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Savage is a city located just 14 miles outside of Minneapolis in Scott County. Being so close to the big city, Savage gives residents a suburban lifestyle while also emitting an urban vibe. There is much to see, do, and learn in this city which is known to be rooted deep in its rich history. It has some of the best wildlife and scenery in the Twin Cities area. Savage is equally as beautiful in the summer as it is in the winter, and the activities never end. In the summer, residents enjoy hiking and biking trails, the various community parks, camping, and even horseback riding. In the winter months, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, skijoring, and dog sledding are enjoyed. The excitement is never at a lull in Savage.

Long before settlers took over the land presently known as Savage, Minnesota, the Black Dog Indians were the first inhabitant. However, in the 1850s, Irish and Scottish settlers made their way to Savage following trails along the banks of the Minnesota River that the Black Dog Indians created. The village was primarily called Hamilton, named after the Hamilton steamboat landing, that was built in the early 1850s. The first railroad was established in October of 1865 which brought more and more people to the area, thus growing the small village. Businesses and homes were soon built to accommodate the increasing population. Farming and trade were the main industries during the late 19th century.

Across the river, Marion Willis Savage, who at the time owned the International Stock Food Factory in Minneapolis, was establishing his own empire. He purchased Dan Patch, a racehorse, who broke many records and was beloved by all of Hamilton. It was due to his fame from racing that the village changed its name in 1904 to honor Marion Willis Savage. In 1916, both Dan Patch and Marion Willis Savage became ill, and they passed away within a day of each other.

During World War II, Savage was home to the Military Intelligence Service Language School. The purpose of this school was to enhance the language skills of Japanese-American soldiers and provide them training in military intelligence. This school was originally located in San Francisco, however, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, it was relocated to Savage due to its good record of racial amity. The school, known as Camp Savage, opened in June of 1942 with a student body of 200 soldiers. By 1944, the school grew to have over 1,100 students. However, it soon relocated once more to Fort Snelling in Minneapolis. Today, the land that Camp Savage once occupied now serves as a public dog park.

Another important historical landmark is the Savage Depot which is currently located on the southern edge of Highway 13. The depot was established in 1880 by the Chicago and Northwest Railroad Company. It served the community for 90 years before it relocated in 1970 to the Savage-Shakopee boarder. In 2004, the Three Rivers Park District agreed to sell the depot in an attempt to reduce the number of buildings that they own. By 2005, the Dan Patch Historical Society began to raise funds to restore the depot and the land where it was originally established. The depot was finally brought home to Savage in July of 2006. Today, it can be found across from the site where it was first built along the Minnesota River, and it is owned by the City of Savage as opposed to the Three Rivers Park District.

As of 2020, the savage population is 32,946 people, making it the 30th largest city in Minnesota. The population has been steadily increasing by a rate of 1.94%, with a 22.4% increase in the last decade. The city spans 16 miles which gives it a population density of 2,113 people per square mile. Savage’s population is 80.7% Caucasian, 8% Asian, 6.7% black or African American, and 1.9% other races. 50.7% of the population is female and 49.3% is male. The median age of the average Savage resident is 35 years old.

Like most Minnesota cities, Savage experiences cold, snowy winters and hot summers. January is the city’s coldest month with an average nighttime low of seven degrees. Annually, there are 148 days when the low nighttime temperature drops below freezing and about 23 days when the nighttime temperature drops below zero. Even with these statistics, Savage still has one of Minnesota’s warmest winter climates. When moving to Savage, be sure to prepare for the snow. This city averages 50 inches of snowfall per year, making it one of Minnesota’s snowiest places to live. December tends to receive the most snow with an average of 11.3 inches per year. You can expect a significant amount of snowfall for six months out of the year. It could start as early as November and last throughout April.

While Savage’s average snowfall is greater than that of the national average, its annual rainfall is less than the national average. Savage receives about 31 inches of rain per year whereas the average United States City gets 38 inches annually. However, Savage is still one of Minnesota’s wettest cities. August is the city’s wettest month with an average of 4.4 inches of rainfall and February is the driest with an average of only 0.7 inches annually. Autumn has historically been the wettest season with 42% of the yearly precipitation. Spring is the driest season with only 8% of the yearly precipitation.

Aside from the frigid and snowy winters, Savage tends to have some of Minnesota’s hottest summers. July is the warmest month with an average high temperature of 83 degrees. Annually, there are about nine days when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees. You will find that the most pleasant months in Savage are from June to August. These summer months have average temperatures that range from 70 to 85 degrees.

Savage’s economy shows promise for the future. Over the last year, the job market has increased by a rate of 1.8%. It is predicted that within the next ten years, the future job growth will exceed 38% which is greater than the predicted United States average of 33.5%. This makes Savage an ideal city to find employment in the coming years. Savage also has a lower unemployment rate than the national average. They are currently experiencing 2.4% unemployment whereas the average United States city has a 3.9% unemployment rate. Some of the city’s largest industries include manufacturing, retail trade, finance and insurance, and health care and social assistance.

When moving to Savage, it is helpful to know relatively how expensive it will be to live here. The city of Savage has a cost of living index at 110.7 whereas the United States has a cost of living index that falls at 100. What this means is that it is slightly more expensive to live in Savage when compared to the average United States city. The median price of a home in Savage is $306,800, and the average household income is $94,432 per year. The average salary of the Savage resident is $36,932 which is over $8,000 higher than the national average income of $28,555. The cost of transportation, groceries, utilities, and housing in Savage is higher than that of average Minnesota and United States cities. However, the cost of health care is lower than both the Minnesota and national average.

Savage has a sales tax rate of 7.4% which is only 0.1% greater than the United States average. However, they have an income tax rate of 7.1%. This exceeds the national average of 4.6% by 2.5% which is also 1.5 times the amount of the national average. This means that residing in Savage will be more costly than the average United States city.

The neighborhoods of Savage foster a warm and welcoming environment that is family-friendly. 91% of the city’s residents ranked the quality of life in Savage to be either good or excellent. 93% of residents say that Savage is an excellent place to raise children which is higher than the national average. 97% say that they feel safe living in their neighborhoods and 89% say they feel safe in the downtown and public areas. Savage prioritizes the safety and well-being of their residents whether they are in their neighborhoods or in the commercial areas of the city. That is why these statistics are so high, and they continue to rise.

Throughout the neighborhoods, you will find many parks and public amenities. 80% of Savage residents say that the community parks are in good or excellent condition. 75% of residents say that the public facilities and recreational programs are of good or excellent condition. The city of Savage puts effort into keeping their parks and neighborhoods clean. Their natural environments are notably well preserved and the city’s air quality ranks above the national benchmark.

The city of Savage is very open to suggestions from the public on how they can improve or maintain their town. Plans have been put in place to improve mobility throughout the city in response to nearly 25% of resident suggestions. This includes road paving, more access to public transportation, more efficient snow removal, and better traffic flow.

The schools in Savage fall to the Prior Lake-Savage School District 719. This is one of the few districts throughout the United States to have received the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School Sustainability Award. What this means is that Prior Lake-Savage School District reduces the environmental burden and costs, promotes the health and wellness of the school, staff, and students, and provides an effective and sustainable education. Overall, Savage is home to nine schools, seven of which are public, and two of which are private. The public school system spends an average of $13,586 per student which exceeds the national average of $12,383 by more than $1,200.

Prior Lake High School is the only public high school in School District 719. They have a graduation rate of 96% which significantly exceeds the Minnesota average graduation rate of 83%. Students at Prior Lake High School tend to be more proficient in math, reading, and science when compared to the average Minnesota high school. At Prior Lake, 63% of students are proficient in reading, 63% in math, and 69% in science whereas the average Minnesota school has 59% proficiency in reading, 47% in math, and 52% in science. Nearly 20% of the student body is enrolled in advanced placement courses which again exceeds the Minnesota average of 13% enrollment. With these statistics, exam scores far above the state average, and students being well prepared for the future ahead, Prior-Lake High School has been rated the number one school in Scott County.

There are two main public service options that are offered to the residents of Savage. These include SmartLink and the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority.

SmartLink is a ride-share program that allows the people of Savage to reserve a ride using a mobile app. This is an affordable door-to-door bus service that makes travel around Savage and Scott County easy for residents. They operate from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekdays and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the weekends. Fare starts at just $3.50 but prices can vary throughout the day and depend on your desired destination. Their busses are wheelchair accessible to accommodate those who may require a wheelchair lift.

Another option is the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority bus services. There are three routes that are offered to Savage residents which operate during the week at 6 hours of express service and 18 hours of local service. On the weekends, Minnesota Valley Transit offers 15 hours of service.

For long-distance travel, Savage is conveniently located just 10 miles away from Minneapolis/ St. Paul airport. This airport is a major hub for both international and domestic travel which makes flying long-distance simple for the people of Savage.

The Savage Sports Center is the perfect place to stay active during any month of the year. They have a climate-controlled facility that is open from November to April that stays set at a comfortable 59 degrees. From May to mid- October, they have an outdoor turf field that is open for use. The Savage Sports Center takes reservations for private events, athletic practices, and more.

Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve is a great place to enjoy the beauty of Savage all year round. This park has some of the Twin Cities most popular mountain biking trails and most challenging cross-country skiing areas. People come from near and far to hike, camp, and even horseback ride on the many trails that the park has to offer. This park has also been designated as an important bird area, making it a great place for birdwatchers to observe the wildlife. With so much to see and do, the opportunities are endless at Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve.

Whether you’re in the mood for authentic Mexican, Thai food, or homestyle American cooking, Savage has you covered. The city offers dining options to suit every appetite.

Windmill Café is a family-owned small-town diner located off Highway 13. They are open for breakfast and lunch, and their menu consists of a variety of American classics. They also have vegetarian-friendly options to accommodate those who prefer to not eat meat. Windmill Café is a local favorite of the people of Savage for their great customer service, good value, and pleasant dining atmosphere.

Just down the road from the Windmill Café is Buffalo Tap & Grill. This American bar and grill has something for everyone to enjoy. It is unique to the city of Savage and is best known for its famous burgers and wings. From soups to quesadillas to bison and elk burgers, you can’t go wrong with Buffalo Tap. They even have gluten-free options on the menu.

For those who enjoy Thai food, Spice Thai Cuisine is the first and only Thai restaurant located south of the Minnesota River. At Spice Thai Cuisine, they take dietary needs into account by catering to each individual’s needs. They offer gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, low sodium, low oil, and peanut-free options. Customers also get to choose the spice level of their meal. This is definitely the place to go for authentic Thai food that is both great-tasting and of good value.

El Loro Mexican Grill is one of Savage’s best restaurants for traditional Mexican Cuisine. They stay open for lunch and dinner, and their menu can accommodate a vegetarian diet. El Loro Mexican Grill is constantly adding new meals to their menu so be sure to stop in and give them a try.

Whatever your reason for moving to the Minneapolis suburbs, be sure to consider all that the city of Savage has to offer. From one of a kind dining options to beautiful scenery all year round, this city has something for everybody to enjoy, guaranteed.