Savage

About Savage

Savage is a midsize city in eastern Minnesota, located on the south bank of the Mississippi River. The city is part of a region called South of the River, which includes the southern region of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. It's a quiet, suburban community that's consistently growing as a result of its proximity to larger cities like Burnsville.

The History of Savage

The beginnings of Savage trace back to 1852 and a small trading post located on the junction of the Minnesota River and the Credit River. A local entrepreneur, Marion Willis Savage, was the owner and manufacturer of Stock Food Factory, located in Minneapolis. Marion Savage made a purchase in 1902 that changed the history of the area: Dan Patch, a racehorse. This horse went on to set records in the horse-racing world, bringing attention to the small community of Savage.

During World War II, Savage served as the site of a military training program that provided Japanese language education to soldiers. After the war, the community didn't experience the same housing boom that many of its neighboring communities did. Once Savage was connected to other areas in the 1980s via newly-constructed highways, the population finally took off. Today, Savage is a mostly urban, industrial section of the Minneapolis metro area, with just 1 percent of the city considered rural.

Living in Savage

With a move to Savage, you're gaining a friendly community and a convenient location. Savage is only about 15 miles from Minneapolis, making it easy to get to the big city for work, entertainment and anything else you may need. The crime index here is very low, indicating that Savage is a safe city.

The city contains part of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, a nature preserve and education center that stretches over 14,000 acres. The refuge offers hiking and biking trails, scenic views, and the opportunity to see native flora and fauna. There are several large bodies of water in the preserve, as well as the state's largest blue heron rookery.

A major feature of the area is the Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, featuring a 10-mile mountain biking trail that's well-known as one of the most difficult in the metro area, thanks to a variety of natural and man-made obstacles like bridges, stair steps and large rocks. The reserve also provides trails for cross-country skiing, horseback riding and hiking.

Savage Schools

Most schools in Savage are part of the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools District, which serves many neighboring communities as well. A few schools fall within the boundaries of other school districts, including the Shakopee Public Schools and the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage District.

Resources for Moving to Savage

Here are a few useful resources to organize your move to Savage:

• Utilities: The city of Savage oversees residential water and sewer services. Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative supplies electricity to homes and businesses in the area.
• Garbage and Recycling: You'll choose your own waste disposal company, which must be licensed within the city. It's important to know that leaf burning is illegal in the city of Savage.
• Transportation: The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority operates public transportation routes in Savage and the neighboring cities.
• Pets: All dogs ages 4 months and older must be licensed with the city on an annual basis.

Savage Housing

The median home price in Savage is well above the national average, but slightly more affordable than the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro average. The market is fairly large, so you'll have plenty of options in terms of home size, style and price. There are also many rental properties, including multi-family apartment communities and single-family homes.