Living in Wayzata MN is way cool! The Mdewakanton people lived in the area of Wayzata for thousands of years before White settlers arrived in 1852. Oscar E. Garrison platted a small community, which quickly became popular amongst White settlers. In 1867, the community became a transportation hub for the Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad, causing a population boom. Thousands of people began moving to Wayzata, drawn in by the area's natural beauty and opportunities for farming.
The state government incorporated Wayzata as a village in 1883. "Wayzata" comes from the Dakota word waziyata, which means "north" or "north shore." Wayzata was a popular summer destination through most of the 20th century. The state government incorporated Wayzata as a city in 1929. After World War II, the community modernized and became a hub for commuters in Minneapolis.
Wayzata is best known for being near Lake Minnetonka, a top outdoor destination for swimming, fishing, and boating. Wayzata's nickname is "The Gateway to Lake Minnetonka." It's a nice place to live, with quiet residential areas, convenient access to world-class education, and boutique shopping. Moving to Wayzata is a great idea, but you need to learn a little more about living in Wayzata MN first. Here's what to know about this wonderful community.
Wayzata is in Hennepin County, inside the Minneapolis metropolitan area. It is a suburb of Minneapolis, MN, and has a suburban feel. It is 12.6 miles from Wayzata MN to Minneapolis MN. Wayzata is on the northern shore of Lake Minnetonka, and it's near several other lakes, including Gleason Lake and Mooney Lake. Wayzata Bay is the bay directly south of Wayzata, and you can access it through various docks in the community.
Residents living in Wayzata MN have access to the Metro Transit system. Metro Transit Bus Route 645 runs through MN Wayzata and connects the city to Downtown Minneapolis and Mound. You can also order on-demand Plymouth MetroLink shuttle services from Colonial Square in Wayzata to any location in Plymouth.
Most residents living in Wayzata MN use their cars to get around and start moving to Wayzata. US Route 12 runs through the community and provides access to Minneapolis and cities near Minneapolis, including Long Lake.
According to the Census Bureau, the Wayzata population is 4,434, up by 20.2% since 2010. The population of people living in Wayzata MN experienced a brief decline between 2000 and 2010, but it has now returned to its previous levels. Despite its close location to Minneapolis, Wayzata is one of the smallest cities in Hennepin County.
The Wayzata population density is currently 1,431.7 people per square mile living in Wayzata MN, roughly two-thirds of the Hennepin County population density.
Notable people living in Wayzata MN include Amy Klobuchar, Kimberly Elise, and David Bromstad. Notable Wayzata demographics include:
Wayzata is one of the wealthiest cities near Minneapolis. Only 4.4% of residents living in Wayzata are in poverty, less than half the state rate. The median income for families in Wayzata is $194,875, nearly $100,000 higher than the median income for Minnesota families. Wayzata is also one of the oldest communities in Minnesota. The median age in the community is nearly 20 years older than the Minnesota median. 39.3% of residents living in Wayzata are over the age of 65, and 15.6% are over the age of 80.
Wayzata is a safe city to live in. Here are its latest crime rates, according to the FBI in 2022:
While Wayzata property crime rates are high, its violent crime rates are lower than many cities. Most property crimes are low-value offenses that happen to businesses, not homeowners. The Wayzata Police Department employs 15 sworn police officers.
Are you interested in living in Wayzata MN, and enjoying low crime rates? Contact The Move Crew today!
You can use Minneapolis cost of living statistics to estimate the Wayzata cost of living. The Minneapolis cost of living index is 93.3, meaning items in the area cost 6.7% less than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $119,229 a year to cover the cost of living in the Minneapolis area. Child care is the highest expense at $27,420 a year, so singles and couples without children can live a very affordable lifestyle.
Wayzata real estate can be expensive, though homes for sale Wayzata MN are luxurious. According to Redfin, the median price of homes for sale Wayzata MN is $3,040,000. Housing prices rose by 38.2% between September 2023 and 2024. However, prices can fluctuate dramatically. In February 2024, the median price was $548,000. Look at long-term trends instead of short-term ones when researching Wayzata homes for sale.
According to RentCafe, Wayzata apartments have an average cost of $1,325 a month, nearly $300 less than the national average.
Source: Numbeo
*Expenses actually for Minneapolis
Wayzata does not have formal neighborhoods due to its small size. Some residents living in Wayzata refer to its downtown area, which is a cluster of businesses near the geographic center of the community. You can find the offices of the Wayzata Historical Society (now the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society), charming boutiques, and coffee shops here. However, the city does not formally recognize the downtown area as being its own neighborhood.
You can find homes for sale Wayzata MN throughout the community, including properties near Wayzata Bay. Many homes in Wayzata were built in the mid-20th century, but they've been updated or renovated since. Properties tend to have two or more bedrooms and over 2,000 square feet, providing plenty of space for families. You can find more recent properties with large footprints and luxury living features like open floor plans and custom cabinets. These homes tend to be located away from downtown in more tranquil areas, and they cost well over $1 million.
Wayzata has a few townhomes and condos, though even these properties can cost over $1 million. There are a few apartment complexes in or near Wayzata. Wayzata Woods is the most popular apartment complex amongst residents living in Wayzata MN. One-bedroom Wayzata apartments start at $1,168 a month and have features like countertop stoves and fully furnished kitchens.
Wayzata has a humid continental climate with freezing and cloudy winters and warm and sunny summers. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 15 degrees and an average low of 9. Temperatures increase gradually over the spring, creating mild Wayzata weather. July is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 73 degrees and an average high of 82. Temperatures start to drop significantly in early September.
Nearly 60% of days in the winter are cloudy and mostly cloudy. July and August have roughly 70% clear and mostly clear days, though June has only 59% clear, mostly clear, and partly cloudy days. Despite being mostly clear, June, July, and August have at least 10 days of rain. Wayzata receives an average of 24.5 inches of rain and 20 inches of snow. You can experience severe storms while living in Wayzata MN.
September is the best time to visit Wayzata and start living in Wayzata MN. The average temperature is 61 degrees, with an average high of 71. The skies are mostly clear and have less rain than in the summer, so many residents and visitors alike can stay comfortable in short-sleeved shirts and jackets. Peak foliage is in mid-September, so it's a perfect time to visit parks and outdoor recreational facilities.
Wayzata offers many fun things to do in Wayzata, including top outdoor destinations and cool stores. Lunds & Byerlys Wayzata is the top grocery store in Wayzata, offering affordable groceries throughout the year. The Promenade is the top shopping mall in Wayzata, with stores like Anthropologie and Gunderson's.
Woodhill Country Club is a quaint country club with a Donald Ross-designed golf course and an on-site Audubon. You and your family can go golfing or explore the Audubon year-round, including in winter and summer.
200 Woodhill Road, Wayzata, MN, 55391, 952-473-7333
Noerenberg Gardens covers 43 acres along the shore of Crystal Bay on Lake Minnetonka. The gardens contain a boat ramp, a sun garden, and a grape arbor that is a perfect backdrop for photos. It's the most desirable place in Wayzata for weddings and special events.
2865 North Shore Drive, Wayzata, MN, 55391, 763-559-6700
The Minnetonka Center for the Arts is an indoor and kid-friendly art studio and museum. You and your kids can take drawing, painting, and sculpture classes and view special exhibits of art from local artists.
2240 North Shore Drive, Wayzata, MN, 55391, 952-473-7361
The Wayzata Parks and Trails Board oversees all public areas in Wayzata. The department also helps with cultural enrichment, planning holiday parties, festivals, and other special events. You can use the Wayzata events calendar to see when these special events are occurring.
Are you interested in living in Wayzata MN and enjoying top things to do in Wayzata? Get a free moving estimate from The Move Crew!
The Minneapolis area has a unique cuisine that is influenced by Northern Europe, Indigenous communities, and Italy. You can try out a range of unique dishes and cuisines at Wayzata restaurants, including ones with beautiful waterfront views.
Red Cow Wayzata is an eclectic neighborhood tavern that serves fresh hamburgers, sandwiches, and salads. The tavern serves dozens of different alcoholic drinks, including beer and wine from local microbreweries. Red Cow Wayzata has a happy hour menu with discounted beverages and food.
881 South Lake Street North, Wayzata, MN, 55391, 952-460-1220
6Smith is a classy, artisan-inspired meat and seafood restaurant with steak, oysters, and salads. You can order brunch, lunch, and dinner, including happy hour and vegan menus. 6Smith has a romantic atmosphere perfect for dates.
294 Grove Lane East, Wayzata, MN, 55391, 952-698-7900
The Grocer's Table is the best restaurant in Wayzata for a quick breakfast or lunch. You can order fresh egg sandwiches, breakfast plates, and woodfired pizza, along with coffee, tea, and pastries.
326 Broadway Avenue South, Wayzata, MN, 55391, 952-466-6100
1,917 people have jobs in Wayzata MN. Wayzata's job market has stayed relatively consistent over the last 10 years, hovering around 2,000 Wayzata jobs. Professional services, health care, and manufacturing are the three largest employment sectors in the city. Each of these sectors has median earnings of over $125,000 a year.
Nearly one-quarter of residents living in Wayzata MN work in management positions with median earnings of over $250,000 a year.
Major employers in Wayzata include TCF Financial, Cargill, and RBA. According to Payscale, the average salary in Wayzata is $74,000 a year, and the average hourly rate is $22.01 an hour. You can apply for Wayzata jobs on Indeed and research City of Wayzata jobs on the municipal government's website.
Wayzata Public Schools is the main Wayzata school district serving all students living in Wayzata MN. Despite its name, most schools in the district are outside of Wayzata, though they're a short drive away. You can use the Wayzata Public Schools district map to see which schools your child living in Wayzata MN will attend.
Gleason Lake Elementary School serves most elementary school students living in Wayzata MN. US News ranks it in the top 50 elementary schools in Minnesota. 81% of Gleason Lake students test at or above the proficiency level in mathematics, 40 percentage points higher than the state rate.
Most students who attend Gleason Lake Elementary School then attend Wayzata West Middle School. US News ranks Wayzata West Middle School in the top five middle schools in Minnesota. 81% of students at Wayzata West test at or above the proficiency level in reading, 35 percentage points higher than the state rate.
Wayzata Public Schools has only one high school, Wayzata High School. US News ranks Wayzata High School in the top 10 high schools in Minnesota. Athletics teams at Wayzata High School have won dozens of state championships, including in dance, track and field, and swimming. Besides athletics, your child can participate in dozens of extracurriculars.
There are no private schools, colleges, or universities in Wayzata. The Wayzata Library is the only public library in the community, serving all residents living in Wayzata MN.
You can find everything that Wayzata offers, including top restaurants in Wayzata, things to do, and amenities.
Living in Wayzata MN is perfect for people of all ages! Young people will enjoy the top schools, delicious restaurants, and fun outdoor attractions. Old people and retirees will enjoy the safe streets and upscale homes for sale in Wayzata.
Moving to Wayzata may be the logical next step, but you shouldn't move by yourself. The Move Crew has the best Wayzata movers, with nearly 10 years of experience in the moving industry. Call 612-361-6787 for a free estimate now.
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