On the Rise: Chaska, MN

It's a community that has experienced double-digit growth over the past 60 years yet still retains its small-town feel. It's a community whose residents see it as home and not just "a place." It's a community that has gone through several periods of transition to become the thriving, riverside town that its roughly 30,000 residents are proud to live in. Why has the Minneapolis suburb of Chaska, Minnesota, become one of the hottest places to live in the Twin Cities area? Read on to find out.

As with many great places to live, one of the defining characteristics of Chaska is its downtown, a pleasant mix of historic 19th-century buildings and modern additions, most notably the ten-year-old Curling Center where a combined festival-tournament involving the sport, known as the Fire and Ice Bonspiel, is held annually. From restaurants to boutiques and service-based businesses, such as photography studios and salons, Downtown Chaska plays host to a variety of small businesses, as well. The various city parks and nearby walking trails, along with views of the Minnesota River, which winds its way along the southern border of the city, add to the charm and attractiveness of this part of the community.

One would think that with the surge in population it has experienced over the past few decades - a 36% increase in the number of residents between 2000 and 2010 and a 17% increase between 2010 and 2020 - Chaska would be experiencing growing pains but, surprisingly, that doesn't seem to be the case. According to a 2024 study commissioned by the City of Chaska, residents, when asked what they liked most about their community, noted Chaska's small-town feel and general quietness among their most frequent answers. This study also found that residents believe city services have maintained a high level of quality even with so many new people moving to the area. Residents' high ratings of the city's police, fire, and parks and recreation departments reflect this.

On a similar note, 90% of residents who partook in the aforementioned study indicated that they felt the sense of community in Chaska was excellent or good as opposed to just fair or even poor. Mayor Taylor Hubbard, whom the author interviewed for this article, mentioned the numerous initiatives that have been started by the city and organizations within it. Perhaps most prominent is the Chaska Human Rights Award. Presented at the community's annual MLK Human Rights Celebration, this award is given to a person or organization that has made a positive contribution to Chaska. Heroes and Helpers, organized by the Chaska Police Department, gives needy children the opportunity to go Christmas shopping with the community's police officers. Finally, Beyond New Beginnings assists young mothers and their children in finding "safe, stable homes" and "[empowers] them to become healthy, engaged members of [their] community."

The Chaska region is one of great natural beauty and the city's residents are spoiled for opportunities to get out and their gorgeous surroundings. From the Chaska Ravine Trail, which winds by several of the community's splendid lakes, to the multi-use Minnesota Valley State Trail, which partially passes through the region, the options are endless for bikers, walkers, and runners. These amenities are supplemented by the over 500 acres of city-owned parks within the community's limits. Those hoping to hit the links are not without choices, either. Of the three golf courses in Chaska, Hazeltine National, a lakeside Robert Trent Jones-designed course set to host both the 2026 Women's PGA Championship and the 2029 Ryder Cup, is perhaps most notable. Two public courses, Chaska Town Course and the Loop at Chaska, round out the town's golf offerings.

When looking for a town or city to call home, people consider many factors from quality of life to the overall sense of community. From its ability to maintain its small-town feel and the quality of its city services even amidst extreme growth to initiatives like the Chaska Human Rights Award, Chaska has done many things right to attract discerning potential residents.

Do you live in this Carver County community or are you considering a move there? What for you is Chaska's biggest selling point?