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Renter’s Guide to Plymouth, MN

Plymouth is a city in Hennepin County, MN, and a suburb of Minneapolis. In 2008, the city was named the best place to live in the U.S. according to Money Magazine, due to its inclusion of residential and commercial areas, parks, schools, and industry, more or less making Plymouth a self-contained city with a more relaxed small town vibe. Low crime rates and great schools add to its attractiveness, and the city is currently ranked the 9th best suburb to live in Minnesota, the 11th best place to raise a family, and the 11th best place for public schools. As such, it’s extremely popular with families.

With a population of 76,258, Plymouth is the 7th largest city in Minnesota, and the 3rd largest suburb of Minneapolis. It has an area of 35.48 sq. miles, and a lower population density than other large cities in the area, such as Bloomington and Brooklyn Park. It’s around 5 times less populous than Minneapolis proper.

Plymouth is located just 12 miles west of downtown Minneapolis, which can be reached within 20 minutes in good traffic. The city is crossed east to west by Hwy 55, and north to south by interstate 494 (the western section of the Minneapolis/St Paul belt). Together, along with bordering highway 169, these freeways facilitate travel in any direction.

The city has a humid continental climate, characterized by cold snowy winters, and hot, often humid summers. July is the hottest month, with average highs of 83°F, while January is the coldest with average lows of 3°F. Precipitation falls throughout the year, with June through August seeing the most rainfall, while December through March sees the most snow. You can expect around 31 inches of rain per year, and 52 inches of snow.

Cost of Living in Plymouth, MN

Public transit in Plymouth is provided by Plymouth Metrolink, which operates 4 park and ride stations within the city, and 4 express bus routes direct to downtown Minneapolis, as well as other routes throughout the metro area. Fares cost $3.25 during rush hour, and $2.50 outside of peak hours on express routes, while local routes cost $2 to $2.50. A monthly Metropass with unlimited rides is also available from companies taking part in the scheme, and costs $83 per month. Those with private vehicles can expect to pay around $2.60 per gallon of gasoline, and taxis generally start at $5.

You can enjoy a meal at an inexpensive restaurant for around $15 on average, or $7.50 at a fast food restaurant. A 3-course meal for 2 in a mid-range restaurant will normally cost between $50 and $80, plus drinks. A regular coffee will be around $4.20, while a pint of beer is typically $6.

For a 915 sq. ft. apartment, your monthly utilities will average out at around $160, which includes the basics such as water, electricity, heating, cooling, and garbage disposal. Add an extra $55 per month for a standard internet connection.

Living in Plymouth, MN

Life in Plymouth offers a healthy balance of green space and urban amenities. Parks and lakes can be found throughout the city, providing a wealth of outdoor activities to enjoy, while shopping centers and commercial zones ensure you can find what you need at any point. Cafes and bakeries are also dotted throughout town, ensuring there are plenty of places to socialize with friends.

Low crime rates and excellent school systems make Plymouth popular with families, and most of the entertainment is geared toward this demographic. Therefore, young adults and teenagers might find the lack of nightlife dull. However, other options aren’t far away, and there are some bars in the city. Traffic during rush hours is manageable, and a good location ensures you can travel throughout the metro with ease.

Things to Do in Plymouth, MN

Plymouth boasts over 170 miles of city, state, and regional trails, ideal for cyclists, hikers, dog walkers and those looking to enjoy the fresh air. With more than 1,700 acres of park land, as well as an abundance of lakes, residents can enjoy a variety of features, such as sports facilities, playgrounds, open spaces, ice rinks, fishing, picnics, and much more. Clifton French Regional Park is situated on the banks of Medicine Lake, and offers fun for all the family, with boat rentals, a beach, and a kids' playground.

There are plenty of places to shop in Plymouth, with malls, shopping centers, and plazas found throughout the city. The Shops of Plymouth Town Center is located off highway 55, and features everything from groceries and clothes, to home improvements and goodies from across the globe. There’s also a movie theater, a plethora of restaurants, gyms, services, and a regular farmers market. The nearby Rock Elm Tavern is a great place to try out locally produced burgers and craft beers.

Music lovers will enjoy Music in Plymouth, a 4th of July event with a series of free concerts held in the iconic Hilde Performance Center. There’s also food vendors, family orientated activities, and a huge firework display.

Employment & Economy in Plymouth, MN

With a median household income of $91,867, households in Plymouth earn far more than state and national averages, though some other nearby cities have marginally higher median incomes. Manufacturing is the most common industry, employing 15.1% of the workforce, followed by health care and social assistance (14.2%), and professional, scientific, and technical services (11.9%). The highest paying industry is the management of companies and enterprises sector.

The most common jobs held by residents of Plymouth are in management occupations, followed by sales and related occupations, and office and administrative support roles. Meanwhile, the highest paid residents work in legal occupations, followed by management occupations. The Wayzata Public Schools District is the top employer, with over 1,500 employees in the city.

Education in Plymouth, MN

While Plymouth is served by 5 different school districts, the majority of the city is covered by Wayzata Public Schools (ISD 284). The top-rated high school is Wayzata High School, which is ranked as the second best public high school in Minnesota, #2 best college prep public high school, and #3 best high school for STEM. It consistently performs well above average in terms of test scores, progress, and college readiness.

Wayzata Central Middle School is the top-rated middle school and is ranked as the 3rd best public middle school in Minnesota, while Wayzata East Middle School is ranked at #4. Both schools excel in terms of test scores and student progress. Plymouth is home to several top-rated elementary schools; Plymouth Creek (2nd best in Minnesota), Meadow Ridge (3rd best), and Kimberly Lane (4th best).

The University of Minnesota has a campus in Plymouth, and the Plymouth St. Cloud State University offers graduate programs and career specific training in a variety of areas.

Tips for Renting in Plymouth, MN

There’s a wide variety of different housing stock in Plymouth, and while many modern neighborhoods do consist of cookie cutter single-family homes, there are also a wealth of attractive apartment complexes and townhouses to suit a variety of budgets. A great location is the Vicksburg area, just north of highway 55, where you’ll find numerous apartment complexes within walking distance of several shopping districts, entertainment and cultural venues, restaurants, and bars.