Eden Prairie, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
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City
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Eden Prairie City Center
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| Nickname(s):
EP
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| Motto(s):
Live, Work, Dream
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Location of Eden Prairie
within Hennepin County, Minnesota |
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 Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Location in Minnesota
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  Minnesota |
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| County | Hennepin | |
| Founded | 1858 | |
| Incorporated | October 22, 1962 | |
| Founded by | Robert Anderson | |
| Area | ||
| • City | 35.22 sq mi (91.22 km2) | |
| • Land | 32.50 sq mi (84.17 km2) | |
| • Water | 2.72 sq mi (7.05 km2) | |
| Elevation | 886 ft (270 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • City | 64,198 | |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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62,476 | |
| • Rank | US: 620th MN: 16th |
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| • Density | 1,975.57/sq mi (762.76/km2) | |
| • Urban | 2,650,890 (US: 16th) | |
| • Metro | 3,693,729 (US: 16th) | |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | |
| ZIP codes |
55344, 55346, 55347
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| Area code(s) | 952 | |
| FIPS code | 27-18116 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 643164 | |
| Airport | Flying Cloud Airport (Public/Reliever) | |
| Interstates |  |
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| U.S. Routes |   |
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| State Routes |    |
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| County roads |  |
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| Public transportation | SouthWest Transit | |
| Light rail |  Metro Green Line Extension (Opened 2027) |
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Eden Prairie is a lively city in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It is home to over 64,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in the state. The city sits near the Minnesota River, about 12 miles (19 km) southwest of downtown Minneapolis.
Eden Prairie is known for its beautiful natural spaces. It has many parks, trails, and conservation areas. You can find over 170 miles (274 km) of trails for walking and biking. There are also more than 2,250 acres (9.1 km²) of parks to explore. Popular spots include Staring Lake, Lake Riley, and Purgatory Creek. The city is also a hub for many businesses. It has a large shopping mall called Eden Prairie Center. Public transportation is available through SouthWest Transit.
Welcome to Eden Prairie!
Eden Prairie is a wonderful place to live, learn, and play. It combines city life with lots of green spaces. This makes it a great spot for families and businesses. The city's motto is "Live, Work, Dream."
A Look Back: Eden Prairie's History
Early Inhabitants and Settlers
Long ago, Native American tribes lived in the Eden Prairie area. The land was originally part of the Great Dakota Nation. Later, the Ojibwe tribe arrived from the Great Lakes region. The tribes sometimes had disagreements over land.
One important Native American leader was Chief Shoto. He was a chief of the Red Wing Dakota tribe. He later led the "Little Six" band of Dakota. Chief Shoto lived in Eden Prairie and was a scout for Governor Sibley for many years. He passed away in 1899 at 99 years old.
In 1851, new treaties allowed pioneers to move into the area. Many early farmhouses from these settlers still stand today. Some are even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One early settler was John Cummins, an immigrant from Ireland. He built the "Cummins-Phipps-Grill House" in 1880. John Cummins was a skilled farmer and scientist. He experimented with different types of apples and grapes. He wanted to find plants that could grow well in Minnesota's cold climate.
In 1853, the town was first named "Eden." A writer named Elizabeth F. Ellet chose the name. She loved the "beautiful prairie" in the southern part of the town. Eden Prairie's first town meeting happened on May 11, 1858. This was the same day Minnesota became a state!
How Eden Prairie Grew
For many years, Eden Prairie was a small farming community. Its population grew slowly. Between 1880 and 1960, it went from about 739 people to 2,000.
A big change came in 1946 with the Flying Cloud Airport. This was a sign of future growth. The 1960s and 1970s saw many new parks and recreation areas. The city became more well-known in the mid-1970s. This was when Interstate 494 and the Eden Prairie Center mall were built. Eden Prairie officially became a village in 1962. It became a statutory city in 1974. Staring Lake, a popular lake, is named after Jonas Platt Staring, who built the first house nearby.
Exploring Eden Prairie's Nature
Eden Prairie is located about 11 miles (18 km) southwest of Minneapolis. It sits along the northern side of the Minnesota River. The city has rolling hills and bluffs that overlook the river. You can also find areas of prairie and forests with many different kinds of trees.
Major roads like Interstate 494, U.S. Highways 169 and 212, and Minnesota State Highway 5 help people travel through the city.
Eden Prairie is proud of its many parks. These include Round Lake Park, Staring Lake Park, and Bryant Lake Regional Park. These parks offer great trails for running and biking. The city covers about 35.19 square miles (91.14 km²). Most of this is land, with some beautiful lakes and waterways.
Who Lives in Eden Prairie?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 304 | — | |
| 1870 | 576 | 89.5% | |
| 1880 | 744 | 29.2% | |
| 1890 | 769 | 3.4% | |
| 1900 | 827 | 7.5% | |
| 1910 | 974 | 17.8% | |
| 1920 | 983 | 0.9% | |
| 1930 | 1,048 | 6.6% | |
| 1940 | 1,221 | 16.5% | |
| 1950 | 1,384 | 13.3% | |
| 1960 | 3,233 | 133.6% | |
| 1970 | 6,978 | 115.8% | |
| 1980 | 16,263 | 133.1% | |
| 1990 | 39,311 | 141.7% | |
| 2000 | 54,901 | 39.7% | |
| 2010 | 60,797 | 10.7% | |
| 2020 | 64,198 | 5.6% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 62,905 | 3.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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According to the 2020 census, Eden Prairie had 64,198 residents. The average age was about 39 years old. About 23% of residents were under 18. Around 15% were 65 years or older.
Most people in Eden Prairie live in urban areas. There are about 24,892 households in the city. Many households (about 32%) have children under 18 living there. The city is home to people from many different backgrounds. About 70% of residents are White, 14% are Asian, and 7% are Black or African American. About 4.6% of residents are of Hispanic or Latino heritage.
Working in Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie is a hub for many businesses. Over 2,800 companies call the city home. These businesses work in areas like shipping, retail, healthcare, and technology.
Some of the largest employers in Eden Prairie include:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
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| 1 | Optum | 6500 |
| 2 | C. H. Robinson | 2500 |
| 3 | Starkey Labs | 2117 |
| 4 | UNFI | 1600 |
| 5 | Eden Prairie School District | 1285 |
| 6 | Danfoss | 440 |
| 7 | Lifetouch | 800 |
| 7 | MTS Systems Corporation | 800 |
| 8 | Abbott Laboratories | 617 |
The video game store FuncoLand used to have its main office in Eden Prairie.
Fun and Culture
In 2008, the community built a special memorial for veterans. This memorial honors people who have served in the U.S. military. It has two parts: one for service to the country and another for world peace. Sculptor Neil Brodin created two bronze statues for the memorial. One shows a soldier helping an airman. The other shows a woman touching a globe, honoring women in service.
Eden Prairie also hosted the 2017 USA Rink Bandy League Cannon Cup Playoffs.
How Eden Prairie is Run
Eden Prairie is part of Minnesota's 3rd congressional district. The city has a mayor, Ron Case, and several council members. These leaders work together to make decisions for the city. The city manager, Rick Getschow, helps manage daily operations.
The Eden Prairie Police Department keeps the city safe. It has a chief, a captain, lieutenants, and many police officers. They work in different teams, like Patrol and Investigations.
Learning in Eden Prairie
The first school in Eden Prairie was Anderson School, a small schoolhouse. Today, Eden Prairie has a great school system. It includes eight K–12 schools. There are six elementary schools (PreK–5), one middle school (6–8), and Eden Prairie High School (9–12). Eden Prairie High School is one of Minnesota's largest high schools, with about 2,600 students.
Some students can choose to attend public schools in other districts. This is allowed under Minnesota's open enrollment law.
Eden Prairie also has special schools. The Performing Institute of Minnesota Arts High School is a charter school. The International School of Minnesota is a private school. It offers education from preschool through 12th grade. It teaches world languages daily and has many advanced courses.
Hennepin Technical College has a campus in Eden Prairie. It offers classes for about 7,000 students.
Infrastructure
The city is served by the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (Soo Line) railway.
Famous Faces from Eden Prairie
Many interesting people have connections to Eden Prairie! Here are a few:
- Andrew Alberts, a former professional hockey player.
- David Baszucki, the CEO and co-founder of Roblox.
- Michael Bland, a former drummer for the musician Prince.
- Rachel Bootsma, an Olympic gold medalist in swimming.
- Jasper Brinkley, a former linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings.
- Blake Cashman, a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings.
- Chuck Foreman, a former running back for the Minnesota Vikings.
- Dan Gladden, a former baseball player for the Minnesota Twins. He is now a radio broadcaster for the Twins.
- Jermaine Johnson, a defensive end for the New York Jets.
- Jackson LaCombe, a defenceman for the Anaheim Ducks.
- Nick Leddy, a defenseman for the San Jose Sharks.
- Casey Mittelstadt, a center for the Boston Bruins.
- Reynold Philipsek, a jazz guitarist.
- Allison Pottinger, a world champion curler.
- Kyle Rau, a forward for the Minnesota Wild.
- Robert Remus, also known as Sgt. Slaughter, a famous wrestler.
- William Sawalich, a NASCAR driver.
- Malik Sealy, a former guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Nick Seeler, a defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers.
- Sheila E., a famous singer-songwriter and percussionist.
- Kenny Stills, a former wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints.
Images for kids
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Cummins Cabin, built before 1860.
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The Cummins-Phipps-Grill House today.
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Farmers preparing beans at Cummins Farm.
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A reconstructed railway depot in Eden Prairie.
See also
In Spanish: Eden Prairie (Minnesota) para niños
