Answers · MN
Shakopee vs Eagan, MN: How They Compare
The short answer
Shakopee is the Scott County seat, and Eagan is in Dakota County, and both cities sit along the Minnesota River. Eagan had an estimated 67,109 residents in 2025 on about 31.2 square miles, and Shakopee had an estimated 49,366 on about 28.4. Shakopee drivers use U.S. Highway 169 and County Highway 101, and Eagan drivers use Interstates 35E and 494.
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Side by side
| Fact | Shakopee | Eagan |
|---|---|---|
| County | Scott County | Dakota County |
| ZIP codes | 55379 | 55121, 55122, 55123 |
| Population (2025 estimate) | 49,366 | 67,109 |
| Land area | About 28.4 sq mi | About 31.2 sq mi |
| Median owner-occupied home value (Census 2020-2024 survey) | $374,800 | $397,100 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.8% | 67.7% |
| School districts | Shakopee Public Schools | Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan; West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan; Burnsville-Eagan-Savage |
| Main routes / transit | US 169, County Hwy 101, Bloomington Ferry Bridge; MVTA buses and MVTA Connect | I-35E, I-494, and Highways 13, 55, 77 (Cedar Avenue), and 149; MVTA express buses; METRO Red Line at Cedar Grove |
| Parks and trails (official figures) | More than 36 city parks and more than 1,100 acres of parks and open space | More than 1,300 acres of city parkland; more than 150 miles of trails and sidewalks |
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
Shakopee grew in waves. It has a historic downtown built with red Shakopee brick, steady growth through the 1900s, and a population that doubled in the 10 years after the Bloomington Ferry Bridge opened in 1995. The city reports new residential projects in the 2020s, so the age of a home can vary a lot from one part of the city to another.
Eagan grew from 20,700 people in 1980 to 63,557 in 2000, and much of its housing was built in that stretch. The city has nearly 30,000 housing units and a wide variety of housing. Eagan has roughly 1,200 lakes, ponds, and wetlands, so some homes back up to water.
The Census survey for 2020 to 2024 put the median owner-occupied home value at $374,800 in Shakopee and $397,100 in Eagan. Owners occupy 74.8 percent of homes in Shakopee and 67.7 percent in Eagan. Those survey figures are not today's sale prices, so we pull recent sales for the homes you are considering.
Getting around
In Shakopee, U.S. Highway 169 and County Highway 101 run through the city, and the Bloomington Ferry Bridge crosses the Minnesota River toward Bloomington. The city reports an average trip to work of 22.2 minutes in the 2019 to 2023 Census survey. The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) runs park-and-ride service and MVTA Connect rides within parts of Shakopee and Prior Lake.
Eagan sits south of downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, an equal distance from each, and the airport is just across the Minnesota River. Interstates 35E and 494 run through the city, along with Highways 13, 55, 77 (Cedar Avenue), and 149. MVTA runs express buses from the Eagan Transit Station and the Blackhawk Park and Ride, and the Cedar Grove Transit Station connects to the METRO Red Line.
Which one fits you?
If you want a river town with a historic downtown built of red Shakopee brick, Shakopee is worth a look. If you want a home near the airport, or a drive that is an equal distance to both downtowns, Eagan is worth a look. Both cities have homes from several eras, so we compare each one.
We help buyers compare both, home by home. Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770.
You can read more on our Shakopee page and our Eagan page.
Where these facts come from
Checked November 2026. These facts come from U.S. Census QuickFacts: Shakopee, U.S. Census QuickFacts: Eagan, City of Shakopee: history and demographics, City of Shakopee: parks and trails, Shakopee Public Schools, MVTA Connect, City of Eagan: Eagan at a Glance, City of Eagan: new resident guide, City of Eagan: bus and transit, MVTA: Eagan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shakopee or Eagan bigger?
Eagan has more people. Shakopee had an estimated 49,366 residents on July 1, 2025, and Eagan had an estimated 67,109. Shakopee covers about 28.4 square miles of land, and Eagan covers about 31.2.
Which has newer homes, Shakopee or Eagan?
Shakopee's population doubled in the 10 years after the Bloomington Ferry Bridge opened in 1995, and the city reports new residential projects in the 2020s. Eagan grew from 20,700 people in 1980 to 63,557 in 2000, and much of its housing was built in that stretch. We compare the age of each home you are considering.
Are Shakopee and Eagan in the same county?
No. Shakopee is in Scott County, and Eagan is in Dakota County.
Which school districts serve Shakopee and Eagan?
Shakopee Public Schools serves Shakopee. Three districts serve parts of Eagan: Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan, West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan, and Burnsville-Eagan-Savage. 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 Shakopee and Eagan?
Each county keeps its own records. Scott County has the tax records for Shakopee, and Dakota County has them for Eagan. 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 Shakopee or Eagan?
Eagan sits south of downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, an equal distance from each, with Interstates 35E and 494 and MVTA express buses. Shakopee has U.S. Highway 169, County Highway 101, and the Bloomington Ferry Bridge, and the city reports an average trip to work of 22.2 minutes. We map your actual route before you choose.
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