Population 34,862 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Prior Lake
Household size in Prior Lake
| Period | Prior Lake | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.83 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.82 | 2.61 | 2.54 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.78 | 2.63 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.84 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | −0.00 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Prior Lake holds 2.84 people, more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Households are largest in the north and smallest in the center. Prior Lake has larger households than the great majority of Minnesota cities.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Prior Lake
| Period | Prior Lake | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.4 | 36.8 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.3 | 37.8 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.5 | 38.6 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.9 | 39.2 | 40.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.4 | +2.5 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Prior Lake are younger than 40.9 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The population here is older than in the Minneapolis area overall, where the median age is 39.2. The median age has climbed from 37.4 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Prior Lake
| Period | Prior Lake | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.5% | 10.2% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.9% | 10.6% | 10.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 9.9% | 9.7% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.3% | 9.8% | 9.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 6.3% of households in Prior Lake, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 1.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Prior Lake has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Minnesota cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Prior Lake
Renters in Prior Lake
| Period | Prior Lake | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.7% | 27.3% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.8% | 29.6% | 27.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 13.1% | 30.0% | 28.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 11.7% | 29.3% | 27.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | +2.0 pts | +2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Prior Lake is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 11.7% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Just over a quarter of owners (25.8%) have paid off their mortgages, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged up 1.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Prior Lake
| Period | Prior Lake | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.7% | 7.0% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 4.0% | 6.2% | 9.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.3% | 5.5% | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.3% | 5.7% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Prior Lake: just 4.3% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. The Minneapolis area as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, vacancy has edged down 1.4 points, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Prior Lake
| Period | Prior Lake | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1990 | 1975 | 1973 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1991 | 1976 | 1974 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1992 | 1977 | 1975 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1996 | 1980 | 1978 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Prior Lake has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1996, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1990 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the east has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Prior Lake
| Period | Prior Lake | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,160 | $1,007 | $882 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,396 | $1,077 | $953 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,413 | $1,258 | $1,099 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,878 | $1,603 | $1,404 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$719 | +$597 | +$522 | +$606 |
The median renter in Prior Lake pays $1,878 a month for rent and utilities, above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $719 a month from 2006–10, a 62% jump, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 33.6% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the north; the most affordable are in the east.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Prior Lake
Bachelor's degrees in Prior Lake
| Period | Prior Lake | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.7% | 37.2% | 32.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 41.7% | 39.1% | 33.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 45.3% | 41.8% | 36.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 50.8% | 45.4% | 39.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.1 pts | +8.1 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Prior Lake is highly educated: about half of adults 25 and older (50.8%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 9.1 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Prior Lake has a higher share of college graduates than the great majority of Minnesota cities.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Prior Lake
| Period | Prior Lake | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 97.4% | 92.4% | 91.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 96.2% | 92.9% | 92.2% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.5% | 93.5% | 93.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.0% | 94.0% | 93.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | +1.6 pts | +2.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Prior Lake: 97.0% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Prior Lake has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Minnesota cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Prior Lake
| Period | Prior Lake | Minneapolis area | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.4% | 6.7% | 6.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.0% | 6.8% | 6.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.8% | 3.6% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.6% | 4.0% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.4 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Prior Lake has been strong: just 1.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only 11 of the 188 Minnesota cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 3.8 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Prior Lake compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prior Lake | 2.84 | 40.9 | 6.3% | 11.7% | 4.3% | 1996 | $1,878 | 50.8% | 97.0% | 1.6% |
| Savage | 2.83 | 39.4 | 8.1% | 14.1% | 2.6% | 1996 | $1,845 | 54.4% | 96.4% | 5.3% |
| Marystown | 2.87 | 42.0 | 9.1% | 7.3% | 5.9% | 1986 | $1,514 | 40.8% | 91.6% | 2.1% |
| Shakopee | 2.87 | 36.7 | 13.6% | 24.4% | 4.5% | 1996 | $1,721 | 40.9% | 91.6% | 3.7% |
| Lydia | 2.58 | 52.0 | 3.3% | 3.3% | 3.5% | 1988 | $1,294 | 37.5% | 98.6% | 2.2% |
| Burnsville | 2.55 | 38.0 | 10.6% | 35.3% | 3.8% | 1981 | $1,569 | 39.0% | 92.4% | 5.1% |
| Lakeville | 2.93 | 37.6 | 8.0% | 12.4% | 4.1% | 2002 | $2,020 | 53.8% | 97.0% | 2.2% |
| Elko | 2.92 | 44.7 | 3.6% | 3.3% | 4.8% | 1983 | $1,821 | 40.7% | 98.6% | 3.0% |
| Bloomington | 2.42 | 42.6 | 9.1% | 34.2% | 5.7% | 1971 | $1,628 | 45.8% | 92.5% | 4.7% |
| Eden Prairie | 2.53 | 42.6 | 7.0% | 24.0% | 4.4% | 1989 | $1,969 | 64.4% | 96.5% | 3.5% |
| Jordan | 3.02 | 37.4 | 13.0% | 14.4% | 4.9% | 1983 | $1,223 | 27.4% | 92.0% | 2.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Syracuse, UT · Foster City, CA · Granger, IN · Granite City, IL · Independence, KY · Jacksonville, AR · Kaysville, UT · Ken Caryl, CO · Kiryas Joel, NY · Knightdale, NC
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Prior Lake. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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