Golden Valley, Minnesota

Golden Valley is a western and first-ring suburb of Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. Its population was 22,552 at the 2020 census,<ref name="2020 Census (City)">Template:Cite web</ref> and was estimated to be 21,263 in 2024.<ref name="USCensusEst2024"/> The city is mostly residential and is bordered by Interstate 394. Over 15% of it is parks or nature reserves.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Minnesota State Highway 55 runs through the city, providing a direct route to downtown Minneapolis.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Golden Valley is the main corporate headquarters of General Mills, a major flour-milling and food-products company originally located in Minneapolis. It is the site of Pentair's U.S. headquarters and local NBC affiliate KARE. The city was also home to the former Minneapolis-Honeywell headquarters, which is now the Resideo Technologies corporate offices.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Golden Valley is located on the ancestral lands of the Dakota people.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Ojibwe and Sioux tribes had encampments on nearby Medicine Lake. The first white settlers arrived in the early 1850s.<ref>Golden Valley Historical Society (1986). Golden Valley: A History of a Minnesota City. pp. 3–4.</ref> Golden Valley was incorporated on December 17, 1886. In the early 20th century, it was mostly a farming community.<ref name="Upham 1920">Upham, W. 190. Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society.</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert (0.03% or 218 ac) is covered by water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024"/> The 45th parallel north runs through Golden Valley, coinciding roughly with Duluth Street.

Interstate 394, U.S. Highway 169, and Minnesota State Highways 55 and 100 are four of the main routes in the area.

Education

The chapel at Breck School, a private Episcopal school in Golden Valley

Most children who live in Golden Valley attend school in the Robbinsdale School District ISD #281 or the Hopkins School District ISD #270, as all of the city's territory belongs to one or the other. Some students attend public schools in other districts chosen by their families under Minnesota's open-enrollment statute.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Golden Valley High School was founded in 1957, and the adjacent Golden Valley Middle School opened in 1964.<ref>Golden Valley Historical Society (1986). Golden Valley: A History of a Minnesota City. p. 25.</ref> Both closed in the early 1980s after the Golden Valley School District merged with the Hopkins School District. Carl Sandburg Junior High School opened in 1959. In 1988, it became Sandburg Middle School.<ref name=autogenerated1>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1981, the Breck School, a private Episcopal school, purchased the former Golden Valley High School and Middle School property and moved from Minneapolis to the campus of the former Golden Valley schools.

King of Grace Lutheran School is a Christian preschool, elementary school, and middle school of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Golden Valley.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Also, a private elementary Catholic School named Good Shepherd Catholic School changed its name in 2006 from Parkvalley Catholic.

What is now the site of the Perpich Center for Arts Education was originally Golden Valley Lutheran College, which closed in May 1985.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Economy

General Mills' corporate campus in Golden Valley

Major employers in the city include:<ref name="CityCouncil"/>

• General Mills<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• UnitedHealth Group<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Honeywell<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Tennant<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Pentair<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• KARE, NBC television affiliate for the Twin Cities
• Minnesota United FC – headquarters for the Major League Soccer franchise<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Bluestone Garden<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Room and Board
• USFamily.net<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Golden Valley's population is around 22,000, but more than 30,000 people work there,<ref name="GV-BusOverview">Template:Cite web</ref> because of the presence of large employers, including General Mills, Honeywell, and Pentair.

Top employers

According to the City's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the largest employers in the city are:

Number	Employer	Type of business	Number of employees	Percentage
1	General Mills, Inc.	Multinational food manufacturer and marketer	3,100	9.0%
2	Allianz Life Insurance Company	Insurance	2,000	5.8%
3	Honeywell Incorporated	Manufacturing	2,000	5.8%
4	Lubrication Technologies	Industrial lubrication solutions	750	2.2%
5	M.A. Mortenson Company	Construction contractor	575	1.7%
6	G.H. Tennant Company	Cleaning products	466	1.4%
7	Courage Center	Nonprofit rehabilitation facility	400	1.2%
8	Preferred One	Life and health insurance	300	0.9%
9	Marsh & McLennan Agency	Insurance brokerage and risk management	300	0.9%
10	Breck School	Education	250	0.7%
—	Total employees	—	10,141	29.5%

Demographics

A deer in a Golden Valley neighborhood

As of the 2023 American Community Survey, an estimated 9,671 households were in Golden Valley, with an average of 2.22 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $114,435. About 8.1% of the city's population lived at or below the poverty line. Golden Valley had an estimated 66.5% employment rate, with 61.7% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 96.7% holding a high-school diploma.<ref name="QF">Template:Cite web</ref>

The top-five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures generally add to more than 100%) were English (88.4%), Spanish (3.4%), Indo-European (6.1%), Asian and Pacific Islander (1.5%), and other (0.6%).Template:Cn

The median age in the city was 44.3 years.

Golden Valley, Minnesota – racial and ethnic composition
Template:Nobold

Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic)	Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref>	Pop. 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	% 2000	% 2010	Template:Partial
White alone (NH)	18,236	17,113	18,036	89.92%	84.01%	79.98%
Black or African American alone (NH)	720	1,412	1,512	3.55%	6.93%	6.70%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	51	72	54	0.25%	0.35%	0.24%
Asian alone (NH)	581	708	849	2.86%	3.48%	3.76%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	5	4	0	0.02%	0.02%	0.00%
Other race alone (NH)	30	40	131	0.15%	0.20%	0.58%
Mixed race or multiracial (NH)	301	484	1,114	1.48%	2.38%	4.94%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	357	538	856	1.76%	2.64%	3.80%
Total	20,281	20,371	22,552	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, 22,552 people, 9,957 households, and 5,829 families were residing in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. The 10,495 housing units had an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 80.64% White, 6.78% African American, 0.36% Native American, 3.78% Asian, 1.55% from some other races, and 6.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.80% of the population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, 20,371 people, 8,816 households, and 5,417 families lived in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. The 9,349 housing units had an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 85.37% White, 7.07% African American, 0.42% Native American, 3.55% Asian, 0.88% from some other races and 2.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.64% of the population.

Of the 8,816 households, 25.6% had children under 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.6% were not families. About 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 45.7 years. The age distribution was 19.9% under 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 20,281 people, 8,449 households, and 5,508 families were living in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. The 8,589 housing units had an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 91.07% White, 3.59% African American, 0.29% Native American, 2.87% Asian, 0.58% from some other race, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.76% of the population.

Od the 8,449 households, 26.5% had children under 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were not families; 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city, the age distribution was 20.6% under 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $62,063, and for a family was $75,899. Males had a median income of $49,890 versus $35,967 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,094. About 0.8% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under 18 and 3.6% of those 65 or over.

Government

Golden Valley is a statutory city, where the mayor votes with the city council, and operates under the council–manager form of government. The city council sets the policy and overall direction for the city, and appoints a city manager to serve as administrator. The city manager directs city staff in carrying out council decisions and providing services.<ref name="CityCouncil"/>

The mayor serves a four-year term. The four council members serve staggered four-year terms. Two council seats are up for election every two years, in odd-numbered years. The council members run citywide, with no wards. The current mayor is Roslyn Harmon. The current city council includes Sophia Ginis, Maurice Harris, Denise La Mere-Anderson, and Gillian Rosenquist.<ref name="CityCouncil"/>

Politics

Golden Valley is in Minnesota's 5th congressional district, represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Ilhan Omar, a Democrat. The city is split between two state legislative districts: 46A, represented by Representative Larry Kraft and Senator Ron Latz, and 45B, represented by Representative Patty Acomb and Senator Kelly Morrison. All four are Democrats.

Precinct General Election Results<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2024	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|21.8% 3,305	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|76.0% 11,546	2.2% 335
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2020	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|22.7% 3,590	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|75.1% 11,896	2.2% 348
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2016	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|24.1% 3,313	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|68.0% 9,365	7.9% 1,093
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2012	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|32.8% 4,595	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|65.3% 9,153	1.9% 262
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2008	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|32.7% 4,564	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|65.9% 9,205	1.4% 208
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2004	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|36.9% 5,138	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|61.9% 8,610	1.2% 163
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2000	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|36.9% 4,792	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|57.0% 7,402	6.1% 793
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|1996	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|35.5% 4,347	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|56.6% 6,926	7.9% 973
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|1992	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|32.7% 4,486	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|47.9% 6,575	19.4% 2,673
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|1988	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|49.6% 6,666	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|50.4% 6,785	0.0% 0
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|1984	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|54.8% 7,541	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|45.2% 6,231	0.0% 0
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|1980	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|46.6% 6,347	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|40.6% 5,522	12.8% 1,745
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|1976	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|54.4% 7,266	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|43.8% 5,841	1.8% 239
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|1972	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|61.3% 7,491	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|37.3% 4,553	1.4% 168
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|1968	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|51.7% 5,680	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|45.6% 5,013	2.7% 302
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|1964	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|50.5% 4,749	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|49.2% 4,629	0.3% 25
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|1960	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|61.6% 4,422	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|38.3% 2,749	0.1% 10
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|1956	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|67.9% 3,368	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|31.7% 1,571	0.4% 21

Notable people

• John R. Arlandson, Minnesota state legislator and lawyer<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Tom Barnard, KQRS radio morning show host and voice-over artist
• Scott Z. Burns, screenwriter, producer, director<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• David King, drummer of the Bad Plus, Happy Apple, and other groups
• Brian Klaas, political commentator, author, and professor
• Jordan Leopold, former player for U.S. Olympic hockey team and the Minnesota Wild
• Trent Lockett, professional basketball player
• Kelly Lynch, actress<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Lynne Osterman, Minnesota state legislator
• Aaron Sele, former Major League Baseball pitcher<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Craig Taborn, jazz pianistTemplate:Div col end

Further reading

• Template:Cite book
• City of Golden Valley Historic Context Study. Prepared for the Golden Valley Historical Society by Thomas R. Zahn & Associates LLC. 2020.

External links

• City of Golden Valley — Official Website