Farmland meets suburban living just outside Saint Paul
Mere miles east of Saint Paul is Lake Elmo, a city that, while pastoral and spread out, has outdoor activities, great schools and lovely homes to spare. “You get that special rural charm and all the urban convenience here,” says Kristina Handt, who previously worked as the Lake Elmo City Administrator for seven years.
A laid-back lifestyle in a quiet town awaits you in Lake Elmo.
Rows of new homes are easy to find in Lake Elmo.
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Wide variety of home styles for many budgets
Lake Elmo comprises about 24 square miles of mostly farmland. Settlers first arrived in the city in the mid-1800s, with the population having since grown to around 13,000. Some current residents live in farmhouses from Lake Elmo’s earliest years, while the few blocks south of downtown heavily feature bungalows and Craftsman constructions from the early 20th century. Elsewhere, there are plenty of midcentury homes, including a large selection of ranches. The city has also been a hotbed for recent real estate development, with townhomes, midsize Prairie-style homes and a cluster of mini-mansions having popped up over the last two decades or so. The largest of these properties, with up to five bedrooms and over 5,000 square feet, can sell for over $1.5 million. However, homebuyers can find an older, detached house with plenty of living space or a newer townhome for between $300,000 to $600,000. Lake Elmo gets a crime score of 1/10 according to the CAP Index, well below the national average of 4/10.
Many historic homes are scattered throughout Lake Elmo.
Large modern homes can be found along the shore of Lake Elmo and lining Royal Golf Club.
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Stillwater School District gets good grades
Stillwater Area Public Schools serve the neighborhood’s students with a collection of well-rated schools. Kids may start at Lake Elmo Elementary, which gets a B from Niche, before transitioning to Oak-Land Middle with a B-plus. Students may then attend Stillwater Area High, which earns an A-minus and offers unique athletics programs like Nordic skiing in the winter and clay target shooting in the spring.
Lake Elmo Elementary School
is where every student shines academically in Lake Elmo.
Stillwater High School is a uniquely shaped structure.
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Lake Elmo Preserve and Sunfish Lake Park are just a few blocks away
Residents are just a few blocks away from large public parks where they can enjoy the outdoors with their families after a long day in the classroom. For the former, it’s the Lake Elmo Park Preserve, a 2,165-acre expanse filled with wildlife from cardinals and cottontail rabbits to weasels and woodpeckers. Here, residents can hone their bow-and-arrow skills on the archery range, hit the trails on a mountain bike or cross-country skis or take a relaxing kayak ride on the lake after which the city is named. Directly adjacent is the smaller yet no less beautiful Sunfish Lake Park, which features 9 miles of trails, many of which overlook the water. Just north, Royal Golf Club welcomes the public to enjoy 18 holes of well-landscaped golf — the Star Tribune voted it “Minnesota’s Best” golf course in 2021.
Acres of waterways and green spaces at Lake Elmo Park Reserve for hikers to walk along the lake.
The Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center at Sunfish Lake Park has much to offer.
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Popular local businesses in downtown like Hagberg’s
Most of the city’s shops and restaurants are concentrated in the small downtown area just north of Lake Elmo itself. Among the most historic of these is Hagberg’s, a country market owned by the local Hagberg family for 85 years and counting. While the market itself has expanded and evolved over the years, Hagberg’s proudest product has always been its meat, with a jam-packed counter featuring everything from sausage and brats to jerky and dog treats. Another local mainstay is the Lake Elmo Inn, whose head chef, John Schiltz, got his start at the restaurant as a 16-year-old dishwasher. He’s now owned the joint for 40 years, in which time Travel + Leisure has voted it America’s second-best brunch spot — its eggs benedict is particularly popular. Meanwhile, some newer businesses have emerged in downtown Lake Elmo, including Sunshine Coffee Co., which serves original coffee blends and delicate latte art beneath a bright, boho-inspired setting.
Lake Elmo Inn is an upscale eatery in the heart of Lake Elmo.
Hagberg's in Lake Elmo is a great lunch spot with sandwiches, a deli, and meat market.
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Bordered by Route 36 and Interstate 94
Despite its heavily rural nature, Lake Elmo is hardly a far cry from city life. “People take the interstate for an easy commute to work in the city,” says Handt. Saint Paul commuters can take Interstate 94 and typically get to the city in 20 minutes or less, while Minneapolis is about 10 minutes farther.
Important to Know
Lake Elmo is one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the area, and the city has been forced to allocate more water usage for the community. However, concerns have been raised about the quality of the water, with reports showing contamination of PFAS by 3M Company chemicals that leaked into underground aquifers. To meet the increased water demand, the city in 2023 said it must use the contaminated water but blended with clean water from other nearby sources.
Written By
Tina Davis
Photography Contributed By
Tyler McNair
Video By
Brice Maddox
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Alena Behr,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Lake Elmo, MN sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Lake Elmo, MN over the last 12 months is $649,950, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This stunning 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom home is truly move-in ready and offers a bright, open floor plan perfect for modern living. The main level features spacious living and dining areas that flow seamlessly to the kitchen and out to a beautiful poured concrete patio, ideal for relaxing or entertaining outdoors. Upstairs, you’ll find four generous bedrooms, including a luxurious primary suite, plus
Welcome to your like-new townhome in the heart of Lake Elmo! This stunning 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom residence offers a perfect blend of modern style and comfortable living. Built just three years ago, the home feels and looks brand new. The spacious and open floor plan is designed for both relaxation and entertainment. The main level features a sunroom that's perfect for enjoying your morning
Welcome to 212 Junco Road, Lake Elmo, MN 55042Discover this beautifully crafted 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome offering 1,999 square feet of stylish living space on a 0.1-acre lot—perfectly situated in one of Lake Elmo's most desirable areas.Built in 2022, this home blends modern elegance with everyday functionality. The open-concept main level features a spacious quartz island &
This is your chance to own the LAST LOT for sale in this gorgeous sought-after development in Lake Elmo right on the pristine, lush, private Royal Golf Course. This stunning lot is truly remarkable and overlooks the beautiful 8th green of one of the most meticulously maintained world class golf courses. Bring your own builder & build your dream home and experience living in the East Metro's most
This beautifully crafted 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom home built by Main Street Builders is nestled perfectly in the stunning Tapestry neighborhood of Lake Elmo. From the inviting front porch complete with a swing to the thoughtfully designed interior, every detail of this home blends timeless charm with modern comfort.Step inside to discover a bright and airy main level featuring vaulted ceilings,
Welcome to this meticulously well maintained custom built rambler situated on a large, nearly 1.80 acre lot in Lake Elmo. Easy access to Highway 94, this property is only 10 minutes to downtown St Paul and a few minutes to the St Croix River. The main floor, has beautiful hardwood floors, high ceilings, a large living room, two bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a fantastic sun room, that goes out to
Tucked into the tranquil and verdant setting of Lake Elmo, MN, you will find Woodhelm Townhomes. These upscale residences balance a connected lifestyle with a peaceful retreat. Each 2-3 bedroom townhome features spacious layouts flooded with natural light, complemented by modern finishes. Ease into an effortless lifestyle with included lawn care and snow removal, two-stall heated
Luxury Home for Rent - You will absolutely love this one-level, association maintained home! Open concept with extra large prep kitchen is perfect for cooking and entertaining. Walk-in pantry as well for all of your storage needs. Box vaulted ceiling and fireplace with stone to the ceiling in the great room. Two bedrooms on the main floor as well as a den for your desk and computer. Downstairs,
Bentley Village offers an exceptional living experience with its selection of 3 and 4 bedroom townhome rentals. Nestled in a picturesque location, these townhomes provide a tranquil retreat while being conveniently located near all the amenities you need. Immerse yourself in the spaciousness and elegance of these well-designed townhomes, featuring modern finishes, ample storage, and private
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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