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Eden Prairie, Minnesota
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Eden Prairie is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. It had a population of 64,198 at the 2020 census, making it the 16th-largest city in Minnesota.[6] The city is adjacent to the north bank of the Minnesota River, upstream from its confluence with the Mississippi River, about 12 miles (19 km) southwest of downtown Minneapolis.
Key Information
Set in the Twin Cities' outer suburbs, the community was designed as a mixed-income city model and is home to numerous commercial firms, including the headquarters of SuperValu, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Winnebago Industries, Starkey Hearing Technologies, Lifetouch Inc., SABIS, and MTS Systems Corporation.[9] It contains the Eden Prairie Center mall and is the hub of SouthWest Transit, providing public transportation to three adjacent suburbs. The television stations KMSP and WFTC are based in Eden Prairie. The nonprofit news organization Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) also serves the community.
The area features numerous municipal and regional parks, conservation areas, multi-purpose trails, and recreational facilities.[10] There are more than 170 miles (270 km) of multi-use trails, 2,250 acres (9 km2) of parks, and 1,300 acres (5 km2) of open space. Popular recreational areas include Staring Lake, Lake Riley, Purgatory Creek, Miller Park, Round Lake, and the Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail.[11][12]
History
[edit]


Native Americans were the first to live in the area. Originally, the land was part of the Great Dakota Nation, but when the Ojibwe arrived from the Great Lakes region, the tribes began to clash over the land. The Ojibwe were armed with knives and guns traded to them by white settlers and fur traders, and after years of bloody warfare the Ojibwe had forced the Dakota to give up all their land east of the Mississippi River, and north of the Crow Wing River, land that did not include what is now Eden Prairie.[13]
On May 25, 1858, a battle was fought between the Dakota and the Ojibwe in the southern part of Eden Prairie, just north of the Minnesota River, an area known as Murphy's Ferry. The Ojibwe wished to "avenge the murder" of one of their people by the Dakota the previous fall. The Ojibwe had 200 warriors and the Dakota somewhere between 60 and 70, but the Dakota proved victorious, wounding the young Ojibwe chief.[13] The tribes continued to fight over territory well into the 1860s, even after the "Sioux Uprising" of 1862, when most Dakota people were removed from Minnesota.
Among the notable Native Americans who lived in the Eden Prairie area was Chief Shoto. Born into the band of Chief Wabash, he went on to be the chief of the Red Wing Dakota tribe for 15 years, leaving them and becoming Chief of the "Little Six" band of Dakota until the uprising in 1862, during which he became a scout for then Governor Sibley from 1862 to 1870, returning to the Little Six band in 1872. He died in 1899 at age 99 at his home in Eden Prairie.[13]
In 1851, a treaty opened land west of the Mississippi River to settlement allowing pioneers to settle in what is now Eden Prairie. Many early farmhouses remain in the town and can be found on the National Register of Historic Places. One of these early settlers was John Cummins, an Irish-born immigrant who built what is now known as the "Cummins-Phipps-Grill House" with his wife Mattie in 1880.[14] Manuscripts indicate that Cummins was an avid and respected horticulturist, scientist, and farmer; he used his farmland to experiment with different strains of apples and grapes to try to find one that could withstand the harsh climate in Minnesota.[15] The Cummins family sold this property to the Phipps family in 1908.[13]
In 1853, John H. McKenzie and Minnesota Territory secretary Alexander Wilkins platted the town of Hennepin along the Minnesota River in what is now southeastern Eden Prairie. According to area historian Helen Holden Anderson, topographic disadvantages for the transport of agricultural goods caused Hennepin to be eclipsed by other towns in the region and the town soon vanished from maps.[16]

The city was originally named "Eden" in 1853 by the writer Elizabeth F. Ellet, who chose the name because of her admiration of the "beautiful prairie" that occupies the southern part of town.[17] Eden Prairie's town board held its first meeting in a log schoolhouse on May 11, 1858, the same day Minnesota became a state. In the 1870s, a post office called Washburn was established in Eden Prairie Township and would be discontinued in 1903. Also that decade, a depot along the Minneapolis-St. Louis Railroad was constructed near modern Eden Prairie Road and Highway 212. A replica on restricted land was built in 2022 beside the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail.[18]
Eden Prairie's farming community grew slowly over the years. For most of its existence, Eden Prairie was a slow-growing, pastoral village on the far southwest fringes of the Twin Cities. Between 1880 and 1960, Eden Prairie's population only grew from about 739 to 2,000. Flying Cloud Airport was the first sign of big development in 1946. The 1960s and 1970s were decades of growth for the city's parks and recreation system. In the mid-1970s, the community gained a higher profile with the addition of Interstate Highway 494 and the Eden Prairie Center mall. Eden Prairie became a village in 1962 and a statutory city in 1974. One of Eden Prairie's popular lakes, Staring Lake, is named for Jonas Platt Staring (1809–1894), who built the first house by the lake.
Geography
[edit]
Eden Prairie is about 11 miles (18 km) southwest of Minneapolis along the northern side of the Minnesota River.
Interstate 494, U.S. Highways 169 and 212, and Minnesota State Highway 5 are four of the city's main routes.
Eden Prairie's land consists of rolling hills and bluffs overlooking the Minnesota River, with zones of prairie and mixed (primarily deciduous) forests. Eden Prairie has parks, such as Staring Lake Park and Bryant Lakes Regional Park, with trails for running and biking.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 35.19 square miles (91.14 km2), of which 32.45 square miles (84.05 km2) is land and 2.74 square miles (7.10 km2) is water.[20]
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 304 | — | |
| 1870 | 576 | 89.5% | |
| 1880 | 744 | 29.2% | |
| 1890 | 769 | 3.4% | |
| 1900 | 827 | 7.5% | |
| 1910 | 974 | 17.8% | |
| 1920 | 983 | 0.9% | |
| 1930 | 1,048 | 6.6% | |
| 1940 | 1,221 | 16.5% | |
| 1950 | 1,384 | 13.3% | |
| 1960 | 3,233 | 133.6% | |
| 1970 | 6,978 | 115.8% | |
| 1980 | 16,263 | 133.1% | |
| 1990 | 39,311 | 141.7% | |
| 2000 | 54,901 | 39.7% | |
| 2010 | 60,797 | 10.7% | |
| 2020 | 64,198 | 5.6% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 62,905 | [21] | −2.0% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[22] 2020 Census[6] | |||
2010 census
[edit]As of the census of 2010, there were 60,797 people, 23,930 households, and 16,517 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,873.6 inhabitants per square mile (723.4/km2). There were 25,075 housing units at an average density of 772.7 per square mile (298.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 81.7% White, 5.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 9.2% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 3.0% of the population.
There were 23,930 households, of which 36.3% had children under age 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.08.
The median age in the city was 37.6. 26.4% of residents were under 18; 6.5% were between 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 30.8% were from 45 to 64; and 8.6% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
2000 census
[edit]As of the census of 2000, there were 54,901 people, 20,457 households, and 14,579 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,695.1 inhabitants per square mile (654.5/km2). There were 21,026 housing units at an average density of 649.2 per square mile (250.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.7% White, 2.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 4.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.
There were 20,457 households, of which 42.6% had children under age 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the city, 30.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 4.9% was 65 or older. The median age was 34. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 92.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $54,328, and the median income for a family was $105,177. Males had a median income of $59,303 versus $37,196 for females. The per capita income for the city was $38,854. About 2.8% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under 18 and 6.3% of those 65 or older.
Economy
[edit]Eden Prairie is home to more than 2,800 businesses,[23] including many that specialize in logistics/distribution, retail and wholesale trade, health care, industrial equipment, communications, and information technology.
Top employers
[edit]According to the city's 2024 Economic Development Snapshot,[9] its top employers were:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Optum | 6500 |
| 2 | C. H. Robinson | 2500 |
| 3 | Starkey Labs | 2117 |
| 4 | UNFI | 1600 |
| 5 | Eden Prairie School District | 1285 |
| 6 | Danfoss | 440 |
| 7 | Lifetouch | 800 |
| 7 | MTS Systems Corporation | 800 |
| 8 | Abbott Laboratories | 617 |
Video game retailer FuncoLand, which operated in over 400 locations nationwide before its acquisition and merger, was headquartered in Eden Prairie.[24]
Arts and culture
[edit]In 2008, Eden Prairie raised roughly $500,000 from the community to build a veterans memorial.[25] The memorial has two components, service to country and world peace. It was constructed in Purgatory Creek Park near the intersection of Technology Drive and Prairie Center Drive. Sculptor Neil Brodin designed and constructed two bronze sculptures. The service-to-country sculpture represents a wounded airman carried over the shoulders of a soldier in the battlefield.
The world-peace sculpture depicts a woman service member touching a globe, honoring women who have served. Community members could purchase a place on the memorial for the names of loved ones who served in any branch of the U.S. service in any war or conflict. Minnesota-based Cold Spring Granite provided Mesabi black granite for the memorial's walls.
Sports
[edit]The 2017 USA Rink Bandy League Cannon Cup Playoffs took place at the Eden Prairie Rinks.[26]
Government
[edit]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2000 | 15,903 | 54.95% | 11,691 | 40.39% | 1,348 | 4.66% |
| 2004 | 19,112 | 55.58% | 14,968 | 43.53% | 308 | 0.90% |
| 2008 | 17,186 | 47.83% | 18,264 | 50.83% | 480 | 1.34% |
| 2012 | 18,334 | 50.19% | 17,527 | 47.98% | 669 | 1.83% |
| 2016 | 13,944 | 38.55% | 19,040 | 52.63% | 3,190 | 8.82% |
| 2020 | 14,230 | 36.05% | 24,352 | 61.68% | 896 | 2.27% |
| 2024 | 13,150 | 35.09% | 23,239 | 62.01% | 1,090 | 2.91% |
Eden Prairie is in Minnesota's 3rd congressional district, represented by Kelly Morrison, a Democrat. City council officials include Mayor Ron Case and council members Mark Freiberg, Kathy Nelson, PG Narayanan and Lisa Toomey. The city manager is Rick Getschow.
The Eden Prairie Police Department has a chief, a captain, three lieutenants,[28] about 66 sworn law-enforcement officers, and 30 civilian staff.[29] The department was established on January 1, 1973.[29] It has three divisions: Patrol, Investigations and Support. The Patrol Division includes SWAT and police dog elements.
Education
[edit]The first school in Eden Prairie was Anderson School, a schoolhouse near a farm. At the time of its construction, it was in the center of the city. The former Eden Prairie Consolidated School, built in 1924, is now the school district Administration Building and is next to Central Middle School.
Eden Prairie operates eight K-12 schools, six elementary (PreK-5) schools (including one Spanish immersion), one middle school (6-8), and Eden Prairie High School (9-12).[30] Eden Prairie High School is Minnesota's fifth-largest high school, with about 2,600 students,[31] and is near the grounds of Round Lake Park and the Eden Prairie Community Center.
Some students attend public schools in other school districts chosen by their families under Minnesota's open enrollment statute.[32]
Eden Prairie is home to one charter school, the Performing Institute of Minnesota Arts High School. Eden Prairie has one private school, The International School of Minnesota, which offers a private, non-denominational, college preparatory education for students from preschool through grade 12. The school, founded in 1985, features non-selective admissions and year-round open enrollment, daily world language education beginning in preschool, and 19 AP courses at the upper school level. The student body consists of 85% local residents and 15% international students.[33]
Hennepin Technical College, whose main campus is in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, has a campus in Eden Prairie with an enrollment of roughly 7,000 full- and part-time students. It offers day and night classes.
Infrastructure
[edit]The city is served by the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (Soo Line) Chicago to Miles City line.
Notable people
[edit]- Andrew Alberts, former National Hockey League defenseman
- Leith Anderson, president of U.S. National Association of Evangelicals
- Adam Bartley, actor[34]
- David Baszucki, CEO and co-founder of Roblox
- Michael Bland, former drummer for Prince and for Nick Jonas & the Administration
- Rachel Bootsma, swimmer and Olmympic gold medalist[35]
- Jasper Brinkley, former linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings
- Blake Cashman, linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings
- Laurie Coleman, actress and wife of former United States senator Norm Coleman
- Todd Downing, former offensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans; born in Eden Prairie
- Chuck Foreman, former running back for the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots
- Jay Foreman, former National Football League player; born in Eden Prairie
- Dan Gladden, former MLB player for Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, and Japanese Yomiuri Giants; radio broadcaster for the Twins
- Daerek Hart, professional gamer, particularly League of Legends
- Ben Husaby, 1992 & 1994 Olympic cross country skier[36]
- Alla Ilushka, Miss USA 2007 contestant
- Jermaine Johnson, defensive end for the New York Jets
- Nick Leddy, defenseman for San Jose Sharks
- Mark LeVoir, former NFL offensive tackle
- Casey Mittelstadt, center for the Boston Bruins
- Reynold Philipsek, jazz guitarist
- Allison Pottinger, world champion curler
- Kyle Rau, forward for the Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers and Kunlun Red Star of the KHL
- Robert Remus, a.k.a. Sgt. Slaughter, wrestler
- William Sawalich, NASCAR driver
- Malik Sealy, former guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves
- Nick Seeler, defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers
- Sheila E., singer-songwriter, actress, percussionist
- Kenny Stills, former wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins; born in Eden Prairie
- Charlie Vig, chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community since August 2012[37]
- Ryan Wittman, college basketball player for Cornell University
- Ethan Wragge, basketball player with Gießen 46ers in Germany's Basketball Bundesliga
In popular culture
[edit]The city's regional shopping mall, Eden Prairie Center, stood in for the Mall of America in the 1997 comic mockumentary Drop Dead Gorgeous.[38] Two years earlier, the mall served as the principal filming location of Kevin Smith's Mallrats.[39]
The railroad overpass that lent its name to the 1990 Prince album Graffiti Bridge passed over Valley View Road in the city's northwestern quadrant. It was torn down in 1991 to make way for an expansion of the road[40] and has since been replaced with a bridge carrying the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT rail-to-trail recreational path. Prince also owned a warehouse on Flying Cloud Drive to rehearse and record music; today, the site is occupied by TGK Automotive.[41]
The cult television show Mystery Science Theater 3000 was filmed out of an industrial park in Eden Prairie for much of its original run.[42]
References
[edit]- ^ Ernie Shuldhiess. "Eden Prairie History". Eden Prairie History. Retrieved July 11, 2008. [permanent dead link]
- ^ self. "Google search on "EP" businesses in "Eden Prairie, MN"". Google Maps. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
- ^ "About Eden Prairie". City of Eden Prairie. 2008. Archived from the original on May 4, 2008.
- ^ Warren Upham, Minnesota Place Names: A Geographical Encyclopedia (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2001) p227
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ "Eden Prairie". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ a b "Economic Snapshot - City of Eden Prairie - Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce". Epchamber.org. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ "Parks | City of Eden Prairie". www.edenprairie.org. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ "Parks Directory". Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
- ^ "Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail - Three Rivers Park District". Threeriversparks.org. Archived from the original on July 7, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Wittenberg, Marie (January 1, 2010). Eden Prairie: A Brief History. The History Press. ISBN 9781596299412.
- ^ "Cummins House - The Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Historical Society". The Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Historical Society. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Historical Society. 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ Cummins, John. "JOHN R. CUMMINS: An Inventory of His Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society". Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ "Ghost towns of the southwest metro". SWNewsMedia.com. October 19, 2017. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024.
- ^ Upham, Warren (1820). Minnesota Geographic Names. St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Historical Society. p. 221.
- ^ Weber, Mark (October 17, 2022). "Water project recreates old EP train depot". Eden Prairie Local News. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ "Collections". archive.org. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- ^ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved July 23, 2014.
- ^ "Economic Development | City of Eden Prairie". www.edenprairie.org. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
- ^ St. Anthony, Neal (November 17, 2000). "Babbage's appears to be phasing out ex-Funco's Eden Prairie headquarters". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. p. 57 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Engstrom, Tim (November 10, 2017). "Eden Prairie Veterans Memorial turns 10". SWNewsMedia.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Rink Bandy". USA Bandy.
- ^ "Minnesota Election Results". Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ "Eden Prairie Police Department Command Staff | City of Eden Prairie". www.edenprairie.org. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ^ a b "Police Department History". Eden Prairie. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- ^ "Designing Pathways Update - Eden Prairie Schools". www.edenpr.org. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ "MSHSL ENROLLMENTS FOR 2021-2022 and 2022-2023" (PDF). Minnesota State High School League. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
- ^ "Open Enrollment". Minnesota Department of Education. Archived from the original on August 26, 2010. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
- ^ SABIS®. "Private Schools in Minneapolis l International School of MN". internationalschoolmn.com. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
- ^ Francisco, Mollee (June 24, 2022). "Adam Bartley shoots for the stars". Eden Prairie Local News. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ "Why Minnesota is the center of the swimming world — at least for a weekend". MinnPost. November 12, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ "Benjamin HUSABY - Olympic Cross Country Skiing - United States of America". Olympic.org. June 17, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
- ^ "About Charlie Vig". Minneapolis Star Tribune. August 1, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
- ^ "Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) - IMDb". IMDb.
- ^ "Watch Kevin Smith secretly revisit Eden Prairie Center — aka the 'Mallrats' mall — 22 years later". City Pages. Archived from the original on October 28, 2017.
- ^ "Remembering Prince's Graffiti Bridge".
- ^ "Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse - Prince Vault".
- ^ "MST3Ks Legacy Will Live on – OC Weekly".
External links
[edit]Eden Prairie, Minnesota
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and Early Settlement
The area now known as Eden Prairie was originally part of the territory inhabited by Dakota Sioux peoples, who utilized the region's prairies and wetlands for hunting, gathering, and seasonal habitation. The U.S. government acquired the land through the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, signed on July 23, 1851, which ceded millions of acres in southern Minnesota to the United States in exchange for annuities and reservations, thereby opening the region west of the Mississippi River to non-Native settlement. This treaty, ratified by Congress in 1852 despite Dakota objections over unfulfilled promises, facilitated rapid pioneer influx driven by the availability of fertile prairie soils suitable for agriculture. The name "Eden Prairie" originated in 1853, coined by Elizabeth Fries Ellet, an American author and historian who visited the Minnesota Territory and likened the blooming prairies along the Minnesota River to the biblical Garden of Eden during her travels. Ellet's description, published in her writings, highlighted the area's scenic beauty and pastoral potential, influencing its formal adoption. Early European-American settlement commenced in the mid-1850s following surveys and land claims under the pre-emption system, with pioneers primarily from New England, New York, and the Midwest seeking homesteads amid Minnesota's territorial expansion.[6][7] Among the initial settlers was Jonas Platt Staring, an Erie Canal captain who constructed the first frame house in the area in 1854 near what became Staring Lake, marking a shift from log cabins to more permanent structures. John R. Cummins, arriving from Illinois, purchased 160 acres in 1856 and established residency in 1857, developing a diversified farm that included wheat, corn, and livestock; his homestead endured multiple hardships, including the 1857 grasshopper plague that devastated crops across the territory. Other early families, such as the Abbotts, engaged in similar agrarian pursuits, clearing timber and draining wetlands to expand arable land, though population density remained low with fewer than 100 residents by 1860.[8][9] Eden Prairie was formally organized as a township on May 11, 1858—the date Minnesota achieved statehood—with its inaugural town board meeting convened in a log schoolhouse to address governance, road construction, and land disputes. This organization reflected the causal progression from individual claims to communal administration, enabling coordinated responses to environmental challenges like prairie fires and floods while fostering basic infrastructure such as trails connecting to Minneapolis. Early economic activity centered on subsistence farming and small-scale trade, with settlers relying on self-sufficiency due to the area's isolation from urban markets until rail connections emerged later.[10]Suburban Expansion and Key Milestones
Eden Prairie's transformation from a rural farming community to a suburban hub accelerated after World War II, with the establishment of Flying Cloud Airport in 1946 serving as the initial catalyst for non-agricultural development. This general aviation facility, located within the city's boundaries, facilitated increased air traffic and industrial activity, marking the end of predominantly agrarian land use across its 36 square miles. Population growth remained modest prior to this era, rising only from 739 residents in 1880 to approximately 2,000 by 1960, reflecting limited urbanization in the outer Twin Cities ring.[10] Anticipating spillover from metropolitan expansion, the township incorporated as the Village of Eden Prairie in October 1962, enabling unified governance to manage impending infrastructure and zoning demands. This step coincided with broader regional trends, as proximity to Minneapolis and St. Paul—coupled with improving road networks—drew commuters and businesses seeking affordable land outside urban cores. The 1960s and 1970s saw significant investments in parks and recreation facilities, supporting family-oriented suburban appeal amid rising residential subdivisions. By the mid-1970s, the completion of Interstate 494 provided direct highway access to downtown Minneapolis, dramatically enhancing connectivity and spurring commercial influx.[11][10] Major retail and planned community projects further solidified suburban status. The Eden Prairie Center mall opened in 1973, anchoring retail growth and attracting over 1 million square feet of commercial space, which boosted local employment and tax revenue. Concurrently, The Preserve development, initiated around 1972 as a "New Town" model, planned for up to 15,000 additional residents through mixed-use zoning emphasizing balanced income levels and green spaces—a deliberate counter to homogeneous suburban sprawl. These milestones fueled explosive population increases, from 2,000 in 1960 to nearly 60,000 by 2000, positioning Eden Prairie as one of the Twin Cities' fastest-growing suburbs between 1970 and 2015. In 1974, the village reorganized as a statutory city, formalizing administrative capacity for sustained expansion.[10][12][13]Geography and Climate
Physical Features and Location
Eden Prairie is situated in Hennepin County, in the U.S. state of Minnesota, approximately 12 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis within the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area.[2] The city's geographic coordinates are approximately 44.8547° N, 93.4708° W.[14] It lies at an average elevation of about 885 feet (270 meters) above sea level, with the highest point reaching 1,036 feet near the intersection of Highway 62 and Interstate 494.[15][16] The terrain features rolling hills and bluffs, particularly along its southern boundary where it abuts the Minnesota River, contributing to steep slopes in areas near sharp bends in the river.[17][18] The landscape includes zones of prairie, mixed deciduous forests, and wooded areas, shaped by glacial outwash plains and valley trains that form deep, somewhat excessively drained soils.[19] Hydrologically, Eden Prairie encompasses 18 to 19 lakes, such as Grass Lake (the largest at 320 acres), Staring Lake, and Lake Riley, along with four major creek systems, over 650 wetlands, and more than 1,000 acres of ponds and conservation areas.[20][21][16] The city dedicates nearly 10,000 acres to parks and open spaces, enhancing its scenic views and recreational access to these natural features.[2]Weather Patterns and Environmental Factors
Eden Prairie experiences a humid continental climate characterized by long, warm, wet summers and freezing, snowy, windy winters, with partly cloudy conditions throughout the year.[22] Average annual temperatures range from a low of about 9°F in winter to 83°F in summer, with extremes rarely dipping below -11°F or exceeding 92°F.[22] Precipitation totals approximately 32 inches annually, distributed moderately across seasons, though June is the wettest month with a 41% daily chance of rain averaging 0.10 inches.[23] [24] Snowfall accumulates during winter months, contributing to the region's seasonal variability driven by its mid-latitude position and proximity to Lake Superior's moderating influences on broader Minnesota weather.[23] Local environmental features, including numerous lakes, wetlands, and preserved green spaces covering significant portions of the city's 35 square miles, provide minor temperature moderation through evaporative cooling and influence microclimates by retaining moisture that can enhance fog and humidity.[23] These water bodies also contribute to flood risks during heavy rain events, as evidenced by the July 1987 superstorm that dumped 13-15 inches over five days in parts of Eden Prairie, leading to localized flooding.[25] Air quality remains generally good, with low baseline pollution levels, but is occasionally degraded by ozone formation in summer heat or wildfire smoke transported from distant sources, exacerbating respiratory risks.[26] Southern reaches of local streams and wetlands have been listed as impaired due to pollutants affecting water quality, indirectly influencing habitat and evaporation patterns that tie into precipitation cycles.[27] Natural hazards include a elevated tornado risk, with an index of 203.12 indicating higher-than-average frequency; notable events include an F2 tornado in 1952 and 208 recorded wind events, alongside severe thunderstorms.[28] [29] Extreme heat records persist, such as the 90°F reading on October 4, 2025, marking one of the hottest October days locally.[30] Earthquake and volcanic risks are negligible, at indices near zero.[28] These patterns reflect causal drivers like jet stream variability and regional topography, rather than localized biases in reporting.Demographics
Population Trends and Growth
Eden Prairie's population remained modest through the mid-20th century, reflecting its origins as a rural township in Hennepin County with limited urbanization. The 1950 census recorded 1,139 residents, increasing to 1,653 by 1960, a 45% rise driven by initial post-war settlement but still indicative of sparse development. Rapid suburbanization accelerated thereafter, fueled by improved highway infrastructure like Interstate 494 and proximity to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, transforming the area into a desirable bedroom community for professionals. Decennial census data illustrate this trajectory of explosive growth from the 1970s onward:| Census Year | Population | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 5,064 | — |
| 1980 | 16,263 | 221.2% |
| 1990 | 39,311 | 141.7% |
| 2000 | 54,901 | 39.7% |
| 2010 | 60,797 | 10.7% |
| 2020 | 64,198 | 5.6% |
Socioeconomic Indicators
Eden Prairie's median household income stood at $127,732 in 2023, surpassing the Minnesota state average of $87,556 by approximately 46 percent.[3] This figure reflects data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 2019-2023, indicating sustained affluence driven by professional employment in sectors like technology and healthcare. Per capita income in the city was $64,181 during the same period, underscoring a concentration of higher earners amid a population with significant two-income households.[32] The poverty rate in Eden Prairie was approximately 6 percent in 2023, lower than the national average of 11.5 percent and Minnesota's 8.6 percent, with about 3,758 individuals affected.[3] This rate equates to roughly 2.8 percent of families, attributable to robust local job markets and limited low-wage opportunities, though margins of error (±1.6 percent) highlight data variability in smaller subgroups. Unemployment hovered around 3.3 to 4 percent in 2023, below the U.S. average of 4.5 percent, supported by proximity to Minneapolis-St. Paul employment hubs.[33][34] Educational attainment levels are notably high, with 65 percent of residents aged 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher in recent ACS data, exceeding state and national benchmarks by over 20 percentage points.[35] About 74 percent possess an associate's degree or above, correlating with the city's appeal to skilled professionals and contributing to income disparities relative to less educated areas. Median home values reached $463,300 in 2023, with homeownership at 75.6 percent, reflecting demand from affluent buyers and limited inventory in this suburban enclave.[31]| Indicator | Value (2023) | Comparison to Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $127,732 | +46% above state average |
| Poverty Rate | 6% | -2.6% below state[3] |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher (25+) | 65% | +20% above state[35] |
| Median Home Value | $463,300 | Higher than state median[31] |
| Unemployment Rate | ~3.5% | Below state average[33] |
Ethnic and Cultural Composition
As of the 2022 American Community Survey (released in 2023), Eden Prairie's population of approximately 63,249 was composed primarily of White non-Hispanic residents at 68.8%, Asian non-Hispanic at 13.6%, and Black or African American non-Hispanic at 7.03%.[31] Two or more races (non-Hispanic) accounted for 3.75%, while Hispanic or Latino residents of any race totaled about 5%, including 2.12% classified as "Other" Hispanic.[31] [4]| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage (2022 ACS) |
|---|---|
| White (Non-Hispanic) | 68.8% |
| Asian (Non-Hispanic) | 13.6% |
| Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) | 7.03% |
| Two or More Races (Non-Hispanic) | 3.75% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | ~5% |
Economy
Industrial Base and Growth Drivers
Eden Prairie's industrial base centers on professional, scientific, and technical services, healthcare, logistics and distribution, and manufacturing, supporting over 2,800 businesses and approximately 57,205 jobs as of the first quarter of 2023.[39][40] Key sectors reflect the presence of major corporate operations, including healthcare services through Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group employing 6,500 people; third-party logistics via C.H. Robinson, with 2,500 employees; and medical device manufacturing at Starkey Hearing Technologies, supporting 2,117 jobs.[40] The city maintains substantial commercial real estate, with 6.8 million square feet of office space, 13.3 million square feet of industrial space, and 5.8 million square feet of retail and commercial space, facilitating business operations in these areas.[40]| Top Employer | Employees (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Optum | 6,500 |
| C.H. Robinson | 2,500 |
| Starkey Labs | 2,117 |
Top Employers and Corporate Headquarters
Eden Prairie serves as a hub for several prominent corporations, particularly in healthcare services, logistics, and medical technology, contributing significantly to the local economy. Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group focused on health services and technology, maintains its corporate headquarters in the city and employs approximately 6,500 people there, making it the largest private employer.[40][42] C.H. Robinson, a global third-party logistics provider, is headquartered in Eden Prairie with around 2,500 employees locally.[40][43] Starkey Hearing Technologies, a leading manufacturer of hearing aids and devices, also has its headquarters in Eden Prairie and employs about 2,117 workers.[40][44] United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), a distributor of natural and organic products, operates a major facility in the city with roughly 1,600 employees, though it has recently divested portions of its property amid operational shifts.[40] Other notable headquarters include Tennant Company, which relocated its global corporate offices to Eden Prairie in 2023 on a 40-acre campus, specializing in cleaning equipment manufacturing.[45][46] The following table summarizes key employers based on reported local employment figures:| Employer | Approximate Local Employees | Headquarters Location |
|---|---|---|
| Optum | 6,500 | Eden Prairie |
| C.H. Robinson | 2,500 | Eden Prairie |
| Starkey Hearing Technologies | 2,117 | Eden Prairie |
| UNFI | 1,600 | Not in Eden Prairie |

