Minnetonka

Minnetonka is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, that spreads across wooded hills, residential areas and business districts. The landscape shifts between open spaces along the roads and densely built neighborhoods that cluster around several smaller and larger lakes.

A mill operation began here in 1852 as the first private facility west of the Mississippi in this area and marked the start of permanent settlement. The town evolved during the 20th century from farmland into a suburb with corporate headquarters and growing residential districts.

The name comes from the Dakota language and refers to the many lakes that shaped life for the original inhabitants of this region. Today people use these waters for boating, fishing and outdoor recreation, especially during the warm months.

The city is reachable from Minneapolis via several main roads and offers access to residential areas, shopping centers and lake shorelines. Three school districts divide the territory, so educational facilities are located across different sections.

Two major corporations in agriculture and healthcare established their headquarters here and shape the appearance of entire office districts. This settlement transformed the once rural surroundings into an economically important location within a few decades.

Location: Hennepin County

Inception: 1852

Elevation above the sea: 271 m

Shares border with: Edina, Eden Prairie, Deephaven, Wayzata, Plymouth, Shorewood

Website: http://eminnetonka.com

GPS coordinates: 44.91333,-93.50333

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:40