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Burnsville, MN

Frequently asked questions

Burnsville, MN

Burnsville is a city 15 miles (24 km) south of downtown Minneapolis in Dakota County, Minnesota. The city is situated on a bluff overlooking the south bank of the Minnesota River, upstream from its confluence with the Mississippi River. Burnsville and nearby suburbs form the southern portion of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, the 16th-largest metropolitan area in the United States, with about 3.7 million residents. At the 2020 census, the population was 64,317. The name Burnsville is attributed to an early Irish settler and landowner, William Byrne. His surname was recorded as "Burns" and was never corrected.

Burnsville stands on land that once contained the village of Mdewakanton Dakota. Later, it became a rural Irish farming community. Burnsville became Minnesota's 14th-largest city in the 2020 census following the construction of Interstate 35. Now the ninth-largest suburb in the metro area and a bedroom community of both Minneapolis and Saint Paul, it was fully built by the late 2000s. Burnsville's downtown area is called Heart of the City with urban-style retail and condominiums. The Burnsville Transit Station serves as the hub and headquarters of the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, providing regional bus service to five other suburbs. Burnsville is home to a regional mall (Burnsville Center), a section of Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, the 310-foot (94 m) vertical ski peak Buck Hill, and part of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Fed by receding glaciers and Lake Agassiz 12,000 years ago, the Glacial River Warren carved today's Minnesota River valley. On Burnsville's northern border, the Minnesota River winds through marshland and flood plains toward its confluence with the Mississippi. Most of the river is in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge with fish, wildlife, and parkland managed collectively by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Burnsville also contains the Black Dog and Lower Minnesota River Watershed Districts, managed by the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has an area of 26.93 square miles (69.75 km2), of which 24.91 square miles (64.52 km2) is land and 2.02 square miles (5.23 km2) is water. Interstate Highway 35 splits into Interstate Highways 35W and 35E within the city. Other routes in the city include Minnesota Highway 13 and County Road 42.

Health and wellness are integral aspects of life in Burnsville. The city prioritizes community well-being through initiatives like the Burnsville Community Health Initiative, promoting healthy living and providing resources for residents to lead active lifestyles. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Burnsville Parks and Recreation Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include ReVibe Fitness and Wellness, Southside Athletic, and Orangetheory Gym. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Burnsville, such as the Terrace Oaks West and Nicollet Commons Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Burnsville, MN are Fort Snelling State Park, Buck Hill, and Lebanon Hills Regional Park.

Population: 64,864 (2024). ZIP codes: 55306, 55337. Area code: 952. Elevation: 906 ft (276 m). Area: 26.98 sq mi (69.89 km2).

FAQs

Is Burnsville, MN a good place to live?

Burnsville is in Dakota County and is one of the best places to live in Minnesota. Living in Burnsville offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents own their homes. In Burnsville, there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Burnsville and residents tend to have moderate political views.

What's the crime rate in Burnsville, MN?

The crime rate in Burnsville is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 27 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Burnsville is 1 in 37. Based on FBI crime data, Burnsville is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Minnesota, Burnsville has a crime rate that is higher than 92% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

What is the ethnicity of Burnsville, MN?

Burnsville, MN is home to a population of 63.9k people, of which 94.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 14.3% of Burnsville, MN residents were born outside of the country (9.16k people). In 2021, there were 4.84 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (41.7k people) in Burnsville, MN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 8.62k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 3.93k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Burnsville

Burnsville Community Health Initiative

Burnsville Parks and Recreation Department

ReVibe Fitness and Wellness

Southside Athletic 

Orangetheory Gym

Terrace Oaks West 

Nicollet Commons Park

Fort Snelling State Park

Buck Hill

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

DataUSA

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