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A boardwalk in a park in Hennepin County nearby Shorewood, with the text, "Moving to & Living in Shorewood MN," overlaid

Living in Shorewood MN 🏑 | What to Know Before Moving to Shorewood

Last Updated On: 9th February 2026, 02:25 pm

Living in Shorewood MN will surely improve your life! According to the City of Shorewood, Indigenous communities resided in the area of Shorewood for thousands of years before White settlers arrived from New York in 1853. Shorewood was a part of Excelsior Township until 1956, when the state government incorporated it as a city. It remained relatively small, with few people moving to Shorewood, but it gained a reputation as a tourist destination near Lake Minnetonka. Shorewood gets its name from being on the shore of Lake Minnetonka.

Shorewood is best known today for its location near Lake Minnetonka and its scenic views of the lake and surrounding woods. It's a nice place to live, with a family-friendly atmosphere, top parks and hiking trails, and great MN primary schools. Moving to Shorewood may be the next thing you want to do. But before you call a moving company, you should learn more about living in Shorewood MN. Here's what to know about this beautiful and special city.

Where Is Shorewood Minnesota?

A close-up view of the City of Shorewood on a map

Where is Shorewood Minnesota? Shorewood is in Hennepin County, Minnesota, in a mostly rural and undeveloped area. Shorewood has shorelines along Lake Minnetonka, Lake Virginia, Gideon Bay, Galpin Lake, Christmas Lake, and Silver Lake. The community contains several small lakes, including Mary Lake. Shorewood also contains a few small islands on Lake Minnetonka, including Goose Island, Spray Island, Shady Island, and part of Enchanted Island. The community has paved roads and small commercial sectors, but it's mostly residential with large undeveloped areas.

Shorewood is in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and the Twin Cities area. It is 17.9 miles from Shorewood to Minneapolis, and it is 26.3 miles from Shorewood to St. Paul. The community is a suburb of both Minneapolis and St. Paul. Shorewood borders Tonka Bay, Excelsior, Greenwood, Deephaven, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, and Mound.

Shorewood currently does not have any public transportation services. Metro Transit does provide the Transit Link service to residents living in Shorewood MN. You can use the service to reserve minibuses or vans for curb-to-curb transportation in the Twin Cities where there are no regular Transit Link services.

Shorewood Population and Demographics

According to the US Census, the population of Shorewood in 2020 was 7,783, up by 6.5% since 2010. According to the Census Bureau, the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area had a population of 3,690,261. Shorewood is one of the smallest cities in Hennepin County, and its population growth has slowed down in recent years. Between 2000 and 2010, the Shorewood population decreased by 1.3%. The Shorewood population density in 2020 was 1,465.7 people living in Shorewood MN per square mile, roughly two-thirds of the countywide population density.

Notable people living in Shorewood MN include John Curry, Phil Carruthers, and Tino Lettieri. Shorewood demographics include:

  • 51.4% male, 48.6% female
  • Median age of residents living in Shorewood MN: 48.0
  • Racial and ethnic composition of people living in Shorewood MN: 96.4% White (90.6% non-Hispanic), 5.5% two or more races, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 2.4% Asian, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American and Alaska Native, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
  • Median household income of residents living in Shorewood MN: $172,325 (roughly double the state median)
  • Educational attainment of residents living in Shorewood MN: 98.9% of residents older than 25 have graduated from high school, 72.8% have a bachelor’s degree
  • Foreign-born population of people living in Shorewood MN: 1.9%

The median age of residents living in Shorewood MN is nearly 10 years higher than the state median. Despite the high median age, the largest age group of people living in Shorewood MN is 10 to 19, accounting for 17.5% of the population. 18.2% of the population living in Shorewood MN is 65 years of age and older. The female population in Shorewood is 1.5 percentage points lower than the metro area rate.

Shorewood is one of the safest communities in the Twin Cities. Here are its current crime rates:

  • Total crime rate: 654 offenses per 100,000 people living in Shorewood MN (88.6% lower than the Minneapolis crime rate, 64.9% lower than the state rate, 69.1% lower than the national average)
  • Violent crime rate: 90 crimes per 100,000 people living in Shorewood MN (65.0% lower than the state average, 74.9% lower than the national average)
  • Property crime rate: 564 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Shorewood MN (64.9% lower than the Minnesota rate, 68.0% lower than the national average)

The South Lake Minnetonka Police Department serves all residents living in Shorewood MN. The department employs 15 full-time police officers who respond to all emergencies in the community.

Cost of Living in Shorewood MN

You can use Minneapolis cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in Shorewood, as Shorewood cost of living statistics can be hard to find. The Minneapolis cost of living index is 92.7, meaning items in the 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 ($10,616 a month) to cover their cost of living.Β 

Living in Shorewood MN is affordable for most people, including families with young children. Child care is the highest type of expense, at $2,521 a month ($30,252 a year), so singles and couples moving to Shorewood without children can save more money.

Shorewood real estate can be pricey depending on what you're looking for. According to Redfin, the median cost of Shorewood homes for sale is $1,049,500, over $600,000 higher than the national average, with an average cost per square foot of $285 and a median home value of $684,500. There are very few apartments in Shorewood, so statistics for the average rent in Shorewood on RentCafe and other websites are hard to find.

Typical Shorewood* Living Expenses

  • 1 pound of white rice: $2.84
  • 1 pound of chicken fillets: $6.75
  • 1 pound of tomatoes: $2.20
  • 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.14
  • Average Shorewood* utilities per month: $168.24
  • 1 pair of jeans: $54.05
  • Average Shorewood MN* utilities per month: $166.77

Source: Numbeo

*Typical expenses actually for Minneapolis

Shorewood Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Shorewood

Shorewood does not have any official neighborhoods. You can find homes for sale scattered across the community, and there is a wide range of architectural styles, footprints, and amenities available. The price range can also vary significantly. You can find single-story, three-bedroom Shorewood homes for sale with over 3,000 square feet for less than $800,000. You can also find four-bedroom Shorewood homes for sale with over 5,000 square feet and luxurious amenities like gourmet kitchens and media rooms for over $3 million. Many houses were built in the mid-20th century, but they have been refurbished and renovated with modern features.

You can purchase condos and townhomes in Shorewood, though there are no major townhome communities. There are no major apartment communities in Shorewood, with homes for rent occasionally coming on the market. Homes for rent tend to be smaller than homes for sale, with two or three bedrooms and less than 2,000 square feet.

Shorewood Weather and Climate

Shorewood has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and freezing and cloudy winters. According to Weather Spark, July is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 73 degrees and an average high of 82. Temperatures remain warm between early June and mid-September. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 15 degrees and an average low of 9. Average lows remain below freezing between late November and late March.

Shorewood receives 24.0 inches of rain and 19.1 inches of snow on average per year. Over 60% of days in the summer are sunny, with clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy skies. Despite the sunny Shorewood weather, summers are the rainiest seasons in Shorewood. June, July, and August each have 10 rainy days.

You can experience various types of severe weather while living in Shorewood MN. Shorewood can experience tornadoes in the spring and summer and blizzards and extreme cold in the winter. You should follow Shorewood weather forecasts throughout the year.

September is the best month to visit and start moving to Shorewood. The average temperature is 62 degrees, and 65% of September days are clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy. You can enjoy outdoor activities while living in Shorewood MN and wearing a long-sleeved shirt or a short-sleeved shirt with a light jacket.

Things to Do in Shorewood

You can find many great things to do in Shorewood, including top outdoor destinations and kid-friendly points of interest! Cub - Shorewood is the top grocery store in Shorewood. You can also order tools and hardware from Shorewood Ace and purchase books at Excelsior Bay Books.

Crescent Beach

Crescent Beach is a sandy beach known for its still water, ideal for swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. You can launch your canoe from an on-site canoe launch and visit the beach throughout the year.

240 Birch Bluff Road, Excelsior, MN, 55331

Country Club Lanes

Country Club Lanes is an indoor bowling alley home to tournaments and bowling leagues for adults, including mixed leagues with men and women. You can also visit the alley for fun throughout the week, with 1.5 hours of bowling costing just $13.99 per person during afternoons. Glow bowling takes place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with unlimited bowling sessions.

5601 Manitou Road, Excelsior, MN, 55331, 952-474-5959

Lake Minnewashta Regional Park

Lake Minnewashta Regional Park covers 340 acres and is one of the top outside destinations in and around Shorewood. The park has bike trails, an off-leash dog area, sand and turf volleyball courts, and walking and skiing trails. The park is a top kid-friendly and dog-friendly location.

6900 Hazeltine Boulevard, Chanhassen, MN, 55331, 952-466-5250

Additional Attractions in Shorewood

The Shorewood Parks and Recreation Department protects public spaces and plans special events in Shorewood MN, ensuring a lively atmosphere in the community. You can use the City of Shorewood’s events calendar to see what events are upcoming.

Shorewood Restaurants

The Twin Cities are well known for their diverse cuisine with influences from Scandinavia and unique dishes like walleye and the Juicy Lucy. Restaurants in Shorewood offer a wide range of experiences and cuisines, including kid-friendly eating experiences.

Maynards

Maynards is a casual, family-friendly American restaurant with lakeside views. You can order salads, burgers, and rice bowls with ingredients like mango avocado salsa and purple cabbage.

685 Excelsior Boulevard, Excelsior, MN, 55331, 952-470-1800

Coalition Restaurant

Coalition Restaurant is a New American restaurant with an industrial chic interior design. You can order sandwiches as well as classy entrees like grilled filet mignon, scallops and shrimp, and pan-seared sea bass with risotto.

227 Water Street, Excelsior, MN, 55331, 952-283-1952

318 Cafe

318 Cafe is one of the most unique Shorewood restaurants. During the day, the cafe is a coffeehouse that serves specialty coffee drinks with white chocolate, matcha, and lavender syrup. During the night, 318 Cafe becomes a concert venue and offers a dinner menu with paninis, flatbreads, and tacos.

318 Water Street, Excelsior, MN, 55331, 952-401-7902

Shorewood Jobs

You can find employment data and information on the average individual income among residents living in Shorewood MN using DataUSA and other websites. According to data provided by DataUSA, roughly 3,740 people had jobs in Shorewood in 2023. Finance and insurance, educational services, and professional services are the three biggest sectors for Shorewood jobs. Each of these sectors accounts for over 12% of jobs in the Shorewood economy and has median earnings of over $140,000 a year.

Shorewood lost roughly 40 jobs between 2022 and 2023, and employment data about potential employment growth in Shorewood is not available. Major employers in Shorewood include UnitedHealth Group, Target, and General Mills. According to Census Reporter, the average per capita income in Shorewood is $87,623, nearly twice the state per capita income. You can use Indeed to research jobs in Shorewood, and you can apply for City of Shorewood jobs on the municipal government's website.

Shorewood Schools

Minnetonka School District is the main Shorewood school district, serving most students living in Shorewood MN. A small number of students living in Shorewood MN attend mixed schools in the Westonka School District. You can use the Minnetonka School District map to see which schools your child living in Shorewood MN will attend.

Many students living in Shorewood MN attend Minnewashta Elementary School. US News ranks Minnewashta Elementary School in the top 250 elementary schools in Minnesota. Minnewashta Elementary School students then attend Minnetonka Middle School West, which US News ranks in the top 20 middle schools in Minnesota.

Minnetonka Middle School West students then attend Minnetonka High School, which US News ranks in the top five high schools in Minnesota. Minnetonka High School has a graduation rate of 97%, and 68% of Minnetonka High School students pass at least one AP exam. Minnetonka High School is unique among great schools in Minnesota for offering over 70 online classes and nearly one dozen professional studies courses, including programs in global business and global sustainability.

Shorewood does not have any colleges or universities. The closest one is the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. The community also does not have any private schools. The Excelsior Library of the Hennepin County Library System serves all residents living in Shorewood MN.

Shorewood Statistics and Information

  • County: Hennepin County
  • Shorewood area: 8.15 square miles
  • Shorewood zip codes: 55331 and 55364
  • Shorewood area code: 952
  • Shorewood elevation: 935 feet
  • Shorewood time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC -5 and -6)
  • Closest airport to Shorewood: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), 21.8 miles from Shorewood

FAQ

Is Shorewood a City or Village?

Shorewood is an incorporated city, not a village. According to the City of Shorewood, the State of Minnesota incorporated Shorewood as a city in 1956.

Is Shorewood MN a Good Place to Live?

Yes, Shorewood, MN, is a great place to live, well known for its strong sense of community, low crime rates, and kid-friendly things to do. Children enjoy going to the right schools, and parents enjoy high-paying jobs and delicious restaurants while living in Shorewood MN.

Is Shorewood a Nice Neighborhood?

Shorewood is not a neighborhood and does not contain formal neighborhoods, as it's a small incorporated city. However, it is a nice place to live, especially if you're looking to raise a family or buy a luxurious Shorewood home for sale.

Shorewood MN Map

You can use this Shorewood map to find schools in the Minnetonka School District, great restaurants, and fun things to do!

Start Moving to Shorewood Today

Living in Shorewood MN would be amazing! Families with young children will enjoy the incredible schools, fun outdoor activities, and affordable cost of living. Seniors can make connections with other seniors moving to Shorewood and settle down in a safe and quiet community.

Moving to Shorewood can be the next item on your to-do list. The Move Crew employs the top Minneapolis movers, with over 10,000 customers served over the last 10 years. Call 612-361-6787 for a free estimate today.Β 

Gunnar
Gunnar is from Hastings, Minnesota. He has a bachelor's degree in Business and Spanish. In addition to his work in the moving industry, he runs a photography business that has given him the opportunity to travel all over the US. He is an idealistic visionary when it comes to the spirit of entrepreneurship and prides himself for his meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of his work.

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