Where Lake Superior ends, Duluth begins. Most know this Midwestern city for its waterfront location and frigid winters, but what many don’t know is that Duluth’s port is the farthest inland of any in the world. In 1856, the name “Duluth” stuck as an homage to French soldier and explorer Daniel Greysolon’s title of “Siehr du Lhut,” likely the first European to visit the region. The spirit of Greysolon’s work remains today in the form of a bustling manufacturing industry but also a robust batch of recreation choices, both outdoors and in. “Duluth has a lot of different things,” says Realtor Tommy Archer of Coldwell Banker Realty. “There are biking trails, hiking trails, ski hills, and we’re surrounded by the world’s largest freshwater lake.” Lake Superior is the aquatic favorite, with the annual Dragon Boat Race bringing in thousands of people from Duluth and neighboring Superior each August. Foodies enjoy locally owned bars and barbecue joints spread across the city.
Sunrise is a beautiful time to be on the Duluth Lift Bridge.
Mountain biking trails near Morgan Park are a popular outdoor activity.
East Hillside is just the place to take in the most iconic views of Lake Superior and Duluth.
The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Barker's Island in Superior WI.
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A day on Lake Superior or at one of many parks
The city’s staple of outdoor fun is Lake Superior, whose waters form the state line between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Lake Superior connects with St. Louis Bay and the St. Louis River. There are several spots along the shore for residents to dip their toes, like Indian Point Campground on the south side and Leif Erikson Park on the north side, though water temperatures rarely climb above 65 degrees. Park Point Beach is a favorite fishing spot and launching point for kayaks and boats. Back on shore, neighbors might mingle at one of the city’s many community gardens. Notable parks include Enger Park and Leif Erikson Park, both known for their stunning views of the water. In the summer and spring, golf is popular. In the winter, skiing takes over, along with ice fishing.
Enger Tower is a popular place to watch the sunsets in Duluth Heights.
Enjoy a day on the Spirit Mountain ski hill with a picturesque view of the Duluth harbor.
Enger Park Golf Course is a 27-hole course with scenic views in Duluth Heights.
The Duluth Rose Garden at Leif Erikson Park offers scenic views of downtown Duluth.
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Utilizing the Duluth Transit Authority's bus line
Many of Duluth’s residents benefit from the highway that follows the edge of Lake Superior. Because it passes through most of the communities, reaching Downtown is fast and easy. The 7-mile drive into Downtown Duluth from the southernmost community, for example, lasts 11 minutes. The Duluth Transit Authority services the city with some 60 bus stops along Superior Street. A trip from one side of Duluth to the other by bus would last about an hour. Flights out of town are convenient, thanks to the Duluth International Airport five miles northwest of the city’s center. Various medical centers are more centrally located downtown.
Classic ranch-style homes priced below the national average
In true Midwest fashion, Duluth’s most prevalent home type across its neighborhoods is the ranch-style. Also known as “ramblers,” these three-bedroom single-family dwellings can be seen everywhere in the city, be it downtown-adjacent neighborhoods or those on the outskirts. Other, less common styles include split-levels and traditionals. One exception to the nearly ubiquitous ranch-styles is in Downtown Duluth, whose inventory is comprised mainly of condominiums and multifamily rentals. “We don’t have a lot of new developments, y’know,” says Realtor Macey Solomon of FI Salter Real Estate, Inc. “If you’re looking in the lakeside and woodland areas, that’s where you’re going to get some of those higher-end homes.” Homes typically sell after an average of 21 days on the market. From late 2023 to late 2024, the median home price for prospective Duluth buyers was $349,000, which had increased by 5% from the previous year.
Rows of traditional homes line the streets of East Hillside.
Ranch style homes are a common home style in the Kenwood neighborhood.
A split level style home in Chester Park.
Downtown Duluth's residential landscape is primarily lofts and apartments.
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Attending class in Duluth Public Schools
Students in Duluth attend Duluth Public Schools, whose district earns an overall B grade from Niche. The average ratio of students to teachers in these schools is 19 to one, which is slightly higher than the national average. Nearly 9,000 students are enrolled across the district’s 28 total schools. For higher education, there’s the University of Minnesota Duluth, whose campus is home to some 11,000 about two miles from downtown. Naturally, the university is a prominent employer, with approximately 500 full-time faculty on this campus alone.
The University of Minnesota Duluth is located in Chester Park.
East High School offers AP® coursework and exams, ranking #4,218 in the National Rankings.
Denfeld High School offers AP coursework and exams, scoring 7,916 in the National Rankings.
Ordean East Middle School is in Duluth, MN, serving 1,022 students in grades 6-8.
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Crime and weather in Duluth
Crime in Duluth has seen a gradual decline in recent years. This decrease in reported crimes applies to all categories. According to the Duluth Police Department’s data, incidents reported fell year over year from 2021 to 2023,. In an effort to connect with the public, the force occasionally holds a “Kids, Cops, & Cars” event where officers interact with local youths over ice cream and K-9 demonstrations.
As is typical with the midwestern cities, winters can be brutal in Duluth. Heavy snowfall and its accumulation is expected each winter, so the city takes the necessary steps to prepare. Car owners are generally encouraged to equip their rides with engine heaters, to facilitate frigid-weather starts -- most can be purchased for less than $100. An online document is available to the public outlining what to do in the case of winter-related emergencies, like extreme cold, ice and the like. Workers responding to infrastructure-related issues, for example, have a tiered system based on the impact snow and ice has on any given street.
Most restaurants are close to downtown
As with most cities, the best and greatest number of eateries can be found downtown. The area features various laidback bars, pubs and breweries for a night out. Most of downtown’s restaurants cluster around the edge of Canal Park, the city’s most central peninsula. As residents travel northeast or southwest from downtown, restaurants appear less frequently, and usually in the form of grills and barbecue spots. While there is no signature dish for which the city is known, residents can confidently say nearly all of their eateries are locally owned rather than fast food chains. The only chain every Duluthian knows would be Super One Foods, which has three locations in the city. There are also smaller, more niche markets for select types of groceries throughout.
Super One offers fresh grocery options for Duluth residents.
Tavern on the Hill is located across from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Sara's Table is local favorite in the Hunters Park area.
You will see quite the interior decor when dining at Grandma's Saloon and Grill by Park Point.
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Future plans for Duluth's workforce
To help residents find work quickly and prepare them for open positions, two organizations, True North Goodwill and SOAR Career Solutions, teamed up to support the Duluth Workforce Development Board. Their so-called “24-27 Strategic plan” is a three-year period during which board funds will be allocated toward job fairs and the like. Duluth's Lake Superior port is the largest inland facility reachable by seagoing vessels and is among the top 20 by tonnage in the country. Italian tissue paper manufacturer Sofidel plans to bring jobs to the city with a $200 million investment. Other top employers include IPS Crane, Cirrus Aircraft and Altec Industries.
True North Goodwill helps Duluth residents prepare for employment and find work.
Duluth’s port is the farthest inland in the world and is a major source of jobs in Duluth.
Altec is a major employer in the city of the Duluth.
Sofidel is bringing new jobs to Duluth with a new 600,000 square foot facility in Duluth.
On average, homes in Duluth, MN sell after 25 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Duluth, MN over the last 12 months is $295,675, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Born and raised on the Iron Range, Hannah is an energetic and determined former police officer with a love for lake life and her sweet golden retriever, Willow. After spending three years as a Police Officer in the city of Eagan, she decided to channel her passion for helping people in a new way. No longer responding to emergencies, Hannah is excited to help clients find their dream homes and make the experience as memorable and enjoyable as possible. With a personal touch and a friendly approach, she aims to be your down-to-earth friend in the house shopping process, making sure you find a space that you and your loved ones can't wait to come back to at the end of the day.
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.
