The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Minnesota

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 165 towns of 500–10,000 people in Minnesota. #1 is Minnetrista, MN.

1. 25Zimmerman, Minnesota

   Better for families than 91% of Minnesota towns

   Zimmerman is a city of 6,189 people in Sherburne County, Minnesota. It also ranks more vibrant than 80% of Minnesota towns and better transit than 72% of Minnesota towns.

   6,189 people · Sherburne County · median home $323,600 · income $85,645 · Jan low 4°F · 47 in snow

   Full Zimmerman, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 24Kasson, Minnesota

   Better for families than 91% of Minnesota towns

   

   Kasson is a city of 6,851 people in Dodge County, Minnesota. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 99% of Minnesota towns and more of a college town than 95% of Minnesota towns.

   6,851 people · Dodge County · median home $285,200 · income $93,333 · Jan low 4°F · 44 in snow

   Full Kasson, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 23Livonia, Minnesota

   Better for families than 92% of Minnesota towns

   Livonia is a township of 6,174 people in Sherburne County, Minnesota. It also ranks more vibrant than 78% of Minnesota towns and better transit than 74% of Minnesota towns.

   6,174 people · Sherburne County · median home $411,200 · income $137,000 · Jan low 4°F · 36 in snow

   Full Livonia, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 22Franklin, Minnesota

   Better for families than 93% of Minnesota towns

   Franklin is a township of 2,885 people in Wright County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 92% of Minnesota towns and better for young professionals than 85% of Minnesota towns.

   2,885 people · Wright County · median home $637,800 · income $112,171 · Jan low 3°F · 45 in snow

   Full Franklin, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 21Dayton, Minnesota

   Better for families than 93% of Minnesota towns

   

   Dayton is a city of 7,262 people in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 94% of Minnesota towns and better for young professionals than 74% of Minnesota towns.

   7,262 people · Hennepin County · median home $511,300 · income $148,947 · Jan low 4°F · 47 in snow

   Full Dayton, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 20May, Minnesota

   Better for families than 94% of Minnesota towns

   May is a township of 2,670 people in Washington County, Minnesota. It also ranks more of a college town than 100% of Minnesota towns and better for retirees than 99% of Minnesota towns.

   2,670 people · Washington County · median home $685,700 · income $137,321 · Jan low 5°F · 48 in snow

   Full May, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 19Afton, Minnesota

   Better for families than 95% of Minnesota towns

   

   Afton is a city of 2,955 people in Washington County, Minnesota. It also ranks better for retirees than 97% of Minnesota towns and more upscale than 96% of Minnesota towns.

   2,955 people · Washington County · median home $679,300 · income $133,305 · Jan low 6°F · 47 in snow

   Full Afton, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 18Spring Lake, Minnesota

   Better for families than 95% of Minnesota towns

   Spring Lake is a township of 3,464 people in Scott County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 95% of Minnesota towns and better for young professionals than 76% of Minnesota towns.

   3,464 people · Scott County · median home $629,600 · income $146,953 · Jan low 5°F · 40 in snow

   Full Spring Lake, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 17Lonsdale, Minnesota

   Better for families than 95% of Minnesota towns

   Lonsdale is a city of 4,686 people in Rice County, Minnesota. It also ranks more of a college town than 99% of Minnesota towns and more walkable than 88% of Minnesota towns.

   4,686 people · Rice County · median home $357,000 · income $95,176 · Jan low 5°F · 41 in snow

   Full Lonsdale, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 16Hanover, Minnesota

    Better for families than 96% of Minnesota towns

    

    Hanover is a city of 3,548 people in Wright County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 96% of Minnesota towns and better for young professionals than 87% of Minnesota towns.

    3,548 people · Wright County · median home $447,900 · income $156,536 · Jan low 3°F · 45 in snow

    Full Hanover, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 15Carver, Minnesota

    Better for families than 96% of Minnesota towns

    Carver is a city of 5,829 people in Carver County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 96% of Minnesota towns and more of a college town than 93% of Minnesota towns.

    5,829 people · Carver County · median home $445,800 · income $147,697 · Jan low 4°F · 52 in snow

    Full Carver, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 14Medina, Minnesota

    Better for families than 96% of Minnesota towns

    Medina is a city of 6,837 people in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 100% of Minnesota towns and better for young professionals than 89% of Minnesota towns.

    6,837 people · Hennepin County · median home $736,700 · income $230,859 · Jan low 7°F · 45 in snow

    Full Medina, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 13Blue Hill, Minnesota

    Better for families than 98% of Minnesota towns

    Blue Hill is a township of 2,507 people in Sherburne County, Minnesota. It also ranks easier by car than 90% of Minnesota towns.

    2,507 people · Sherburne County · median home $373,300 · income $108,113 · Jan low 4°F · 49 in snow

    Full Blue Hill, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 12Deephaven, Minnesota

    Better for families than 98% of Minnesota towns

    Deephaven is a city of 3,899 people in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 100% of Minnesota towns and more of a college town than 97% of Minnesota towns.

    3,899 people · Hennepin County · median home $935,900 · income $197,679 · Jan low 6°F · 55 in snow

    Full Deephaven, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 11Nowthen, Minnesota

    Better for families than 98% of Minnesota towns

    Nowthen is a city of 4,536 people in Anoka County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 95% of Minnesota towns and more of a college town than 94% of Minnesota towns.

    4,536 people · Anoka County · median home $460,000 · income $160,417 · Jan low 4°F · 56 in snow

    Full Nowthen, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 10Corcoran, Minnesota

    Better for families than 98% of Minnesota towns

    Corcoran is a city of 6,185 people in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 94% of Minnesota towns and better for retirees than 89% of Minnesota towns.

    6,185 people · Hennepin County · median home $569,400 · income $133,423 · Jan low 7°F · 45 in snow

    Full Corcoran, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 9Shorewood, Minnesota

    Better for families than 98% of Minnesota towns

    Shorewood is a city of 7,783 people in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 100% of Minnesota towns and more walkable than 91% of Minnesota towns.

    7,783 people · Hennepin County · median home $703,200 · income $171,063 · Jan low 6°F · 55 in snow

    Full Shorewood, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 8Cedar Lake, Minnesota

    Better for families than 99% of Minnesota towns

    Cedar Lake is a township of 3,050 people in Scott County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 94% of Minnesota towns and better for young professionals than 78% of Minnesota towns.

    3,050 people · Scott County · median home $543,100 · income $173,500 · Jan low 5°F · 41 in snow

    Full Cedar Lake, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 7New Market, Minnesota

    Better for families than 99% of Minnesota towns

    New Market is a township of 3,525 people in Scott County, Minnesota. It also ranks more of a college town than 97% of Minnesota towns and more upscale than 93% of Minnesota towns.

    3,525 people · Scott County · median home $595,300 · income $130,231 · Jan low 8°F · 41 in snow

    Full New Market, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 6Orrock, Minnesota

    Better for families than 99% of Minnesota towns

    Orrock is a township of 3,544 people in Sherburne County, Minnesota. It also ranks easier by car than 77% of Minnesota towns and more upscale than 73% of Minnesota towns.

    3,544 people · Sherburne County · median home $407,300 · income $126,107 · Jan low 4°F · 49 in snow

    Full Orrock, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 5West Lakeland, Minnesota

    Better for families than 99% of Minnesota towns

    West Lakeland is a township of 3,976 people in Washington County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of Minnesota towns and more of a college town than 89% of Minnesota towns.

    3,976 people · Washington County · median home $709,300 · income $216,310 · Jan low 9°F · 47 in snow

    Full West Lakeland, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 4Elko New Market, Minnesota

    Better for families than 99% of Minnesota towns

    Elko New Market is a city of 4,846 people in Scott County, Minnesota. It also ranks more of a college town than 95% of Minnesota towns and more upscale than 94% of Minnesota towns.

    4,846 people · Scott County · median home $433,100 · income $152,150 · Jan low 8°F · 41 in snow

    Full Elko New Market, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 3Grant, Minnesota

    Better for families than 100% of Minnesota towns

    Grant is a city of 3,966 people in Washington County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Minnesota towns and better transit than 96% of Minnesota towns.

    3,966 people · Washington County · median home $683,400 · income $150,875 · Jan low 5°F · 47 in snow

    Full Grant, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 2Thomson, Minnesota

    Better for families than 100% of Minnesota towns

    Thomson is a township of 5,465 people in Carlton County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 93% of Minnesota towns and quieter than 86% of Minnesota towns.

    5,465 people · Carlton County · median home $339,000 · income $119,338 · Jan low 2°F · 71 in snow

    Full Thomson, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 1Minnetrista, Minnesota

    Better for families than 100% of Minnesota towns

    Minnetrista is a city of 8,262 people in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It also ranks more upscale than 99% of Minnesota towns and better for young professionals than 87% of Minnesota towns.

    8,262 people · Hennepin County · median home $658,300 · income $163,051 · Jan low 6°F · 51 in snow

    Full Minnetrista, Minnesota profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More Minnesota rankings

• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Minnesota
• The 14 Quietest Small Towns in Minnesota
• The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in Minnesota
• 25 Small Towns in Minnesota With the Cheapest Homes
• 25 Small Towns in Minnesota With the Mildest Winters
• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in Minnesota
• 25 Small Towns in Minnesota With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Minnesota
• The 15 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in Minnesota With Mild Winters
• The 24 Best Affordable Small Towns for Remote Workers in Minnesota

Same ranking, other places

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• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in New Jersey
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in Florida
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