MN
Homes and Real Estate in Apple Valley, Minnesota
Apple Valley is a Dakota County city along Cedar Avenue, home to the Minnesota Zoo, over 50 neighborhood parks, and three METRO Red Line stations.
Living in Apple Valley
Apple Valley is a Dakota County city with 56,374 residents at the 2020 census and an estimated 55,248 in 2025. Cedar Avenue runs through the city, and the METRO Red Line follows it north to the Mall of America.
I'm Lesley, a REALTOR® with Bridge Realty. We help buyers and sellers across the south and east metro, and Apple Valley is one of the communities we work in.
What is Apple Valley, MN like? It is a compact suburb of about 16.9 square miles, with over 50 neighborhood parks, the 18-hole Valleywood Golf Course, and the Minnesota Zoo inside the city.
Talk to Lesley About Apple Valley
How Apple Valley grew, and what that means for buyers
For its first century the area was a farming community called Lebanon Township, created in 1858. It had 252 residents in 1881 and 585 in 1960.
- The first neighborhoods. Residential neighborhoods began to develop in the spring of 1955.
- The Apple Valley name. In 1963 builder Orrin Thompson began building here and named several of his plats Apple Valley, on either side of County Road 42. In some of those developments he planted an apple tree at each home.
- Village, then city. Residents voted in 1968 to incorporate as the Village of Apple Valley, and on January 1, 1974, Apple Valley became a statutory city.
That history means neighborhoods date from the mid-1950s onward, so home age, updates, and lot layout vary from one street to the next. We help you weigh those differences before you make an offer.
Parks, pools, and the zoo
- Over 50 neighborhood parks. Playgrounds, athletic complexes, and outdoor rinks with warming houses in winter.
- Minnesota Zoo. At 13000 Zoo Boulevard in Apple Valley.
- Valleywood Golf Course. The city's 18-hole course.
- Splash Valley Water Park. The city's outdoor aquatic center, reopened in 2025 after an upgrade, plus Redwood Community Pool.
- Ice arenas. Wings Arena, with ice year-round, and the Apple Valley Sports Arena.
Commute and schools
The commute. Cedar Avenue runs through the city. The METRO Red Line stops at Apple Valley Transit Station, 147th St Station, and 140th St Station, then runs north through Eagan to the Mall of America. MVTA runs express buses to Minneapolis and St. Paul from Apple Valley Transit Station, Palomino Hills Park and Ride, and 157th St. Station. We look at your daily drive before you choose a neighborhood.
Schools. Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Schools (ISD 196) serves most of Apple Valley, and Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools (ISD 191) serves a small part of the northwestern corner. Apple Valley High School, Eastview High School, and the School of Environmental Studies are located in Apple Valley. Boundaries vary by address and can change, so confirm the schools for any specific home with the district.
Apple Valley at a glance
- County: Dakota County. City Hall, the schools, and the zoo all use ZIP code 55124.
- Population: 56,374 at the 2020 census, and an estimated 55,248 on July 1, 2025.
- Size: about 16.9 square miles of land, with over 50 neighborhood parks.
- Homes: 73.4 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied, and the median value of an owner-occupied home was $370,400 in the Census survey for 2020 to 2024. That is a survey figure, not today's sale prices.
- Transit: three METRO Red Line stations (Apple Valley Transit Station, 147th St, and 140th St), plus MVTA express buses. Apple Valley Transit Station has more than 1,200 parking spaces.
- Schools: Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan (ISD 196) serves most of the city, and Burnsville-Eagan-Savage (ISD 191) serves a small northwestern corner.
- Trash: you choose any city-licensed hauler. The city is divided into hauling zones, each with its own collection day, and residents are required to recycle.
Checked November 2026. These facts come from U.S. Census QuickFacts, the City of Apple Valley history, schools, trash and recycling, and new residents pages, MVTA, and Metro Transit.
How we help buyers and sellers in Apple Valley
Apple Valley neighborhoods differ in home age, lot layout, school district, and distance to the Red Line. We help you compare them with facts, not guesses.
- Buying. We begin with your budget and the steps of the purchase. See buying a home in Minnesota, our page for move-up buyers, and how we help buyers.
- Selling. We price your home from recent Apple Valley sales, prepare it, and market it widely. See selling your home and our home value page.
- Relocating. If you are moving to Minnesota and considering Apple Valley, our relocation page explains how to buy from a distance.
Comparing communities? We also work nearby in Lakeville and Bloomington.
Let's talk about Apple Valley
Whether you are buying your first home here, moving up, or selling, we would be glad to help. No pressure and no obligation.
Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770. What questions do you have?
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Apple Valley, Minnesota?
Apple Valley is in Dakota County in the south metro. Cedar Avenue runs through the city, and the METRO Red Line follows it north through Eagan to the Mall of America.
What county is Apple Valley, MN in?
Apple Valley is in Dakota County, Minnesota.
What ZIP code is Apple Valley, MN?
Apple Valley addresses, including City Hall, the schools, and the Minnesota Zoo, use ZIP code 55124.
How big is Apple Valley?
Apple Valley covers about 16.9 square miles of land. It had 56,374 residents at the 2020 census and an estimated 55,248 on July 1, 2025.
What is the median home value in Apple Valley?
The median value of an owner-occupied home in Apple Valley was $370,400 in the U.S. Census survey covering 2020 to 2024, and 73.4 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied. That is a survey figure. For what homes sell for today, ask us for recent sales in the neighborhood you are considering.
How do I look up property taxes on a Apple Valley home?
Dakota County keeps the tax records. Search the county's free Property Information Search by parcel ID, house number, or street address to see the tax and value for any Apple Valley home. New owners file for homestead with Dakota County.
Which school districts serve Apple Valley?
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Schools (ISD 196) serves most of Apple Valley, and Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools (ISD 191) serves a small part of the northwestern corner. Confirm the schools for a specific address with the district, because boundaries vary and can change.
Is there public transit in Apple Valley?
Yes. The METRO Red Line stops at Apple Valley Transit Station, 147th St Station, and 140th St Station and runs to the Mall of America. MVTA runs express buses to Minneapolis and St. Paul from Apple Valley Transit Station, Palomino Hills Park and Ride, and 157th St. Station.
How is the commute from Apple Valley?
Cedar Avenue runs through the city, and the Red Line and MVTA express buses give you transit options. Your drive depends on where in Apple Valley the home is.
Is there a hospital near Apple Valley?
Hospitals in nearby cities include M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital at 201 E. Nicollet Boulevard in Burnsville. For urgent or emergency care, call 911.
Is there a public library in Apple Valley?
Yes. Galaxie Library, a Dakota County Library branch, is at 14955 Galaxie Avenue.
How does garbage pickup work in Apple Valley?
The city licenses private haulers, and you may choose any of them. The city is divided into residential hauling zones, each with a set collection day. Recycling is required and runs through Dakota Valley Recycling, which Apple Valley shares with Burnsville, Lakeville, and Eagan.
How many parks does Apple Valley have?
Apple Valley has over 50 neighborhood parks, plus the 18-hole Valleywood Golf Course, Splash Valley Water Park, Redwood Community Pool, and athletic complexes.
Is the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley?
Yes. The Minnesota Zoo is at 13000 Zoo Boulevard in Apple Valley.
Are there lakefront homes in Apple Valley?
Whether a home sits on a pond or lake varies a lot by street. We check the shoreline, the flood zone, and any rules for a specific home with you before you make an offer.
How do I check if a Apple Valley home is in a flood zone?
Enter the address in FEMA's Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov. Ponds and wetlands near a lot can matter, so this is worth checking for any home. Your lender also checks the flood zone before closing, and we look at it with you before you make an offer.
When did Apple Valley become a city?
The area was Lebanon Township from 1858. Residents voted in 1968 to become the Village of Apple Valley, and on January 1, 1974, Apple Valley became a statutory city.
Why is it called Apple Valley?
Builder Orrin Thompson, who began building here in 1963, chose the name Apple Valley for several of his plats along County Road 42 and planted an apple tree at each home in some developments.
Is there an ice arena or water park in Apple Valley?
Yes. Wings Arena has ice year-round, and the Apple Valley Sports Arena has ice from mid-October to mid-March. Splash Valley Water Park is open in summer, along with Redwood Community Pool.
How much do I need to buy a home in Apple Valley?
Plan for earnest money, an inspection, your down payment, and closing costs. Down payments are often less than 20 percent, and some buyers qualify for assistance. A lender's Loan Estimate shows your expected cash to close.
Neighborhoods In Apple Valley
- Central VillageCentral Village is a 60-acre part of downtown Apple Valley around Galaxie Avenue and 153rd Street, with townhomes, apartments and Kelley Park.
- Cobblestone LakeCobblestone Lake is a 323-acre planned community in southeast Apple Valley, east of Pilot Knob Road, built around a lake and a 25.8-acre park.
Homes For Sale In Apple Valley
See every home on the market in Apple Valley right now, updated from the MLS.
Buying in Apple Valley
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How we do it in Apple Valley
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