Linden Hills's Location:
Linden Hills is an attractive affluent neighborhood in the southwest of Minneapolis.
Linden Hills is bordered by Lake Calhoun to the north, Lake Harriet to the east, West 47th Street to the south, and France Avenue to the west. Linden Hills has a border with the city of Edina to the west.
History of Linden Hills:
Linden Hills is named after the local linden trees, and gentle hills in the area. It was first developed in the 1880s with lakeside cottages designed to tempt housebuyers away from Downtown Minneapolis.
The neighborhood has grown steadily since then, assisted by the construction of a streetcar line connecting downtown Minneapolis with the lakes in the late 19th century.
Linden Hills' Housing:
Most of the early lakeside cottages were demolished and replaced with single-family homes by the late 19th century. Most of the housing in the area is pre-WWII.
Around 65% of residents own their home, with 35% renting. The cost of renting in Linden Hills is higher than the average for Minneapolis.
Linden Hills' Residents:
Linden Hills is overwhelmingly white: 94% of residents are caucasian, however is it gradually becoming more diverse. The Asian and Hispanic populations have increasing significantly in recent times.
The median income is about 40% higher than the average for Minneapolis, and poverty levels are relatively low, around half those of Minneapolis.
The population of Linden Hills is gradually declining. A large number of seniors live here, the birth rate is low, and many young adults leave for more affordable neighborhoods with more nighlife.
Attractions:
Linden Hills is bordered by two of Minneapolis' largest lakes. Lake Harriet, to the east, is well known for a series of free concerts played there in the summer. Lake Calhoun, to the north, is a picturesque recreation lake.
A surviving section of the Lake Harriet-Como Streetcar Line runs through the neighborhood. Trolleys operate between Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun in the summer.
Linden Hills' downtown is on the corner of 43rd Street and Uptown Avenue South, with several independant and specialty shops.
Linden Hills' Businesses:
Several interesting small shops and restaurants are clustered around the site of the old streetcar stop at 43rd Street and Uptown Avenue.
The Linden Hills Co-op has been selling natural and local foods since 1976. Cafe Twenty Eight, is a neighborhood bistro in a historic firehouse, Coffee and Tea Ltd, is a charming store selling coffee beans roasted in the store, in an antique roaster that occupies most of the tiny store. For those with a sweet tooth, Sebastian Joe's ice cream has over 80 irrestistable and unusual flavors and a little patio on which to enjoy them.
A branch of Twin Cities' gift stores Bibelot Shops is here, and children's bookstore Wild Rumpus is possibly the most bizzare store in the Twin Cities, it is home to several unusual pets including a chicken that runs around the store.
On 43rd Street, the west side of the neighborhood, is another commercial area. It's walkable from the downtown, only a couple of blocks east. Home retail stores like Rick Rack, which sells retro and modern homewares, Victory antique store, and Browne and Greene Floral Market are here. The Turtle Bread Company, is a superb local bakery and cafe. The stores continue a couple of blocks until 43rd Street intersects with France Avenue and the neighborhood turns into Edina.
