Hopkins

About Hopkins

Hopkins is a small, growing community in Minnesota's Hennepin County. Although it measures just 4 square miles, it's located at the center of a booming Midwest region. Although Hopkins certainly possesses its own sense of community and a distinct culture, its convenient location near Minneapolis means that big-city amenities and entertainment are just a short drive away.

The History of Hopkins

The first settlers in the Hopkins area arrived in the early 1850s, though early development was fairly minimal. However, once the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co. opened, it fueled the growth of the tiny settlement. Residential developments were established to provide housing for the factory's employees, and the city began to grow even larger. Hopkins received its current name in 1928 after the village's first postmaster, Harley Hopkins, and officially incorporating as a city in 1947.

Jobs in Hopkins

Hopkins and the larger Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area have many major employers in the health care, finance and manufacturing industries. UnitedHealth Group, U.S. Bancorp, 3M and Ameriprise Financial are some of the most profitable companies in the Hopkins area, supplying a large number of local jobs. In addition, several major companies have their headquarters in the metro area, including Target, Best Buy, SuperValu and General Mills.

Overall, the largest industries in the smaller Hopkins area include professional and business services, trade and transportation, manufacturing, and leisure and hospitality. Because these industries are so widely varied, you have a good chance of finding a job to fit your experience and qualifications.

Hopkins Schools

The city's schools fall under the jurisdiction of Hopkins Public Schools. In addition to traditional schools, the district is also home to XinXing Academy, a Chinese immersion school. Students interested in learning more language skills can also take part in Juntos Spanish immersion at one of the district's junior high schools. Because Minnesota is an open enrollment state, you have the right to place your child at any school (even outside the district), assuming there's space. There are also a few private and charter schools in and around Hopkins.

Resources for Moving to Hopkins

As you prepare for your move to Hopkins, the following information can help you put together a plan:

• Utilities: The city of Hopkins oversees its own water and sewer services, including billing. Xcel Energy is the area's major electricity provider.
• Garbage and Recycling: Curbside collection of trash is provided on a weekly basis, while recyclables are picked up every other week.
• Transportation: Metro Transit operates a network of routes throughout the greater Minneapolis metro area, including the community of Hopkins.

Hopkins Housing

Hopkins is home to 19 neighborhoods, seven of which have active neighborhood associations. Some, such as Park Valley, have a long history and a strong neighborhood identity, while others, like Meadow Creek, are newer neighborhoods, including condominium or townhouse complexes. The Hopkins housing market is slightly more expensive that the Minneapolis metro average and considerably pricier than the national average.