Is Brooklyn Center MN a good place to live? Yes, living in Brooklyn Center is great, specifically for growing families and business professionals. It's excellent schools and proximity to Minneapolis provide the ideal mix of big-city living and quiet suburbia. Brooklyn Center is best known for its easy access to top recreation activities like Centennial Park and the Mississippi River; the community hosts more than 522 miles of park space, and you can take their 20-mile trail system right down to the Mississippi River. The 10-minute drive from downtown Minneapolis is an additional bonus.
The town’s motto is “At The Center”, and it has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s. Brooklyn Center has never had an issue paving its own way. In the 1900s, to prevent annexation by Minneapolis and maintain local governance, residents petitioned for the incorporation of Brooklyn Center. It officially became a village on February 18, 1911, with a population of fewer than 500 residents. Today, its population has increased by 30,000, and it proves to be one of the best communities in the Twin Cities region.
Located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, Brooklyn Center is a first-ring suburb of Minneapolis, situated in Hennepin County. It’s 9.2 miles from Brooklyn Center MN to Minneapolis MN, via I-94 east; this well-connected city is also part of the Twin Cities Metropolitan area.
If you decide to live in Brooklyn Center, you may be interested in learning about its public transportation options.
Metro Transit (MT) offers a comprehensive range of high-quality public transportation services to Brooklyn Center. Considering the city hosts the Brooklyn Center Transit Center (BCTC), a major hub for MT, and one of the busiest boarding stations in the metro area, residents will never find themselves without a means of transportation.
The METRO C Line and D Line are two popular Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes that offer fast and reliable service to downtown Minneapolis, South Minneapolis, and the Mall of America. The C Line’s route has 22 stops and takes approximately 34 minutes from BCTC to Downtown Minneapolis. The D Line, on the other hand, takes roughly 75 minutes to travel from BCTC to the Mall of America, offering 44 stops. D Line also travels to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Per the 2020 census, 30,253 people live in Brooklyn Center, MN, making it one of the less populous suburbs of Minneapolis. Its racial and ethnic makeup is interesting, with no single racial or ethnic group comprising a majority. For example, the largest groups are Black or African American (27.6%) and White (32.4%). The Asian population comprises 18.9% of the city's population, reflecting its rich multicultural makeup.
Complete racial and ethnic breakdown:
Minnesota’s Asian population has been steadily growing since the 1800s, with the Vietnam War and the region's growing tech and healthcare industries being major contributors to its allure to Asian individuals and families.
Muslims represent 200,000 residents (3%), while Christianity is the most prevalent spiritual practice; 56% of the population identifies with a Christian religious group. Catholicism (18%) and Mainline Protestantism (21%) are the two leading Christian groups among this group.
Additional demographics of Brooklyn Center MN:
How safe is Brooklyn Center MN? According to the FBI, Brooklyn Center has a higher crime rate than the national and state averages.
The murder rate is 6.3% lower than the state and 52.7% lower than the US.
Although crime rates are slightly higher than those of the state and nation, the Brooklyn Center Police Department has numerous crime prevention initiatives in place to deter crime within the city limits.
Brooklyn Center has a Cost of Living Index (COLI) of 90, which is 10% below the US average. While transportation and utilities are lower than the average city, groceries are more expensive. Payscale notes that housing is particularly more affordable, which we discuss in depth below.
Public transportation will cost you at most $2.50 for a one-way ticket. As for utilities, Doxo says the average utility bill in the Minneapolis region is $291.
Additional information on daily expenditures:
Source: Numbeo
*The above statistics are for Minneapolis, which has a higher cost of living, meaning prices may differ when living in Brooklyn Center.
While Brooklyn Center does not have its own sales tax, the state and county do. Minnesota’s state tax is 6.88%, while Hennepin County’s is 0.15%. Additionally, the metro area tax for housing is 0.25% and the transportation sales tax is 0.75%. The transit improvement tax in Hennepin County is 0.5%, resulting in a total sales tax of 8.56% on every dollar spent.
According to Redfin, housing in Brooklyn Center is affordable, resulting in a highly competitive market. The home value is $300,000 ($110,800 below the US median). Homes for sale in Brooklyn Center MN typically sell within 19 days, with 55.6% selling above their listing price. 31% of homes experienced price drops before being sold. The average price per square foot has increased by 1.1% in the past year.
If you aren’t ready to purchase property yet, you’re in the same boat as the other 11,000 people living in Brooklyn Center who rent. The average rent is $1,319 for a 872-square-foot unit or a one-bedroom rental.
There are 17 official neighborhoods in Brooklyn Center to choose from. Whether good schools are a top priority or walkability is a deciding factor, this first-ring suburb has the options for you.
Brooklyn Center MN has a humid continental climate with hot summers (Koppen Dfa). The summers are long, lasting 3.9 months, whereas the cold season only runs 3.3 months. The average daily high in the warmest month (July) is 83 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average daily low in the coldest month (January) is 9 degrees. Temperatures here vary drastically, with a major allure being its four distinct seasons. There are certainly some extreme hot and cold days, but people living in Brooklyn Center adore the warm springs and cool autumns.
Expect heavy rainfall in June, which averages 4.2 inches, accounting for about 23% of the annual rainfall (18 inches). The snowiest month is December, with an average snowfall of 4.6 inches—the yearly average is 51 inches.
If you're looking for things to do in Brooklyn Center MN, we cover some of the city’s top activities below.
Brooklyn Center Community Center is a hub for various community gatherings and activities, including swim lessons in the wading pool, career fairs, movies in the park, youth art classes, and organized sports programs, making it one of the top things to do in Brooklyn Center MN.
City residents who are 18+ pay $23 a month, or the entire household pays $32. The monthly fees pay for access to the entire 112,000 square feet of space, 50-meter pool, teen center, indoor courts, second-floor walking track, and more.
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430, (763) 569-3400
Centennial Park is one of the top recreational spaces in Brooklyn Center. It offers a variety of activities, including an archery range, baseball fields, tennis courts, and a picturesque pond.
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430, (763) 569-3310
Ideal for a family outing, birthday party, or other special events, Topgolf in Brooklyn Center is one of the city’s top attractions.
6420 Camden Ave N, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430, (763) 201-9636
As you can see, there are many things to do in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. If you want to get involved in your new community, check out the city’s event calendar.
Brooklyn Center is home to countless delicious eateries and dining options. Let’s explore the best ones below.
Slim’s is a unique establishment in Brooklyn Center, serving up delicious dishes such as smash burgers, fries, shakes, gyros, and more.
6901 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429, (763) 512-2000
50’s Grill is one of the most-reviewed Brooklyn Center restaurants. It serves American fare, including burgers, malts, and sundaes.
5524 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429, (763) 560-4947
New King Buffet is the city’s largest Chinese buffet. It serves up a combination of Chinese and American cuisine, satisfying the whole family’s cravings.
5927 John Martin Dr, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430, (763) 566-8300
Of the over 30,000 Brooklyn Center residents, the economy employs roughly half of them (16,200). The leading industries are manufacturing, healthcare, and retail trade. Data USA states that the highest-paid industries are utilities, information, and public administration.
The city’s economic development website explains that the major employers are The Luther Automotive Group, the City of Brooklyn Center's municipal government, Caribou Coffee, and Surly Brewing Company, reflecting its roots in public-sector jobs and manufacturing. According to ZipRecruiter, GS‑9 federal employees earn roughly $295,000 a year, and master‑level psychologists earn $159,000. If you work in the public sector, the city of Brooklyn Center MN jobs are a great option, as the hourly rate for most positions is above the regional and national average.
The mean hourly wage in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro is $34.73, which is above the national average of $32.66.
Four school districts serve Brooklyn Center, Minnesota:
There are four elementary schools in Brooklyn Center, one middle school, and one high school, all of which are part of BCSD No. 286.
If you’re interested in furthering your education when living in Brooklyn Center MN, Saint Paul College and Bethel University are located within 20 miles of the city.
The Brookdale Library has unique offerings, like their culturally themed events Día de los niños: ¡Basta!. There is K-12 homework help and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) Squad initiatives. Cardholders also have free access to and use of technology labs within a county service center building.
The crime rate in Brooklyn Center, MN, is 3,633 per 100,000 people.
The poverty rate in Brooklyn Center, MN, is 11.5%
Brooklyn Center MN is known for being a family-friendly suburb with ample parks and trails and easy access to the recreational opportunities the Mississippi River provides.
Explore more of this unique suburb with this handy map.
As you can see, living in Brooklyn Center is terrific. If you need assistance getting to your new home, call the best Brooklyn Center movers, The Move Crew, at (612) 361-6787.
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