In a city with many strong communities, it’s difficult to stand out among the rest. However, Minneapolis' Longfellow neighborhood does just that by offering residents everything they could ever ask for in a community: numerous restaurants specializing in cuisine from across the globe, great public transportation options, well-maintained parks, and a neighborly vibe that is appealing to lifelong residents and new community members alike.
The Longfellow community consists of several neighborhoods, including Cooper, Hiawatha, Howe, and Longfellow itself. By traveling east on Lake Street towards the Mississippi River, residents can experience the best that Cooper has to offer. It's fun to dig through piles of old vinyl at Hymie’s Vintage Records before stopping for a cup of Joe at Dogwood Coffee Bar. Nature lovers will definitely want to explore Longfellow’s southern community of Hiawatha, especially Minnehaha Falls, which boasts some of the most picturesque scenery in all of Minnesota. The Howe neighborhood is a laid-back, mostly residential community with a neighborhood bar that’s one of the most popular hangouts in not just Longfellow, but Minneapolis in general. The Blue Door Pub is famous for its tater-tots, as well as its take on the quintessential Minneapolis burger, the Juicy Lucy, known affectionately as the “Blucy”. The Longfellow neighborhood (not to be confused with the greater Longfellow community) features an eclectic mix of coffee shops, brew pubs and theaters, most of which can be found on the western side of East Lake Street. Although each neighborhood in Longfellow has a distinctive vibe, all are laid-back, friendly, and just quirky enough to keep things interesting.
As of 2013, City Data reported that the population of the greater Longfellow area was 29,812. The total area of the community is 4.962 square miles, and it has a population density of 6,008 people per square mile. This is a lower density than Minneapolis as a whole, which has a population density of 7,288 people per square mile. Although Longfellow is a solidly middle class community, its median household income is somewhat higher than that reported for the rest of Minneapolis. In 2013, the median household income for Longfellow was $58,440, compared to $50,563 for Minneapolis at large. At 14.8 percent, the 2013 poverty rate for Longfellow was higher than some neighborhoods in Minneapolis, but lower than the city's overall poverty rate of 21.1 percent. Prominent professions in the area include sales, management, finance, and education. Several residents hold service-related positions, although this type of job is less common in Longfellow than in other Minneapolis neighborhoods. The vast majority of Longfellow households feature two earners; stay-at-home parents are not common in this neighborhood. Rent is slightly higher in Longfellow than in the rest of Minneapolis, but still relatively affordable. The average monthly rent in 2013 was $809 in Longfellow and $783 for the rest of Minneapolis. Interestingly enough, while rent is more expensive in Longfellow than it is elsewhere, home values are lower there than in other Minneapolis neighborhoods. In 2010, the average detached Longfellow home was valued at $225,337, while the average Minneapolis home value was $256,440. Although there are more kids in Longfellow than in many Minneapolis neighborhoods, there are also more retirees. Thus, the average age of residents skews older than in Minneapolis at large. The average age for males is 37.8 years, compared to 31.8 years for the whole city. For females, the average age in Longfellow is 38.1 years, while the average age in the rest of Minneapolis is 32.4 years.
Longfellow can best be described as an active community. Bikers and joggers abound, with many of them spending their time riding adjacent to the Mississippi River or along the Hiawatha LRT Trail. The area is mostly made up of families living in detached homes, and while local parents aren't opposed to having a good time in downtown Minneapolis, they always want to return home to the peace and quiet of the Longfellow community. Residents of Longfellow exemplify Minnesota Nice. They are friendly, polite, and unquestionably modest. Although they are proud of their community, this pride takes on a surprising sense of modesty. Residents proudly refer to Longfellow as a bungalow community. This phrasing references not only the multitude of bungalow-style homes in Longfellow, but also the general affordability of the area. The neighborhood is not as fancy as some Minneapolis communities, but that's no source of shame for Longfellow residents.
Spend any amount of time in Longfellow and it is easy to see why it is quickly becoming one of Minneapolis' most sought-after neighborhoods. Plentiful pubs, coffee shops, theaters and parks contribute to a quality of life that is hard to beat, regardless of home type or location. Residents of the Longfellow neighborhood have the luxury of living just minutes away from downtown Minneapolis, and with the nearby Blue Line light rail station on Hiawatha Avenue as well as multiple bus routes, public transportation options abound. Minneapolis prides itself on being home to some of the healthiest, most active people in America, and Longfellow is no exception. The Longfellow community is a great place for these people to work, play, and live. Longfellow is unique in its ability to cater to those looking for a more relaxed, quiet community, as well as residents who crave the kinetic energy of a neighborhood brimming with lively arts, culture and nightlife. From parks to pubs, theaters to trails, Longfellow is the perfect community for people who wish to experience the very best of Minneapolis.
