Located south of the Minnesota River, Burnsville attracts Twin City commuters with its thriving entertainment scene and entry-level housing options. Intersected by U.S. Interstate 35, locals take advantage of the 30-minute commute into Minneapolis or St. Paul. “Burnsville is easy to get in and out of when commuting to either of the cities,” says Michelle Hoagland, Realtor with Keller Williams Preferred Realty. Initially occupied by the Dakota Indians in the mid-1800s, early Irish settlers transformed the city from its agricultural roots into a manufacturing hub. Today, Burnsville is home to over 60,000 residents and major employers like UTC Aerospace Systems and Northern Tool + Equipment which contribute substantially to this area's workforce. Notable attractions include the Ames Center, a performing arts venue and Buck Hill, a ski resort on the south side, offering a mix of indoor and outdoor entertainment. “The Heart of the City is where the Ames Center is. It’s a really unique spot that mixes retail and housing – it’s an urban feel within a suburb – very different with lots of walkability,” adds Hoagland. Annual events like the Burnsville Festival & Fire Muster and the Burnsville International Festival play a role in maintaining this city's small-town feel. With year-round recreation and a larger sense of community, Burnsville stands firm as the ninth-largest suburb in the Minneapolis Metro Area.
Nicollet Avenue runs through Burnsville's Heart of the City district.
The Ames Center is a performing arts space located near Burnsville's city center.
Buck Hill is popular in the winter with skiers and snowboarders.
Burnsville Festival & Fire Muster also has vendor tents offering local goods and services.
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Lakefront estates and multi-family townhouses
The housing market in Burnsville is desirable for its affordability and range of housing options. “Burnsville has a lot to offer for any budget,” says Regina Marinina, Real Estate Agent at eXp Realty. “There’s a diverse range of homes and prices depend on many factors. Of course, if you want to have a beautiful mansion on a lake, you have to pay a premium.” Home styles range from ranch-style retreats bordering neighborhood parks and new townhouse developments to lakefront estates that back up to the area's many lakes. With a median sales price of $370,000, homes are around $30,000 more affordable than the average property in the Minneapolis Metro Area. Prices range from as low as $60,000 for a one-bedroom condo to upwards of $1.4 million for a five-bedroom traditional with waterfront views. Homes with private lake access are subject to increased price points, beginning at around $600,000.
Luxury lake homes can be found on Crystal Lake.
Townhomes are also plentiful in Burnsville.
Brick two story homes are easily found in Burnsville.
Rows of townhomes aren't uncommon in Burnsville.
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Local green space and skiing at Buck Hill
Burnsville has 76 parks and more than 1,750 acres of city-owned lakes, trails and green spaces to explore. The city experiences mild summers and cold winters, with an average of 36 inches of snowfall each year. Crystal Lake spans 300 acres and provides water sports opportunities and a fishing pier popular during the warmer months. Civic Center Park offers year-round activities, from hiking their nature trails, to trying out tricks at the skate park, to gliding across the ice at the outdoor skating rink. “We are huge into hockey here, so there are ice rinks all over,” says Hoagland. Terrace Oaks East Park is another option, with a skating rink and a multi-use trail system for hiking, cross-country skiing and biking. Mountain sports are accessible year-round at Buck Hill, one of Minnesota’s top ski and snowboard destinations on the south side of Burnsville. The resort features 16 slopes and balances winter sports with biking and disc golf.
The Ames Center is the primary venue for the arts, hosting art shows and live theater at one of its two theaters. It hosts local and national touring casts in the Masquerade Dance Theater, which seats 1,014 and smaller shows in the Black Box Theater, which seats 150 patrons. When the weather gets cold, and plans move indoors, Grand Slam has a trampoline park, laser tag space and mini golf course. It’s family-friendly and accommodates large parties for birthdays and celebrations.
Burnsville Ice Center has open skate hours for residents to practice.
Crystal Lake is a popular spot for boating in Burnsville.
Buck Hill hosts local sports events in the winter.
Burnsville Civic Center Park has a skatepark.
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The annual Burnsville Festival & Fire Muster
In September, a parade of fire trucks travels along 130th Street for the annual Burnsville Festival and Fire Muster. This three-day event is highly anticipated and has been a long-standing tradition since 1980. Visitors enjoy local vendors, live music and line the streets for the parade finale. In 2004, the parade was cited in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest display of fire trucks, featuring over 120. In July, residents attend the annual Burnsville International Festival at Nicollet Commons Park. The festival represents various cultures through music performances, food and live demonstrations; and is hosted on the lands of the Dakota people.
Burnsville Festival & Fire Muster has something for the whole family.
Burnsville Festival & Fire Muster's beer garden is a popular spot to hang out.
You'll find all the classic carnival games at the Burnsville Festival & Fire Muster.
There's always a line for ice cream at the Burnsville Festival & Fire Muster.
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Shopping at Burnsville Center and Mall of America
Burnsville’s retail hub is centralized around the split of Interstate 35 into west and east. Within this corridor, residents shop for everyday conveniences at Burnhaven Shopping Center, a strip mall containing big-box grocers and larger department stores. Across the road, Burnsville Center features more than 100 name-brand retailers. It has three floors and is considered one of the largest enclosed malls in Minnesota. Dining options range from fast-food chains to locally-owned eateries like Porter Creek Hardwood Grill. Plans are underway at Burnsville Center to redevelop the complex, adding an Asian grocery store and a food hall as anchor stores. The redevelopment has experienced delays, and the final touches are projected to be completed by late 2025. The Mall of America is just 10 miles north, with 500 stores, 50 dining options and a range of entertainment from movies to theme park rides.
Burnsville Center is a shopping mall located in a thriving shopping district.
Skateropolis is an indoor park in Burnsville Center.
Target has a large store with a full size grocery section in Burnsville.
Mi Causa is a local Peruvian restaurant in Burnsville.
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Education at Burnsville Area Schools
Families in Burnsville may attend three school districts: District 191, District 194 or District 196. Most students attend Burnsville–Eagan–Savage School District 191, which earns a B overall rating from the review site, Niche. It has eight elementary schools and two middle and high schools. The majority attend Burnsville High School, which serves more than 2,000 students and earns a B-plus rating from Niche. Private options like Good Shepherd Lutheran, Southview Christian and Cyprus Schools are also available.
Burnsville Senior High School enrolls over 2,000 students in grades 9-12.
Nicollet Junior High School enrolls over 500 students in grades 6-8.
Main entrance to Good Shepard Lutheran School in Apple Valley, Burnsville MN
Announcement sign for Southview Christian School in Burnsville, Burnsville MN
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Interstate access and Twin City commuting
Interstates 35W and 35E pass through the city, connecting residents to neighboring areas like Bloomington and the Twin Cities. The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority provides public rides within the community from the Burnsville Heart of the City Station. When traveling further outside the city, the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is 12 miles away. For healthcare, the M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital is located off of I-35E.
Crime
On average, Burnsville experiences lower crime rates than Minneapolis. In 2023, the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees Burnsville, reported 20 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Comparatively, Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis, reported 124 violent crimes per 100,000 individuals. Based on year-to-date data from the Burnsville Police Department's crime statistics summary, overall crime has declined since 2023. With an 11% decrease in crimes against persons and a 15% decrease in crimes against property as of October 2024.
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Christian Slater
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On average, homes in Burnsville, MN sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Burnsville, MN over the last 12 months is $374,900, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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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.
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