The 10 Snobbiest Places In Minnesota For 2024


The Snobbiest places in Minnesota are North Oaks and Medina for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

There are all types when it comes to being a snob in Minnesota. You’ve got your Wine Snobs, Book Snobs, and, of course, Clothes Snobs. Then there are the Technology Snobs, Car Snobs, and yes, even City Snobsas in, I’m better than you because I live in (insert snooty city here).

How can we tell which Minnesota cities are the snobbiest? By measuring snobby things, that’s how.

We used Saturday Night Science to look at things like expensive homes, high incomes, and overly educated populations by city in Minnesota. These are the criteria you’d argue with a friend over a foodie dinner about who’s snobbier.

After analyzing 145 of the state’s most populous areas over 5,000 people, we came up with this ranking of the ten snobbiest places in the state of Minnesota.

The Minnesotan in these places aren’t snobby, they just know they’re better than you.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table


Snobbiest Cities In Minnesota Map

Don’t freak out.

What’s the snobbiest place in Minnesota? The snobbiest place in Minnesota is North Oaks based on the data. If we had their wealth and lifestyle, we’d probably be a little snobby, too.

The most laid back? That would be Virginia.

We’re not so full of ourselves as to make this ranking up from nowhere. So here’s a look at the top ten and more on how we did it. And if you’re curious, Minnesota is the 15th snobbiest in the United States.

For more Minnesota reading, check out:

The 10 Snobbiest Places In Minnesota For 2024

North Oaks, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Bobak Ha’Eri | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10
Population: 5,193
% Highly Educated: 71.0%
Median Income: $235,714
Median Home Price: $876,362
More on North Oaks: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Medina, MN

Source: Flickr User Tony Webster | CC BY 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10
Population: 6,746
% Highly Educated: 71.0%
Median Income: $202,153
Median Home Price: $797,015
More on Medina: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Shorewood, MN

Source: Wikipedia User User:Eco84 | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10
Population: 7,722
% Highly Educated: 72.0%
Median Income: $163,525
Median Home Price: $717,403
More on Shorewood: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Orono, MN

Source: Flickr User Tony Webster | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10
Population: 8,223
% Highly Educated: 69.0%
Median Income: $173,209
Median Home Price: $1,019,638
More on Orono: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Minnetrista, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Elkman | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

9
/10
Population: 8,347
% Highly Educated: 71.0%
Median Income: $162,474
Median Home Price: $660,620
More on Minnetrista: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Victoria, MN

Source: Flickr User SocialMediaAdventure | CC BY 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10
Population: 10,681
% Highly Educated: 68.0%
Median Income: $179,515
Median Home Price: $552,013
More on Victoria: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10
Population: 11,861
% Highly Educated: 61.0%
Median Income: $158,269
Median Home Price: $616,212
More on Lake Elmo: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Edina, MN

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

10
/10
Population: 53,037
% Highly Educated: 71.0%
Median Income: $125,506
Median Home Price: $598,918
More on Edina: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Mendota Heights, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Gabriel Vanslette | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

9.5
/10
Population: 11,642
% Highly Educated: 68.0%
Median Income: $129,800
Median Home Price: $515,905
More on Mendota Heights: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Chanhassen, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Bobak Ha’Eri | CC BY 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

7.5
/10
Population: 25,868
% Highly Educated: 64.0%
Median Income: $131,633
Median Home Price: $509,790
More on Chanhassen: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Methodology: How we determined the snobbiest cities in the North Star State

Do you think wed just come up with this list willy-nilly? Not a chance – we only use Saturday Night Science around here.

We gathered up all of the places in Minnesota with populations of 5,000 people or more. This left us with a total of 145 places. Then, we looked at each place in terms of these snoot-er-iffic criteria (And no, its not a word. English snob.):

  • Median home price (Higher is snobbier)
  • Median household income (Higher is snobbier)
  • Percent of population with a college degree (Higher is snobbier)

Incomes and college education levels come from the American Community Survey. Home prices come from Zillow.

Turned out this simple criteria was much better at sniffing out the snobby places then more snobby criteria like:

  • Libaries per capita (Higher is snobbier)
  • Museums per capita (Higher is snobbier)
  • Private schools per capita (Higher is snobbier)

From there, we ranked each of our 145 places in each category with scores from one to 145. We then averaged each places ranking into one overall score, where the lowest score went to the snobbiest place in Minnesota. So lets all flip a table in honor of North Oaks (with our pinkies up, of course.)

Before you get upset and ruin your blowout or something drastic here, lets remember that this is all in good fun. Would we live in one of these 10 places if we had the chance? Of course, we would.

And it’s not like your real estate agent would ever point out how snobby the town you’re moving to is. We’re here to keep you grounded, even if you’re wearing a monocle.

There You Have It – Now That You’re On Your High Horse

When it comes to snobbery, these places in Minnesota are heading ever upward. Residents in these communities are well educated, well paid, and appear to have all the sophisticated culture and entertainment of an Ernst Lubitsch film right at their fingertips.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

The snobbiest cities in Minnesota are North Oaks, Medina, Shorewood, Orono, Minnetrista, Victoria, Lake Elmo, Edina, Mendota Heights, and Chanhassen.

If you’re also curious enough, here are the most laid back places in Minnesota, according to science:

  1. Virginia
  2. Albert Lea
  3. International Falls

For more Minnesota reading, check out:

Table: The Snobbiest Cities In Minnesota For 2024

Rank City Population Median Income Average Home Prices Adult Highly Educated
1 North Oaks, MN 5,193 $235,714 $876,362 71.0%
2 Medina, MN 6,746 $202,153 $797,015 71.0%
3 Shorewood, MN 7,722 $163,525 $717,403 72.0%
4 Orono, MN 8,223 $173,209 $1,019,638 69.0%
5 Minnetrista, MN 8,347 $162,474 $660,620 71.0%
6 Victoria, MN 10,681 $179,515 $552,013 68.0%
7 Lake Elmo, MN 11,861 $158,269 $616,212 61.0%
8 Edina, MN 53,037 $125,506 $598,918 71.0%
9 Mendota Heights, MN 11,642 $129,800 $515,905 68.0%
10 Chanhassen, MN 25,868 $131,633 $509,790 64.0%
11 Plymouth, MN 79,918 $130,131 $474,202 65.0%
12 Eden Prairie, MN 63,623 $129,345 $463,961 64.0%
13 Carver, MN 5,656 $125,123 $477,934 63.0%
14 Corcoran, MN 6,549 $155,385 $556,085 48.0%
15 Prior Lake, MN 27,608 $129,539 $492,980 52.0%
16 Woodbury, MN 75,549 $125,097 $448,821 64.0%
17 Mahtomedi, MN 8,073 $126,579 $460,576 60.0%
18 Rogers, MN 13,283 $154,611 $441,756 53.0%
19 Lakeville, MN 70,696 $129,069 $465,445 50.0%
20 Arden Hills, MN 9,805 $121,978 $450,961 61.0%
21 Minnetonka, MN 53,529 $114,867 $450,534 63.0%
22 Dayton, MN 7,745 $138,654 $473,645 44.0%
23 Maple Grove, MN 70,110 $127,001 $397,985 55.0%
24 Rosemount, MN 25,993 $127,252 $408,304 51.0%
25 Savage, MN 32,441 $123,069 $412,196 53.0%
26 Golden Valley, MN 22,142 $110,026 $409,489 60.0%
27 St. Michael, MN 18,648 $123,318 $410,822 47.0%
28 Shoreview, MN 26,846 $106,153 $391,526 61.0%
29 Stillwater, MN 19,316 $107,986 $417,520 50.0%
30 Lino Lakes, MN 21,525 $120,745 $422,847 44.0%
31 Byron, MN 6,373 $126,250 $362,923 50.0%
32 Waconia, MN 12,993 $101,619 $436,466 49.0%
33 Eagan, MN 68,262 $104,101 $385,125 54.0%
34 Falcon Heights, MN 5,232 $87,750 $391,737 70.0%
35 Chaska, MN 27,764 $99,988 $441,075 45.0%
36 Otsego, MN 20,455 $122,420 $395,838 41.0%
37 Andover, MN 32,639 $123,054 $415,283 37.0%
38 St. Louis Park, MN 49,500 $94,263 $364,388 63.0%
39 Delano, MN 6,539 $105,766 $415,697 43.0%
40 Ham Lake, MN 16,489 $112,854 $463,556 36.0%
41 Hugo, MN 15,831 $110,160 $413,867 39.0%
42 St. Anthony, MN 9,332 $91,955 $377,784 59.0%
43 Cottage Grove, MN 39,274 $117,673 $368,093 38.0%
44 Apple Valley, MN 55,594 $97,588 $363,468 45.0%
45 Farmington, MN 23,487 $114,737 $373,537 37.0%
46 Shakopee, MN 44,135 $103,924 $378,683 39.0%
47 Roseville, MN 36,066 $87,702 $350,177 54.0%
48 Mound, MN 9,272 $89,855 $360,628 45.0%
49 Northfield, MN 20,518 $83,125 $358,052 52.0%
50 Oak Grove, MN 8,956 $118,871 $431,853 27.0%
51 Champlin, MN 23,666 $113,570 $347,903 37.0%
52 New Brighton, MN 23,141 $84,707 $362,922 48.0%
53 Vadnais Heights, MN 12,864 $89,632 $354,501 45.0%
54 Inver Grove Heights, MN 35,673 $98,719 $349,482 43.0%
55 Forest Lake, MN 20,553 $91,157 $387,584 37.0%
56 Hermantown, MN 10,135 $85,417 $383,661 39.0%
57 Albertville, MN 7,883 $107,316 $357,047 35.0%
58 Ramsey, MN 27,774 $110,212 $362,266 32.0%
59 Bloomington, MN 89,244 $87,381 $347,523 45.0%
60 Wyoming, MN 8,037 $99,821 $379,394 32.0%
61 Jordan, MN 6,648 $111,290 $421,455 24.0%
62 Blaine, MN 70,047 $100,659 $354,091 35.0%
63 Burnsville, MN 64,075 $85,801 $356,837 39.0%
64 East Bethel, MN 11,901 $116,453 $378,957 24.0%
65 Minneapolis, MN 426,877 $76,332 $318,812 54.0%
66 Rochester, MN 120,848 $83,973 $309,298 49.0%
67 Elk River, MN 25,936 $95,597 $377,388 29.0%
68 Richfield, MN 36,809 $80,712 $327,416 44.0%
69 Mounds View, MN 13,100 $89,358 $322,091 36.0%
70 New Prague, MN 8,155 $101,579 $326,107 30.0%
71 Hopkins, MN 18,752 $70,058 $317,062 46.0%
72 Little Canada, MN 10,624 $69,673 $351,425 39.0%
73 Maplewood, MN 41,405 $86,769 $320,605 35.0%
74 Kasson, MN 6,855 $91,581 $298,905 36.0%
75 Belle Plaine, MN 7,363 $94,698 $337,852 28.0%
76 White Bear Lake, MN 24,317 $79,699 $332,323 36.0%
77 Oakdale, MN 28,029 $86,003 $329,457 31.0%
78 Buffalo, MN 16,288 $81,868 $354,423 30.0%
79 Robbinsdale, MN 14,452 $80,125 $296,059 40.0%
80 Brooklyn Park, MN 84,951 $82,271 $327,075 32.0%
81 Crystal, MN 22,954 $86,288 $296,320 36.0%
82 Sartell, MN 19,382 $74,177 $315,131 38.0%
83 North Mankato, MN 14,238 $74,602 $285,195 44.0%
84 Baxter, MN 8,668 $67,064 $334,916 36.0%
85 Stewartville, MN 6,684 $92,961 $304,105 29.0%
86 North Branch, MN 10,968 $94,564 $332,334 20.0%
87 New Hope, MN 21,620 $69,244 $328,822 34.0%
88 St. Paul, MN 308,806 $69,919 $278,672 43.0%
89 Hastings, MN 22,063 $87,722 $313,784 27.0%
90 St. Joseph, MN 7,066 $74,318 $303,966 36.0%
91 Detroit Lakes, MN 9,966 $60,317 $361,398 32.0%
92 La Crescent, MN 5,352 $70,813 $309,576 34.0%
93 St. Francis, MN 8,198 $98,390 $325,664 17.0%
94 Coon Rapids, MN 63,296 $85,445 $310,442 25.0%
95 South St. Paul, MN 20,598 $82,644 $280,795 31.0%
96 Fridley, MN 29,731 $76,592 $302,586 31.0%
97 Moorhead, MN 44,443 $68,680 $257,334 40.0%
98 West St. Paul, MN 20,820 $68,359 $296,144 35.0%
99 St. Paul Park, MN 5,497 $92,760 $293,855 23.0%
100 Mankato, MN 44,444 $61,726 $283,705 38.0%
About Nick Johnson

Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. He has been featured in over 500 publications as an expert in real estate and as an authority on real estate trends.

Nick's the creator of the HomeSnacks YouTube channel that now has over 260,000 subscribers and is an excellent source to learn about different parts of the country.

3 thoughts on “The 10 Snobbiest Places In Minnesota For 2024

  1. Edina HAS to be THE snobbiest city in MN. This article is extremely stupid and uneducated. Where did you get your data from? Half the pictures aren’t even accurate. On top of that, you should really do more research when doing this, as there are MUCH more stuck up cities. Edina and North Oaks SHOULD be at the TOP of the list. This just goes to show the authors stupidity.

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