Answers · MN
St. Paul Park vs Inver Grove Heights, MN: How They Compare
The short answer
St. Paul Park is a small Washington County city of about 3 square miles and an estimated 5,396 residents in 2025, and Inver Grove Heights is a Dakota County city of about 27.9 square miles and an estimated 36,873 residents. Both cities sit on the Mississippi River south of St. Paul. St. Paul Park drivers use Highway 61, and Inver Grove Heights drivers use Highway 52 to Interstate 494.
Talk to Lesley About St. Paul Park and Inver Grove Heights
Side by side
| Fact | St. Paul Park | Inver Grove Heights |
|---|---|---|
| County | Washington County | Dakota County |
| ZIP codes | 55071 | 55076, 55077 |
| Population (2025 estimate) | 5,396 | 36,873 |
| Land area | About 3 sq mi | About 27.9 sq mi |
| Median owner-occupied home value (Census 2020-2024 survey) | $263,500 | $363,400 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.0% | 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 from the Cottage Grove Park and Ride | Highway 52 to I-494; Metro Transit Routes 68 and 71 |
| Parks and trails (official figures) | 9 city parks and a community garden | 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
St. Paul Park was established in 1887, and its homes were built across many decades on a traditional street grid. With an older home, we look closely at the foundation, roof, electrical, plumbing, and updates. The St. Paul Park Refinery, owned by Marathon Petroleum, operates in the city, so we show you where a home sits in relation to it.
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 $263,500 in St. Paul Park and $363,400 in Inver Grove Heights. Owners occupy 76.0 percent of homes in St. Paul Park 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
St. Paul Park sits 5 miles downstream from St. Paul. Highway 61, which shares the road with Highway 10, runs through the city and leads north to Interstate 494 and St. Paul. Metro Transit express Route 363 runs from the Cottage Grove Park and Ride to downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis.
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 you want an older home on a traditional street grid in a small city, St. Paul Park is worth a look. If you want more choice in home age and lot size, from apartments to large-lot homes and newer developments, Inver Grove Heights is worth a look. The St. Paul Park Refinery operates in St. Paul Park, so we show you where any home sits in relation to it.
We help buyers compare both, home by home. Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770.
You can read more on our St. Paul Park page and our Inver Grove Heights page.
Where these facts come from
Checked November 2026. These facts come from U.S. Census QuickFacts: St. Paul Park, U.S. Census QuickFacts: Inver Grove Heights, City of St. Paul Park: history, City of St. Paul Park: parks, Metro Transit: Route 363, City of Inver Grove Heights: about page, City of Inver Grove Heights: parks, City of Inver Grove Heights: education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Paul Park or Inver Grove Heights bigger?
Inver Grove Heights has more people. St. Paul Park had an estimated 5,396 residents on July 1, 2025, and Inver Grove Heights had an estimated 36,873. St. Paul Park covers about 3 square miles of land, and Inver Grove Heights covers about 27.9.
Which has newer homes, St. Paul Park or Inver Grove Heights?
Inver Grove Heights has newer developments still adding homes, and its homes span many decades of styles. St. Paul Park was established in 1887, and its homes were built across many decades on a traditional street grid. We compare the age of each home you are considering.
Are St. Paul Park and Inver Grove Heights in the same county?
No. St. Paul Park is in Washington County, and Inver Grove Heights is in Dakota County.
Which school districts serve St. Paul Park and Inver Grove Heights?
South Washington County Schools serves St. Paul Park. 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 St. Paul Park and Inver Grove Heights?
Each county keeps its own records. Washington County has the tax records for St. Paul Park, 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 St. Paul Park 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. St. Paul Park sits 5 miles downstream from St. Paul on Highway 61, and express Route 363 runs from the Cottage Grove Park and Ride to both downtowns. We map your actual route before you choose.
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