North Oaks, Minnesota


North Oaks is an exurban city north of St. Paul in Ramsey County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 5,272 at the 2020 [United States census|2020 census].
Formerly a gated community that now posts private access signage, all land is owned by homeowners with the North Oaks Home Owners Association maintaining all roads, plowing, parks, facilities, and recreation trails. Each homeowner's property extends halfway into the street. There is also a city government with a Mayor and City Council that administers basic services such as fire, police, planning, and licensing. The city owns no property.

History

Structured around Pleasant Lake, the area began as a water source for the Saint Paul municipal water system, which still maintains water access rights today. The land was later purchased by Saint Paul magnate James J. Hill in 1883 and expanded into a breeding and hobby farm.
Hill's son, Louis, later owned North Oaks Farm until his death in 1948. Ownership passed to Louis' children who decided to develop the land into a model residential community. They incorporated the North Oaks Company with a mission to build with respect for the natural environment, having witnessed metropolitan sprawl during this time. To ensure their mission would be fulfilled, land was subdivided and sold with a warranty deed that created the North Oaks Home Owners’ Association to be responsible for roads and recreation. Each deed placed each home's property line halfway into the street, placing all roads into private ownership.
Remaining land in the city is owned by the North Oaks Company. The original farm buildings have been restored with informational displays. They are not open to the public, however, as North Oaks is private. Two of the remaining structures, the Blacksmith Shop and Machine Shop and Dairy Building, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In May 2008, NOHOA sent a letter to internet search company Google, stating that its Street View software contained images that violated their trespassing ordinance, and requested their removal. Google complied.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 5,272 people, 1,972 households, and 1,605 families in North Oaks. The population density was 763.0 per square mile. There were 2,104 housing units at an average density of 304.5 per square mile. The racial makeup was 86.12% white or European American, 0.76% black or African-American, 0.11% Native American or Alaska Native, 7.63% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, 0.53% from other races, and 4.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 2.26% of the population.
Of the 1,972 households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18; 75.7% were married couples living together; 13.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. 16.9% of households consisted of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.7 and the average family size was 3.1. The percent of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher was estimated to be 52.0% of the population.
23.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 15.9% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 29.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 104.8 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $210,370. The median family income was greater than $250,000. Males had a median income of $128,200 versus $54,477 for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $80,795. Approximately, 2.3% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.0% of those under the age of 18 and 3.6% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,469 people, 1,746 households, and 1,378 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 1,868 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 93.0% White, 0.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 5.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.
There were 1,746 households, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.3% were married couples living together, 3.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 21.1% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.84.
The median age in the city was 53.1 years. 20.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 11.7% were from 25 to 44; 37.7% were from 45 to 64; and 25.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,883 people, 1,300 households, and 1,177 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 1,332 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 93.33% White, 0.31% African American, 0.15% Native American, 4.61% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population.
There were 1,300 households, out of which 41.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 86.5% were married couples living together, 2.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.4% were non-families. 7.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 17.6% from 25 to 44, 38.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $149,158, and the median income for a family was $152,380. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $47,019 for females. The per capita income for the city was $72,686. None of the families and 1.9% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under-eighteens and 9.6% of those over 64. North Oaks is listed among the highest-income places in the United States.

Sports

Golf

Notable people