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Prior Lake, Minnesota
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Prior Lake is an exurban city 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Minneapolis, next to Savage and Shakopee in Scott County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Surrounding the shores of Lower and Upper Prior Lake, the city is south of the Minnesota River in an area known as RiverSouth and establishes the urban fringe of the south-southwest portion of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the 16th-largest metropolitan area in the United States. The population was 27,617 at the 2020 census.[5]
Key Information
Prior Lake was incorporated as a village in 1891. It is one of the oldest cities in the south metro area. The city's modern rapid growth is due in part to the ease of access for commuters to the rest of the region, via the upgraded State Highway 13.[7][8]
Geography
[edit]According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 18.33 square miles (47.47 km2); 15.44 square miles (39.99 km2) is land and 2.89 square miles (7.49 km2) is water.[9]
Upper Prior Lake and Lower Prior Lake sit at the city's center in an elongated shape to the southwest to Spring Lake. Prior Lake as a whole is the southern metro area's largest lake.
Lakes
[edit]The nearby Dakota people called Prior Lake Bdé Mayá Thó ("Lake of the Blue Banks").[10]
Prior Lake (renamed after Charles Prior, of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad) is made up of two sections, Upper Prior Lake and Lower Prior Lake. The area of each is 354 and 810 acres (3.3 km2), respectively. Upper Prior Lake flows northerly, draining into the larger Lower Prior Lake via a navigable channel that runs under Eagle Creek Avenue (Scott County Highway 21). The lake is popular for fishing, water sports, and snowmobiling, and is accessible by the Scott County Snowmobile Trail and other designated trails. In 2009, zebra mussel shells were discovered on the shore of Lower Prior Lake and the DNR confirmed that they were also in Upper Prior Lake.
The eastern part of Spring Lake along Scott County Road 12 is also within the city of Prior Lake. Spring Lake, with 290 acres, offers similar recreational opportunities as Upper Prior Lake with a more rural character and less traffic. Several feet higher in elevation, Spring Lake flows north into Upper Prior Lake via a non-navigable spillway and culvert under County Road 12.
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 148 | — | |
| 1910 | 162 | 9.5% | |
| 1920 | 246 | 51.9% | |
| 1930 | 266 | 8.1% | |
| 1940 | 349 | 31.2% | |
| 1950 | 536 | 53.6% | |
| 1960 | 848 | 58.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,114 | 31.4% | |
| 1980 | 7,284 | 553.9% | |
| 1990 | 11,482 | 57.6% | |
| 2000 | 15,917 | 38.6% | |
| 2010 | 22,796 | 43.2% | |
| 2020 | 27,617 | 21.1% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 28,133 | [6] | 1.9% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] 2020 Census[5] | |||
2020 census
[edit]As of the census of 2020, there were 27,617 people, 10,845 households.
2010 census
[edit]As of the census of 2010, there were 22,796 people, 8,447 households, and 6,211 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,476.4 inhabitants per square mile (570.0/km2). There were 8,882 housing units at an average density of 575.3 per square mile (222.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.0% White, 1.5% African American, 1.6% Native American, 3.0% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.
There were 8,447 households, of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.5% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.14.
The median age in the city was 37.8 years. 28.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.4% were from 45 to 64; and 9.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.
Government
[edit]Prior Lake is governed by a mayor and four council members serving at large. These offices are nonpartisan. The mayor is Kirt Briggs. He succeeded Ken Hedberg, who won an uncontested election in 2012, succeeding Mike Myser. The council members are Kevin Burkart, Zach Braid, Kim Churchill and Victor Lake. The city is run by a city manager, Jason Wedel. Prior Lake is in Minnesota Legislative District 54B. The State Senate District 54 senator is Eric Pratt. The district 54B representative is Ben Bakeberg.[citation needed]
Prior Lake is in Minnesota's 2nd congressional district, represented by Angie Craig.
Parts of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) tribal lands are within the boundary of the City of Prior Lake as annexed in 1972. The SMSC is a federally recognized, sovereign Native American tribe of Mdewakanton Dakota people.[12] The overlap of a Minnesota Statutory City with federally recognized tribal lands resulted in litigation to clarify the boundary and voting rights. In 1984, the United States District Court affirmed that Prior Lake's municipal boundary did include the tribal lands in question. The Court further clarified that the tribal residents were thus residents of the city and entitled to vote in municipal elections and to emergency police, fire, and rescue services. The Court ordered the city to provide equal emergency services to the tribal residents even though the tribal lands' federal trust status deprives the city of the authority to tax the lands. In recent years, the SMSC has voluntarily contributed funds to the City of Prior Lake in support of public safety services.[13]
Arts and culture
[edit]The Prior Lake American was the main city newspaper, but ceased publication after its final issue on April 27, 2024. The Savage Pacer is commonly read in Prior Lake. The Star Tribune South Edition also offers some coverage.
The Mystic Showroom at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake is an entertainment venue that frequently features A-list musical and comedy performers.[14]
Education
[edit]After the 1999 Columbine High School Massacre, journalist Elinor Burkett spent a year following students and teachers at Prior Lake High School. She chose Prior Lake because it was virtually identical to Columbine demographically. She documented her experience in the book Another Planet: A Year in the Life of a Suburban High School (ISBN 0-06-050585-0).
The City of Prior Lake is within the Prior Lake-Savage School District. Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (PLSAS) serve students in Prior Lake, Savage, Credit River Township, Spring Lake Township, Sand Creek Township, and Cedar Lake Township.
- Prior Lake High School
- Bridges Alternative Learning Center
- Hidden Oaks Middle School
- Twin Oaks Middle School
- Edgewood School
- Five Hawks Elementary
- Glendale Elementary
- Grainwood Elementary
- Hamilton Ridge Elementary
- Jeffers Pond Elementary
- Westwood Elementary
- Redtail Ridge Elementary
- SAGE Academy
- La Ola De Lago (Spanish immersion school in Edgewood school)
Prior Lake also has a private Roman Catholic parochial school, St. Michael Catholic School, which serves grades PreK through 8, and a Missouri Synod Lutheran church parochial school, St. Paul's Lutheran School Prior Lake, which serves children from infants through grade 8.
Notable people
[edit]- Brock Boeser, professional hockey player
- Kylie Bunbury, model and actress
- Teal Bunbury, soccer player[15]
- Angie Craig, U.S. representative[16]
- Thomas Fluharty, illustrator
- Terry D. Johnston, businesswoman and Minnesota state senator
- Becca Kufrin, television personality
- Richard J. Menke, lawyer and Minnesota state legislator
- Eric Pratt, Minnesota state senator
- Chloe Radcliffe, stand up comedian
- John Robert Roach, archbishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis (1975–1995), born in Prior Lake
- Jessica Scheu, Miss Minnesota 2015
- Jordan Schroeder, professional hockey player
- Tiffany Stratton, professional wrestler and former WWE Women's Champion.[17]
- Heath Voss, professional motocross racer[18]
- Erik Westrum, professional hockey player
References
[edit]- ^ "Elected Officials | City of Prior Lake, MN". Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ "City Manager | City of Prior Lake, MN". Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Prior Lake, Minnesota
- ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ^ a b "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
- ^ "History of Prior Lake". City of Prior Lake. 2007. Archived from the original on October 10, 2007. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
- ^ "Shakopee-Mdewakanton Sioux Community". Retrieved October 18, 2007.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- ^ Durand, Paul (1994). Okizu Wakpa: Where the Waters Gather and the Rivers Meet: An Atlas of the Eastern Sioux. Prior Lake, Minnesota: Durand. p. 51. ISBN 9780964146907.
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved September 11, 2013.
- ^ "Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Scott County, MN". Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ United States District Court, District of Minnesota, Third Division. Shakopee Mdwakanton Sioux Community v. City of Prior Lake, Minnesota. September 5, 1984
- ^ "Mystic Lake Showroom". Mystic Lake. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ "Teal Bunbury". Akron Zips. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
- ^ Craig, Angie (October 22, 2024). "Second District, Angie Craig: Let's continue our work together". www.startribune.com. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
- ^ "Tiffany Stratton at CageMatch.net". Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- ^ "Heath Voss career statistics". racerxonline.com. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
External links
[edit]Prior Lake, Minnesota
View on GrokipediaHistory
Early Settlement and Incorporation
European settlement in the Prior Lake area began in the 1850s, following the Treaty of Mendota signed on August 5, 1851, which ceded Dakota lands in southern Minnesota, including Scott County, to the United States government, opening the region for white homesteaders.[2][3] Settlers were drawn to the fertile soils suitable for agriculture and the proximity to lakes that supported early farming and seasonal recreation.[4] Initial development anticipated the arrival of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, with the community named after Charles A. Prior, a railroad official who owned land in the vicinity.[4][5] The early economy centered on agriculture, supplemented by basic infrastructure such as a grist mill, general store, wheat storehouse, and blacksmith shop, which catered to local farmers and transient railroad workers.[4] By the late 1880s, the area had emerged as a small rural settlement with summer residents attracted to the lakeshores, foreshadowing limited resort activity alongside primary farming pursuits.[4] Population remained modest, numbering around 62 residents by 1888, reflecting the community's agrarian character and isolation prior to expanded rail access.[6] Incorporation as a village occurred on February 11, 1891, prompted by gradual population increases and the need for local governance; this involved annexing three nearby farms to define municipal boundaries, establishing Prior Lake as one of the oldest organized communities in Minnesota's south metro region.[5][7][8]Post-Incorporation Development
Following its incorporation as a village on February 11, 1891, Prior Lake remained a predominantly rural farming community with minimal population growth through the early 20th century, attracting primarily seasonal residents to its lakeside areas.[9] The construction of a new bank in 1908 exemplified incremental infrastructure advancements amid sparse economic activity.[10] Community institutions began to take shape, including the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in 1897 at the northwest corner of what is now Highway 13 and Dakota Street, Prior Lake's first permanent house of worship following earlier services in homes and schoolhouses.[11] The period from the 1920s to the 1950s saw the village function as a quintessential small American town, weathering the Great Depression, World War I, and World War II with limited expansion beyond agriculture and local recreation.[9] Post-World War II suburbanization spurred moderate population increases, facilitated by improved road access and the allure of affordable housing near Minneapolis, transforming Prior Lake into an emerging bedroom community.[9] By 1970, the population had grown to 4,127 from under 400 residents in the preceding decades, underscoring this shift while local schools and additional churches reinforced communal bonds.[12][12]Modern Expansion and Challenges
Prior Lake's population surged from 11,482 in 1990 to 15,197 in 2000, reflecting early suburban expansion as commuters sought housing beyond the immediate Minneapolis-St. Paul urban core.[12] This growth accelerated in the following decade, reaching 22,796 by 2010, driven by the city's position in Scott County—the fastest-growing county in Minnesota—and its appeal as a location offering larger lots, proximity to recreational lakes, and access to metropolitan jobs without dense urban constraints.[1] By 2020, the population stood at 27,617, with continued increases to 28,133 in 2022, underscoring sustained demand from families prioritizing space and natural amenities over central-city living.[12] Faced with regional development pressures, Prior Lake implemented zoning measures to balance expansion with preservation of its semi-rural identity, including a 2019 policy requiring a supermajority vote of city council members to rezone agricultural land for residential use.[13] That same year, officials debated a potential moratorium on new building permits and halting rezoning of farmland, citing concerns over infrastructure strain and loss of open spaces amid projections of further influxes.[14] A 2024 agreement with adjacent Spring Lake Township outlined phased annexation of approximately 1,000 acres, providing a structured framework for incorporating undeveloped land while mitigating abrupt urban sprawl.[15] These steps addressed tensions between growth advocates, who warned of forgone tax revenues estimated at $25 million over decades from undeveloped parcels, and residents favoring controlled development to retain the area's character.[16] The 2008 recession tempered but did not halt Prior Lake's trajectory, as population rose 50% from 2000 to 2010 despite statewide housing market contractions tied to subprime lending failures and foreclosures.[12] Post-recession recovery aligned with broader Minnesota trends, where suburban areas like Prior Lake benefited from stabilizing regional employment in manufacturing and services. Following the 2020 COVID-19 disruptions, the local economy demonstrated resilience, with population growth persisting and long-term forecasts projecting 37,500 residents by 2040 amid ongoing commercial additions such as industrial parks and mixed-use sites.[1] This rebound reflected the city's integration into the Twin Cities metro's diversified base, enabling adaptation to remote work shifts that further enhanced its exurban desirability.[12]Geography
Location and Topography
Prior Lake occupies a position in Scott County, Minnesota, situated approximately 20 miles (32 km) southwest of downtown Minneapolis and adjacent to the cities of Savage and Shakopee.[17] This placement situates it within the exurban fringe of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, at coordinates roughly 44.71°N latitude and 93.42°W longitude.[18] The topography of Prior Lake reflects the glacial history of southern Minnesota, featuring rolling hills, moraines, and outwash deposits from Pleistocene glaciations that shaped the regional landscape.[19] Elevations in the area generally range from 900 to 1,000 feet (270 to 300 meters) above sea level, with wetlands interspersed among the hills contributing to the diverse terrain.[20] The city lies proximate to the Minnesota River valley, a broad glacial outwash feature carved by ancient meltwater rivers like Glacial River Warren, which influences local drainage patterns and soil fertility.[21] Prior Lake experiences a humid continental climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers, with average annual precipitation of about 33 inches (84 cm) and snowfall totaling around 50 inches (127 cm).[22] Mean temperatures range from a January low of 5°F (-15°C) to a July high of 83°F (28°C), fostering agricultural productivity in the glacial soils during the growing season and supporting seasonal recreation amid the varied topography.[22]Lakes and Natural Features
Prior Lake, the city's namesake, consists of Upper Prior Lake and Lower Prior Lake, totaling approximately 1,342 acres with a maximum depth of 60 feet in the lower portion and an average depth of 17 feet.[23] [24] Upper Prior Lake covers 386 acres with a maximum depth of 50 feet, while Lower Prior connects westward and supports diverse aquatic ecosystems including habitats for fish species such as largemouth bass and northern pike.[25] [26] The lake's shoreline spans 6.15 miles, fostering wetland and riparian zones that provide essential habitat for local wildlife, including birds and amphibians, amid a mix of emergent vegetation and submerged aquatic plants.[27] The city encompasses 15 lakes in total, with smaller bodies such as Spring Lake (642 acres, maximum depth 35 feet), Crystal Lake, Pike Lake, and Howard Lake contributing to the regional hydrology and biodiversity.[23] [28] These water bodies are managed within the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District, which addresses stormwater runoff and nutrient loading to sustain ecological integrity.[29] The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, adjacent to the city, influences water management through joint infrastructure like the South Area Water Treatment Plant, which processes up to 3.5 million gallons daily, and stormwater mitigation techniques including rain gardens and pervious pavement to protect shared aquatic resources.[30] [31] Environmental challenges include invasive species such as common carp, zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, and curlyleaf pondweed, which degrade habitats by uprooting native vegetation, resuspending sediments, and promoting algal blooms via phosphorus release.[32] [33] Watershed protection efforts by the district focus on total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for nutrients, with Upper Prior Lake exhibiting dominance of invasives in plant communities and elevated phosphorus levels impairing clarity and suitability for aquatic life.[28] These initiatives aim to curb exotic species spread and restore native habitats, countering pressures from urban development and agricultural runoff in the surrounding Scott County area.[34]Demographics
Population Growth and Trends
The population of Prior Lake has grown substantially since the mid-20th century, transitioning from a small rural community to a suburban hub in Scott County. Census data show the population at 4,127 in 1970, reflecting early post-war settlement and initial suburban spillover from the Twin Cities. By 1980, it had reached 7,284, and continued to expand to 11,482 in 1990 and 15,917 in 2000, driven primarily by net migration from urban Minneapolis-Saint Paul areas seeking affordable housing and proximity to natural amenities like the city's namesake lake.[12] This period's average annual growth rate exceeded 2.5%, aligning with regional exurban development patterns where families prioritized space and recreation over dense urban living.| Census Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1970 | 4,127 |
| 1980 | 7,284 |
| 1990 | 11,482 |
| 2000 | 15,917 |
| 2010 | 22,796 |
| 2020 | 27,617 |
Socioeconomic Characteristics
Prior Lake displays affluent socioeconomic traits, evidenced by a median household income of $130,278 in 2023 according to American Community Survey estimates.[38] This income level exceeds the Minnesota state median by approximately 65% and the national median by about 110%, highlighting the city's appeal as a high-income suburban enclave within Scott County.[38] Educational attainment among adults aged 25 and older is elevated, with 51.5% possessing a bachelor's degree or higher, surpassing the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area rate of 44.9% and the state average.[38] This includes 36% with a bachelor's degree and 15% with graduate or professional degrees, patterns consistent with ACS data reflecting a skilled, professional resident base.[39] Homeownership prevails at 85.6%, far above the national average of 65%, signaling residential stability and family-centric demographics.[40] Complementing this, the poverty rate remains low at 2.9%, affecting roughly 804 individuals and underscoring minimal economic distress relative to broader regional benchmarks of 4-5%.[38]Racial and Ethnic Composition
As of the 2022 American Community Survey estimates, Prior Lake's population of approximately 28,000 residents was predominantly White non-Hispanic, at 81.5%.[36] Asian residents comprised 5.5%, Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) 5.0%, and Black or African American residents 1.6%.[41] American Indian and Alaska Native residents accounted for 1.5%, reflecting the proximity and partial inclusion of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community's reservation lands within the city limits.[42][1] The following table summarizes the racial and ethnic breakdown from the 2020 U.S. Census and subsequent American Community Survey data:| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White alone (non-Hispanic) | 81.5% |
| Asian alone | 5.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.0% |
| Two or more races | 4.0% |
| Black or African American alone | 1.6% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 1.5% |
| Other races | 0.9% |
