Apple Valley is a Dakota County city located in southeast Minnesota. Apple Valley is known for its great schools, clean air, and beautiful, wide-open spaces!
First, a farming community established as Lebanon Township, Apple Valley, MN, is now a prosperous Minneapolis suburb boasting a tight-knit community and family-friendly ambiance. In the mid-1950s, Orrin Thompson began developing the area farmland into residential homes; he chose the name Apple Valley as an apple tree was planted at each home he developed. The township was incorporated as a city in 1968, and its motto is "Plant, Grow, Prosper.”
Living in Apple Valley, MN, is great; you’re located near notable Minneapolis, the crime rate is low, and there is plenty to do here!
Apple Valley is located in northwest Dakota County and is bordered by Rosemount, Eagan, and Burnsville. It’s 20.8 miles from Apple Valley, MN to Minneapolis.
Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Rosemount, and Savage operate the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA), a public bus transportation system. The fare to ride the MVTA ranges from $1.00 to $2.50; you can purchase tickets through a Go-To card, Universal Transit pass, Metropass, or by providing the exact fare amount when boarding. All routes run through Apple Valley, excluding the Southdale LINK. You can access their routes and schedules online, as well as plan a trip and pay for your ticket.
The population of Apple Valley, MN, is 55,272—this figure has seen a 1.9% decrease from 2020 to 2024. People living in Apple Valley, MN, earn a great living; the median household income is $97,673. Apple Valley is the fourth-largest city in its county and has the sixth-highest median household income.
Apple Valley’s racial and ethnic makeup is diverse: 68.6% White (67.7% non-Hispanic or Latino), 11,1% Black or African American, 10.6 two or more races, 7% Hispanic or Latino, 6% Asian, 0.5% American Indian or Alaska Native, and the median age here is 39.2 years old.
People living here are highly educated. 95% of its residents have high school diplomas or higher, and 45.9% have bachelor's degrees or higher.
Additional Apple Valley demographics:
Of the 21,627 households, 52.6% are married, and 31.2% are unmarried. Although Apple Valley has seen a population decrease in the past ten years, 12.5% of people living in Apple Valley right now have moved here within the last year.
Notable people from Apple Valley:
According to the FBI, Apple Valley’s crime rate is 27.9% lower than the state's and 26.2% lower than the country's, making it a safe place to live!
Additional crime rate statistics:
The violent crime rate in Apple Valley is 5.77% lower than the state and 32.64% lower than the country.
The property crime rate in Apple Valley, MN, is 15.01% higher than the state and 4.97% higherthan the country.
Apple Valley sees less crime than its state and country, making it a very safe place to live and raise a family! The 51 sworn officers of the Apple Valley Police Department serve the citizens of Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Despite Apple Valley’s prime location and low crime rate, it’s only 6.1% more expensive to live here than the average US city! The Cost of Living Index (COLI) in Apple Valley is 106.1, compared to the US average of 100. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four must earn $138,866 annually to live comfortably in Dakota County and should expect to spend $21,560 on housing each year.
Typical Apple Valley living expenses:
Source: Numbeo.
*The above figures are for Minneapolis, but you can expect similar figures when living in Apple Valley.
The Apple Valley real estate is affordable. The median home price in Apple Valley is $375,000; the US median home price is $405,300. The average price per square foot here is $178, and the median days on the market are 22. Apple Valley homes sell every month, so if you have your eye on any Apple Valley homes for sale, we suggest acting fast! Renting in Apple Valley is affordable.
The average Apple Valley rent is $1,816 per month for a 1,044-square-foot rental. The average rent in Minneapolis is $1,683 per month for a 775-square-foot rental. Renting in Apple Valley is slightly more competitive, as there aren’t as many rental options as in larger, more urban cities.
Apple Valley has a Koppen classification of Dfa, which indicates hot and humid summers and freezing, snowy winters. Apple Valley has no dry season, but you can expect four distinct seasons. Temperatures here range from 9 degrees Fahrenheit to 82 degrees, but it rarely drops below -12 or rises above 91. The hottest month is July, with an average high of 82 degrees, and the coldest month is January, with an average low of 9 degrees.
Apple Valley averages 32 inches of rainfall and 45 inches of snowfall each year. Apple Valley averages only 197 sunny days per year, and the average UV index is only 3.1. The best time to visit Apple Valley is mid-June to early September; this way, you can avoid the very cold months and enjoy warm-weather activities.
Apple Valley offers plenty to do and see. The best shopping spots in the city of Apple Valley are Apple Valley Square and Southport Centre I-VI.
The Minnesota Zoo is a nationally recognized zoological garden with hundreds of animals from several climatological zones. This is a great, family-friendly activity and is one of the best things to do in Apple Valley, MN.
13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley, MN 55124, (952) 431-9200
Kelley Park is a large playground with picnic areas, a splash pad, and large grassy areas. This is one of the most fun things to do in Apple Valley with your kids!
6855 Fortino St, Apple Valley, MN 55124, (952) 953-2300
Cobblestone Lake is a popular tourist attraction in Apple Valley. The area has paved walking trails, a large lake, and mature landscaping throughout. This is one of the best Apple Valley parks!
15601 Cobblestone Lake Pkwy, Apple Valley, MN 55124 (952) 953-2500
Apple Valley Parks and Rec maintains the parks in Apple Valley, MN, and hosts all the special events. Keep an eye on the parks department's special events calendar; you don’t want to miss anything happening in your new city!
Minnesota has an abundance of wild and locally grown rice, and most cities in the state offer an array of dishes curated from this centrally harvested grain—including restaurants in Apple Valley! Below is a list of the tastiest Apple Valley, MN, restaurants!
The Tavern Grill is a local bar and grill in Apple Valley serving delicious dishes like cheese curds and gyros. It’s an easy-going Apple Valley restaurant offering a relaxed vibe and mouth-watering options.
15435 Founders Ln, Apple Valley, MN 55124, (952) 683-1222
Crooked Pint Ale House is one of the best restaurants in Apple Valley, MN! This pub chain serves plenty of delicious options, from pot pies to tacos and even giant burgers; you’ll surely find something to satisfy your appetite here.
15668 Pilot Knob Rd, Apple Valley, MN 55124, (952) 891-3883
Osaka is a popular steak and seafood restaurant providing decadent sushi options and fine cuts of steak cooked to perfection. According to their reviews, the Hibachi is a must-try, and the service is on point!
7537 149th St W, Apple Valley, MN 55124, (952) 432-6155
Apple Valley has an established economy and a well-educated workforce! The city of Apple Valley cares about its residents and the small businesses fueling its economy. They help people trying to open their doors in this vibrant city and support existing owners. The city works closely with the Small Business Administration (SBA) program to get struggling business owners loans and financial assistance.
But with Apple Valley's unemployment rate 2.4% below the US average, it’s safe to say its economy is in great shape. The city has seen a 1.8% job market increase since 2022 and is projected to see a 38.2% increase by 2033.
When living in Apple Valley, you can take comfort in knowing its economy is strong and that you’re located within 30 minutes of two very large economies (Minneapolis and Saint Paul) If you don’t see any jobs in Apple Valley that fit your experience, you can always expand your search perimeter.
Apple Valley’s economy employs 29,800 people, but some commute to nearby cities for work. The mean commute time is 26.2 minutes, meaning most commuters work in Minneapolis or Saint Paul.
The main industries in Apple Valley are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and professional, scientific, & technical services. The biggest companies in Apple Valley are Uponor North America and River Valley Church of Apple Valley. People working in the management of companies & enterprises ($110,809) and professional, scientific, & technical services ($88,427) are earning the most. The average hourly wage in Apple Valley is $22.08, and the average salary is $82,000.
Popular jobs in Apple Valley, MN, and their average annual salary, according to Payscale:
|
Job Title |
Annual Average |
|
Engagement Manager |
$120,000 |
|
Mental Health Therapist |
$67,000 |
|
QA Engineer |
$90,866 |
The job market in Apple Valley, Minnesota, is ideal for someone moving to a new city. There are 497 Apple Valley jobs taking applicants right now and 34,000 more within a 25-mile radius of the city. Whether you’re looking for a position working for the Apple Valley Unified School District or the city of Apple Valley, jobs are more your speed; we’re confident you’ll find what you’re looking for.
The Independent School District 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan) serves the city of Apple Valley, MN. The district contains 41 schools and 29,245 students; the best schools in the district are Glacier Hills School, Cedar Park Elementary, and Highland Elementary. Eastview Senior High School of Apple Valley is ranked the second-best high school in its district.
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan has a graduation rate of 72.4%. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16:1 (the state average). 99.2% of the teachers working for the Independent School District 196 are certified, and 90.6% have three or more years of experience. 11 full-time counselors are working for the district. The district invests about $12,690 annually into each student.
If you, your child, or a loved one plans to make educational advances after moving to Apple Valley, you’re in luck! While there are no notable colleges in Apple Valley, Minneapolis College, University of St. Thomas - Minneapolis Campus, and Dougherty Family College are universities and colleges that Apple Valley residents can access.
The city of Apple Valley provides plenty of useful resources to ensure your educational success. You can access countless assets at the Apple Valley Library (Galaxie Library) You can access thousands of books, the internet, computers, and printers here.
Explore more things to do here with this Apple Valley map!
Apple Valley, Minnesota is near several suburbs in the Twin Cities metro. The closest cities include Burnsville to the west, Eagan to the north, Rosemount to the east, and Lakeville to the south. Other nearby communities include Mendota Heights, Farmington, and Savage, all within 10–15 miles. These cities share similar residential and commercial amenities common to Dakota County in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area.
The closest major airport to Apple Valley, Minnesota is Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), located about 20–25 miles northwest of the city. MSP is the primary commercial airport serving the region with domestic and international flights. There are smaller general aviation airports nearby, such as Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) in Eden Prairie, but MSP is the nearest airport with scheduled airline service.
Apple Valley, Minnesota is approximately 18–20 miles south of downtown Minneapolis by road. The drive between Apple Valley and Minneapolis typically takes about 25–35 minutes on Interstate 35W or local highways, depending on traffic. Apple Valley is part of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, making it a common suburban residence for people who commute to Minneapolis for work, education, or entertainment.
Apple Valley, Minnesota has a median household income higher than the national average, reflecting a generally comfortable suburban economy. According to recent U.S. Census estimates, the median household income in Apple Valley is around $100,000. The community features a mix of middle‑ and upper‑middle‑income neighborhoods with good public schools, parks, and local services, but it is not considered an exclusively wealthy area compared to affluent suburbs like Edina or Wayzata.
No, Apple Valley, Minnesota is not in the mountains. The city is located on the plains of the Upper Midwest within the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. The terrain around Apple Valley is mostly flat to gently rolling, typical of Dakota County, with features like lakes and river valleys rather than mountainous elevations. There are no mountain ranges in or near the region.
If moving to Apple Valley is in your future, you’ll need reliable movers in Apple Valley to help you transition. Contact the Move Crew at 612-361-6787 for a free moving estimate.
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