Where the Old Money Choose To Live in Minneapolis, MN

Jason Huerkamp · Living in MinneapolisJanuary 28, 202617:071.2K views

About this video

Discover the most exclusive old money neighbourhoods in the Twin Cities and why generational wealth quietly stays put here. From historic estates to elite enclaves, this breaks down where legacy families actually choose to live.

Key takeaways

The Twin Cities' old money came from flour mills, lumber and the railroads of the late 1800s, and it tends to be quiet: historic homes kept and restored rather than torn down. George Dayton's foundation, and the family company's later pledge of 5% of taxable income to charity, shaped that culture.
Kenwood in Minneapolis, planned in 1887, has restored homes mostly built before 1940, a median around $1.1 million to $1.3 million, and vintage homes up to about $5 million.
Lowry Hill was the grand-mansion district (median around $950,000), and Lake of the Isles, East Isles and Cedar-Isles-Dean keep their early-1900s character close to downtown.
Edina's Country Club District, begun in the 1920s, has about 550 homes built from 1924 to 1931 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lake Minnetonka: about 125 miles of shoreline across 37 named bays. Wayzata's median was about $1.8 million (October 2025), Deephaven's median value just over $1 million, and strict shoreline zoning helps protect value.
Saint Paul: Summit Avenue keeps 373 of its original 440 homes along 4.5 miles, including the James J. Hill House (1891), now a National Historic Landmark open for tours. Crocus Hill homes are estimated at about $1.6 million to $1.8 million.
North Oaks, built on James J. Hill's former 3,300-acre farm, has privately owned roads, private wells and septic systems, and trails and conservation areas for residents.

Questions this video answers

Where do wealthy families live in the Twin Cities?

Historically in Kenwood, Lowry Hill and around Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis; Summit Avenue and Crocus Hill in Saint Paul; Edina's Country Club District; Lake Minnetonka towns like Wayzata, Deephaven and Orono; and North Oaks.

Are the roads in North Oaks private?

Yes. North Oaks' roads are owned by the residents, not the city, and every home has a private well and septic system, according to the video.

How many original homes are still on Summit Avenue?

About 373 of the original 440, along 4.5 miles. It's the longest preserved stretch of Victorian-era homes in the country.

Notes written by Huerkamp Home Group from this video. Figures are as stated in the video on January 28, 2026; check the current numbers in our market reports.