Welcome to Apple Valley
A vibrant suburb where community spirit meets urban convenience.
Apple Valley is a family-oriented suburban city in Dakota County, approximately 20 miles south of downtown Minneapolis. With a population of roughly 55,000, it strikes a balance between suburban convenience and access to outdoor recreation.
The city is anchored by the Minnesota Zoo, which draws visitors regionally, and Lebanon Hills Regional Park, a nearly 2,000-acre natural preserve. The median household income exceeds $99,000, and the poverty rate sits below 6%—well under national averages.
Residents skew toward middle-class professionals and families. The median age is 37. Over 70% of homes are owner-occupied. The city's appeal lies in strong schools (ISD 196), low crime, accessible transit to the Twin Cities, and a network of 50+ parks connected by 60 miles of trails.
Location & Geography
Boundaries
Apple Valley spans 17.3 square miles in Dakota County. It borders Eagan to the north, Rosemount to the east, Lakeville to the south, and Burnsville to the west. Two ZIP codes serve the city: 55124 and 55068.
Proximity to Major Cities
- Downtown Minneapolis: 20 miles north
- Downtown St. Paul: 15 miles northeast
- Mall of America: 8 miles north
- MSP International Airport: 12 miles north
Terrain & Natural Features
Rolling terrain with elevation changes of 100+ feet. Multiple lakes dot the landscape—Farquar, Lac Lavon, Jensen, Alimagnet, Cobblestone, and Valley Lake. Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers nearly 2,000 acres of forests, wetlands, prairies, and 13 lakes/ponds along the city's northern edge.
Climate
Continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers average mid-80s°F; winters average teens to low 20s°F with significant snowfall. Tornado activity is slightly above state average.
Real Estate Market Snapshot
Pricing
- Median home price: $365,000–$392,000 (varies by source and month)
- Single-family median: $430,000
- Townhouse median: $285,500
- Price per square foot: ~$187–$189
Market Conditions
- Days on market: 27–38 days (competitive)
- Year-over-year appreciation: +0.8% to +1.4%
- Inventory: Moderate; approximately 40–50 active listings at any time
- Market type: Slight seller's advantage due to fast turnover
Price Range
Entry-level condos start around $100,000. Single-family homes range from $250,000 to $600,000. Lakefront and premium properties in Cedar Isle or Cobblestone Lake can exceed $550,000–$1.7M.
Types of Homes Available
- Single-Family Homes: Dominant housing type. Range from 1970s–1990s split-levels to 2000s+ new construction. Lot sizes vary from 0.15 to 0.5+ acres.
- Townhomes: Common in Cobblestone Lake, Downtown Apple Valley, and Galaxie Commons. Often maintenance-free with HOA-managed exteriors.
- Condominiums: Entry-level options, particularly near transit stations. Price points from $100,000–$250,000.
- Senior Living: Memory care and independent living facilities, notably near Cobblestone Lake.
- New Construction: Active development continues in southern and eastern portions of the city. Builders include Robert Thomas Homes and Pulte.
Factors to Consider When Buying
- Property Taxes: Dakota County effective rate is ~1%. Median property tax is approximately $3,500/year.
- HOA Fees: Common in Cobblestone Lake and townhome communities. Fees cover snow removal, lawn care, and amenities like pools.
- Flood Zones: Low risk overall, but properties near lakes and wetlands should verify FEMA designations.
- Home Age: Median construction year is 1990. Factor in potential updates for roofing, HVAC, and windows on older stock.
- School Boundaries: Most of Apple Valley falls in ISD 196. A small northwest corner is in ISD 191 (Burnsville-Eagan-Savage). Verify boundaries for specific addresses.
- Market Speed: Homes sell in under 30 days. Be prepared to act quickly with pre-approval in hand.
- Noise: Properties near Highway 77 (Cedar Avenue), I-35E, or the Minnesota Zoo may experience elevated noise levels.
Factors to Consider When Selling
- Seasonality: Spring (April–June) brings highest buyer activity. Winter listings face reduced traffic but less competition.
- Pricing Strategy: Properties priced correctly sell within 30 days. Overpriced homes linger 90+ days. Comparable sales data is critical.
- Buyer Demographics: Primarily families with children and young professionals seeking ISD 196 schools. Empty nesters downsizing into townhomes are also active.
- Value-Adding Upgrades: Updated kitchens (quartz counters, stainless appliances), finished basements, and outdoor living spaces (decks, patios) yield the best ROI.
- Staging: Clean, decluttered presentation is expected. Professional staging accelerates sales, especially for vacant properties.
- Disclosure Requirements: Minnesota requires seller disclosure of known defects. Transparency builds buyer confidence.
Dining and Entertainment
Apple Valley offers 80+ restaurants, cafés, and eateries spanning diverse cuisines.
Notable Dining
- The Tavern Grill: Upscale casual with wrap-around patio overlooking a pond. Private event space available.
- MASU Sushi & Robata: Authentic Japanese cuisine near the transit station.
- Revolve Hall: Food hall concept with five distinct dining concepts under one roof.
- Valley Diner: Classic American comfort food; known for oversized omelets and meatloaf.
- Darbar Indian Grill & Bar: Authentic Indian cuisine with traditional recipes.
- Café de Paris: New bakery-café with pastries and specialty coffee.
Entertainment
- Bogart's Entertainment Center: Bowling, arcade games, and casual dining.
- Weesner Family Amphitheater: Outdoor concert venue at the Minnesota Zoo hosting the annual Music in the Zoo series.
- Mall of America: 8 minutes north; 500+ stores, Nickelodeon Universe, Sea Life Aquarium.
Parks and Recreation
Major Parks
- Lebanon Hills Regional Park: Nearly 2,000 acres. 14+ miles of hiking trails, 12 miles of winter trails, swimming beach at Schulze Lake, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, equestrian trails, and camping.
- Alimagnet Park: 85 acres with lake access, disc golf, nature trails, and fishing.
- Johnny Cake Ridge Park: Sports fields, walking trails, and home to Freedom Days festivities.
- Kelley Park: Splash pad, playground, Music in Kelley Park summer concert series.
Recreation Facilities
- Valleywood Golf Course: 18-hole municipal course; recognized as one of the premier public courses in the Twin Cities.
- Apple Valley Aquatic Center: Water slides, lazy river, zero-depth entry pool.
- Minnesota Zoo: 485 acres, 4,300+ animals, Tropics Trail, Northern Trail, Treetop Trail (1.25-mile elevated pedestrian loop).
- Trail Network: 60+ miles of interconnected paved and natural-surface trails throughout the city.
Annual Events and Festivals
- Freedom Days (Late June–July 4): 59th year in 2025. Carnival, parade, car show, fireworks, family fun night, live music. Apple Valley's signature event.
- Mid-Winter Fest (February): Winter celebration since 1978 with food, activities, and community gatherings.
- Music in Kelley Park (June–September): Free Friday evening concerts with food trucks. Hosted by Apple Valley Arts Foundation.
- Home and Garden Expo (April): 120+ vendors; hosted by Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce.
- Fall Food Truck Festival (September): Live music and diverse food truck offerings.
- Trunk or Treat (October): Family Halloween event with city vehicles and staff.
- Night to Unite (August): Neighborhood block parties promoting police-community partnerships.
- Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular (October): Minnesota Zoo's illuminated pumpkin trail display.
Schools and Education
School District
Apple Valley is primarily served by Independent School District 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan), one of Minnesota's largest districts with 29,000+ students. ISD 196 holds an 'A' rating from Niche and has earned six National Blue Ribbon School awards. A small northwestern section falls within ISD 191 (Burnsville-Eagan-Savage).
Schools in Apple Valley
- Elementary (6): Diamond Path, Echo Park, Greenleaf, Highland, Parkview, Westview. Ratings range A- to A.
- Middle (3): Apple Valley Middle, Scott Highlands, Valley Middle.
- High Schools (2+1): Apple Valley High School, Eastview Senior High School. School of Environmental Studies (SES) is a magnet school for grades 11–12.
- Private Options: Seven Hills Preparatory Academy (charter, K–8), plus additional private schools in neighboring cities.
Higher Education Nearby
- Dakota County Technical College (Rosemount): 11,000 students; technical/vocational programs.
- Inver Hills Community College (Inver Grove Heights): 5 miles.
- University of Minnesota (Twin Cities campus): 20 miles via transit or car.
Commute and Accessibility
Major Highways
- Highway 77 (Cedar Avenue): Primary north-south corridor to Minneapolis and MSP Airport.
- I-35E: Runs along western edge; connects to St. Paul.
- County Road 42: East-west arterial connecting to Burnsville and Lakeville.
Public Transit
- Metro Red Line (BRT): Bus rapid transit from Apple Valley Transit Station to Mall of America. Buses run every 15 minutes peak, 30 minutes off-peak. Connects to Metro Blue Line for airport and downtown Minneapolis access.
- MVTA Routes: Minnesota Valley Transit Authority provides service to downtown Minneapolis (Route 477) and downtown St. Paul (Route 480). Park-and-ride facilities available.
- MVTA Connect: On-demand rideshare service within Apple Valley, 6am–9pm.
Commute Times
- Downtown Minneapolis: 25–40 minutes by car (traffic dependent); 45–55 minutes by transit.
- Downtown St. Paul: 20–30 minutes by car.
- MSP Airport: 15–25 minutes by car.
Why People Love Apple Valley
- Schools: ISD 196 consistently ranks among Minnesota's top districts. Blue Ribbon awards and high proficiency rates.
- Safety: Crime index well below national average. Strong police-community engagement programs.
- Outdoor Access: 50+ parks, 60 miles of trails, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, and the Minnesota Zoo provide year-round recreation.
- Affordability: Home prices 1% below national average while offering suburban amenities and quality schools.
- Community: Strong local identity. Events like Freedom Days and Music in Kelley Park foster neighborhood connections.
- Convenience: Comprehensive retail along County Road 42 corridor. Mall of America 8 minutes away. MSP Airport 15 minutes.
- Transit Options: Metro Red Line BRT and MVTA routes make car-free commuting viable.
Most Coveted Streets & Estates
Premium Neighborhoods
- Cobblestone Lake: Master-planned community surrounding a 36-acre lake. 1.5-mile trail, community pool, newer construction (2000s). Median single-family price: $550,000. Highly sought for young families and empty nesters.
- Cedar Isle/Cedar Isle Estates: 1990s homes near shopping and dining. Small lake, quiet streets, mature landscaping. Median single-family price: $556,000.
- Lac Lavon Shores: Lakefront and lake-access properties on Lac Lavon. Premium lots with water views.
- Diamond Path: Midcentury homes on quiet streets near highly-rated Diamond Path School of International Studies.
- Briar Oaks: North-woods aesthetic with wooded lots and custom homes.
Micro-Locations to Watch
- Properties backing to parks (Highview Heights Park, Alimagnet Park) command premiums.
- Homes in Eastview High School attendance boundary are particularly desirable.
- Walkable proximity to downtown Apple Valley transit station adds value for commuters.
Who Is Apple Valley For?
- Families with school-age children: ISD 196's strong schools and abundant parks make it a top choice for families prioritizing education and outdoor activities.
- Young professionals: Affordable entry points, transit access to Minneapolis, and a growing dining scene appeal to those starting careers.
- Empty nesters: Maintenance-free townhomes in communities like Cobblestone Lake offer downsizing options without leaving a familiar area.
- Outdoor enthusiasts: Lebanon Hills, the Minnesota Zoo, and 60 miles of trails provide year-round recreation for hikers, bikers, paddlers, and skiers.
- Commuters: Metro Red Line BRT and highway access make Twin Cities jobs reachable. Best suited for those working in south metro, Bloomington, or willing to transit downtown.
