Answers · MN
Cottage Grove vs Inver Grove Heights, MN: How They Compare
The short answer
Cottage Grove is in Washington County, and Inver Grove Heights is in Dakota County, and both cities have the Mississippi River along one side. Cottage Grove had an estimated 43,604 residents in 2025 on about 33.6 square miles, and Inver Grove Heights had an estimated 36,873 on about 27.9. Cottage Grove drivers use Highway 61, and Inver Grove Heights drivers use Highway 52 to Interstate 494.
Talk to Lesley About Cottage Grove and Inver Grove Heights
Side by side
| Fact | Cottage Grove | Inver Grove Heights |
|---|---|---|
| County | Washington County | Dakota County |
| ZIP codes | 55016 | 55076, 55077 |
| Population (2025 estimate) | 43,604 | 36,873 |
| Land area | About 33.6 sq mi | About 27.9 sq mi |
| Median owner-occupied home value (Census 2020-2024 survey) | $378,800 | $363,400 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 88.2% | 76.9% |
| School districts | South Washington County Schools | Inver Grove Heights Schools; Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan; West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan |
| Main routes / transit | Highway 61 (shared with Highway 10); express Route 363 | Highway 52 to I-494; Metro Transit Routes 68 and 71 |
| Parks and trails (official figures) | Almost 2,000 acres of parkland; 38 neighborhood parks; nearly 100 miles of trails | 31 city parks; 275-acre Inver Wood Golf Course |
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
Cottage Grove grew from farm country starting in the late 1950s, when Thompson Grove brought ranch-style homes. Its older central neighborhoods have ranch and split-level homes from the late 1950s through the 1970s, and Old Cottage Grove, the original village, was platted in 1871. Newer subdivisions and new construction include Eastbrooke, Hawthorne, Glacial Valley Estates, and Ravine Crossing.
Inver Grove Heights was created as a city in 1965, and its homes span many decades of styles. Housing ranges from apartments to large-lot homes, and newer developments are still adding homes. The Mississippi River forms the city's eastern edge, and lakes, ponds, and wetlands cover many areas, so we check this for any home.
The Census survey for 2020 to 2024 put the median owner-occupied home value at $378,800 in Cottage Grove and $363,400 in Inver Grove Heights. Owners occupy 88.2 percent of homes in Cottage Grove and 76.9 percent in Inver Grove Heights. Those survey figures are not today's sale prices, so we pull recent sales for the homes you are considering.
Getting around
Cottage Grove sits about 10 miles south of St. Paul. Highway 61, which shares the road with Highway 10, connects north to Interstate 494 and St. Paul, and no interstate runs through the city itself. Metro Transit express Route 363 runs from the Cottage Grove Park and Ride to downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis, with four morning and four afternoon trips on workdays.
Highway 52 runs north and south through Inver Grove Heights and connects with Interstate 494, and the city describes downtown St. Paul as about a ten-minute drive. Metro Transit Routes 68 and 71 serve Inver Hills Community College, and MVTA Route 445 connects Inver Hills College with the Eagan Transit Station.
Which one fits you?
If your drive follows Highway 61 north, or you want an express bus from a park-and-ride, look closely at Cottage Grove. If your drive follows Highway 52 toward downtown St. Paul, which the city describes as about ten minutes away, look closely at Inver Grove Heights. If you want the river, Cottage Grove has Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park and the Grey Cloud Dunes, and Inver Grove Heights has the Mississippi River Greenway trail.
We help buyers compare both, home by home. Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770.
You can read more on our Cottage Grove page and our Inver Grove Heights page.
Where these facts come from
Checked November 2026. These facts come from U.S. Census QuickFacts: Cottage Grove, U.S. Census QuickFacts: Inver Grove Heights, City of Cottage Grove: parks, City of Cottage Grove: transit, City of Inver Grove Heights: about page, City of Inver Grove Heights: parks, City of Inver Grove Heights: education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cottage Grove or Inver Grove Heights bigger?
Cottage Grove has more people. Cottage Grove had an estimated 43,604 residents on July 1, 2025, and Inver Grove Heights had an estimated 36,873. Cottage Grove covers about 33.6 square miles of land, and Inver Grove Heights covers about 27.9.
Which has newer homes, Cottage Grove or Inver Grove Heights?
Both cities have older homes and newer ones. Cottage Grove's ranch and split-level neighborhoods date from the late 1950s through the 1970s, and its newer subdivisions include Eastbrooke, Hawthorne, Glacial Valley Estates, and Ravine Crossing. Inver Grove Heights was created as a city in 1965, its homes span many decades of styles, and newer developments are still adding homes. We compare the age of each home you are considering.
Are Cottage Grove and Inver Grove Heights in the same county?
No. Cottage Grove is in Washington County, and Inver Grove Heights is in Dakota County.
Which school districts serve Cottage Grove and Inver Grove Heights?
South Washington County Schools serves Cottage Grove. Inver Grove Heights Schools, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan, and West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan serve parts of Inver Grove Heights. 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 Cottage Grove and Inver Grove Heights?
Each county keeps its own records. Washington County has the tax records for Cottage Grove, and Dakota County has them for Inver Grove Heights. 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 Cottage Grove or Inver Grove Heights?
Inver Grove Heights has Highway 52 to Interstate 494, and the city describes downtown St. Paul as about a ten-minute drive. Cottage Grove sits about 10 miles south of St. Paul on Highway 61, and express Route 363 runs to downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis on workdays. We map your actual route before you choose.
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