Answers · MN
Shakopee vs Lakeville, MN: How They Compare
The short answer
Shakopee and Lakeville are in different counties. Shakopee is the Scott County seat, a river town on the Minnesota River with about 49,400 residents on about 28.4 square miles. Lakeville is a south metro city and the largest city in Dakota County, with about 79,300 residents on about 36.3 square miles along Interstate 35, and newer neighborhoods and new construction are common there.
Talk to Lesley About Shakopee and Lakeville
Side by side
| Fact | Shakopee | Lakeville |
|---|---|---|
| County | Scott County | Dakota County |
| ZIP codes | 55379 | 55044 (some addresses use 55068 or 55024) |
| Population (2025 estimate) | 49,366 | 79,270 |
| Land area | About 28.4 sq mi | About 36.3 sq mi |
| Median owner-occupied home value (Census 2020-2024 survey) | $374,800 | $452,500 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.8% | 87.8% |
| School districts (names only) | Shakopee Public Schools | Lakeville Area Schools (District 194); Farmington (District 192); Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan (District 196) |
| Main routes / transit | US 169, County Hwy 101, Bloomington Ferry Bridge; MVTA buses and MVTA Connect | I-35 (splits into I-35W and I-35E just north), Cedar Avenue; Metro Transit Route 467 and MVTA Route 477 |
| Parks and trails (official figures) | More than 36 city parks and more than 1,100 acres of parks and open space | 68 city parks, about 1,734 acres of parkland, and 149 miles of trails and sidewalks |
The home values are U.S. Census survey figures for 2020 to 2024, not today's sale prices. For what homes sell for now, ask us for recent sales on the streets you are considering.
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.
Lakeville has kept building as the metro area has grown south. Newer neighborhoods and new construction are common, along with homes near Lake Marion and Orchard Lake and older homes on streets near the historic downtown.
The Census survey for 2020 to 2024 put the median owner-occupied home value at $374,800 in Shakopee and $452,500 in Lakeville. Lakeville's owner-occupied rate was 87.8 percent and Shakopee's was 74.8 percent. Those are survey figures, not today's sale prices.
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.
In Lakeville, Interstate 35 is the main route north, splitting into Interstate 35W toward Minneapolis and Interstate 35E toward St. Paul just north of the city. Both downtowns are roughly 20 miles away. Metro Transit express Route 467 and MVTA Route 477 run to downtown Minneapolis.
Which one fits you?
If you want a river town with a historic downtown, Huber Park, Quarry Lake Park, or a commute along Highway 169, Shakopee is worth a look. If you want new construction, a home near Lake Marion or Ritter Farm Park, or a commute along Interstate 35 toward either downtown, Lakeville is worth a look.
Read more on our Shakopee page and our Lakeville page.
We help buyers compare both, home by home. Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770.
Where these facts come from
Checked November 2026. These facts come from U.S. Census QuickFacts, City of Shakopee: history and demographics, City of Shakopee: parks and trails, Shakopee Public Schools, MVTA Connect, City of Lakeville: parks, City of Lakeville: District 194, City of Lakeville: postal service, Metro Transit: Route 467.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shakopee or Lakeville bigger?
Lakeville has more people. Shakopee had an estimated 49,366 residents on July 1, 2025, and Lakeville had an estimated 79,270. Shakopee covers about 28.4 square miles of land, and Lakeville covers about 36.3.
Which has newer homes, Shakopee or Lakeville?
Both have new construction. Lakeville has kept building as the metro grew south, and newer neighborhoods and new construction are common there. Shakopee grew in waves, from its historic downtown to the growth after 1995 and new residential projects in the 2020s. We compare the age of each home you are considering.
Are Shakopee and Lakeville in the same county?
No. Shakopee is in Scott County, and Lakeville is in Dakota County.
Which school districts serve Shakopee and Lakeville?
Shakopee Public Schools serves Shakopee. Lakeville Area Schools serves most of Lakeville, and the Farmington and Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan districts serve parts of it. 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 Lakeville?
Each county keeps its own records. Scott County has the tax records for Shakopee, and Dakota County has them for Lakeville. 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 Lakeville?
Lakeville is roughly 20 miles south of both downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul, along Interstate 35, with express buses on Metro Transit Route 467 and MVTA Route 477. Shakopee has U.S. Highway 169, County Highway 101, and the Bloomington Ferry Bridge, plus MVTA park-and-ride service, 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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