Answers · MN
Brooklyn Center vs Coon Rapids, MN: How They Compare
The short answer
Brooklyn Center is a compact Hennepin County city of about 8 square miles and an estimated 31,846 residents in 2025, and Coon Rapids is an Anoka County city of about 22.6 square miles and an estimated 64,193 residents. Brooklyn Center grew quickly after World War II, and its average home was built in 1957. Coon Rapids has Highway 10 and express Route 888, while Brooklyn Center has Interstates 94 and 694 and the METRO C Line and D Line rapid buses.
Talk to Lesley About Brooklyn Center and Coon Rapids
Side by side
| Fact | Brooklyn Center | Coon Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| County | Hennepin County | Anoka County |
| ZIP codes | 55429, 55430 | 55433, 55448 |
| Population (2025 estimate) | 31,846 | 64,193 |
| Land area | About 8.0 sq mi | About 22.6 sq mi |
| Median owner-occupied home value (Census 2020-2024 survey) | $274,300 | $305,800 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.6% | 74.8% |
| School districts | Brooklyn Center Community Schools (District 286); Anoka-Hennepin (District 11); Osseo Area (District 279); Robbinsdale Area (District 281) | Anoka-Hennepin |
| Main routes / transit | I-94, I-694, Hwy 100, Hwy 252; METRO C Line and D Line rapid buses | Hwy 10, East River Road, Coon Rapids Blvd; Metro Transit Routes 888 and 805 |
| Parks and trails (official figures) | 522 acres of parkland across 23 parks and natural areas, and a 20-mile trail system | 48 parks, more than 40 miles of trails, and two regional parks |
Population is the Census estimate for July 1, 2025. The home values are U.S. Census survey figures for 2020 to 2024, not today's sale prices. Confirm the schools for any address with the district.
Homes
Brooklyn Center grew quickly after World War II. The average home in the city was built in 1957, and one-story ramblers from that period are common. With those homes we look closely at the roof, furnace, water heater, windows, electrical panel, and basement.
Coon Rapids became a village in 1952 and a city in 1959. The city lists single-family homes, twinhomes, townhomes, apartments, and senior living, with styles from one-level ramblers to split-entries, multi-levels, and larger homes. The city also offers home improvement loan programs, including Home for Generations II.
The Census survey for 2020 to 2024 put the median owner-occupied home value at $274,300 in Brooklyn Center and $305,800 in Coon Rapids. Owners occupy 63.6 percent of homes in Brooklyn Center and 74.8 percent in Coon Rapids. Those survey figures are not today's sale prices, so we pull recent sales for the homes you are considering.
Getting around
In Brooklyn Center, Interstates 94 and 694 meet, and Highways 100 and 252 run north and south. The Brooklyn Center Transit Center is the end of two METRO rapid bus lines: the C Line along Penn Avenue to downtown Minneapolis, and the D Line to downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America.
Coon Rapids is about 12 miles north of Minneapolis. Highway 10 crosses the city, and East River Road and Coon Rapids Boulevard follow the river. Metro Transit Route 888 runs from the Coon Rapids-Riverdale Park and Ride to downtown Minneapolis, and Route 805 connects Northtown, Riverdale, and Anoka.
Which one fits you?
If you want a one-story rambler close to two rapid bus lines, Brooklyn Center is worth a look. If you want a choice of ramblers, split-entries, multi-levels, and larger homes, or twinhomes and townhomes, Coon Rapids is worth a look. With an older home in either city, we look closely at the roof, furnace, windows, and electrical panel.
We help buyers compare both, home by home. Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770.
You can read more on our Brooklyn Center page and our Coon Rapids page.
Where these facts come from
Checked November 2026. These facts come from U.S. Census QuickFacts: Brooklyn Center, U.S. Census QuickFacts: Coon Rapids, City of Brooklyn Center: parks and trails, City of Brooklyn Center: school districts, Metro Transit: rapid bus, City of Coon Rapids: about, City of Coon Rapids: history, City of Coon Rapids: housing, City of Coon Rapids: trails, Metro Transit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brooklyn Center or Coon Rapids bigger?
Coon Rapids has more people. Brooklyn Center had an estimated 31,846 residents on July 1, 2025, and Coon Rapids had an estimated 64,193. Brooklyn Center covers about 8 square miles of land, and Coon Rapids covers about 22.6.
Which has newer homes, Brooklyn Center or Coon Rapids?
Brooklyn Center's average home was built in 1957, and one-story ramblers from that period are common. Coon Rapids became a city in 1959, and its homes range from one-level ramblers to split-entries, multi-levels, and larger homes. Both cities have many established homes, so we compare the age and updates of each home you are considering.
Are Brooklyn Center and Coon Rapids in the same county?
No. Brooklyn Center is in Hennepin County, and Coon Rapids is in Anoka County.
Which school districts serve Brooklyn Center and Coon Rapids?
Four districts serve Brooklyn Center: Brooklyn Center Community Schools, Anoka-Hennepin Schools, Osseo Area Schools, and Robbinsdale Area Schools. The Anoka-Hennepin School District serves Coon Rapids. The district depends on the address, so confirm it with the district for any home before you make an offer.
How do I compare property taxes in Brooklyn Center and Coon Rapids?
Each county keeps its own records. Hennepin County has the tax records for Brooklyn Center, and Anoka County has them for Coon Rapids. Search each county's property information lookup by address or parcel number to see the taxes and assessed value for each home. We pull those records with you for the exact homes on your list.
Is it easier to commute to Minneapolis or St. Paul from Brooklyn Center or Coon Rapids?
Brooklyn Center has Interstates 94 and 694 and Highways 100 and 252, and its transit center is the end of the METRO C Line and D Line rapid buses to downtown Minneapolis. Coon Rapids is about 12 miles north of Minneapolis, with Highway 10 and Metro Transit Route 888 from the Coon Rapids-Riverdale Park and Ride. We map your actual route before you choose.
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