Moving to Minnesota? Eagan Ranks as One of the Best Places for Families

April 9, 2024 | Moving

Mention moving to Eagan, and you’ll probably get a raised eyebrow (or two!) and draw curiosity, especially if you’re moving away from a big Midwest city like Chicago or Wichita. You can expect questions like, “Where is Eagan? What’s so special about it? Why are you moving there?” Very few people know about this small Minnesota suburb. Even so, it has a lot to offer, including its proximity to the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, and St. Paul.

So, if you plan on moving to Minnesota, add Eagan to your list of places to explore. We’ll help you get familiar with the city, determine the best time to move here and give you tips on adjusting to the local lifestyle.

Eagan, MN, Has a Fascinating History

Eagan was initially inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Dakota Sioux people (after whom Dakota County was named). European settlers arrived in the mid-19th century, attracted by the fertile land and farming opportunities. One of the settlers, Patrick Eagan, originally from Ireland, came to the region and farmed a 220-acre plot. He donated his farmland to the local government, and the city was subsequently named after him. Today, Eagan spans 33.43 square miles with a population of around 69,000, making it the 13th largest city in Minnesota.

Highlights of Living in Eagan, MN

Eagan is located in Dakota County, approximately 18 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul. This charming town could be the perfect match if you’re ready to trade a loud and busy metropolis for a suburban lifestyle. Eagan is also known for its family-friendly atmosphere, safe neighborhoods, and a strong sense of community, according to Niche.com, which ranks it as one of Minnesota’s Best Places to Live. Forbes Magazine recently ranked Eagan as the country’s #2 Best Places for Families.

Families enjoy a high quality of life here, with amenities ranging from parks and trails to active community centers and excellent schools. There are also plenty of shopping centers, restaurants, and family-friendly activities like the Cascade Bay Waterpark to keep you entertained. Easy access to big-city perks—the Twin Cities—like employment opportunities, cultural attractions, and more, are additional reasons people enjoy living here.

Abundant Outdoor Adventures for Families

Eagan offers abundant opportunities to reconnect with nature, boasting several parks and trails for a small suburban area. There are over 800 acres of parkland options for hiking, biking, walking, and enjoying nature.

Lebanon Hills Regional Park: This vast park offers over 2,000 acres of woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and lakes. It also has miles of hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails.
Caponi Art Park: This unique park combines art and nature with a collection of sculptures displayed throughout a scenic landscape.
Fish Lake Park: This park offers a beautiful lake for fishing, boating, and swimming during summer. It also has trails, picnic areas, and a playground.
Holz Farm: Dating back to the 19th century, Holz Farm features restored buildings, including a farmhouse, barn, granary, and machine shed, which provide a glimpse into rural life in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

In addition, many public parks throughout the city give nature lovers another reason to move to Eagan.

The Best Time of Year to Move to Eagan

Eagan is a city where you can experience all four distinct seasons. However, being part of the Upper Midwest region, Eagan experiences unique weather patterns influenced by its location and geography. Here are the four seasons of the city:

Winter (Dec-Feb): Winters in Eagan are typically cold and snowy. Temperatures often drop below freezing, with average highs in the 20s to 30s Fahrenheit and lows in the single digits or below zero Fahrenheit.
Spring (Mar-May): Spring follows winter, and there’s a gradual decline in snow. However, it can still be chilly early in the season, with occasional snowfall in March. As temperatures warm up, flowers bloom, and the city comes alive with greenery.
Summer (June-Aug): Expect warm and humid summers in Eagan. High temperatures range from 70s to 80s Fahrenheit, with occasional spikes into 90s Fahrenheit during heatwaves.
Fall (Sep-Nov): The best time to experience Eagan is during fall when cool temperatures and vibrant foliage characterize Minnesota[LINK]. Average highs gradually decrease from the 70s to the 50s Fahrenheit as the season progresses. Fall colors peak in October, making it a popular time for outdoor activities such as leaf-peeping and hiking.

Spring, summer, and fall are the best times to move to Eagan since winters see heavy snowfall and rainfall, respectively. So, if you love winter activities and the change of seasons, you’ll love living in Eagan[LINK TO EAGAN LOCATION PAGE].

Tad More Expensive than National Average

Eagan is affordable for most families, just above the national average. Best Places is currently reporting that the cost of living in Eagan, MN, is 6.1% higher than the national average and 9.2% higher than the state average. Housing is a significant expense anywhere in the US.

However, Eagan’s median home value is higher than the national average, while rent may be slightly lower in some areas. Other costs like utilities, transportation, and groceries are more or less the same as the national average. Sales tax in Eagan is 7.15%, which is slightly higher than the national average.

Eagan’s Economic History and Future

Eagan once exported so much onion that it became known as the “Onion Capital of the US.” Historically, onion cultivation was the primary economic sector. Today, corporate offices and retail drive the economy. Eagan has become a major shopping and entertainment destination within the Twin Cities metro area, which drives its retail employment.

Also, Eagan is home to over 2,000 businesses, with a large concentration of Fortune 500 companies and corporate campuses. The top employers at Eagan are Thomson Reuters, USPC, UPS, Ecolab, and BlueShield of Minnesota. The economy and employment opportunities continue to grow in the area. Most locals agree that Eagan is also within easy commuting distance to the Twin Cities metro area.

In Summary

All in all, Eagan offers something to everyone. It is a great place for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone wanting to advance their career. Eagan’s proximity to St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is hard to beat—only five minutes by car! Moreover, Minneapolis is less than a 30-minute drive (one hour on public transportation), making it within arms’ reach of a vibrant city.

Make You Move to Minnesota Easier with Metro Self Storage

Moving to a new city is an exciting opportunity and Metro’s expert and knowledgeable storage teams are here to make your transition more manageable. Our storage facilities feature all the amenities to keep your move on track and within budget.

Enjoy the convenience of online rentals or tour the facility during business hours, and we’ll help you find the right-sized unit. From climate-controlled units and drive-up access to large interior loading bays, keypad gate entry, and more, our new, state-of-the-art Eagan Storage Facility is designed with your comfort and convenience in mind no matter the time of year you’re moving.