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Located just 26 miles outside the city of Minneapolis, this southwestern suburb in the heart of Carver County has so much to offer for people of all ages. For those moving to Chaska, there are endless activities to try and sights to see. From the city’s beautiful golf courses to the seasonal haunted attractions, the excitement is never at a lull.

The history of Chaska, Minnesota roots itself in Native American and European-American culture which is still important to the city today. The first people to inhabit the land presently known as Chaska were Native Americans of the Woodlawn culture. These Native Americans, with the nickname Mound Builders, first settled on the land in 1200 B.C. The land was later taken over by a different group of Native Americans known as the Dakota tribe from 1750 to 1851. The name Chaska, meaning “firstborn son,” originates from the Dakota tribe’s native language.

In 1851, Thomas Andrew Holmes was drawn to a 20-acre clearing alongside the Minnesota River, which he made into the township of Chaska. By 1871, the township became a village, and then in 1891, the village became a city. The majority of Chaska’s early settlers were of German descent, and they helped develop the city by opening shops, schools, and churches.

For the city’s first century, agriculture was the most popular industry. Companies such as the Chaska Canning Company, American Crystal Sugar Company, and the Chaska Flour Mill were all important economic stimulants for the city and reflected its strong agricultural focus. The brick-making industry in Chaska also began to thrive in the late 1850s due to the need to build up the city and accommodate a growing population. These bricks were in high demand across the country and can still be found in landmarks around the state including the State Capitol, Fort Snelling, and the Stillwater State Prison.

While most of the city has developed to suit modern-day architecture, historical landmarks from Chaska’s early beginning can still be located in and around the city.

Chaska occupies 17 square miles of land and is home to 25,578 residents. It has a population density of 1,504 people per square mile. According to the 2010 census, 83% of the population is Caucasian, 1.9% is African American, 2.2% is Asian, and 8.8% is Hispanic or Latino. The median age of the Chaskan adult is 36.1 years old with a male to female ratio of almost 1:1. The city has 9,478 households, 6,489 of which are occupied by families. The average household size is 2.65 people and the average family size is 3.22 people. 41.9% of households have children 18 years of age or younger, making Chaska a suitable place to start a family. This suburb of Minneapolis has experienced almost 2% growth since last year and is continuing to expand.

The Chaska economy is stimulated by local industries including agriculture, manufacturing, retail, and construction. Over the last year, the job market saw a 1.8% increase, and the city is predicted to have a 38% job growth in the next ten years. This exceeds the national average by 4.5%, making it a great place to find employment. The labor force participation rate in Chaska is 77% which is greater than the national average of 62.8%. This is good information to keep in mind when moving to the area. The city’s unemployment rate falls at 2.5% which is low compared to the national unemployment rate of 3.9%.

The state has an income tax of 7.1% and a sales tax of 7.4%. When comparing state income tax to that of other United States regions, Minnesota is among one of the more expensive states to live in. This is useful information to keep in mind when deciding to move to Chaska.

The cost of living in Chaska is slightly higher than the national average as well as the state average. Chaska has a cost of living index of 111.8 whereas the United States has a baseline of 100. Minnesota’s cost of living index falls at 97.2 meaning that in general, it is one of the cheaper states to live in. The median cost of a home in Chaska is $308,900 which has the greatest influence on Chaska’s cost of living. This is 1.31 times more expensive than the average Minnesotan home, making Chaska one of Minnesota’s nicer suburbs to live in. The costs of housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation in Chaska tend to be more expensive than that of other Minnesotan cities. However, healthcare is slightly cheaper.

The suburb of Chaska employs over 15k workers and has had a 5.77% employment growth rate in the last year. 78% of the workforce are employed full time with 22% being part-time employees. The largest industries include healthcare and social assistance, manufacturing, and retail. Some of the city’s highest paying industries include enterprise management as well as professional and technical services. On average, men earn 1.31 times as much as women in this area, and according to the Gini index, the pay inequality falls at 0.467 which is lower than the United States average. This means that women are likely to be paid more in Chaska than they would in other United States cities.

Chaska experiences hot and sunny summers with July being the warmest month of the year. The average July temperature is 83 degrees, and the city has a median of 200 sunny days per year. The months of June, July, and August are some of the most pleasant with the average temperature ranging from 70-80 degrees. In contrast, the average January temperature dips into the single-digits of just 5 degrees. Surprisingly, this is warmer than most Minnesotan cities. January and December are known to be the least comfortable months due to the extreme cold and excessive snowfall. A helpful tip to keep in mind before making the move to Chaska is to have your snow gear handy in the winter. Being up north, Chaska receives a yearly average of 51 inches of snow. When comparing this to the United States average, Chaska experiences 1.8 times more snowfall than the average American city. However, Chaska has a lower rainfall than the national average. This suburb gets 31.6 inches annually whereas the average United States City gets 38.1 inches. 40% of the yearly rainfall occurs in the autumn, making it the wettest season and 8% in the spring making it Chaska’s driest season. Historically, August tends to be the wettest month of the year with February being the driest.

The neighborhoods of Chaska foster a safe and welcoming environment ideal for raising a family. With a 16.5% population increase since 2010, the city has expanded its neighborhoods to accommodate the growing community. Around these neighborhoods, you will find numerous parks for children to enjoy as well as miles of sidewalk for safe transportation. The nine neighborhood parks encourage children to participate in physical activity through the many public accommodations they offer. These include sports fields and courts as well as playgrounds and walking trails.

If you are moving to the area with children, it is helpful to gain some knowledge regarding the area’s education system. There are 20 schools throughout Chaska, 15 of which are public, and 5 of which are private. Chaska High School, being one of the 15 public schools, has a graduation rate of 97.5% and is ranked 30th statewide. 59% of the student body enrolls in advanced placement courses that offer higher-level learning for those who wish to go above and beyond what is expected. These students also have the opportunity to earn college credit if they desire. Students at Chaska High School are presented with the chance to get involved in a multitude of ways. Whether it is through athletics, fine arts, or clubs, the high school has something to offer for every student.

Chaska also has two public middle schools located on the east and west sides of the town. Both schools are grades 6 through 8 and give students the education necessary to excel in high school. Both East and West rank about the same in math proficiency, however, students attending Chaska Middle School East tend to be more proficient in science and reading than the students attending Chaska Middle School West. Despite this, both middle schools are highly ranked in terms of the education they provide to their students.

The multiple Chaska elementary schools are located within the boundaries of school District 112. One notable elementary school unique to the area is La Academia, a dual language immersion school. The focus of this facility is to incorporate bilingual learning into the education of the students. Each class has approximately one third English speaking students and one-third Spanish speaking students. Early education starts off mainly in Spanish, and as children progress, teaching is done mostly in English. La Academia is the only language immersion elementary school in the area. There are eight other elementary schools in District 112 that focus on education solely in the English Language.

On average, the schools of Chaska have a 17:1 student to teacher ratio and spend an average expenditure of $12,249 per student. This is almost equivalent to the national average. The city has an average high school graduation rate of 94.9% which exceeds the national average by almost 7%.

Located in the southwest metro area, Two Twelve Medical Center is a 24/7 urgent and emergency care facility. They provide care in an outpatient setting and offer services such as imaging, laboratory work, and same-day-surgery. They are owned and operated by Ridgeview Medical Center and partner with Children’s Minnesota to provide high-quality care for all patients.

The Ridgeview Chaska Clinic is another exceptional medical resource located within the city. Ridgeview offers specialized medical treatment in a variety of areas. These range anywhere from dermatology to nutrition services to palliative care. Ridgeview focuses on patient-centered care in order to provide the best patient outcomes. To ensure that all patients are cared for properly and in the best way possible, they prioritize patient safety over everything. To help the clinic provide quality care, they encourage patients to voice their safety concerns to further improve their facility.

Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite to eat, a nice sit-down meal, or even something sweet, Chaska has you covered. You can find anything from sushi to pizza to authentic Indian food within the city limits. Unique to the area is a restaurant called Chaska My Love, which is the place to go for traditional Mexican cuisine. You can also find many bar & grill restaurants throughout the city, one of those being the Crooked Pint Ale House. This pub is a local favorite of the people of Chaska due to the good food, great service, and friendly environment. If you want to take a step back in time, Tommy’s Malt Shop offers a unique twist on American favorites. While they are locally known for their broad selection of delicious malts, Tommy’s also serves up some of the best burgers in the area. The old-fashioned atmosphere as well as their famous malt and dessert options are what keep customers coming back for more. Other mentionable restaurants in the area include Cuzzy’s Brickhouse, India Bar & Grill, Pasta Zola, and Willy McCoy’s to name a few. With a wide variety of options, Chaska makes it easy to satisfy every appetite.

For the coffee lovers in the area, Dunn Brothers Coffee is a reputable name across Minneapolis. This coffee house was originally founded in St. Paul Minnesota and is currently headquartered in Minneapolis. All Dunn Brothers Coffee houses are locally owned, so stopping in for a cup of coffee or pastry is a great way to support small businesses. Not to mention, the coffee they serve is never more than five days old, so you are guaranteed a fresh-tasting beverage every time.

The city of Chaska is filled with attractions and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Chaska has much to offer from sports to shopping to the natural beauty of the great outdoors. The Community Center is a favorite for many of the city residents. Here you can attend fitness classes, join sports leagues, and even host birthday parties. No need to worry about what you are going to do with your children when you want to work out because the Community Center has its own daycare program. Because of the family-friendly environment and welcoming attitudes of the staff, the Chaska Community Center is among one of the best places in the city to visit.

For those with a love for the outdoors, Chaska offers great parks and hiking trails that can be found throughout the city. 586 acres of the Chaska’s land makes up city-owned parks, which include nine community parks and 23 neighborhood parks. Many of the parks feature athletic areas with soccer or baseball fields and tennis or pickleball courts. Some of the parks even have areas specifically for dogs to enjoy. The city also has over 120 miles of sidewalks and trails for hikers and bikers to utilize.

For the past 50 years, Dahlgreen Golf Club has been a favorite for golfers in the area. This 18-hole course prides itself on having some of the best putting greens in not only the metropolitan area but also the state. Dahlgreen Golf Club was constructed in the rolling hills surrounded by the farmland of Carver County and was formerly a nine-hole course. The vegetation around the course emits a secluded feel, making it seem almost as if you’re playing on a private course. Tournaments, outings, and golf leagues have always been an integral part of the course’s growth and success.

The historic downtown Chaska is a magnet for anyone who likes to shop. The streets are lined with boutiques, galleries, thrift shops, and even a bicycle store. Downtown Chaska has shopping and dining options for all to enjoy. The shops of the historic downtown also add to the beauty and charm of the city. Many of the shops and boutiques are locally owned, so consider stopping in to help support small businesses and the local economy.

Scream Town is an attraction unlike any other in Chaska. This haunted house has been highly rated time and time again. In 2019, CNN considered it among the top eight haunted house attractions throughout the United States. In 2014, it was ranked number 4 in the country as a must-see haunted attraction. Scream Town features a haunted house, hayride, and corn maze for visitors to enter if they dare. People come from near and far to experience the thrills of Scream Town making it a popular October tradition.

Chaska offers residents a multitude of entertainment options all year round. The non-comprehensive list above gives a taste of what the city has available for residents and tourists alike.

When making the move to Chaska, Minnesota, consider all that the city has to offer. From fine dining to top-ranked attractions, Chaska is a city loved by many and welcoming to all.