Living in Orono MN can be an invigorating experience! According to the City of Orono, White settlers arrived in Orono in 1858. The community was originally part of Medina Township, becoming an independent township in 1889. Orono gets its name from Orono, Maine, the home of Major George Brackett, an early settler. People started moving to Orono during the 1800s, though the community remained small due to its rural location.
Orono remained a small lakeside community and became incorporated as a city in 1955. Orono today is a picturesque city well known for its location on Lake Minnetonka. Its motto is "The Lakeshore City," as Orono is right on the shore of Lake Minnetonka and offers convenient access to the lake. Orono is a nice place to live with top parks, a charming small-town atmosphere, and low crime rates.
Moving to Orono may be on your to-do list, but you shouldn't rush the relocation process. You need to do some studying on what living in Orono MN is like, including Orono weather patterns. Here's what to know about living in Orono MN today.
Where is Orono Minnesota, and what county is Orono MN in? Orono is in Hennepin County, Minnesota, and it's inside the Minneapolis metropolitan area and the Twin Cities. It is 18.0 miles from Orono to Minneapolis, so Orono is a suburb of Minneapolis. The city borders Long Lake, Minnetonka Beach, Wayzata, Tonka Bay, and Medina. Besides Lake Minnetonka, Orono borders Katrina Lake and Long Lake. The community contains many green and undeveloped areas, with a small downtown sector that's well developed and connected to major roads.
Metro Transit Route 645 is the only bus route on the Metro Transit system. The route provides access to Shoreline, Wayzata, and Downtown Minneapolis. There are no light rail services in Orono. Most people living in Orono MN drive while living in the city. US Route 12 runs through the center of the community and connects it to Delano, Montrose, and other Minneapolis suburbs.
According to the US Census, the Orono MN population in 2020 was 8,315, up by 11.8% since 2010. Hennepin County has a population of 1,281,565, while the Minneapolis metropolitan area has a population of 3,690,261, so Orono is one of the smallest cities in the county or metropolitan area. The Orono MN population density is 522 people living in Orono MN per square mile, roughly one quarter of the Hennepin County density.
Notable people living in Orono MN include Kevin Garnett, Carlos Correa, and Whitney MacMillan. Orono MN demographics include:
Orono is one of the wealthiest communities in the Twin Cities area. Its median household income is nearly twice the median income in the Twin Cities, with 45.9% of households earning at least $200,000 a year. The per capita income is $131,289, nearly three times higher than the Minnesota per capita income.
Only 6.3% of residents living in Orono MN live at or below the poverty line, two-thirds of the state rate. The median age in Orono is 8.6 years higher than the state median, with 20.3% of people living in Orono MN being between the ages of 50 and 59. Families form 85.8% of households living in Orono MN, with non-families forming 14.2% of households.
Orono is one of the safest communities in the Twin Cities area. Here are the city's crime rates according to the FBI in 2022:
The Orono Police Department employs 26 police officers who respond to all emergencies in Orono, Minnetonka Beach, Long Lake, and Spring Park. The Orono Fire Department provides additional emergency services and responds to fires in Orono.
You can use the Minneapolis cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in Orono. The Minneapolis cost of living index is 92.7, meaning items in the Minneapolis area cost 7.3% less than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in the Minneapolis metropolitan area would need to earn $127,391 a year.
Most reference guides say Orono is a relatively affordable place to live, especially if you're a single or a couple moving to Orono without children. Child care for two children living in Orono MN costs $2,521 a month and $30,252 a year, so singles and couples without children can live a very affordable life.
Orono MN real estate can be pricey, with limited options for affordable homes. According to Redfin, homes for sale Orono MN have a median sale price of $1,695,000, with a median sale price per square foot of $409. There are very few Orono apartments for rent, so statistics on the average rent in Orono are unavailable.
Source: Numbeo
*Typical living expenses actually for Minneapolis
Orono does not have any official neighborhoods. Crystal Bay is an unincorporated community located in Orono that some residents call a neighborhood, but the city does not officially recognize it as one. Crystal Bay is known for its hobby farms, many of which are owned by Minneapolis residents, not people living in Orono MN. It's a small community along the waterfront, but its real estate market is very small, so you will need help from a Realtor to search for a new house.
According to Redfin, 151 homes for sale Orono MN were sold in Orono in 2024 alone. Most homes for sale in Orono are upscale single-family homes with at least three bedrooms and 3,000 square feet. There is no one popular architectural style in Orono, though most homes have been built within the last 10 years. You can find ranch-style properties with single-story layouts and pitched roofs. You can buy an affordable condo, including a one bedroom unit covering 1,000 square feet, for less than $300,000. There are no notable condo complexes in Orono.
Homes for rent occasionally come on the market from private owners. Rental prices can be high, with some homes for rent costing over $4,000 a month. The features and amenities of homes for rent are similar to those of homes for sale.
Orono has a humid continental climate, with warm and rainy summers and freezing and windy winters. According to Weather Spark, July is the warmest month of Orono weather, with an average temperature of 73 degrees and an average high of 82 degrees. Temperatures are warm from late May through mid-September, then decline steadily in autumn. January is the coldest month in Orono, with an average temperature of 15 degrees and a low of 9 degrees.
Summers are sunny, with over 60% of days sunny and over one-third clear. Despite the mostly sunny weather, the summer is the rainiest season in Orono weather. Orono receives 24.1 inches of rain per year, with 11.3 inches falling in June, July, and August. Orono receives 19.7 inches of snow per year.
Orono experiences several types of severe weather, including winter snowstorms that can drop six or more inches of snow in a day. You should follow Orono weather reports before moving to Orono and prepare for storms in advance.
July is the best month to visit and start moving to Orono. It's the warmest month and one of the sunniest months of the year, so you can enjoy outdoor attractions while wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts.
You can enjoy an incredible range of cool and fun things to do in Orono, including top golf courses and locally-run stores. Orono Market is the top grocery store in Orono, offering locally-grown and organic groceries and health food. Otten Bros is a locally-run gardening and landscaping center with over 70 years of experience.
Golf Digest ranks Spring Hill Golf Club as the second-best golf club in Minnesota. Spring Hill Golf Club is an upscale and private golf club well known for its manicured grounds and scenic views of the countryside. Holes contain water obstacles, and the terrain has rolling hills, so the club is suitable for intermediate and experienced golfers.
725 Country Road 6, Wayzata, MN, 55391, 952-473-1500
Noerenberg Gardens is a formal garden and wedding venue open for tours year-round. You can photograph and view beautiful perennials, annuals, and shrubs, and lounge in the shade of trees and conifers.
2865 North Shore Drive, Wayzata, MN, 55391, 763-559-6700
Wayzata Country Club is a family-friendly member-only country club. It offers amenities you can't find with other country clubs in the Orono area, including a 25-yard swimming pool, six clay tennis courts, and seven pickleball courts. The club offers the most extensive youth tennis program among Twin Cities country clubs, and kids can also sign up for golf, swim, and dive programs.
200 Wayzata Boulevard West, Orono, MN, 55391, 952-473-8846
The Orono Parks and Facilities Department maintains over 260 acres of parks, hiking trails, and open green spaces. The department also plans holiday events like festivals throughout the year. You can view the City of Orono events calendar to find information and join events after moving to Orono.
The Twin Cities are well known for their unique cuisine, with influences from Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and Southern Europe. You can enjoy a wide range of restaurants in Orono MN, including upscale, unique, and classy Orono restaurants.
Primo is a classy, romantic Italian restaurant ideal for date nights and nights out with friends. You can enjoy classic Italian dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, fettuccini alfredo, and grilled seabass. Primo offers an extensive wine list, with over two dozen red and white wines.
1935 Wayzata Boulevard, Long Lake, MN, 55356, 952-479-1143
6Smith is an artisan-inspired New American restaurant with scenic lakefront views. The restaurant offers brunch, lunch, and dinner, including specialty seafood, steaks, and salads with fresh ingredients.
294 Grove Lane East, Wayzata, MN, 55391, 952-698-7900
ninetwentyfive is a stylish and modern American restaurant located inside Hotel Landing. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as weekend brunch, making it a great place to visit throughout the week. You can enjoy omelets, sandwiches, burgers, and gourmet dishes like short ribs and glazed salmon.
925 Lake Street East, Wayzata, MN, 55391, 612-356-5330
According to DataUSA, roughly 4,140 people had jobs in Orono in 2023, up by 0.4% since 2022. Professional services, manufacturing, and finance and insurance are the three largest job sectors in Orono. Each of these job sectors accounts for at least 13% of Orono jobs, and each has median earnings of over $250,000 a year. Orono may not be a major job center, but Orono jobs are high-paying in a range of industries.
According to Payscale, the average base hourly rate in Orono is $15.25 an hour. The per capita income is $131,289 per year, though incomes can vary depending on the job you attain. Major employers in Orono include O'Reilly Auto Parts, Lumen, and Presbyterian Homes and Services. You can use Indeed to research jobs in Orono, and you can apply for City of Orono jobs on the city government's website.
The Orono School District is the official Orono Minnesota school district. The Orono School District consists of five schools:
US News ranks Orono Middle School in the top 15 middle schools in Minnesota. US News ranks Orono Senior High School in the top 10 high schools in Minnesota. 64% of students at Orono Senior High School pass at least one AP exam, and over 55% of students test at or above the proficiency levels in reading, mathematics, and science.
There are no colleges in Orono. The closest major college is Minneapolis College. There are no notable private schools in the city. The closest library is the Long Lake Library in Long Lake, which is part of the Hennepin County Library system, serving all residents living in Orono MN, including parents.
Yes, Orono MN is a nice community to live in. Many people living in Orono MN enjoy its low crime rates, quaint atmosphere, and scenic views of Lake Minnetonka.
Yes, Orono, MN is considered a suburb. It is a suburb of Minneapolis, located just 18 miles outside the city. Many people living in Orono MN work in Minneapolis or cities near Minneapolis.
No, Orono is not a good college town. While Orono offers a peaceful and quiet place for young people to live, it is not home to any colleges. The nearest college is Minneapolis College, which is over 15 miles away.
You can use this map of Orono MN to find the best stores, restaurants, and things to do in Orono!
Living in Orono MN can be great for singles, couples, and families with young children alike! You can enjoy an affordable cost of living, low crime rates, and fun things to do, even in November and December.
Now that you know the data and details about living in Orono MN, you can start moving to Orono with a team of responsible moving professionals. The Move Crew has the most trusted Orono movers, with over 10 years of experience in the moving industry. Call 612-361-6787 for a free estimate now.
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