Hanging on to community roots, while accepting change
Known for its rolling hills, wetlands and vast agricultural land 20 miles northwest of Minneapolis, Corcoran is grasping the community's rural roots while accepting industrial growth. "Developers and people are moving here and looking to expand," Dean Vehrenkamp says. Vehrenkamp is a long-time resident and a member of the city council. "We have five-century farms here, and people set in their ways; it's very Yellowstone-like." Corcoran has a population of less than 7,000 people and is expected to continue growing. "We have a few major neighborhoods being built around town with several new homes on the way," Vehrenkamp says.
Anyone moving to Corcoran needs to be prepared for the Minnesota weather. "You get everything weather-wise," Vehrenkamp says. "You can see sunshine one day and 30-mile-per-hour winds and blinding snow the next."
Get together at Lion’s Park
Corcoran residents are very outdoor-centric, with several recreational activities readily available. Some residents are avid hunters, with deer, geese and turkey being their main game. "There is enough land that is open now for hunters, both gun and bow hunting," Vehrenkamp says. Corcoran has several parks nearby, including Lion's Park, where many community events and gatherings occur. In the northwest corner of the area is Crow-Hassan Park Reserve, with more than 200 acres of horse and walking trails and more than 80 percent of the land is preserved. Wildflower and Community Parks are fun-natured spaces with standout playgrounds and amenities. Golf enthusiasts won't have to go far to find Pheasant Acres Golf Course, known for its fast greens, 30 bunkers and 16 ponds throughout the 18-hole course.
Home of the Hennepin County Fair
Limited nearby stores and amenities doesn't stop Corcoran locals from getting together and having a good time. Lion's Park is a hot spot for some of these events, including the summer rodeo after the 4th of July, demolition derbies and tractor-pulling events. The main attraction at Lion's Park is the Hennepin County Fair, which happens every June and attracts thousands of people. "Hennepin County is the largest county in Minnesota, and the fair for that county is here in Corcoran," Vehrenkamp says. "If you want to live next to Lion's Park, just know that a handful of nights will have smells, noises and lights around there."
Students can attend highly-ranked Wayzata Schools
Schools in the Corcoran area receive an A-minus from Niche and have an 18-to-one student-to-teacher ratio. Corcoran doesn't have its school district, so students attend one of the five school districts in the area, including Wayzata, the top-ranked district in the state. Wayzata receives an A-plus overall and gets an A-plus in several categories, including academics, college preparation and sports. "It is a little confusing having so many schools nearby, but they are all good schools," Vehrenkamp says.
Vast space and land with Corcoran homes
Home prices in Corcoran range between $325,000 for a single-family home with a couple of bedrooms and bathrooms up to more than a million for a multi-level, new construction house with several bedrooms and bathrooms and a connected garage and land. Some homes' vast space and land are a large part of their appeal. People looking to build themselves will find plots of land available between $200,000 and $300,000, depending on acreage. "We see lots of people who want to build a custom home to their liking," says Andrew Peterson, a realtor with eXp Realty.
Must leave town for shopping and restaurants
People must leave Corcoran for most of their shopping needs or go out to eat. There isn't a downtown or a Main Street, just a strip with a gas station, a couple of bars and a flower shop. They can head down County Highway 10 for about five miles to Maple Grove for big-name retailers like Aldi and Walmart. People will also find a Menards, Cabela's and Fleet Farm within five to eight miles outside of Corcoran. "That is the gist of moving to a rural area; there aren't a lot of amenities," Vehrenkamp says. "Different major neighborhoods are sprawling up with industrial buildings and developments in the works."
No public transportation in Corcoran
People in Corcoran are primarily car-dependent, no public transportation options are around, and the area isn't very walkable. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is about 32 miles down Interstate 494. "It is a lot of farm and Ag land, so having a vehicle to drive is needed," Vehrenkamp says. Corcoran isn't along an interstate but is about 20 miles from the twin cities.
Corcoran crime numbers
Corcoran receives an A from CrimeGrade with an A-plus for violent crime and a B-minus for property crime. The crime rate shows about 15 incidents per 1,000 residents. Corcoran does have its own police department that takes pride in having a strong relationship with the community it serves.
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