For thousands of years, the Dakota people lived within the Minnesota River Valley. Displacement by the U.S. government began in the early 1800s and continued into the mid '60s. It wasn't until 1969 that the government officially recognized the Dakota Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, also known as the SMSC, as a Native American Tribe. After struggling to re-establish their economy post-displacement, a group of tribe members decided to invest in a high-stakes bingo establishment, the Little Six Bingo Palace — which later became the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. The business grew rapidly, and the casino is now known as one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the Upper Midwest, making the Mdewakanton Sioux the wealthiest Native American tribe in history. Today, they give back to the city of Shakopee and the broader Minnesota community, contributing regularly to public programs and charities and developing a fruitful relationship with the city. In addition to the city's rich Dakota heritage, "Shakopee has a diverse, inclusive culture," says Brock Dombrovski, Realtor with Meta Realty. "Everybody's welcome." Shakopee has also seen recent growth, "A lot of Fortune 500 companies have planted stakes here," adds Dombrovski, and recent investments by major corporations like Amazon has helped increase the city's population — which doubled between 2000 and 2010 — and is now fast approaching 42,000 people. With a strong sense of community, a thriving economy and an A-rated school district, Shakopee continues to develop and stand out as a river valley community, just 25 miles from the Twin Cities.
Motorists coming from the north are greeted with this sign that honors Native Americans.
An overview of the historic downtown of Shakopee.
The historic downtown of Shakopee overlooks the river valley.
The riverfront is a major landmark to the city.
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Ongoing construction and steady market growth
The housing market in Shakopee is home to both new construction and a wide range of existing housing options. Which in turn has stimulated growth and resulted in increased home values. Shakopee has no shortage of real estate listings, and ongoing development south of U.S. Route 169 adds to the already plentiful housing stock. Most homes in Shakopee were built post-2000 and include townhouses and single-family designs with traditional architectural styles. Most homes here feature large yards and functional features like multi-car garages. With a median sales price of $400,000, home costs in Shakopee can range from the low $200,000s for a two-bedroom townhouse to upwards of $1.4 million for a four-bedroom traditional with lakefront views. Homes with private water access will lean towards the higher price points, starting around $600,000.
New home developments are being constructed in Shakopee.
Upper bracket priced housing can be found further south in Shakopee.
Prairie Meadows is a recent housing development in Shakopee.
A row of homes in Shakopee.
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City parks, arenas and cultural centers
Shakopee is also home to 35 community parks, nearly 1,100 acres of public green space and more than 100 miles of trails. The city experiences mild summers and cold winters, with an average of 49 inches of snowfall each year. Lions Park, a few blocks west of the Shakopee Community Center (SCC), is the main gathering space and features a modern jungle gym, paved walking trails and a splash pad open during the warmer months. Huber Park, along the northern border, attracts visitors with its wheelchair-friendly playground, live musical performances at its amphitheater and waterfront views of the Minnesota River. The SCC has a fitness center, skate park, indoor pool and ice rink that city residents can enjoy at a discounted daily rate. Winter sports happen all year, with two ice rinks at Shakopee Ice Arena where skaters can practice during open skate times or schedule lessons to improve their skills. The public Stonebrooke Golf Club offers a championship 18-hole course with scenic views of O’Dowd Lake. Or to learn more about local Native American history, the Hocokata Ti cultural center promotes the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community's heritage through a range of exhibits and informational sessions.
Exciting disc golf can be played at Lions Park in Shakopee.
Huber Park has a newly constructed playground.
Stonebrooke Golf Course is open to the public and just north of Lake O'Dowd
Shakopee Ice Arena hosts figure skating and Hockey.
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Canterbury Park, Valleyfair and Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
The Mystic Lake Casino Hotel is Minnesota's largest casino and one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the Upper Midwest, "It's like a mini-Las Vegas," Dombroski says. But it's not all tourism. The hotel's event center also hosts gatherings like an annual Fourth of July Festival and a New Year's Eve party. "Shakopee has designed itself to be the entertainment hub south of the river," adds Dombrovski. Canterbury Park, a horse racing track with events throughout the year, is another major attraction. "In the winter, they have skijoring, which is when people on skis are pulled by horses, and they also have snowmobile and wiener dog races. Our dog actually won Grand Champion in 2019." Valleyfair is another option, a 125-acre amusement park with over 75 rides on the north side of Shakopee. The park is widely popular and hosts around 25 million visitors annually.
Valleyfair is fun for the whole family in Shakopee.
Canterbury Park hosts horse races and is a big attraction for surrounding residents.
You'll see a huge variety of costumes at the Shak-O-Lantern Festival.
Shak-O-Lantern Festival is an afternoon of fun for the whole family.
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Historic downtown and redevelopment on the riverfront
"Shakopee has a historic downtown with old-fashioned stores like Bill's Toggery," Dombrovski says, citing a local menswear store that's been in business for nearly 100 years. In addition to long-standing local shops, downtown has an up-and-coming restaurant scene. "O'Brien's Public House is a newer, high-end, swanky Irish pub. It's a hot spot. A lot of my friends like to go there for apps and dinner." With help from Scott County and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the city is also redeveloping the Minnesota Riverfront, adding commercial and residential amenities and a cultural trail to honor the city's Native American history. Outside of downtown, popular restaurants like Bravi's Craft Mexican Kitchen can be found throughout the city. For groceries and everyday essentials, most residents shop along U.S. Route 169, which includes a Cub Foods and Hy-Vee, and major retailers like Target and Kohl's.
O'Brien's Public House is a popular spot for dinner in downtown shakopee.
Bars and restaurants looking down 1st Ave E.
Order counter at shakopee Brewhall
Bravi's enjoys making modern Mexican dishes that everyone can enjoy.
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High-marks at Shakopee Public Schools
Families in Shakopee are zoned for the Shakopee Public School District, which earns an overall rating of A from the review site, Niche. Students may attend their choice of five elementary schools and two middle schools before heading to Shakopee High School. Shakopee High earns an A-minus from Niche and partners with the Minnesota Center for Advanced Professional Studies (MNCAPS) to provide students with internships in fields such as business, creative media and STEM. Private options like Shakopee Area Catholic School and Living Hope Lutheran School are also available.
Shakopee High School has an enrollment of about 2,770 students.
Entrance to Shakopee West Middle School
Red Oak Elementary School provides education to the little residents in
Shakopee
Shakopee Area Catholic School provides private education in the neighborhood of
Shakopee
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Daily commutes and trips into the Twin Cities
U.S. Route 169 runs horizontally through Shakopee, providing access to neighboring areas like Bloomington and downtown Minneapolis, a 25-mile drive northeast. "Most people commute to Minneapolis for work," says Karen Sandstrom, longtime resident and Realtor with Re/Max Results, but emphasizes that Shakopee itself is easy to get around. "You can get anywhere in town in about 5 minutes," adds Sandstrom. The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) provides public bus rides from three park-and-ride stations located across the city. When traveling farther outside the community, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is 22 miles away. For healthcare, the St. Francis Regional Medical Center is located in the heart of the city.
Crime
On average, Shakopee experiences lower crime rates than Minneapolis. In 2023, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees Shakopee, reported 25 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Comparatively, Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis, reported 124 violent crimes per 100,000 individuals.
"Growing up in small town, your word and reputation are everything," says Ryan Platzke. For him, property has always been his honest passion. After graduating first in his class at Ferris State University with a degree in Real Estate Sales and Marketing, Ryan dove headfirst into the industry and took on a role at Coldwell Banker Burnet's Eden Prairie office in 2002. Nearly sixteen years later, the rest is history.
As co-owner of the #1 Coldwell Banker team in Minnesota, Ryan has earned a host of accolades over the years and is currently ranked in the top 1% in the area's total marketplace, with over $1 billion in sales volume to his name.
What else sets him apart from the average agent? For starters, Ryan's tech-savvy approach to real estate ensures competitive results for his clients, an asset that is an absolute must in today's booming market. His focus on market knowledge and people-first service means his style is comprehensive, results-driven, and relatable. Along the way, he never loses sight of the people at the heart of every transaction. "I've built my business on the Golden Rule, treating others as I'd want to be treated," he says. "I do what's best for my clients and I like to help, making things streamlined and stress-free throughout the buying and selling process. I'm committed to our team being the best at what we do. We always go the extra mile and we always deliver on our promises."
Beyond his personable approach, Ryan's earned close to two decades of first-hand experience in the industry. As he helps clients navigate the waters of homeownership, he offers an insider's wisdom and insight, serving as wise counsel along the way. Likewise, Ryan makes an effort to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to real estate trends and fluctuations, so that there are no surprises around the bend unaccounted for.
With an elite, top-ranking track record that extends beyond a decade, Ryan has carved out an impactful, positive legacy in the greater Twin Cities real estate scene—and the best is still to come. "I live in and love this area, and I also love its people. As old-fashioned as it may sound, I still think of myself as a smile and handshake guy. My word really is my bond and I have built my reputation on it."
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.
