Garden City Hall 2, 2013
Circle Pines’s story
78 years in pictures
Census counts: 2,789 in 1960, 5,025 in 2020. The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2005 and 6 maps from 1902 on.
- 1948Circle Pines is settled
Circle PinesMN
A town of 4,967, settled in 1948.
3 bordering townsMap →
Photo: 123dieinafire · Public domain
Population
4,967
2025 Census estimate · −1.2% since 2020
Typical home
$313K
+0.2% in a year
Household income
$102K
median
Median age
38.4
years
Jobs based here
413
A commuter town
TownGrade
A+
#24 of 271 in MN
Why does Circle Pines grade so well?
Circle Pines is one of the best-graded places in America: an A+, 24th among Minnesota's 271 graded towns. The median household earns $102K, its schools rank ahead of 89% of Minnesota towns, and CDC estimates put its residents' health ahead of 82% of the country. The exception is hazard risk: FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 76% of U.S. communities, with inland flooding at the top. 25% of the land in Circle Pines is conserved, against 4.6% in Minnesota’s towns and 4.3% across U.S. towns. No town in Minnesota scores lower than Circle Pines on history. Circle Pines's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) trails 86% of U.S. towns.
What makes Circle Pines stand out
Where Circle Pines beats most towns.
Get outside
2 miles of trails in Circle Pines
25.2% of the town is conserved land, across 7 parks and preserves.
3
Carl Eck Park0.1 mi of trails · 10 acres
Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
How Circle Pines grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Minnesota), ordered by how far Circle Pines is from typical.
Jobs & incomeAOpen →SchoolsAOpen →Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listC−Open →HealthM Health Fairview St. John's Hospital 9.7 miles awayA−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 7.4 of 20; 4% of households have no car; 2.5% of workers walk, bike or ride transitBOpen →Cost of livingBOpen →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors2 miles of trailsA+Open →History2 notable people born hereD−Open →Civic life2.1 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsDOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
ClimateSnowy winters, 82° summer afternoons, 40″ of snow–Open →Housing market9 days on market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 38.4–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 73 attractions →U.S. Bank Stadium and 70 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Circle Pines. Close and well known come first.
Big draw13 mi Stadium & arenaU.S. Bank Stadium
12 mi Stadium & arenaHuntington Bank Stadium
13 mi Stadium & arenaTarget Field
14 mi Stadium & arenaGrand Casino Arena
13 mi Stadium & arenaAllianz Field
16 mi LakeBde Maka SkaSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
U.S. Bank Stadium: Darb02, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Huntington Bank Stadium: Lectrician2, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Target Field: Lectrician2, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Grand Casino Arena: AlexiusHoratius, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Allianz Field: Andy Witchger, CC BY 2.0 · Bde Maka Ska: Tyler Vigen, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Circle Pines: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Circle Pines, and how to reach them.
PowerConnexus Energy14.1¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterCircle Pines water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNearest public drop-offRamsey County Compost Site, 3 miOpenStreetMap
Register to voteOnlineIn Minnesota you can register online until 21 days before Election Day, in person up to and including Election Day, or by mail (received 21 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereAnoka County ElectionsAnoka County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jun 2025
ZIP code5501455014 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Circle Pines.
Circle Pines pairs an A+ overall with homes cheaper than the Minnesota norm and gets more snow than most of the country, though not than most of Minnesota; it also carries more natural-hazard risk than most of Minnesota (mostly inland flooding).
OutdoorsA+
Conserved land covers nearly a quarter of Circle Pines
Its A+ for the outdoors ranks #4 of 274 in Minnesota.
2.3 miles of trail in 7 parks and preserves. Circle Pines’ trail density is 1.2 miles per square mile, where Minnesota’s towns sit at 0.5 and U.S. towns at 0.4. The biggest park or preserve is Rice Creek North Regional Trail Corridor, at 201 acres.
#33for trails in MN
25.2%
conserved · 310 of 1,231 acres
2.3 mi
of trails · 1.2 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Rice Creek North Regional Trail Corridor | 0.7 mi | 201 |
| 2. Baldwin Park | 0.1 mi | 31 |
| 3. Carl Eck Park | 0.1 mi | 10 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsA
Circle Pines’ grade for schools is an A
Its public schools are run by the Centennial Public School District. Its one school is below.
89%of MN districts it outscoresASchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Lake ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–5 | Grades PK–5 | 394 | A− |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MN on state tests and graduation
HealthA−
Circle Pines’ grade for health is an A−
Its widest gap with Minnesota is tooth loss: 5.2% of those 65+ have lost all their teeth, against 8.9% statewide.
29% of adults sleep under 7 hours in Circle Pines. Circle Pines beats the Minnesota average on 2 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 0. 74% of adults had a checkup this year in Circle Pines.
82%healthier than U.S. townsA−Health Grade
| Circle Pines | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 29% | 30% | 36% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 74% | 75% | 79% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 11% | 12% | 14% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 16% | 17% |
32 measures vs. Minnesota
2 better30 too close to call0 worse
| What stands out | Circle Pines | MN |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer older adults who have lost all their teeth | 5.2% | 8.9% |
| More adults seeing a dentist | 70.4% | 67.5% |
M Health Fairview St. John's Hospital
9.7 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
65th
percentile among MN towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A
Circle Pines stands out in Minnesota and nationally: a smaller share of its working residents work locally
Circle Pines has 413 jobs for its 2,464 working residents: even if every job went to a resident, most would still commute out. Jobs based here fell from 592 in 2013 to 413.
1.1% of Circle Pines working residents work locally. Jobs based in Circle Pines fell to 413 in 2023, 179 fewer than in 2013. 3.6% of Circle Pines residents live below the poverty line.
1%work in town
| Circle Pines | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 19% | 14% | 11% |
| Working residents who work in town | 1.1% | 9.9% | 8% |
| Below the poverty line | 3.6% | 7.1% | 9.6% |
| Median household income | $102,000 | $90,000 | $80,000 |
Where working residents work
In Circle Pines1%
Minneapolis14%
St. Paul11%
Blaine10%
Roseville3%
12 mi
median commute distance
413
jobs based in Circle Pines
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B
Walkability grade: more walkable than 63% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C−
Inland flooding leads a high hazard risk in Circle Pines
FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 91% of Minnesota towns, with expected losses of about $366 per resident a year; that rating is what its C− for hazard risk is built on.
76risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingStrong windTornadoes
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Climate
Snowy winters and pleasant summers in Circle Pines
The U Of Mn St Paul weather station, 11 miles away, records that 40 inches of snow fall in a normal winter: more than most of the country, but less than 83% of Minnesota places with climate records. July afternoons average 82.1°: cooler than most of the country, but hotter than 77% of Minnesota places with climate records; January nights average 6°.
Circle Pines has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. The January low in Circle Pines is 6°F.
40″snow a winter
| Circle Pines | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January low | 6°F | 6°F | 22°F |
| July high | 82°F | 82°F | 85°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter10–26°
Spring35–55°
Summer60–80°
Fall39–57°
Oct 20
typical first frost
Apr 23
typical last frost
+1.6°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
HousingCost of living grade B
Circle Pines’ typical home value is about $313K
Circle Pines grades A+ overall with a typical home of about $313K, below the Minnesota typical value; only 39 of the 123 Minnesota towns graded A− or better can say that.
The typical Circle Pines home is worth about $313,000, about the same as a year ago, 10% below the Minnesota typical home. Circle Pines’ median rent is $1,496 a month.
$313KZillow home value
| Circle Pines | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 87% | 75% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,496 a month | $1,192 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Circle Pines$313K
Minnesota$349K
Market temperature
9
days on market
103.6%
sale-to-list price
+0.2%
value change, 1 year
7
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Who lives here
An age mix much like Minnesota’s
No broad age group is more than 4 points off the Minnesota average. 42% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or more, vs 39% across Minnesota.
38.4median age · MN 38.8
| Circle Pines | Minnesota towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 42% | 33% | 29% |
| Median age | 38.4 years | 39.9 years | 40.5 years |
Circle PinesMinnesotaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
17%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma8%
High school20%
Some college17%
Associate’s13%
Bachelor’s29%
Graduate13%
Women and men · all residents
54% women, 46% men
About 85 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±3.1 points). Across Minnesota, 49.9% of residents are women.
| Circle Pines | MN | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 12.3% | 12.1% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 9.9% | 10.7% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 6.5% | 8.8% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 12.6% | 13% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 16.8% | 13.5% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 15.7% | 11.6% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 8.5% | 12.9% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 12.1% | 10.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 5.5% | 7% | 7% |
| No diploma | 7.7% | 6.1% | 10.4% |
| High school | 20.4% | 23.3% | 26% |
| Some college | 16.7% | 19.5% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 13% | 11.8% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 29.4% | 25.6% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 12.8% | 13.8% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 5,000, single groups can be off by several points
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Circle Pines
19pages on Circle Pines
The big questions
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
24 within 15 miles of the center of Circle Pines
Bethel UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Saint Paul6 mi$44,226 tuitionAnoka-Ramsey Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Coon Rapids10.2 mi$5,682 in-state tuitionUniversity of Minnesota-Twin CitiesUniversity or college · Public · Minneapolis12.6 mi$17,214 in-state tuition
About 6 of every 100 Circle Pines residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Minnesota.
A commuter town
99% of working residents leave Circle Pines for work
Where Circle Pines’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
413jobs based in Circle Pines
1%of working residents work in town
12 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Circle Pines
City in Minnesota, United States
Circle Pines is a city in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 5,025 at the 2020 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Established
- 1950
- Area
- 1.9 sq mi
- Elevation
- 909 ft
- ZIP code
- 55014
- Area code
- 763
Circle Pines’s neighbors
3 towns share a border with Circle Pines.
At #24 in MN, it grades higher overall than all 3 graded towns on its borders; Lino Lakes (A) comes closest.
BlaineLino LakesLexingtonCircle Pines
How the neighbors grade
| Town | MN rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circle Pines | #24 | A+ | B | — | A | A− |
| Blaine | #156 | B+ | C+ | B− | B+ | B+ |
| Lino Lakes | #96 | A | C | A− | A− | A |
| Lexington | #139 | A− | C+ | — | A | C+ |
Circle Pines and Lexington report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Circle Pines with a neighbor →
Questions about Circle Pines
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Circle Pines, MN a good place to live?
Yes, by almost any measure. Circle Pines grades A+ overall, better than 98% of U.S. towns and #24 of 271 in Minnesota. It grades A− for health and A for schools. Hazard risk is its weak spot, with a C−.
Is Circle Pines, MN expensive?
That is 3.1 years of the area's median household income ($99,833 across the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B.
What is Circle Pines, MN known for?
2 notable people were born here, including Kaitlin Young and Mary Jo Pehl.