Is Hopkins Safe, Pros and cons of living in Hopkins

Hopkins, Minnesota, is a charming suburb located just west of Minneapolis, offering a unique blend of small-town appeal and convenient access to urban amenities. This city provides a compelling lifestyle for those seeking a balanced environment, with a population of just under 19,000 residents contributing to its welcoming atmosphere. Hopkins is characterized by its tree-lined streets, local businesses, and a vibrant arts scene, creating a distinct sense of community.

The city’s strategic location and community focus make it an attractive option for individuals and families. Its size allows for a more intimate feel compared to larger metropolises, while its proximity to Minneapolis ensures access to extensive employment, cultural, and recreational opportunities. This balance is a key factor for many considering a move to Hopkins.

Is it Safe to Live in Hopkins?

Hopkins presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with crime rates that warrant consideration. The overall crime rate in Hopkins is reported to be 44.79 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (according to CrimeGrade.org). This rate is higher than the national average, and Hopkins ranks in the 13th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than only 13% of U.S. cities (according to CrimeGrade.org). Residents often feel the southeast part of the city is the safest, with the chance of being a victim of crime varying by neighborhood.

Violent crime rates in Hopkins are also a point of discussion. While some sources indicate a lower violent crime rate than the national average, with 52 violent crimes reported, equating to 282 per 100,000 residents (lower than the national average by 21.5% according to AreaVibes), other analyses place the violent crime rate at 3.724 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (according to CrimeGrade.org). Property crime rates are also a factor, with Hopkins recording 239 property crimes, or 1295 per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national average by 26.4% (according to AreaVibes). However, NeighborhoodScout reports that Hopkins has a crime rate considerably higher than the national average, with 16 crimes per one thousand residents, and relative to Minnesota, its crime rate is higher than 86% of the state’s cities and towns.

Housing Costs and Real Estate Market

Hopkins offers a relatively affordable housing market compared to its neighboring suburbs. The median home value in Hopkins is approximately $320,200 (according to Kurby AI), which is notably lower than the national average of $281,900 (according to Kurby AI). This makes homeownership a more attainable goal for many residents. The city’s housing market is described as very competitive, with homes selling for a median price of $330,000 as of March 2026 (according to Redfin).

Rental prices in Hopkins are also competitive, with the average rent for an apartment around $1,577 per month as of April 2026 (according to RentCafe). However, other sources indicate a slightly lower average rent, with Zillow reporting $1,425 as of March 2026 and Apartments.com suggesting $1,341 per month as of May 2026. These figures reflect a range of rental options, from studio apartments starting around $1,130 (according to RentCafe) to three-bedroom units averaging over $2,150 (according to RentCafe).

The homeownership rate in Hopkins is lower than in many surrounding communities. The city’s homeownership rate is 39%, which is 22 percentage points less than in St. Louis Park (according to Wikipedia). The median housing value is the lowest among its neighbors, with St. Louis Park’s median housing value being 6.75% higher (according to Wikipedia).

Economic Landscape and Job Market

Hopkins boasts a diverse economic landscape with a significant presence in healthcare and social assistance, which is the largest employment sector in the city (according to Cultivate Hopkins). Major industry clusters represented in Hopkins include finance and insurance, advanced manufacturing, information technology, food wholesaling, and freight and logistics. This economic diversity provides a range of employment opportunities for residents.

The job market in Hopkins has shown recovery and moderate growth since the Great Recession, with projections indicating continued expansion, particularly in non-retail sectors (according to Cultivate Hopkins). Major employers in the area include companies like U.S. Bank, Schwan’s Company, and Cargill, contributing to the local economy. The average salary for jobs in Hopkins is approximately $72,394 per year, or $35 per hour (according to ERI SalaryExpert), though other sources like ZipRecruiter report the average annual salary as $52,690 as of April 2026.

The city’s location within the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area also provides residents with access to a broader job market. Major companies with a presence in Hopkins include State Farm, American Family Insurance, and UnitedHealth Group, offering various career paths. The unemployment rate in Hopkins is not readily available in the provided search results, but the overall economic outlook suggests a stable job market.

Climate and Weather Patterns

Hopkins experiences a climate characterized by distinct seasons, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The temperature typically varies between 9°F and 83°F throughout the year, rarely falling below -12°F or exceeding 91°F (according to Weather Spark). The warm season lasts from late May to mid-September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 83°F and a low of 64°F.

Winters are freezing and windy, with the cold season extending from late November to early March. January is the coldest month, with average lows of 9°F and highs of 24°F (according to Weather Spark). The city receives an average annual snowfall of approximately 51 to 53 inches (according to Weather Spark and myPerfectWeather), with December typically seeing the most snowfall.

Rainfall in Hopkins varies significantly by season. The rainy period lasts from early March to early December, with June being the wettest month, averaging 4.2 inches of rain (according to Weather Spark). The average annual precipitation is around 32 to 33 inches (according to Livability.com and myPerfectWeather). Wet days are most common from April to September, while drier conditions prevail from late September to early April, with February having the fewest wet days.

Education and School System

Hopkins is served by the Hopkins Public School District (ISD 270), which is recognized for its innovation and academic excellence (according to One of the Best Places to Live in Minnesota). The district serves students from pre-K through 12th grade and is ranked among the top school districts in Minnesota, noted for its diversity and focus on athletes (according to Niche). The student-teacher ratio within the district is approximately 15 to 1.

Within the district, several schools stand out. Xinxing Academy is a highly-rated elementary school, consistently ranking among the top in the state with a 5-star rating and high proficiency rates in math and reading (according to SchoolDigger.com). Glen Lake Elementary and Meadowbrook Elementary also demonstrate strong academic performance (according to SchoolDigger.com). Hopkins Senior High School is also well-regarded, ranking highly for athletes and college preparation (according to Niche).

However, there is variation in school performance across the district. Some schools, like Gatewood Elementary and Alice Smith Elementary, have shown lower proficiency rates compared to district and state averages (according to SchoolDigger.com). The district also includes virtual schools, which present unique challenges for student success.

Demographics and Population

As of the most recent census data, Hopkins has a population of approximately 18,819 residents (according to Point2Homes). The population is projected to reach 19,688 in 2026, indicating a slight annual growth rate (according to Hopkins, MN Population 2026). The median age in Hopkins is around 37.8 years, with a slightly higher proportion of females (53.1%) compared to males (46.9%) (according to Point2Homes and Hopkins, MN Population 2026).

The racial composition of Hopkins is diverse. White residents make up approximately 63.4% of the population, followed by Black or African American residents at 20.85%. Asian residents constitute about 3.54%, with smaller percentages for other races and multiracial individuals (according to Hopkins, MN Population 2026). Hispanic or Latino residents represent 5.22% of the population (according to Data USA).

Households in Hopkins average two members, with about 44.6% being families and 55.4% consisting of individuals living alone or with non-relatives (according to Point2Homes). The median household income in Hopkins is reported to be around $75,234 (according to Census Reporter), though other sources cite figures like $73,860 (according to Livability.com) and $49,850 (according to Data Commons).