With its ornate molding, arched windows and white steeple, the Exchange Bank Building at the corner of 3rd and Oak streets is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Farmington, Minnesota. Constructed in 1880, it reflects a time when Civil War veterans — many of whom settled with their families in the city — held jobs downtown, primarily as doctors and lawyers. Today, Farmington is home to nearly 24,000 people and the population has been rising steadily for the last century, with acres of farmland cleared frequently for new housing developments. “Over the next five or six years, we really expect to see this area grow,” says Richard Ochoa, a Realtor with Keller Williams Integrity Realty and an investor in Minnesota properties. “As more development happens around Farmington and with the new Meta office approved in Rosemount, we expect a mix of families and young professionals to soon discover Farmington.” Although there’s been an influx of out-of-towners mixing with longtime residents, the area still has a small-town feel. Locals gather annually for celebrations like Dew Days—which has been going strong since the 1970s—and, perhaps most notably, the Dakota County Fair in August. A strong sense of community helps make Farmington "a great place to raise a family,” says Ochoa.
Farmington's water tower is near the town's highest point of elevation.
A hilltop pavilion is perfect for resting on your walk through Farmingon.
The Exchange Building is one of Farmington's most recognizable building.
Farmington recently constructed a new City Hall.
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A 'quaint' downtown and big-box shopping in Lakeville
Some buildings downtown — including the Exchange Bank Building — were built over 150 years ago, and cars park in diagonal spaces in front of longstanding businesses like the Farmington Steakhouse. “It’s been there forever,” says Rooney, adding that it’s the type of place where regulars know one another by name. “It’s cafeteria style, and you get a big slice of Texas Toast with your meal. It’s almost like being in Texas.” Locals will also find casual pizza joints, auto repair shops and Chinese take-out restaurants in this "Cool, quaint little old town.” There are chain grocers and big-box retail options along Interstate 35 in Lakeville, which borders Farmington to the west. Or for fresh produce and locally made goods, shoppers can stop by the farmers market that takes place from May to October in the Celts Pub & Grill parking lot.
Sweet Kneads Bakery is a Farmington staple for breads, donuts, and a variety of baked goods.
The Farmington Tap House is a popular bar & grill in downtown Farmington.
The Farmington Steakhouse is a local staple that has been around for decades.
The Farmington Mall is home to Dollar Tree and several other local stores.
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Residents take advantage of the winter season opportunities
Farmington is home to over 30 public parks and nearly 50 miles of trails, from paved pathways in Rambling River Park to boardwalks across the marshland in Meadowview Park. In Minnesota, Rooney says, most people are “used to” the cold weather; they’ve just learned to bundle up. “There’s a lot of outdoor activities from skiing to snowmobiling to snowshoeing—a lot of parks prep their trails for people to do those activities,” he says. People take advantage of the outdoors “unless it gets really cold, meaning under 0 degrees.” Residents will also find outdoor rinks for pick-up hockey games, warming houses and sledding hills. There’s indoor hockey at the Schmitz-Maki Arena. “Minnesota is also known for its lakes,” adds Rooney, which means ice fishing in the wintertime—pushed back later into the season as of late due to climbing temperatures—and water sports in the summer. The par-72 Fountain Valley Golf Club is open to the public and Farmington is also home to the Southern Hills Golf Course, which offers golf lessons and a variety of membership packages.
Rambling River Park is within walking distance from Downtown Farmington.
The walking path at Prairieview Park will lead you through nature.
Southern Hills Golf Course is a gorgeous place to golf in Farmington.
The Schmitz-Maki Area is the home of Farmington's ice hockey team.
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The Farmington Public School District and adult education opportunities
Rooney calls the local schools a “major draw” in Farmington. “The city’s been growing, so they’ve been building new ones,” he says. Students are zoned into the Farmington Public School District, which has an overall B-minus grade from Niche. The district includes an early learning center, five elementary schools for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade, two middle schools and a high school. The Farmington branch of the Dakota County Library hosts book clubs, sewing classes and lectures for adults, and those 17 and older can also enroll in English classes through Farmington Community Education.
Farmington High School offers a student/teacher ratio of 19 to 1.
Levi P. Dodge Middle School has a student/teacher ratio of 22 to 1.
Farmington Elementary School has a student/teacher ratio of 14 to 1.
Great Oaks Academy Charter School is centrally located in downtown Farmington.
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New subdivisions and mid-century neighborhoods
With the exception of its small central business district—home to brick saloons, bakeries and jewelers—Farmington is mostly residential and rural. “The housing market here caters to various tastes, from classic historic homes to contemporary new developments,” says Ochoa. Lot sizes are comparatively compact closer to the city’s historic downtown, and homes here are also on the older side, some dating back to the early 1900s and the majority built in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s. Prices typically fall between $300,000 and $500,000, although new builds with multi-car garages can surpass $600,000. The median single-family home price is around $360,000. Townhouses, meanwhile, often fall between $200,000 and $300,000. “Overall, the city is “more affordable” than surrounding communities, says Chris Rooney, a Realtor with RE/MAX Preferred. "There’s a lot of acreage opportunities for sure." While some residents keep animals or four-wheelers on their properties, a lot of space has been cleared for new subdivisions, he says.
There are several townhome communities located throughout Farmington.
Many homes near downtown Farmington date back to the 50's.
Many of the original homes in Farmington are still standing and date back to the 1800's.
Newly built homes are popping up throughout Farmington.
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Annual fairs and festivals
Local farmers bring livestock—prized cows, pigs and sheep—to the Dakota County Fair in August. The week-long event, a Farmington staple since 1858, also includes carnival rides, canine stunt shows, vintage car exhibits and more. Farmington also hosts Dew Days every year; the early summer event usually includes a parade, cook-offs, live music and local food trucks. During the holiday season, houses throughout town participate in the Parks and Recreation Holiday Lights Tour, and Rooney says it’s also common for residents to drive to the Panorama of Progress (Pan-O-Prog) festival in Lakeville.
The ferris wheel gives the best view at the Dakota County Fair.
The Spring Food Truck event even offers fair food classics in Farmington.
Here a brass band plays for the crowd at Farmington's Music in the Park.
Kids can have a go at the pedal tractor pull and win a trophy at Farmington Dew Days.
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30 miles to Minneapolis via Interstate 35
Downtown Farmington is about 30 miles south of Minneapolis via Interstate 35, a drive that can take around 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Minnesota State Highway 3 cuts through town, connecting the city to neighboring communities like Rosemount. Rochester, Minnesota—home to the Mayo Clinic hospital and research center—is about 60 miles away along U.S. Highway 52. Closer to Farmington is M Health Fairview in Burnsville. Although the Airlake Airport is just 5 miles away in Lakeville, it’s primarily used for recreational purposes. Most residents will drive to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport for commercial flights.
Declining crime rates in Farmington
Between 2021 and 2022, the Farmington crime rate decreased by more than 30%. According to FBI data, residents have a 1 in 1,122 chance of experiencing a violent crime and a 1 in 172 chance of falling victim to a property crime, both significantly lower than Minnesota averages. The Farmington Police Department participates in community events like Toys for Town, a yearly toy drive, the Pink Patch Project to promote breast cancer awareness, and National Night Out, where they collect dry and canned goods for the local food pantry.
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