Uptown Minneapolis enjoyed the notoriety in the Twin Cities native’s song “Uptown.” With its diverse population and restaurants, clubs and attractions, people of all backgrounds love calling the area home.
Where is Uptown in Minneapolis?
A few minutes west of downtown Minneapolis, Uptown offers an outstanding location to call home, whether you work downtown or enjoy local sights and venues.
While not an official neighborhood in Minneapolis, Uptown has been a business district for almost 100 years. The district consists of businesses around Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street, bordered by Bde Maka Ska Lake on the west and DuPont Avenue to the east, 28th Street to the north and 31st Street to the south.
Source: Rent.
Consisting of parts of four neighborhoods — Lowry Hill East, East Calhoun, East Isles and South Uptown — Uptown has grown into a popular neighborhood with young professionals, couples and singles.
- Population: 20,614
- Average income: $66,842
- Studio average rent: $1,574
- One-bedroom average rent: $1,802
- Two-bedroom average rent: $2,413
- Average commute time: 22 minutes
- Walk score: 87
- Bike score: 93
- Transit score: 57
Living in Uptown
Popular with a younger crowd, the neighborhood also attracts plenty of families. Offering life experiences for children that they won’t learn about in books, families enjoy the fun and educational opportunities of urban living. Regardless of your background, Uptown is a great place to call home to everyone.
Demographics
Consisting of four other neighborhoods — East Calhoun (ECCO), South Uptown, East Isles and Lowry Hill East — the combined median income for the area is $66,842, according to Minnesota Compass. East Calhoun has the highest income average at $80,511. Lowry Hill East has the lowest income average at $56,722.
In this diverse neighborhood, people of color account for about 25 percent of the population. African Americans make up the largest ethnic group. The neighborhood also includes Asian Americans, Latinos and Native Americans.
People between 25-34 account for about 38 percent of the population.
Education
Minneapolis’ Southwest High School is the nearest public school to Uptown. The school includes ninth through 12th grades. It ranks among the top 15 public schools in Minnesota. It’s one of 10 high schools making up the Minneapolis schools district.
Minneapolis is also home to private schools, such as the Blake School. The college preparatory school has an enrollment of about 1,400 students, from preschool through 12th grade. Alumni include former Governor Mark Dayton, comedian and former US Senator Al Franken and Katrina Lake, CEO of Stitch Fix.
Safety
Minneapolis experienced an increased crime rate over the summer of 2020.
Uptown was the scene of several protests and riots following the alleged killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. With vandalism, arson and looting the primary crimes during weeks-long protests, the city’s police department found its focus on crowd control. Uptown was one of the neighborhoods that experienced a higher-than-average crime rate. As protests stopped, and more police returned to street patrol, the city saw a decrease in crime.
There are simple ways to help protect yourself against a crime. Travel in pairs or groups and park your car in well-lit areas. Also, don’t stay out too late, when crime tends to occur more often.
Recreation and entertainment
With the largest lake in Minneapolis, Bde Maka Ska Lake — White Earth Lake in Dakota (Sioux) language — offers year-round fun. A 3.2-mile loop takes you around the lake. You can enjoy daily walks or bicycle rides with a beautiful view of the lake. Enjoy boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming and fishing on the 401-acre lake. During winter, explore the area with cross country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.
Transportation
Uptown’s commute is about 11 minutes from downtown. The weekday commute is a bit longer for most residents, who work outside of downtown. The average commute time from Uptown to other areas runs about 22 minutes.
About 65 percent of Uptown residents commute at least 20 minutes. About 30 percent take 10-19 minutes to travel to work. Only 6 percent of locals have a commute under 10 minutes.
Public transportation is a viable alternative to driving a vehicle. Uptown has easy access to the bus line, as Route 6 provides the quickest route from downtown to the Hennepin and Lake area. More bus routes for Uptown include Route 12, 17, 21, 23 and 612.
History
As Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet and Lake of the Isles became popular tourist destinations during the late 1800s, streetcars became a key transportation option from the business districts in the area.
Opening in 1916, the Lagoon Theater is near Hennepin and Lagoon Avenues as a vaudeville venue. Fire destroyed the building in 1939. Business leaders sought to rebuild the theater, so they rebranded it as the Uptown Business District. Owners named the new theater Uptown.
Over the years, Uptown saw a business boom, but then white residents started moving to the suburbs. Soon after, the area experienced decay and an increase in crime. As the area became popular with artists, the Uptown Art Fair launched in 1964. Development returned to the area, including Seven Points Malls. Housing and apartment construction increased, and Uptown became a popular area to live.
10 things to do in Uptown
Uptown Minneapolis is home to outstanding restaurants, interesting attractions and outstanding entertainment venues. You may never want to leave the neighborhood.
- Explore hiking trails or enjoy water activities at Bde Maka Ska Lake.
- Art aficionados love the annual Uptown Art Fair. The fair attracts hundreds of artists and 400,000 visitors.
- Uptown Minneapolis’ diverse population offers locals an opportunity to partake in food from all backgrounds, including eateries such as Origami Restaurant, World Street Kitchen and Mucci’s Italian.
- Sip an espresso or latte at a local coffeehouse like Uncommon Grounds Coffeehouse, Corner Coffee Uptown and Caribou Coffee.
- Movie fans can enjoy any of the newest filcks at Lagoon Cinema.
- Window shop or put on your shopping shoes for adventures at an indoor mall such as Seven Points Uptown (formerly Calhoun Square) or Uptown Row. Check out local shops and boutiques including Covered and Via’s Vintage.
- Enjoy the nightlife with a drink, music and fun times with friends at Uptown Tavern & Rooftop and The Iron Door Pub.
- Catch live music at the venerable Granada Theater, a 1920s vintage theater, which reopened in 2019 as a 600-person concert venue.
- Take in the sights and sounds, as well as some fresh fruits and vegetables and other treats, during summer’s East Isles Farmers Market.
- Take a step back into the ’80s and beyond with a fun outing at Up-Down Minneapolis, home of vintage arcade games and pinball machines.
Finding an apartment in Uptown Minneapolis
Uptown Minneapolis embraces its diversity and seeks to have residents explore its restaurants and attractions. From spending the day at Bde Maka Ska Park to browsing through the books at Magers and Quinn Booksellers, you’ll find plenty to do in your new Uptown Minneapolis apartment.
