Is Burnsville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Burnsville

Burnsville, Minnesota, is a vibrant suburb situated just south of Minneapolis, offering a blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility. This Dakota County city provides a diverse community with a range of amenities, making it an attractive place for individuals and families alike. Its strategic location within the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area ensures residents have access to a thriving job market and a rich cultural scene.

The city boasts an extensive park system and numerous recreational opportunities, contributing to a high quality of life. With a focus on community development and resident well-being, Burnsville continues to evolve as a desirable place to live. This guide explores various aspects of Burnsville, from its safety and cost of living to its job market and educational institutions, providing a comprehensive overview for those considering a move.

Is it Safe to Live in Burnsville?

Burnsville’s crime rate is a topic of consideration for potential residents. While overall crime is higher than the national average, specific categories show different trends. Violent crime rates in Burnsville are significantly below the national average, with an annual rate that is 57.1% lower than the national average (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer). Conversely, property crime rates are above the national average, with an annual rate that is 22.0% higher than the national average (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer).

The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Burnsville is approximately 1 in 48 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). When compared to other communities of similar size across the U.S., Burnsville’s crime rate is near the average (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Relative to other cities and towns in Minnesota, Burnsville’s crime rate is higher than 92% of them (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Violent Crime Breakdown

Focusing on violent crime, Burnsville demonstrates a more favorable picture compared to national statistics. The city’s violent crime rate stands at 45.6 per 100,000 residents, which is considerably lower than the national average (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer). Specific violent offenses like rape, robbery, and aggravated assault also show rates below national averages (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer).

In the period between 2019 and 2023, Burnsville recorded a total of 2,255 violent crimes (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer). Over the same five-year span, there were 12 reported hate crime incidents, motivated by factors including race, religion, and sexual orientation (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer).

Property Crime Trends

Property crime in Burnsville presents a different trend, with rates exceeding the national average. The annual property crime rate is 199.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 22.0% above the national average (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer). Within this category, burglary rates are slightly above the national average, while motor vehicle theft rates are below the national average (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer).

From 2019 to 2023, Burnsville experienced a total of 7,648 property crimes (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer). Larceny constitutes the most frequent type of property crime within the city during this period (as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer).

Cost of Living and Housing in Burnsville

Burnsville offers a cost of living that is generally considered affordable, especially within the context of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The overall cost of living in Burnsville is approximately 6% lower than the national average (as reported by The Move Crew). This affordability is significantly influenced by housing costs.

The median home value in Burnsville is around $368,611, showing a slight increase of 2.2% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Homes in Burnsville tend to sell relatively quickly, with an average time on the market of about 27 days (as reported by Zillow). In March 2026, the median sale price for a home was $380,000, representing a 13.4% increase compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin).

Rental Market Insights

For those considering renting, Burnsville provides a competitive market with various options. The average rent for an apartment in Burnsville is approximately $1,603 per month (as reported by Zillow). This figure is lower than the national average rent of $1,910 per month (as reported by Zillow).

Rental prices can vary by the number of bedrooms. A one-bedroom apartment averages around $1,349 per month (as reported by Apartments.com), while a two-bedroom apartment averages about $1,710 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). As of April 2026, the median rent for all property types in Burnsville was $1,575 per month, which is 19% lower than the national median (as reported by Zumper).

Housing Market Trends

The Burnsville housing market is characterized by steady activity and moderate price appreciation. In March 2026, the median listing price for homes in Burnsville was $350,000 (as reported by Redfin). Homes in this market typically sell within an average of 20 to 24 days, indicating a relatively active pace (as reported by Redfin, The Move Crew).

The median sale price of a home in Burnsville was $365,000 in March 2026 (as reported by Movoto). Year-over-year, the median sale price has seen a slight decline of -2.65% (as reported by realtor.com®). The market is considered a seller’s market in March 2026, suggesting that demand may currently exceed supply (as reported by realtor.com®).

Job Market and Economy

Burnsville offers a diverse employment landscape with a variety of industries and major employers contributing to its economic vitality. The city is part of the larger Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, which is a significant economic hub in the region.

The average annual salary in Burnsville is reported to be around $56,000, or $26.92 per hour (as reported by Zippia). However, other sources indicate a slightly different average, with one stating $45,925 annually, or approximately $22.08 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median household income in Burnsville was $87,024 as of the 2020 Census (as reported by Data Commons).

Major Employers

Several key companies and organizations serve as major employers in Burnsville, providing a range of job opportunities across different sectors. Apothecary Products, headquartered in Burnsville, is a global leader in consumer wellness products (as reported by Indeed.com, Zippia). Northern Tool + Equipment also has a significant presence, operating as a multi-channel retailer with headquarters in Burnsville (as reported by Zippia).

Healthcare providers like Park Nicollet and Fairview Health Services are also significant employers in the area (as reported by Indeed.com). Other notable companies include Costco Wholesale, Keller Williams Realty, and TruStone Financial Credit Union (as reported by Indeed.com).

Unemployment and Workforce

The unemployment rate in Burnsville was 4.90% as of the latest reports, which is higher than the previous month’s rate of 4.00% and the previous year’s rate of 3.10% (as reported by YCharts). This rate is lower than the long-term average for the city (as reported by YCharts). In Minnesota, the unemployment rate held steady at 4.5% in March 2026 (as reported by MN.gov).

Approximately 75% of persons over 16 years old in Burnsville are in the workforce (as reported by the City of Burnsville). A significant portion of employed residents, 39%, work in management or professional occupations, with others employed in service industries, sales, construction, and production/transportation (as reported by the City of Burnsville).

Climate and Environment

Burnsville experiences a climate with distinct seasons, characterized by cold winters and warm summers. The weather patterns are typical of a continental climate, with significant temperature variations throughout the year.

The average temperature in Burnsville typically ranges from a low of 9°F in January to a high of 83°F in July (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The warm season extends from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 71°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Conversely, the cold season lasts from late November to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 35°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Temperature and Precipitation

July is generally the hottest month in Burnsville, with average high temperatures around 82°F and low temperatures around 64°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). January is the coldest month, with average low temperatures of 9°F and average high temperatures of 24°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Burnsville receives a moderate amount of precipitation annually, averaging around 33 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). June is typically the wettest month, with an average rainfall of about 5 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The city experiences a distinct dry season from December to March, with January receiving the least amount of rain, averaging 0.1 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Seasonal Variations

Summers in Burnsville are long, warm, and often wet, while winters are freezing, snowy, and windy (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The city experiences significant seasonal variations in monthly rainfall and humidity (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The period from June to September generally offers pleasant weather, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 28°C, making it ideal for outdoor activities (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Cloud cover tends to be highest during the winter months, with December being the cloudiest month (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and Schools

Burnsville is served by the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191, which provides educational opportunities for students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district is recognized for its diversity and commitment to academic preparation.

Burnsville High School receives an overall Niche grade of B+, with a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1 (as reported by Niche). According to state test scores, 17% of students are proficient in math and 43% in reading (as reported by Niche). The school is also noted for being among the most diverse public high schools in Minnesota (as reported by Niche).

District Performance

The Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 as a whole has an overall Niche grade of B (as reported by Niche). It serves approximately 7,594 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 31% of students are proficient in math and 39% in reading (as reported by Niche).

The district ranks highly in diversity, being the second most diverse school district in Minnesota (as reported by Niche). It also ranks well for college preparation, indicating a strong focus on preparing students for post-secondary education (as reported by Niche).

School Ratings and Diversity

Niche provides ratings for individual schools within the district. For example, Gideon Pond Elementary School and William Byrne Elementary School both have a B grade (as reported by Niche). Harriet Bishop Elementary School has a rating of 5 out of 5 (as reported by Niche).

Burnsville High School is recognized as one of the most diverse public high schools in Minnesota, ranking 19th out of 666 such schools (as reported by Niche). The district itself is ranked 22nd out of 11,136 most diverse school districts in America (as reported by Niche).

Demographics and Community

Burnsville is a diverse city with a population of over 64,000 residents, reflecting a mix of ethnic and age groups. The median age in the city is around 37.2 years, with a balanced distribution of younger and older populations (as reported by Wikipedia).

The city’s population consists of approximately 77.5% White, 10.0% African American, 5.0% Asian, and smaller percentages of other racial groups (as reported by Wikipedia). Hispanic or Latino individuals make up about 7.9% of the population (as reported by Wikipedia).

Population and Age Distribution

As of the 2020 census, Burnsville had a population of 64,317 (as reported by Wikipedia). Of this population, 22.7% are under the age of 18, and 15.7% are 65 years of age or older (as reported by Wikipedia). The gender distribution is nearly equal, with 95.9 males for every 100 females (as reported by Wikipedia).

In 2024, Burnsville’s population was estimated at 64,864 (as reported by Data Commons). The median age was 36.7 years in 2024 (as reported by Data Commons). The city’s population is largely urban, with 100% of residents living in urban areas (as reported by Wikipedia).

Diversity and Language

Burnsville is noted for its diversity, with a significant minority population. In 2024, approximately 13.8% of residents were born outside the country (as reported by Data USA). White (Non-Hispanic) residents form the largest ethnic group, constituting 39.7k people (as reported by Data USA).

The Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) population numbers 8.62k, and the “Other (Hispanic)” category includes 4.22k residents (as reported by Data USA). While the majority of residents speak English at home, nearly 10% speak a different language (as reported by the City of Burnsville).