RANK #875 / 1001 NAT · #18 / 18 MN · POP 110,041
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
Known for its natural scenery and high quality of life, Carver County, Minnesota, is located southwest of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The county seat, Chaska, is roughly 20 miles from Minneapolis, making it a feasible commute for many residents. The community offers a blend of suburban amenities and rural charm, with rolling farmlands, woodlands, and over 125 lakes. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with more than 4,000 acres of parks, including Lake Waconia, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and Carver Park Reserve, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, and water activities.
Carver County consistently ranks as one of Minnesota's healthiest counties, reflecting its quality of life. The area attracts families and professionals, supported by highly rated public schools such as those in the Eastern Carver County Public Schools district. Commute options to Minneapolis are available through express bus services and on-demand rideshare programs. The local economy, historically rooted in agriculture and manufacturing, is experiencing growth in technology infrastructure, with several data centers establishing operations in towns like Chaska. This development contributes to the county's economic landscape, alongside its established industries.
Carver County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.5% runs below the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 16.1x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
CloudHQ MSP Campus Data Center
CloudHQ
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Northern Lights 2027 Expansion (Natural Gas Pipeline)
Northern Natural Gas
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Chaska Yards (Community Land Trust Housing)
Carver County Community Development Agency (CDA)
|
$50M | Completed |
|
Carver County Roadway Systems Plan (various projects)
Carver County
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Carver County scores just 12/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #875 of 1001 counties. Job growth at -0.6% and median household income of $125,946 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Carver County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $453,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,514/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Carver County's population is growing — up +1.3% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.6%). Home values shifted +1.5% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.65% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Carver County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.