Is Falcon Heights Safe, Pros and cons of living in Falcon Heights

Falcon Heights, Minnesota, offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility, situated as a suburb of Saint Paul. This charming city, encompassing just 2.28 square miles, is known for its tree-lined streets and its advantageous position close to both downtown Saint Paul and downtown Minneapolis. Its proximity to major hubs like the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and the University of Minnesota’s Saint Paul campus contributes to its dynamic atmosphere. The community is characterized by a desire for a peaceful living environment while maintaining convenient access to the amenities and opportunities of larger metropolitan areas.

The city’s demographic profile presents a diverse community with a significant portion of its residents being White, followed by substantial Asian and Black or African American populations. This diversity is reflected in the community’s cultural fabric and educational institutions. Falcon Heights is home to approximately 5,085 residents, with a median age of 34.4 years, indicating a balanced mix of age groups. The community is generally well-educated, with many residents employed in sectors such as educational services, professional, scientific, and technical services, and healthcare. This demographic landscape shapes the character and opportunities available within Falcon Heights.

Is it Safe to Live in Falcon Heights?

Falcon Heights presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with varying data points suggesting different levels of risk. Some reports indicate that Falcon Heights’s overall crime rate is lower than the national average, with violent crimes also being significantly below the national average. This suggests that for many, Falcon Heights is a safe place to live, with a lower chance of becoming a victim of crime compared to many other U.S. cities. Residents generally consider the northeast part of the city to be the safest area (as reported by CrimeGrade.org and AreaVibes).

However, other analyses categorize the crime rate as considerably higher than the national average, and the city receives a D+ grade for violent crime, indicating it is safer than only 29% of cities. This suggests that while some areas are safer, the overall crime rate might be a concern for some potential residents. The cost of crime per resident is noted as being higher than both the national and state averages (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). This discrepancy in safety assessments highlights the importance of researching specific neighborhoods within Falcon Heights for a comprehensive understanding of local safety conditions.

Housing Costs and Real Estate Market

The housing market in Falcon Heights offers a range of options, with most residents owning their homes. The median home value is approximately $416,626, showing a slight increase of 2.9% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). This median value is higher than the national average rent, indicating a robust real estate market.

Rental prices in Falcon Heights are generally more affordable than the national average. The average rent for an apartment is around $1,179 per month, which is 28% lower than the national average (as reported by Rentometer). For specific unit types, studio apartments typically range from $1,000-$1,100, one-bedroom apartments around $1,179, two-bedroom apartments approximately $1,363, and three-bedroom rentals could cost $1,742 or more per month (as reported by Rentometer and Zillow). Most residents own their homes, suggesting a stable and desirable community (as reported by Niche).

Economic Landscape and Job Market

Falcon Heights’s economy is driven by key sectors, with educational services employing the largest number of residents, followed by professional, scientific, and technical services, and healthcare (as reported by Data USA). The largest job groups include education, instruction, and library occupations, office and administrative support, and life, physical, and social science occupations (as reported by Data USA). The city’s employment has seen a slight decline of approximately 0.35% from the previous year (as reported by Data USA).

The average annual salary in Falcon Heights is approximately $52,800, which equates to about $25.38 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). However, another source indicates a higher average annual total compensation of approximately $92,274, with salaries typically ranging from $80,685 to $105,575 (as reported by Glassdoor). This variation may depend on specific employers and roles within the city. The median household income is reported as $96,528 (as reported by Point2Homes), which is significantly higher than the national median household income. This indicates a strong earning potential for residents within Falcon Heights.

Climate and Environment

Falcon Heights experiences a climate with distinct seasonal variations. Summers are typically warm and wet, while winters are cold, snowy, and windy. The temperature generally ranges from 9°F to 83°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below -11°F or exceeding 91°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The humidity levels remain comfortable during the summer months, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere for residents.

The city receives an average annual precipitation of about 33 inches, with snowfall contributing significantly during the winter months, averaging around 41 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). June is the wettest month, with an average of 5 inches of precipitation, while January sees the least amount of rain (as reported by Weather Spark). The warmer season extends from late May to mid-September, with July being the hottest month, reaching average highs of 82°F. Conversely, the coldest period is from late November to early March, with January seeing average lows around 6°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and Community Life

Falcon Heights is served by Falcon Heights Elementary School, which is highly rated and consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Minnesota. The school demonstrates strong performance in math and reading proficiency, exceeding state averages (as reported by Niche and SchoolDigger). It has a student-teacher ratio of approximately 20:1 (as reported by Niche).

The community offers a mix of amenities that contribute to a high quality of life. Residents can enjoy proximity to various bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks, creating a vibrant urban-suburban feel. The community is generally considered liberal, with many young professionals choosing to live in Falcon Heights, attracted by its highly-rated public schools and its desirable location (as reported by Niche).

Demographics and Diversity

Falcon Heights is home to a population of approximately 5,085 individuals, with a notable presence of diverse racial and ethnic groups. White residents constitute the largest demographic group, making up around 71-72% of the population, followed by Asian residents at approximately 13-14% and Black or African American residents at about 7-8% (as reported by Census Reporter and Point2Homes). A smaller percentage of the population identifies with two or more races or other ethnic categories.

The median age in Falcon Heights is 34.4 years, with a relatively even distribution across age brackets, though there’s a significant concentration of residents between 18 and 44 years old. For every 100 females, there are approximately 88.5 males, indicating a slightly higher female population (as reported by Point2Homes). A notable portion of the population, around 19.6%, were born outside the country, contributing to the community’s multicultural character (as reported by Data USA).