Here in Minnesota, every region of the state has amazing cities and towns that anyone would be proud to say they are from. From the sprawling Twin Cities or Duluth to the teeny-tiny towns of Luverne or Baudette, the Land of 10,000 Lakes is rife with amazing places to grow up. We used data from Niche‘s list of best school districts in Minnesota to compile this list, and chose towns with 10,000 people or less. Take a look: in no particular order, here are the best small towns in Minnesota to grow up in.

Wayzata
123dieinafire/Wikimedia Commons
Wayzata has a fantastic school district. It's got some of the best schools in Minnesota, from elementary school all the way up to high school. Not only that, but the town has the benefit of being on a beautiful lake. There are so many outdoor recreation activities here, making this one of the best small towns in Minnesota. It's just a stone's throw from the Twin Cities, meaning if you grow up here, you're a short distance from some of the best cultural opportunities in the state. You can find out more information about Wayzata on their official website.
Minnetrista
City of Minnetrista/Facebook
Here's another of the most charming towns in Minnesota that's just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Twin Cities. Anyone who grows up in Minnetrista will never run out of things to do! It's far enough away from the metropolitan area to have plenty of place to play safely. It's also got great schools. And did you know it's home to the weirdest house in Minnesota?
Mahtomedi
Tony Webster/Flickr
Here's another of the best small towns in Minnesota: Mahtomedi. With a population of just over 7,000, it's an ideal place for those who want to raise their kids in a small-town setting without going too small. The school district is phenomenal here as well. It's located between St. Paul and Stillwater. Check out more information on the town's official website.

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Osseo
JeaLeone/Wikimedia Commons
Osseo is yet another of the many charming small towns in Minnesota with great schools. This one's located just a few miles further outside of the Twin Cities, so it's a little more of a rural community. It's got a smaller population, too, with just over 2,000 people living within its boundaries. There's plenty to do in Osseo, and its proximity to the Twin Cities means there's always more to do just outside of town. They've even got a fantastic meat market and deli that's been open for over 100 years!
Middle River
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Middle River is a really tiny town in northern Minnesota. It's so small that its population is only around 300 people! For those craving a rural experience for their kids, Middle River has a fantastic elementary school. It was ranked among the best small-town schools in the state, making this an ideal place to grow up. Check out their website to learn more.
Karlstad
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Karlstad is another tiny northern Minnesota town with great schools (noticing a theme here?). Its location makes it close to just about every natural attraction you can imagine. There's always something to do outside here: fishing, snowmobiling, moose spotting, you name it. The town is the Moose Capital of the North, after all. Its population is under 750 humans, but there are plenty of moose here. Get more information about Karlstad from Lakes N Woods.
Brandon
Allan Lorde/Flickr
Brandon is another tiny town, with just around 500 people. Located in west-central Minnesota, this town has great schools and plenty of outdoor recreational activities. This, combined with a strong sense of community makes it a wonderful place to grow up. The town's official Facebook has information on upcoming events.

Where did you grow up? Tell us in the comments what you think the best small towns in Minnesota to grow up in are!

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More to Explore

Day Trips In Minnesota

Lisa Sammons | August 10, 2021

What are the best small towns in Minnesota?

We have so many awesome small towns in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Check out these 11 charming towns in Minnesota: none are very big, but they have so much character and so many things to do. Small towns offer a way of life that you just can't find in bigger cities. There's certainly benefits to life in Duluth or Saint Paul. You get tons of culture and big city amenities. But small towns in Minnesota offer peace and quiet, nature, and that down home feel that you can't get anywhere else.

What are some good day trips in Minnesota?

Wine trolleys, ice cream trails, a mountain roller coaster: there's so much to do here! Check out this list of 11 day trips in Minnesota. And that's not even touching on classics like the Mall of America. I mean, you could easily spend a whole day there. Over 520 stores will certainly keep you busy!

What are some natural wonders in Minnesota?

Well, for one, we've got 10,000 lakes (actually over 11,000!). Lakes aside, there's waterfalls like Minnehaha Falls, Black Beach, and Touch the Sky Prairie. Check out this list of free natural wonders in Minnesota.

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Featured Addresses
Wayzata, MN 55391, USA
Minnetrista, MN, USA
Mahtomedi, MN, USA
Osseo, MN 55369, USA
Middle River, MN 56737, USA
Karlstad, MN 56732, USA
Brandon, MN 56315, USA