Urban development along the lakes of eastern Minnesota
As the name suggests, Lakeville lives up to Minnesota’s reputation as the land of 10,000 lakes. Home to around 73,000 residents in Dakota County, the City of Lakeview draws in Twin City commuters looking for a more suburban feel without giving up proximity to urban entertainment or outdoor amenities. “There are two big things that tend to stand out to community members and those looking to move here,” says Justin Miller, Lakeville City Administrator. “It’s our schools and parks.” Its origins date back to the mid-1800s when a military practical land route was built 20 miles south of Minneapolis. By the late 19th century, the town was home to just under 400 residents, with agriculture as the primary industry. Today, companies like Hearthside and Menasha Packaging have taken over the southeastern corner, as manufacturing companies make up around 13% of the job market here. With highly rated schools, a thriving recreation scene and new developments moving in, Lakeville has earned its position as one of the most populated cities in Minnesota.
Lakeville offers many new communities as well as established homes on beautiful winding streets.
Antlers Park's playground has equipment for kids of all ages.
A view of the walking bridge at East Lake Community Park in Lakeville.
Hearthside Food Solutions is another one of Lakeville's major employers.
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Established builds sprinkled among new developments
Homes in Lakeville are desirable for their lakefront lifestyle and proximity to urban amenities. “The real estate market is good, and values continue to increase,” says Michelle Hoagland, Realtor with Keller Williams Preferred Realty. “We’ve got everything from new townhouses near retail and urban amenities to single-family homes with privacy and more acreage.” With a median home price of around $500,000, homes here cost around $200,000 more than the average property in Minnesota due to lake access and the consistent development of newer construction on the east side of town. There are numerous waterfront communities across the city, with Lake Marion and Orchard Lake featuring private docks along their perimeters. Newer homes feature craftsman-style architecture, while mid-to-late 20th-century Cape Cods, split-levels and ranch-style homes remain consistent as new builds sprinkle in. Prices range from as low as $300,000 for a two-bedroom condo to upwards of $1 million for newer construction and lakefront views.
Townhomes at the Glacier Creek development in Lakeville.
Split-level homes have been a popular choice in Lakeville since the 1980's.
Rows of newly built homes in Lakeville are well taken care of.
Lake homes are highly sought after in Lakeville.
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High-marks at Lakeville Public Schools
Three school districts serve Lakeville families, including Farmington Schools, Lakeville Public Schools and Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Schools, which have earned ratings of B-minus, A and A from the review site Niche. The Lakeville Public School District is the best public school district in Dakota County, according to Niche. Lakeville North and Lakeville South high schools both earn an A grade overall from Niche and are the 19th and 18th best public high schools in Minnesota, respectively. Each serves around 1,800 students and has a student-to-teacher ratio of 22-1. Lakeville North students have the opportunity to attend the STEM Biomedical Program, organized by Project Lead the Way. The program hosts three courses where students explore human medicine concepts through hands-on, innovative learning practices.
Local grocers and eateries in Downtown Lakeville
Lakeville is home to four commercial hubs, with stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Aldi and Cub Foods conveniently located around the city. Holyoke Avenue runs through downtown, featuring over a dozen locally-owned eateries. “We’re pretty proud of our downtown area – not a lot of Twin City suburbs have a dedicated downtown,” says Miller. Dining options include Tapestry Coffee, which serves breakfast pastries and is a popular spot for grabbing a quick coffee on the go. Or Babe’s Music Bar for classic American fare, bar bites and live music performances. And Lakeview Brewing Company has outdoor patio seating and more than 17 craft beers on tap.
Target is another big box retailer popular with Lakeville residents.
Cub Foods has three convenient locations available to Lakeville residents.
Tapestry Coffee, across the street, is in the old National Bank building in downtown Lakeville.
Lakeville Brewing is located at the old VFW building in downtown Lakeville.
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Outdoor activities and waterfront recreation
When seeking time outdoors, Lakeville is home to more than 1,800 acres of public parks and 42 miles of walking and bike paths. “We have a great park system with beautiful lakes. We just passed a $38 million park referendum to enhance and improve, and in some cases build brand new parks,” Miller says. Like many cities in Minnesota, Lakeville is home to several lakes, ponds and marshes. In the warmer months, Lake Marion, the largest of the lakes, is a popular spot for boating and soaking up the sun at Antlers Park Beach on its southeast shore. Residents can participate in winter sports, like ice skating at the indoor Lakeville Ames Arena, which offers lessons and skate times year-round. A few blocks south is the Lakeville Area Arts Center, where locals can attend performing arts events, peruse galleries or attend art workshops. Crystal Lake Golf Club is located on the north side, with an 18-hole course, a driving range and a full-service restaurant with traditional bar bites. Lakeville gets all four seasons, and locals are accustomed to hot summers with regular rain showers and cold winters with an average of 45 inches of snow per year.
Lake Marion is Lakeville's largest and most popular lake.
Catch some air at the Casperson Park bike jumps in Lakeville.
Crystal Lake Golf Club weaves through residential developments in Lakeville.
Orchard Lake Beach is a popular place to enjoy the views of the water in Lakeville.
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Annual events and the Lakeville Farmers Market
In the summer, the City of Lakeville hosts the annual Live at the Lake Summer Performance Series at Casperson Park. The event is free and held on Wednesday nights from June through August, beginning at 6:00 p.m. and concluding at 8:30 p.m. Visitors enjoy live performances from their favorite local artists. In July, locals attend the Panorama of Progress or “Pan-O-Prog,” to commemorate the city's ongoing success. This week-long festival is held along Holyoke Avenue and has been celebrated for over 50 years. There’s a parade, carnival games, food trucks and a firework show finale. Fresh produce, flowers and baked goods are available at the Lakeville Farmers Market, held on Saturdays and Wednesdays in Downtown Lakeville from June through September.
The bandshell at Casperson Park in Lakeville, MN hosts Live at the Lake.
People of all ages can enjoy the show at Live at the Lake.
The carnival wouldn't be complete without a merry-go-round at Lakeville Pan-O-Prog.
Flowers are a big draw at the Lakeville Farmer's Market.
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Nearby healthcare and easy access to I-35
U.S. Interstate 35 runs through the west side of the city, offering easy access to neighboring areas and a 25-mile drive into downtown Minneapolis. Those seeking public options take the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) bus, which operates into Minneapolis from the Cedar Avenue park-and-ride station. When traveling further outside the community, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is 20 miles away. For healthcare, the Northfield Hospital is located on the south side along 215th Street. Roadway developments, including continuous street rehabilitation and the modernization of Dodd Boulevard, are underway throughout the community.
Crime
The Dakota County Sheriff's Office, which oversees Lakeville, reported 20.3 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2023. Comparatively, Minnesota records 68.3 violent crimes per 100,000 people, while the U.S. as a whole recorded 111.41 incidents per 100,000 individuals.
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On average, homes in Lakeville, MN sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Lakeville, MN over the last 12 months is $521,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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