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Waconia is a southwest suburb of Minneapolis that is popular among tourists year-round. The city has something to offer for everybody. From the activities that take place on Lake Waconia to the many parks and trails, there is always something to keep residents occupied.

Before the first settlers inhabited the land presently known as Waconia, many Dakota Native groups controlled the land. The Natives are credited with naming the city. In the early 1800s, they called the lake “Meday Wa Ko Ni Ya,” meaning lake of the spring. Over time, the name changed to Waconia which translates to “out of the water comes life.” After the Treaty of Mendota forced the Natives to move west, Euro-American settlers took over the land in the early 1850s. By 1858, most of the land had been settled by German, Bohemian, Swedish and Swiss settlers.

From 1860 to 1940, some of the most popular industries included the Waconia Sorghum Mill, the Waconia Steam Saw and Flowering Mill, the Waconia Brewery, and ice harvesting. From 1873 to 1877, Waconia was greatly impacted by the grasshopper plague which destroyed farmland across most of Minnesota. The population saw a significant decrease, however, by 1880, the population was large enough to incorporate Waconia as a village. Around this time, travel to the village became easier with the construction of railroads. Waconia soon became a popular tourist location, however, in 1904, the Waconia Cyclone destroyed a good portion of the village. Faced by hardships in the past, villagers once again persevered and rebuilt the city. It was in 1921 that the village was big enough to be incorporated as a city and major civic changes were underway. The city saw a large population boom of nearly 4,000 people in 2003. Today, it remains among Carver County’s largest cities and is still continuing to grow.

When moving to Waconia, it is helpful to know a little about their economy and employment history. The city’s job market has increased by 1.8% in the past year and is continuing to grow.  Over the next ten years, the job growth rate is predicted to fall around 38%, making Waconia an excellent place to find employment. The unemployment rate is 2.5% which is less than the national average of 3.9%. Currently, Waconia employs over 6,300 people. A few of the city’s largest industries include manufacturing, health care and social assistance, finance and insurance, and retail trade. Some of the highest paying industries are utilities, wholesale trade, and warehousing.

Waconia has a sales tax rate of 7.4% which is only 0.1% higher than the national average of 7.3%. However, the income tax rate is 7.1% which is nearly 1.5 times greater than the national average.

Similar to most Minnesota cities, Waconia experiences frigid winters and hot summers. January is the coldest month with an average nighttime temperature of four degrees. There are 157 days a year on average when the nighttime temperature drops below freezing, and 29 days annually when it drops below zero degrees. Compared to other cities, Waconia has one of Minnesota’s warmer winter climates. When moving to Waconia, make sure you are prepared for the snowy winters. This city gets an average yearly snowfall of 48.9 inches, making it one of Minnesota’s snowier cities. December has historically been Waconia’s snowiest month with an average of 11.2 inches annually. The months of November through April tend to experience significant snowfall.

Waconia is also one of Minnesota’s wetter cities, however, it receives less rainfall than the national average. Their average rainfall is 32 inches per year whereas the United States average is 38 inches. August is the wettest month with an average of 4.6 inches of rainfall, and February is the driest month, receiving only 0.8 inches of rainfall. Autumn is Waconia’s wettest season, getting 41% of the city’s yearly precipitation whereas Spring is the driest receiving only 9% of the yearly precipitation.

With an average high of 83 degrees, July is the city’s hottest month. Waconia also has one of Minnesota’s hotter summer climates. Annually, there are 7 days on average when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees. This is about the same most other Minnesota cities. You will find that the most pleasant months in Waconia are from June to August. These summer months have temperatures that range from 70 to 85 degrees.

As of 2020, Waconia is home to 12,905 residents occupying 4,253 households. The average household size is 2.7 people. The city spans 4.6 miles of land, giving it a population density of 2,793 people per square mile. The population has grown by 20.7% in the last decade and is currently increasing at a rate of 2.12% per year.

96% of the city’s population is Caucasian, 1% is black or African American, 0.7% is Asian, and 2.4% is Latino or Hispanic. The average age in Waconia is 35 years old. 50.4% of the population is female and 49.6% is male.

Waconia has a cost of living index at 112.4 whereas the United States has a baseline cost of living index falling at 100. This means that it is slightly more expensive to live in Waconia when compared to the average United States city. The median price of a home is around $311,500, and the average household income is $78,086. The cost of housing, transportation, groceries, and utilities in Waconia are more expensive than the average Minnesota city. However, the cost of health care is less in Waconia when compared to Minnesota and the United States.

Waconia has ten schools throughout the city, eight of which are public and two of which are private. The public schools spend an average of $10,914 per student annually which is slightly lower than the average United States public school which spends $12,383 per student. The typical student to teacher ratio is 16:1 in the public-school district.

The city has three public elementary schools which include Bayview, Laketown, and Southview Elementary. Waconia Middle School and Waconia High School are the city’s only middle and high schools. All of these educational facilities are part of School District 110, which is one of Minnesota’s top-ranked public-school districts. District 110 educates over 4,000 students annually from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Students who attend Public School District 110 schools typically test higher on state exams and show better progress throughout their education when compared to students at other Minnesota schools. Their state exam scores indicate that 71% of students are proficient in reading and 74% are proficient in math which greatly exceeds the state averages of 59% proficiency in reading and 47% proficiency in math.

Waconia High School is the city’s only public high school. It’s very highly rated among Minnesota high schools due to its high graduation rate, college preparedness, and student exam scores. The school has a 95% four-year graduation rate which significantly exceeds the Minnesota state average of 83%. Students at Waconia High School test higher on standardized state exams and tend to be more proficient in math, reading, and science when compared to the average Minnesota school. In addition, Waconia High School has a greater advanced placement course participation rate with at least 17% student enrollment. The Minnesota average advanced placement enrollment is 13%.

Waconia also has an alternative learning center and transitional learning center. The Waconia Alternative Learning Center offers a smaller and more focused learning environment for students who may need a more individualized education plan. They have a 6:1 student to teacher ratio to ensure that the needs of each student are being met.

Ridgeview Medical Center has three locations across Minnesota, one of them being in Waconia. They offer a variety of care services including urgent care, primary and specialty care options, a nursing home, independent living facilities, and more. They serve more than 300,000 patients and have been acknowledged for their exceptional individualized care. Ridgeview is also a major employer not only in Waconia but throughout the county. They have more than 2,200 employees and 400 volunteers that contribute to the thriving nature of the company. Being a very community-based company, part of Ridgeview’s mission is to support the advancement of healthcare. Since 1978, they have raised over $40 million in donations which have gone toward funding more than 50 projects.

Ridgeview Medical Center holds a reputable name across the metropolitan area as it has been awarded and recognized on many occasions. Among these awards include the 2018 Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience award and a 2017 Blue Distinction Designation. Many of the facilities physicians have been recognized as some of Minnesota’s top doctors.

Waconia is located about 33 miles from the Minneapolis/ St. Paul Airport which is a major hub for both domestic and international air travel. It is also just 20 miles from Flying Cloud Airport which is a smaller domestic airport located in Eden Prairie. Being conveniently located near these two airports makes long-distance travel easy for the people of Waconia. Many Minneapolis suburbs rely on Minneapolis/ St. Paul Airport for their air travel, however, the residents of Waconia are given the choice of two airports which further simplifies travel.

For local travel, West Metro Shuttle has been voted the number one car service in Carver County by the Sun Patriot Newspaper. They offer customers easy and affordable transportation to and from the western metropolitan area to various locations throughout Minneapolis. Among these locations is Minneapolis/ St. Paul Airport. West Metro Shuttle operates seven days a week and can accommodate up to six passengers per car.

Other notable transportation services that operate in and around the Waconia area include Premier Transportation, Renee’s Limousines, Total Transportation, Northfield Lines, Inc., and Lorenz Bus Service.

Waconia has long been one of the metropolitan area’s most popular tourist towns. With so much to see and do, there is something for everybody to enjoy. Lake Waconia is one of the main attractions and draws people from near and far. This 3000-acre lake is the largest in Carver County and second-largest in the Minneapolis suburbs. Lake Waconia is active all year round. In the summer it attracts boaters, fishers, sailors, windsurfers, and kiteboarders. In the winter, it is a popular place to ice fish. In the middle of the lake, you will find Coney Island also known as Coney Island of the West, which holds a rich history. Back in the 1880s, the island has its own resort which featured many cabins, a dance hall, and restaurants. It was a popular weekend spot throughout the 1950s. However, it soon deteriorated due to a lack of maintenance. Since then, the island has had various private owners. In recent years, there is a plan in place to restore the island and turn it into a public park.

Island View Golf Club is a beautiful course located on the shores of Lake Waconia. It was originally established in 1959 as a 9-hole course, however, it expanded to an 18-hole course in 1973. This course has its own driving range and practice putting green for golfers to utilize as they please. Island View Golf Club also has a casual restaurant that is open to the public. Aside from golfing, Island view is also a popular venue to hold events such as weddings, corporate gatherings, and group get-togethers.

Carlson’s Lovable Llamas offers guests a once in a lifetime experience. This llama farm gives visitors the chance to pet and play with their dozens of llamas. They have activities such as yoga with llamas, llama camp, group and family farm visits, and birthday parties at the farm. Carlson’s Lovable Llamas will even bring the animals to you. Whether it’s a wedding, school event, or community gathering, Carlson’s Lovable Llamas has you covered for all your llama needs. They even have an adopt-a-llama program which allows anyone to lease a llama for a monthly fee. Carlson’s Farm will house and care for the llama, and those who have adopted a llama are free to visit it anytime they would like during operating hours.

For those 21 and older, Waconia is home to a multitude of wineries and breweries. Each year, the city hosts the Waconia Wine Festival. Visitors can tour Waconia’s three wineries which include Parley Lake, Schram, and Sovereign. Along with tours, there is also live concerts and wine tasting. Visitors even receive a souvenir wine glass. These three wineries are all located within a five-mile radius, making them convenient for festivalgoers to travel to and from. The Waconia Brewing Company is another popular attraction in the area. Waconia’s original brewery went out of business in 1890, and the city did not have a brewery for over 100 years. It wasn’t until 2014 that the Waconia Brewing Company opened its doors to the public and has been a local favorite ever since. Their Taproom is family-friendly and offers games and root beer for the children. The Brewing Company has also been recognized on the national and international levels on many occasions for their one of a kind beer, making it a must-try for anyone 21 and older.

From traditional Italian cuisine to American favorites, Waconia has dining options to suit every appetite. Pangea Café is a local restaurant that serves up homestyle American breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their menu features vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options to accommodate all customers. It is even said to be the area’s best homemade cooking. Another favorite for American food is Hoppers Bar and Grill. Their menu puts a fun twist on American classics, such as jalapeno pickles and totchos- tater tot nachos, not to mention their award-winning burgers. There is always something going on at Hoppers, whether it is bingo or karaoke, the lively atmosphere is sure to draw a crowd.

For the coffee lovers of Waconia, Mocha Monkey is one of the top-rated cafes in the area. It has been voted the number one coffeehouse in Minnesota according to Southwest Metro Magazine. This quaint coffeehouse has been around for 100 years and is the perfect place to catch up with friends, study, or just hangout.  A fun fact about the Mocha Monkey is that they serve all of their coffee and food on handmade pottery made by the café’s owner.

D’Vinci’s is the place to get your authentic Italian fix. They have been serving the people of Waconia for 34 years, and it is one of the top-ranked Italian restaurants in the city. Their menu offers lunch and dinner and can accommodate a vegetarian diet. Their excellent food, service, and inviting atmosphere can’t be beaten.

Lola’s Lakehouse is unique to Waconia and offers visitors a one of a kind dining experience. They are located on the Waconia lakefront and have a patio that overlooks the water. At Lola’s Lakehouse, they encourage customers to “come for the view but stay for the experience.” This restaurant emits a nautical feel which creates an atmosphere unlike any other in Waconia. The restaurant is even accessible from the lake, so after a long day on the water, boaters are free to dock and enjoy a meal at Lola’s. Their broad menu truly has something that everyone can enjoy. From gourmet steaks to burgers, fresh seafood, and pizza, you can’t go wrong with Lola’s Lakehouse. Their menu supports small businesses by serving up food and beverages from local farms, wineries, distilleries, and breweries. They also pride themselves on being very eco-friendly. In order to protect Lake Waconia and the surrounding environment, Lola’s Lakehouse only uses biodegradable to-go containers. To further protect the lake, Lola’s follows regulations to reduce the invasion of zebra mussels.

Whatever your motive for moving to Minnesota, consider all that Waconia has to offer. From the natural beauty of the lake and surrounding community to the many dining and entertainment options, there is something for everyone to enjoy, guaranteed.