5 Top St. Paul Neighborhoods For Black Families, Singles & Young Professionals

So you’re thinking of moving to “the most livable city in America?”

St. Paul has a lot to offer its residents, from the rural spots and suburbs to urban neighborhoods.

Take a peek at the five best neighborhoods for black families, singles, and young professionals to live in.

3 Best St. Paul Suburbs for Black Families

The following suburbs are 3 of the best options for black families. We recommend you consider these beautiful neighborhoods before you move.

Shoreview

Over 67 percent of households in Shoreview are family households, so your family will fit right in.

Shoreview boasts highly ranked public schools, award-winning parks and trails, and a strong business community. Much of the workforce is employed in banking, medical, and manufacturing-related industries.

There are about 27,000 residents, the median age of which is 45 years old. While Shoreview has a huge nightlife scene, it is conveniently located close to Minneapolis and St. Paul downtowns.

Residents with children can take advantage of a city-run waterpark for swim lessons or just a fun day out. There are also 11 city parks and four county parks with the trademark Minnesota natural settings and lakes to enjoy.

Woodbury

Woodbury is an excellent choice for those in search of a standard suburban location to raise their families.

Only 9 miles away from St. Paul, Woodbury is home to about 70,000 residents, and 73.9 percent are family households. The average home value is $323,000, while renters can expect to pay $1,608 per month.

The average age in Woodbury is 37.1 years old. Children under 18 years old make up about 27 percent of the population.

Parents can expect great schools in Woodbury. There are seven elementary schools, two junior high schools, and two high schools. There are also parochial and charter school options available.

The suburb features the HealthEast Sports Center, which is one of the largest in the state. It is home to several ice rinks, an indoor fieldhouse, 36 athletic fields, and a handicapped-accessible playground.

There are also several shopping centers, golf courses, an orchard, a dog park, and a wide range of religious establishments.

Outdoor recreation enthusiasts will enjoy the numerous parks and trail systems, as well as a variety of lakes, woodlands, wetlands, and fields.

This is an extremely picturesque place to call home, with a strong sense of community and plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Lakeville

If you’re looking for a suburb with a small-town feel but big-city amenities, look no further than Lakeville.

It is home to 64,000 people over 38 square miles. The city is growing rapidly, with new businesses and restaurants opening regularly.

It is moderately affordable, with 2019 median household incomes equalling $117,083.

The average house sale price is around $250,000, while rent is just over $1,000.

Perhaps the most significant selling point is its safety rating. Lakeville is an incredibly safe suburb, ranking #1 on Safewise.com’s “20 Safest Cities in Minnesota” list. It also was in the 25th percentile of the safest cities in the United States.

Thirty-five percent of residents in Lakeville are under the age of 18, and a considerable focus of the city is on providing quality education to their students. There are three public school districts and several private schools available to choose from.

There is also plenty of family fun to be had in Lakeville. The city is home to 60 parks, a variety of lakes and wetlands, and 100 miles of trails for outdoor recreation. When summer rolls around, families flock to the two-day Lakeview Art Festival.

2 Best St. Paul Neighborhoods for Black Singles & Young Professionals

Just as a few neighborhoods are ideal for families, there are a few that will make black singles and young professionals feel right at home. The top St. Paul suburbs for these individuals include the Downtown area and Highland Park.

Downtown

Downtown St. Paul is the place to be for black singles and young professionals.

Over 78 percent of residents rent their homes, with the median rental costing $1,001. Only 11 percent of the neighborhood are families with children.

The nightlife in Downtown St. Paul is perfect for both black singles and young professionals looking for a good time. It is a hub of entertainment and culture full of museums, sporting events, and festivals.

The food scene is top-notch. There are dozens of high-quality restaurants, including Afro Deli, St. Paul Grill, and Black Sheep Pizza. There’s something for every taste and craving.

In the mood for after-work drinks and maybe a show? Check out Camp Bar & Cabaret, a popular downtown lounge open until 2 a.m. that features regular live entertainment.

Highland Park

Highland Park is another top neighborhood for black singles and young professionals to call home if a softer urban feel is more your style.

The neighborhood’s population is 75.4 percent white, with black residents making up 6.9 percent of the 21,000+ residents. 

The average rent is pretty affordable at $1,117.

As far as things to do, there are a variety of boutiques and galleries available to peruse, as well as mouth-watering cuisine. Residents also enjoy feature films that play at the historic Highland Theatre.

The area’s claim to fame is the Hidden Falls Regional Park, a charming spot with places to picnic, hike, and bike, as well as a spring-fed waterfall.

Is St. Paul Safe?

St. Paul is generally considered a safe place to live.

However, in 2020, crimes against persons (including homicide and aggravated assault) increased by 21.8 percent, while property damage crimes (including commercial and residential robbery, burglary, theft, and arson) rose almost 15 percent. 

The most significant crime increase came from commercial burglary and arson.

These stats appear to be an outlier compared with average crime rates in previous years. In a city of 308,096 people, St. Paul reports the chances of an average citizen becoming a victim of violent crime as 1 in 163.

Annually, St. Paul’s violent and property crime rates combined total just 45.21 per 1,000 residents.

It should also be noted that in 2020 rapes and residential burglaries decreased 16.9 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively.

So, is St. Paul safe? Like any major city, it has its share of crime. However, neither the city’s main neighborhoods nor the surrounding suburbs make any dangerous cities lists.

Residents should take standard safety precautions when moving about St. Paul but should not expect a higher than average level of violent crime.

What Is St. Paul’s Demographic?

St. Paul, and Minnesota in general, is not known for having a large black population.

However, the city is 16.2 percent black or African American persons, which is higher than the national percentage of 14%.

Whites make up the largest group at 51.4 percent, with Asians making up 19.4 percent. African American population is the third largest, coming in just above the Hispanic or Latino population that totals a little over 9 percent.

The city is 51 percent female, 48 percent male. Children and persons 65 and older make up 42.8 percent of the population. The median age of St. Paul residents is 33 years old.

These demographics indicate that couples with young children would find St. Paul a great place to raise their families without excluding singles and young professionals looking to date and build their careers.

Best St. Paul Neighborhoods, Conclusion

St. Paul, Minnesota has several suburbs that make great places for black families and professionals alike to settle down.

Ultimately, no matter where you end up in St. Paul, you’re sure to find a warm welcome and plenty of fun.