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Victoria is located just 21 miles outside of Minneapolis in Carver County. The city is known for its beautiful nature and scenery, hence their nickname “The City of Parks and Lakes.” In fact, the city prides itself on having acres upon acres of open park space and forest preserves. Not only does Victoria offer some of the Twin Cities’ best scenic views, but the neighborhoods, public education system, entertainment attractions, and dining options are also notable. Below is a complete guide to moving to Victoria.

Before the first European settler, Michael Diethelm, arrived at the land presently known as Victoria, the land was occupied by Native American tribes. It is predicted based on historical artifacts that the Mound Builder civilization was the first Native group to inhabit the land, followed closely by the Mdewakanton Dakota tribe. It was in 1851 that Michael Diethelm settled on the land near present-day St. Victoria Church. The Treaty of Mendota was made effective on February 24, 1853, which forced the Native Americans to move westward. It was around this time that more European settlers came to Victoria.

The land was dense with hardwood forests which served as the primary building material. Farming was the main industry in the village’s early beginning with wheat being a big moneymaker. The exceptionally fertile soil soon attracted more settlers from Germany, Holland, and Switzerland. The village saw advancements throughout the 19th and 20th centuries with the addition of a railroad in 1882 and automobiles in 1911.

As of 2020, the population of Victoria reached 10,598 people, making it Minnesota’s 96th largest city. Its population is growing at a rate of 3.81% annually, and in the last decade, the population has grown by a whopping 44.3%. Victoria spans nearly 11 miles of land giving it a population density of 1,217 people per square mile. The majority of Victoria’s residents are Caucasian, making up 96.2% of the population. 0.7% of the population is Asian, 0.4% is black or African American, and 2.5% is two or more races. 49.3% of the population is female whereas 50.7% is male. The median age in this city is 38 years old. 62% of the city’s residents are between the ages of 18 and 24.

Similar to most Minnesota cities, Victoria experiences very cold and snowy winters and hot summers. January is the city’s coldest month with an average nighttime low of just four degrees. There are about 157 days each year when the nighttime low temperature drops below freezing and 29 days when the nighttime temperature drops below zero degrees. Even with these statistics, Victoria is still considered to have one of Minnesota’s warmer winter climates. Along with the cold temperatures comes an abundance of snow. Victoria is one of Minnesota’s snowiest cities with an average of 49 inches of snowfall annually. This exceeds the national average by over 20 inches. December has historically been the city’s snowiest month receiving 11.2 inches annually. When moving to Victoria, you can expect to get a significant amount of snowfall for six months out of the year. It could start as early as November and last throughout April, so be sure to keep your snow gear handy.

Victoria tends to receive less rainfall than the national average but more than the Minnesota state average. This city gets around 32 inches of rain per year, making it one of Minnesota’s wettest places to live. August gets the most rain with an average of 4.6 inches annually whereas February gets the least amount of rain with an average of 0.7 inches annually. The wettest season is Autumn which receives 40% of the yearly precipitation. The spring is the driest month, receiving only 9% of Victoria’s annual precipitation.

When moving to Victoria, you will find that the most pleasant months are from June to August. These summer months have temperatures ranging from 70 to 85 degrees. July is the city’s hottest month with an average temperature of 83 degrees. There are about seven days annually when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees. When compared to other places in Minnesota, this is about average.

Being so close to Minneapolis, the neighborhoods give residents a suburban lifestyle while integrating an urban feel. Victoria is one of the best communities throughout Carver County. With great schools, low crime, and lots of parks and open areas for recreation, the neighborhoods of Victoria create a welcoming environment to raise a family. Having and maintaining parks is of great importance to the city of Victoria. They have 31 parks as well as more than 32 miles of hiking trails and sidewalks covering 443 acres of park land. Residents will also find multiple athletic fields and courts throughout the community. In addition, you will find 17 playground areas for the neighborhood children to enjoy.

Victoria has a cost of living index that falls at 128.2 whereas the United States has a baseline cost of living index at 100. What this means is that it is more expensive to reside in Victoria when compared to the average United States city. The median value of a house in this city is $427,700, and the average household income is about $164,587. Both of these values are nearly double the United States average. The city currently has a poverty rate of 3.3% which is less than the national average poverty rate of 3.9%.

In general, the cost of groceries, housing, transportation, and utilities are more expensive in Victoria when compared to the average Minnesota and United States city. However, the cost of healthcare tends to be less costly in Victoria than the average Minnesota and United States city.

Victoria has a sales tax rate of 7.4% which is greater than the national average by only 0.1%. However, the income tax rate in Victoria is 7.1% whereas the United States average is only 4.6%. This means that it is generally more expensive to live in this city when compared to the average United States city.

The city of Victoria is an ideal place to find employment. Over the last year, it has seen a job market increase of 1.8%. It is predicted that in the next ten years, the city will have a job growth rate of 38%. This exceeds the United States predicted growth rate by 4.5%. Victoria currently employs over 4,460 employees, and some of the city’s largest industries include retail trade, manufacturing, finance and insurance, and professional, scientific, and technical services. The highest paying industries include wholesale trade and professional, scientific, and technical services. Their unemployment rate is 3.0% which falls below the national average of 3.7%.

The public schools in Victoria fall into the Eastern Carver County School District 112. These schools include students from a number of neighboring cities such as Chanhassen and Chaska. On average, the public school district spends $12,249 per student which is slightly below the national average of $12,383 per student. Most of the schools have a 17:1 student to teacher ratio. This low number contributes to the success of students attending District 112 schools. 

Victoria Elementary School is a public kindergarten through fifth-grade school which serves over 640 students. Providing students with a quality education that prepares them for middle school and beyond, Victoria Elementary School is one of Carver County’s top-rated public elementary schools. The school has been ranked in the top ten public elementary schools in Carver County and is number 60 out of 882 public schools in Minnesota. At least 65% of their students are proficient in math and 74% are proficient in reading.

The city of Victoria does not have its own public high schools; however, Chanhassen High School and Chaska High School are both within School District 112. Chanhassen High School is home to 1,636 students and is a great school that prepares students for the future ahead. With 36% of the student body enrolled in advanced placement courses, you can expect students at this school to always be one step ahead in their education. 63% of the students at Chanhassen High School are proficient in math and in reading. Chaska High School has just over 1,500 students and offers a more diverse learning environment when compared to Chanhassen High School. 61% of students here are proficient in math and 63% are proficient in reading according to state exams. Chaska High School also has a graduation rate of 98% which greatly exceeds the Minnesota state average of 83%. They have a 34% advanced placement student enrollment which like Chanhassen High School, puts students ahead of their peers. Both of these public high schools offer students in the Victoria area an exceptional education that will prepare them for their next steps in life.

The city of Victoria fosters a very safe and inviting community. Their crime rates are 70% lower than the national average with violent crime rates being 80% lower. Victoria is considered to be safer than 83% of cities throughout the United States and 74% safer than cities throughout the state of Minnesota. In recent years, crime rates have decreased at a rate of 7% annually. The probability of a Victoria resident being involved in a violent crime is 1 in 1,296. To put this into perspective, this less than a 0.08% chance of being victimized.

Blue Ox Log Rolling offers visitors a very unique opportunity to learn how to log roll. Logrolling consists of two people balancing on a “log” in the water with the intent of knocking each other off. Blue Ox is a log rolling school, so people from all over can come and learn the art of this interesting sport. Blue Ox is only found in the southwest suburbs of Minneapolis in Victoria, Chanhassen, and Excelsior. Blue Ox Log Rolling provides family fun all year round. They offer classes from June through September at their private beach in Victoria, and in the colder months, you can take classes at the Minnetonka Middle School West’s indoor pool. They also allow group and private lessons, birthday parties, teambuilding events, and brewery parties/ beer festivals. Blue Ox provides a fun opportunity for everybody to challenge themselves and learn something new.

The fun and games are never at a lull at the Victoria Burrow. This former grocery store has been renovated to a modern-day entertainment complex. It features everything from an 18-hole mini-golf course to ax throwing to over thirty arcade games and more. They even have their own restaurant and full bar which serves up food made from scratch. The Victoria Burrow is conveniently located in the heart of downtown and provides endless fun for the whole family to enjoy- it is definitely one of Victoria’s hidden gems.

Those who have a love for the outdoors must visit the Carver Park Reserve and Lowry Nature Center which is part of the Three Rivers Park District. Lowry was the first public nature center that was built in the Minneapolis suburbs, and the park has 250 acres of forest preserve and hiking trails. It features many diverse natural habitats such as lakes, marshes, bogs, and hardwood forests. The Nature Center gives visitors the opportunity to see live animals and bird watch from their animal viewing deck. At Lowry Nature Center you can also rent equipment such as Nordic walking poles, snowshoes, kick sleds, nature exploration kits, and even all-terrain wheelchairs to enhance your nature viewing experience. They also provide spaces to host birthday parties, group gatherings, and special events. If you’re interested in serving the community, the Three Rivers Park District greatly relies on the help of volunteers to help keep the environment clean and healthy. Volunteering at the Lowry Nature Center would be a fantastic way to support your community while also enjoying the great outdoors.

The city of Victoria is filled with dining options to suit all appetites. From homestyle American to traditional Italian, the restaurants of Victoria are sure to satisfy any palette.

Unique to the city of Victoria is an American restaurant called Victoria House. They are located near Steiger Lake, offering guests the luxury of enjoying a one of a kind view while dining. Their menu features everything from salads, soups, burgers, meatloaf, and pasta. You name it, Victoria House probably has it. Their menu even offers gluten-free options to accommodate those who may have dietary restrictions. Victoria House is unlike any other restaurant in the area due to their great tasting food and even better value.

ENKI Brewing is another local favorite that overlooks the shores of Steiger Lake. For those 21 and over, this brewery offers an everchanging list of beer on tap. Their kitchen serves bar-style snacks that pair well with their beverages as well as full meals. They make sure to keep their customers happy by serving up food that is always fresh and made to order on site. To get the full ENKI experience, be sure to book a tour of the brewery to learn about the company’s history, fermentation process, and packaging process. Guests will also get a behind the scenes look at ENKI’s house milling operations and the brewhouse. This thirty-minute tour will then finish up in the ENKI taproom where guests can enjoy a locally crafted beer.

The Nobel Lion is another local favorite for the people of Victoria. They make their food from scratch, so your meal is always fresh, guaranteed. Their menu features American style cooking and is even vegetarian and vegan friendly and features gluten-free options. The Nobel Lion’s inviting atmosphere, delicious food, and great value are what keeps the people coming back. This restaurant has been ranked among the top local restaurants in Victoria, making it a must-try when in the area.

For those with a sweet tooth, The Social Ice Cream Parlor is the perfect place to enjoy a sweet treat. They opened their storefront in 2014 however, they have been serving the people of Victoria for over 10 years. They used to be located inside the School of the Wise restaurant, but now they are centrally located in the heart of Victoria with their own store. The Social offers 32 flavors that rotate weekly, so there is always something different to try. The Social is the spot to be on a hot summer day in Victoria!

SouthWest Prime is a local on-demand ride service that accommodates anyone in the Victoria, Eden Prairie, Chaska, Chanhassen, and Carver areas. This transportation service makes travel easy by requesting rides through their mobile app or over the phone. They run from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the weekdays and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. A shared ride will pick up and drop off riders at their desired locations. All of SouthWest Prime’s vehicles are even compliant with the American’s with Disabilities Act, so travel is not limited to anybody. An additional bonus to using SouthWest Prime is that they keep their service affordable, and they are reliable for safe transportation.

Since Victoria is conveniently located just 21 miles outside of Minneapolis, the city’s residents have easy access to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. This is a major hub for both domestic and international travel which makes long-distance travel simple for the people of Victoria.

Other notable transportation services in the Victoria and Twin Cities area include Midland Transportation, Blue and White Taxi, Victoria Airport Taxicab, and Brainerd Bus Lines.