Section Image

Excelsior

Excelsior

Located in Hennepin County

$1,011,501 Average Value
$383 Average Price per Sq Ft
70 Homes For Sale

Twenty miles west of Minneapolis but somehow a world away, the scenic city of Excelsior is one of the thriving communities surrounding magnificent Lake Minnetonka. Distinguished by its dynamic downtown, the city is a shopping and dining destination that attracts scores of visitors from nearby neighborhoods. “Excelsior is only one square mile, so we’re small, but we pack a big punch,” says Community Development Director Julia Mullin. “We’ve got everything downtown, which is lined with historic properties, and it’s very walkable and enjoyable.”

Founded by colonists from New York in 1853, Excelsior is named in honor of the state’s motto, which means ever upward in Latin. Blessed with scenic beauty, plentiful game, rich soil, and an expanse of water, the town flourished early on and became an international tourist mecca by the time it was incorporated in 1877. From 1925 until 1973, the Excelsior Amusement Park attracted thousands to the area each summer, hosting musical acts like Lawrence Welk, the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones.

Though it’s a coveted community with a lot to offer the right homebuyer, the real estate market in Excelsior is only somewhat competitive due to an unusually high cost of entry. In October 2023, the 12-month median sale price for a single-family home was $950,000. Home prices range from around $500,000 on the low end to over $2.5 million on the high end. Mullin says the residential areas in Excelsior are a little more urban than other lakeside communities. "The parcels are smaller, there are sidewalks, front porches, and there are patterns to the homes. That kind of character is very distinctive."

Excelsior is focused on broadening its diversity of housing with a 49-unit multifamily development of town homes and apartments being constructed downtown. “We’re bringing in a different type of housing with the rental units,” Mullin says. The city sees a lot of housing activity – a combination of teardowns, new builds and renovations – and in 2020, it passed a zoning ordinance that requires are construction to be approved for mass and scale. “We’re trying to preserve our character and be considerate residents who don’t want outsized building next door,” Mullin says.

Families with children are served by the Minnetonka Public School District, named the second-best district in Minnesota by Niche in 2023. Students may start their education at Excelsior Elementary School, one of the top elementary schools in the state with a culture of high behavioral and academic expectations. The school offers the state’s premier Chinese language immersion program beginning in kindergarten. West Middle School in Chaska was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2021 and recognized for outstanding commitment to music education in 2022. At Minnetonka Senior High School in Minnetonka, at least 68% of students are proficient in math and 80% in reading.

The city of Excelsior is unique, acting as a mini downtown for many of the Lake Minnetonka communities. “If you need groceries or want to spend a night on the town, you’re probably going to Excelsior,” says Tonka Bay City Council Member Tim Connelly. Take the beautiful Bay Bridge from nearby Greenwood and stop for a meal at Maynards to enjoy some upscale American casual dining – the walleye fish taco is a crowd-pleaser. “Our downtown is perfect and has everything; it’s so enjoyable just to be out walking around. Water Street downtown is always buzzing with activity. Kowalski’s is the perfect place for stocking up on groceries and essentials. The Abundant Kitchen is a kitchen supply store dedicated to making you look like a culinary expert. Lake Effect Nautical Gifts is a quaint little shop with a wide selection of unique products.

Sandwiched between the shorelines of Excelsior Bay and Gideon Bay, Excelsior offers so much opportunity for residents and visitors alike to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Excelsior Commons Park is the beating heart of this luxurious locale, with a decrepit bandshell replaced in recent years by a modern pavilion as part of a long-term upgrade plan. “The city just built a new plaza area with a building and restrooms, and outdoor seating to compliment the state,” Mullin says. The park sits adjacent to Commons Peninsula, a scenic spot to watch the water sparkle as the sun dips closer to the horizon. Boasting a beautiful playground and scenic vistas, Excelsior Public Beach offers plenty of room to spread out on the sand and swim in the crystal waters as the small waves roll in. One of the city’s most charming attractions is the Excelsior Streetcar Line, which is a half-mile trolley trip back in time with landmarks from the 1800s.

Brandon Rowell
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Rowell
Zack Kojoyian
Video By
Zack Kojoyian

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

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Parks in this Area

Excelsior Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$895,000
Median Sale Price
$850,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$959,950
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$548,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
258
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
1%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$383

Area Facts

Number of Homes
5,029
Number of Homes for Sale
70
Median Year Built
1983
Months of Supply
3.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,548
Above the national average
1,926
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,075
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,747
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,670
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
20,908

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Oct 18
    Open Sat 12PM - 2PM

    6155 Murray Ct, Excelsior, MN 55331

    $1,995,000

    • 7 Beds
    • 5.5 Baths
    • 6,068 Sq Ft
    • 6155 Murray Ct
    • New 5 days ago

    A long, tree-lined driveway leads to this turnkey residence that blends a vintage Parisian vibe with a touch of French country. Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac with little to no traffic, this private, wooded escape offers peace and seclusion on nearly 1.8 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds.Built by the renowned and respected Lecy Bros. with uncompromising quality, the home offers

    Mark Grieger Coldwell Banker Realty

    Section Image
  • Friday, Oct 17
    Open Fri 12:30PM - 2:30PM

    6655 Bracken Dr, Excelsior, MN 55331

    $999,900

    • 5 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 3,867 Sq Ft
    • 6655 Bracken Dr
    • New 6 days ago

    Location, location, location! Welcome home to this rare immaculately maintained, move-in-ready 5 BR, 4 BA home located in one of the few serene wooded cul-de-sacs surrounded by association outlots. You’ll love the private lush backyard as you’re lounging on the maintenance-free deck (2021) or the huge patio by the LL walkout (2025). The Woodland Cove association maintains 2 fantastic resort-style

    Deno Sterzinger Minnesota Premier Realty, Inc.

    Section Image
  • Saturday, Oct 18
    Open Sat 11AM - 1PM

    5910 Minnetonka Dr, Excelsior, MN 55331

    $800,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 2,996 Sq Ft
    • 5910 Minnetonka Dr
    • New 7 days ago

    One level-living in an unbeatable Excelsior location! Situated in a quiet neighborhood walkable to downtown Excelsior and convenient to shopping and restaurants. Step into the light and bright kitchen featuring vaulted ceilings, a skylight, and a wet bar. The living room features a fireplace and original hardwood floors with expansive windows that look out to mature trees. Three bedrooms on the

    Kimberly Ekelund Trenary Realty Group

    Section Image

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Excelsior Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
2,527
Median Age
50
Population under 18
16.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.8%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$101,981
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$137,079

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.4%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
52.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18%
% Population in Labor Force
70.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
33''
Average Winter Low Temperature
6°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
60''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®®

56 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®®

68 / 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.
Excelsior