The city of Minnetonka is a suburban community located eight
miles west of Minneapolis in Hennepin County. The city has a land
area of 28 square miles, and its 2000 population of 51,301 makes it
the thirteenth largest city in Minnesota. Minnetonka enjoys an
excellent location, with convenient access to the Minneapolis-St.
Paul metropolitan area via interstate highways I-494 and I-394.
Interstate Highway 394 runs from Minnetonka east to Minneapolis, and
is a primary commuter route to downtown Minneapolis. Its reversible
high-occupancy vehicle lanes create a priority route for buses and
car-pool vehicles during peak traffic hours. The city is just 25
minutes from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Minnetonka began its present
existence in 1969. The name means "big waters," which undoubtedly
refers to Lake Minnetonka (the city of Minnetonka comes up to its
eastern shore), which is "big" enough to accommodate about a half
dozen cruise-boat companies on the lake that do nothing but give
lake tours and provide floating parties for weddings, corporate
guests, etc. Quite a far cry from those pioneers and early Native
Americans cruising the place in canoes. Homes go for close to
$200,000 in this neighborhood and the median household income is
over $50,000.
Recreation is highly regarded in
Minnetonka. There are 39 parks with recreation lands totaling 1100
acres, and that takes in five large community parks. Then there is
the Minnetonka Loop Trail System, which is a 30-mile long trail for
jogging, walking and bicycling.
County: Hennepin
Population: 51,301
Median Household Income: $50,659
Median Home Sales Price: $212,000
Median Home Value: $180,000
Average Annual Property Tax: $2,867
Average Monthly Rent: $681
