Section Image

Downtown

Downtown

$223,419 Average Value
$260 Average Price per Sq Ft
0 Homes For Sale

Historic landmarks, trendy restaurants and annual festivals

Between the Twin Cities, Minneapolis is arguably the flashier of the two — larger and more modern, with businesses opened late into the night. However, this doesn't mean potential homeowners should overlook its counterpart, Saint Paul, which locals describe as the city "you settle down in." Residents experience a more peaceful, slower-paced lifestyle in Saint Paul while still having access to city amenities. Downtown, in particular, is packed with a mix of different restaurants and businesses and gives residents a glimpse into the past with its historic architecture and landmarks. Events are held weekly, ranging from yoga at Union Depot to live Jazz music at the Minnesota History Center. Realtor and owner of Kilt Real Estate, Francesco Marraffa, says, "Many of my clients are looking for those beautiful condos close to a lot of amenities, and that's exactly what downtown offers." Marraffa also adds that Downtown is diverse and fits everyone's needs: "You get anything from empty nesters to couples looking to start out." Homebuyers can expect to pay between $100,000 to $550,000 for a place in Downtown.
The Landmark center is an iconic piece of architecture overlooking Downtown St. Paul.
The Landmark center is an iconic piece of architecture overlooking Downtown St. Paul.
Downtown St. Paul is a mix of historic and modern buildings.
Downtown St. Paul is a mix of historic and modern buildings.
1/2

Fancy and casual dining options

Living in Downtown means accessing some of the best shopping, dining, and retail Saint Paul offers. According to Marraffa, "There's so many options for food and bars, you can try something new every week." He personally recommends French restaurant Meritage, which he describes as "a fun dining experience — great oysters with an interesting cocktail menu." For a more casual vibe, residents can try out Saint Paul Brewery, which serves seasonal specials, pizza and craft beer. Lunds & Byerlys is the go-to for many residents for groceries, but Marraffa says, "shopping can be all done downtown using the smaller stores or the farmers market when it's in season!"
Pillbox Tavern is a great hit for food, the bar and for watching sports.
Pillbox Tavern is a great hit for food, the bar and for watching sports.
The Loon Addict Special is the most popular sandwich at The Loon Cafe in Downtown St. Paul.
The Loon Addict Special is the most popular sandwich at The Loon Cafe in Downtown St. Paul.
1/2

Attend a concert, hockey game or play

Residents can choose from various entertainment options, such as open mic night, pilates, ballet, a cave tour, and much more. For a comprehensive list, residents can go on the Visit Saint Paul website, which has an events calendar. Major celebrations include the Saint Patrick's Day Parade, a long-standing tradition since 1967, and the Winter Carnival, which attracts over 100,000 visitors annually. Other significant attractions are the Fitzgerald Theatre, the oldest active theatre space in the Twin Cities, the Minnesota Children's Museum, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. For sports, fans flock to the Xcel Energy Center to watch Minnesota Wild Hockey games. Bordering the Mississippi River is The Art District, which features local artists, musicians, and cuisine.
Xcel Energy Center hosts many mainstream events in its Downtown Saint Paul arena.
Xcel Energy Center hosts many mainstream events in its Downtown Saint Paul arena.
Fitzgerald Theatre is the oldest active theatre space in the Twin Cities.
Fitzgerald Theatre is the oldest active theatre space in the Twin Cities.
1/2

Condo living in Downtown

Downtown properties consist of charming brown & red brick and modern glass condos. While there aren't many high-rises, residents can still expect to glance out their windows and overlook parts of the city. Residents can check out units at Pointe of St. Paul Condominiums, City Walk Condominiums, or Gallery Tower to get the best view. Prices start at $100,000 for a studio and go up to $550,000 for larger or newly renovated units. Because this neighborhood is in the city, the majority of residents rent, making up about 72% of the population. The remaining 28% are homeowners.
Downtown St. Paul currently is building for new apartment complexes throughout the City.
Downtown St. Paul currently is building for new apartment complexes throughout the City.
Condominiums can be the perfect place to live for locals working in the Downtown area.
Condominiums can be the perfect place to live for locals working in the Downtown area.
1/2

Preparing for college at Como Park High School

Families can send their children to schools in the neighborhoods bordering Downtown. Children can begin their education at Bruce Vento Elementary School, which earns a C rating from Niche. Students can then continue at Capitol Hill Magnet School and Como Park High School, which receive B-plus and B-minus grades. Como Park High School has one of the most comprehensive AP programs out of the St. Paul Public Schools, offering more courses than any high school in the city. The high school also implements AVID as part of its curriculum for students interested in enrolling in a college-readiness program.
Bruce F. Vento Elementary School has over 400 students in grades PK-5th.
Bruce F. Vento Elementary School has over 400 students in grades PK-5th.
Como Park Senior High School has over 1,000 students in grades 9-12th.
Como Park Senior High School has over 1,000 students in grades 9-12th.
1/2

From Snoopy to ice palaces at Rice Park

Since being gifted to the city in 1849, Rice Park has remained as one of the city's most important gathering spaces. Historical and cultural buildings surround the park, such as the Landmark Center, Downtown Central Library, and Saint Paul Hotel. Some highlights are the water fountain, bandstand and sculptures of the characters from the Peanuts cartoon, such as Snoopy. When it gets cold, Rice Park serves as one of the venues for the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, and residents can expect to see an Ice Palace in the square, which is built as part of the festivities.
Statues of the Peanuts characters can be found throughout Rice Park.
Statues of the Peanuts characters can be found throughout Rice Park.
St. Paul-born author F. Scott Fitzgerald is commemorated in front of the Landmark Center.
St. Paul-born author F. Scott Fitzgerald is commemorated in front of the Landmark Center.
1/2

Getting around with the Metro Transit

The Metro Transit goes to multiple stops scattered throughout the city. Residents can use the Go-To Card for maximum route flexibility or enjoy the special Downtown Zone fare of $0.50. The Metro Transit website also helps commuters find carpooling options and guidance on bicycle travel. When experiencing colder temperatures, Downtown residents use the Skyway System, a fully enclosed walkway that covers 47 blocks. For drivers, metered street parking and select lots are available in addition to resident parking garages.
Flora Jiang
Written By
Flora Jiang
Photography Contributed By
Tyler McNair
Grace Kim
Video By
Grace Kim

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Danielle Eaves, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain

16 min drive

Bus

Wall St & 7th St & 6th St

Bus

Robert St & 10th St E

Bus

Rice St & Fuller Av

Bus

5th St & Minnesota St

Bus

11th St W & St Peter St

Bus

Robert St & 6th St & 5th St

Bus

University Ave E & Valley Apt # 261

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Downtown Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$373,640
Median Sale Price
$373,640
Median Single Family Sale Price
$373,640
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$345,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
308
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
33%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$260

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,703
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
1980
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,047
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,583
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,444
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
891
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
710
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
871

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Condo Buildings

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Danielle Eaves, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
10,663
Median Age
42
Population Density
17 ppl/acre
Population under 18
11.4%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$62,819
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$82,403

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94.5%
College Graduates
54.2%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
21.5%
% Population in Labor Force
75%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
33''
Average Winter Low Temperature
9°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
44''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

71 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

97 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Downtown neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown