Prior Lake, Minnesota
Among the top 16% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 12% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 33% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 17% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 84% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B+, better than 76% of US places
- top 8% for airport distance
- top 16% for comfortable days
- bottom 5% for air quality
Prior Lake is a mid-size city in Minnesota with about 28,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and D for affordability. Standout strengths include airport distance, comfortable days, and broadband access. It rates lower on sunny days and air quality.
Official websitecityofpriorlake.com (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Heavy snow
freezing
v.cold
cool
comf.
warm
comf.
cool
v.cold
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63%40%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.5 in1.1 in
humid 80%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$130k93rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$57kbetter than 16% of US places
Home Value$401k86th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 17% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 15% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.08%better than 45% of US places
Income Tax9.90%better than 14% of US places
Sales Tax8.04%better than 40% of US places
Estimated total tax burden15.88%better than 15% of US places
Unemployment1.5%better than 72% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)16°F6th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)74°F37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation33.8 in29th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall54.7 inbetter than 11% of US places
Sunny Days182 daysbetter than 10% of US places
Summer Humidity61°Fbetter than 69% of US places
Comfortable Days98 daysbetter than 84% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk56.8better than 62% of US places
Air Quality55 AQIbetter than 5% of US places
School Quality45.3better than 26% of US places
Violent Crime641/100kbetter than 55% of US places
Property Crime1677/100kbetter than 26% of US places
Community
Population27,60895th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age39.442nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2455th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9747th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven33rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)85.2%51st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)1.2%60th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)3.7%51st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)4.3%89th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)5.6%74th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time25 minbetter than 55% of US places
Walkability7.3/20better than 65% of US places
Airport Distance16 mibetter than 92% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access94.3%better than 80% of US places
Amenities Nearby51.07better than 40% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 72% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Prior Lake an affordable place to live?
- Prior Lake is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $57k, better than 16% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Prior Lake?
- The median home value in Prior Lake is $401k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Prior Lake?
- Median household income in Prior Lake is $130k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Prior Lake?
- Median gross rent in Prior Lake is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Prior Lake safe?
- Prior Lake is about average for safety comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 641/100k (better than 55%). Property crime is 1677/100k.
- What is the weather like in Prior Lake?
- Prior Lake averages 74°F in July and 16°F in January, with 33.8 in of annual precipitation and about 182 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Prior Lake?
- Public-school quality in Prior Lake is below average, scoring better than 26% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Prior Lake?
- The average one-way commute in Prior Lake is 25 min.
Other places in Scott County
Places near Prior Lake
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Explore Minnesota
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)