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About Burnsville

City Background

Burnsville was a rural, primarily Irish, farming community which has grown from 2,700 people in 1960 to become the tenth largest city in the state with a population of over 60,220 people.

City Attractions

Burnsville is home to a regional mall comprised of 1.2 million square feet, more than 3,300 acres of parks and wildlife refuge lands, a variety of recreational opportunities including a major ski resort, over 2,200 businesses, and many fine lodging and dining facilities.

Form of Government

Minnesota has two basic types of cities: those operating under the Statutory City Code and those operating under local charter. Burnsville is a Statutory Plan B city.

Mayor & City Council

Under Plan B, the elected City Council consists of a mayor and four council members. All policy and legislative decisions are the responsibility of the council. The council delegates the administrative duties to a City Manager.

Population Information

  • Population – 60,306
  • Persons 18 and over – 45,782
  • Children under 18 – 14,524
  • Median Age – 35.9 years old
  • Minority Population – 22.5%
  • Nearly 10% speak a different language other than English at home

Household Information

  • Households – 24,283
  • Average Household Size – 2.47 persons
  • Owner Occupied Units – 16,051 or 66% of all units
  • Rental Units – 8,232 or 34% of all units
  • Median Value of Owner Occupied Dwelling Unit – $149,600
  • 13.8% of total housing units are owned with no mortgage
  • Median Rent for a Dwelling Unit – $737
  • Median household income is $57,420

Education*

  • 93% of persons 25 and over have graduated from high school
  • 25% have completed a Bachelor's Degree
  • 10% have a Graduate or Professional Degree

Employment*

  • 75% of persons over 16 years old are in the workforce
  • 81% drive to work alone
  • 8% carpool
  • 4% use alternative transportation
  • 3% work at home
  • 23 minutes is the average commute time to work
  • 39% of employed residents are in management or professional occupations
  • 16% are employed in service industries
  • 28% work in sales
  • 7% construction
  • 10% production and transportation

(*from 2007 American Community Survey)