 students
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Important to know

Overall, Anoka has a low crime rate. Its violent crime rate has stayed consistently low, while incidences of property crime dropped 63% from 2015 to 2023.

Written By
Tanner Harding
Jason Jacot
Video By
Jason Jacot

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Denise Mortenson, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Anoka Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$370,000
Median Sale Price
$364,900
Median Single Family Sale Price
$387,385
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$265,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
501
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
6%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$191

Area Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
14,197
Number of Homes for Sale
95
Median Year Built
1987
Months of Supply
2.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,688
Below the national average
1,925
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,485
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,279
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
848
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
13,939

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Sep 21
    Open Sun 1PM - 3PM

    6308 170th Ave NW, Anoka, MN 55303

    $449,900

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,138 Sq Ft
    • 6308 170th Ave NW
    • New 8 days ago

    Welcome to this 4-bedroom, 2-bath home situated on an impressive 1.4-acre lot in Ramsey. You are greeted by a spacious foyer with a convenient entry closet, setting the tone for the comfort and functionality this home offers.Upstairs, the open and inviting layout features a bright living room, a dining area that flows seamlessly into the large kitchen with quartz countertops, white cabinetry, and

    Agent Photo
    Michelle A. Anderson
    RE/MAX Results
    (612) 682-2757
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  • Saturday, Sep 20
    Open Sat 10AM - 12PM

    14661 Cobalt St NW Unit 43, Anoka, MN 55303

    $230,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 1,525 Sq Ft
    • 14661 Cobalt St NW
    • Unit 43

    Skip the lawn care and leave the snowblower! Enjoy your free time when you buy this great townhome. Open concept main level with fireplace and gorgeous kitchen also features a main level bedroom that could be a convenient office. Upper level features 2 large bedrooms and a massive walk in closet. New in 2022: furnace, water heater, disposal, refrigerator, range, microwave.

    Agent Photo
    Melissa Clawson
    Call It Closed International Realty
    (651) 412-2820
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  • Sunday, Sep 21
    Open Sun 12PM - 2PM

    3403 Bailey Ln, Anoka, MN 55303

    $359,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,777 Sq Ft
    • 3403 Bailey Ln
    • New 13 days ago

    Take a look at this charming 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom rambler located on a corner lot. This home features an updated kitchen with custom cabinetry, solid surface countertops, and beautiful tile throughout. Enjoy the comfort of a heated finished garage, hardwood floors, and two fireplaces. The primary bedroom includes a cozy sitting area and a spacious walk-in closet, while the main floor bathroom

    Agent Photo
    Mark Callender
    RE/MAX Results
    (651) 467-4964
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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Anoka Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
18,310
Median Age
40
Population Density
139 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$66,932
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$85,711

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94.4%
College Graduates
27.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.8%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
31''
Average Winter Low Temperature
7°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
59''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®®

52 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

29 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®®

26 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

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.
Anoka