Browse our comprehensive list of Cities on Lake Minnetonka, and get information about area, population, households, the median sales prices for homes in the area, and more! The Lake Minnetonka area is made of 14 diverse communities unified in their enthusiasm and support for the Lake. It's also known for it's natural beauty including miles of shoreline, rolling hills and valleys and heavily wooded neighborhoods. The future for the upper midwest, Minnesota and the Lake Minnetonka are bright, with citizens continuing to invest time, energy and money in the 14 communities that border the Lake.
Major initiatives are underway to prevent and attempt to manage aquatic invasive species which are problematic all over the State, the Country, and the world. The University of Minnesota and the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District continue to spearhead research on zebra mussels and the like.
The School Districts that surround the Lake are some of the very best in the State and the Country and include: Minnetonka School District #276, Westonka School District #277, Orono School District #278, and Wayzata School District #284 and voters consistently support levies and referendums.
Public safety for homeowners in the Lake Minnetonka area is 2nd to none in the State of Minnesota. The Cities on Lake Minnetonka also have a wide variety of civic, business, religious, and charity organizations. This website is viewed by many people looking for Lake Minnetonka Homes.
| City |
Area (Square Miles) |
Population (2016)* |
Households (2010)* |
Median Sale Price (2017)* |
| Deephaven |
2.43 |
3,843 |
1,337 |
$682,000 |
| Excelsior |
.69 |
2,316 |
1,115 |
$530,000 |
| Greenwood |
.61 |
734 |
290 |
$1,227,000 |
| Minnetonka |
28.22 |
52,369 |
13,619 |
$318,400 |
| Minnetonka Beach |
.48 |
552 |
201 |
$1,348,000 |
| Minnetrista |
30.76 |
7,397 |
2,176 |
$457,000 |
| Mound |
4.96 |
9,394 |
3,974 |
$250,000 |
| Orono |
25.15 |
8,009 |
2,826 |
$637,000 |
| Shorewood |
13.33 |
7,642 |
2,658 |
$522,000 |
| Spring Park |
.62 |
1,786 |
897 |
$434,000 |
| Tonka Bay |
.99 |
1,555 |
586 |
$550,000 |
| Victoria |
9.79 |
8,917 |
2,435 |
$422,377 |
| Wayzata |
3.16 |
4,522 |
1,795 |
$900,000 |
| Woodland |
.62 |
474 |
169 |
$1,223,000 |
Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. 2016 Population estimate from Wikipedia. Household count source is the 2010 U.S. Census. Median Sales Price from Minneapolis Association of REALTORS Local Market Update - November 2017. Sponsored by Dan Gustafson of Coldwell Banker Burnet.
First settled by farmers Alfred B. and Celeste Robinson, this picturesque and tranquil enclave is home to the Cottagewood General Store, the Minnetonka Yacht Club, and Deephaven Beach. Located on the shores of Robinsons, Carsons, St. Louis Bays, many of the properties in Deephaven have long views over the Lower Lake North. Located within the Minnetonka School District. Notable areas include Northome Road, Lakeview Avenue, Cedarhurst, Linwood Road, Chimo East Street, and Robinsons Bay Road.
Excelsior Minnesota was settled in 1852 by the Excelsior Pioneer Association led by John Harrington Stevens and George Bertram who promoted the area to New Yorkers. Today Excelsior is home to many of the Lake Minnetonka Cruise and Charter Boat operations, eclectic shops and restaurants including Maynards which is on the shore of Excelsior Bay and the Lower Lake South. Excelsior is also infamous for the contributions made by "Mr. Jimmy" to Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones when the rock and roll legends played the Danceland Ballroom at the Excelsior Amusement Park in 1964.
Located on the north and east banks of St. Albans Bay, Greenwood is a small but favorite community on the lake offering year round recreation and entertainment options. Highlights include the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail located on the western side of the community, and the Old Log Theater. Adjacent communities included Excelsior, Deephaven, Shorewood, and Minnetonka. Greenwood is also located in the Minnetonka School District.
Originally settled in the 1850's, Minnetonka is the easternmost city on Lake Minnetonka, abutting Greys Bay, Libbs Lake, the Minnehaha Creek, and the Greys Bay Dam. It's also the most populous community on Lake Minnetonka with an estimated 52,369 for population as of 2016, 28.22 square miles, 13,619 and a median home price of $318,000. In addition to the natural water features, Minnetonka is a major center for commerce with Ridgedale Mall, multiple Target stores, grocery stores such as Cub and Lunds & Byerlys. Minnetonka is served by three school districts: Minnetonka. Hopkins, and Wayzata. The name Minnetonka comes from the Dakota Sioux mni tanka, meaning "great water". Major employers include Cargill, Carlson Companies, Medica, Starkey Hearing Technologies, St. Jude Medical, SuperValu, and UnitedHealth Group.
Home to the Lafayette Club and an estimated 552 residents, Minnetonka Beach is one of the smaller communities on Lake Minnetonka. Settled originally in 1872, this enclave is nestled on Crystal Bay, Lafayette Bay, Smiths Bay and Lower Lake North.
On the far western edge of Lake Minnetonka, Minnetrista is one of the last undeveloped areas--although that too is changing. Comprised of 30.76 square miles, an estimated 2016 population of 7,397 and 2,176 households with a median sale price of $457,000, this community was named by the Dakota who deemed it water (minne) crooked (trista), no doubt referring to the bays on Lake Minnetonka including West Upper Lake, Priests Bay, Halsted Bay, Jennings Bay, as well as 6 mile creek and Dutch Lake.
The birthplace of Tonka Trucks, and named after the plentiful and prehistoric Indian burial mounds within the area prior to European settlement, Mound is the destination for commerce on the west side of Lake Minnetonka. Settled in the 1850's and incorporated in 1912, present day Mound is home to 32 parks, 627 public boat sites as part of the Mound Docks and Commons Program, a slammin' skate park, the Dakota Rail Trail, and the Mound Visions redevelopment program which is focused on bringing Lake Minnetonka into the design of commercial and residential construction in downtown Mound.
Originally part of an Excelsior township survey drafted in 1953 with land on both the north and south side of Lake Minneotnka, and then attached to Medina in 1868, the town of Orono was created with permission from Hennepin County Commissioners in 1889. Present day Orono has an estimated population of 8,009 residents, 2,176 househoulds with a median home value of $637,000 spread over 25.15 square miles. To this day Orono still feels primarily rural in nature, even as development creeps in around the edges. It is also home to some of the most expensive real estate in the Country, with prominent estates situated on Fox Street, Tonkawa, Little Orchard Way, to name a few.
Shorewood
Spring Park
Tonka Bay
Victoria
Wayzata
Woodland
