Circle Pines: A Perfect Suburb

The Minnesota community of Circle Pines has been named the third-most "Perfect Suburb" in the country by CNBC.

Analysts at Location Inc. based their rankings on affordable housing, good schools and employment, low crime, and reasonable commutes. They chose the 10 metropolitan areas with the lowest unemployment rates and then factored in the other variables. At the top was Edmond, Okla., followed by Kensington, Md., in second. No other Minnesota cities made the list.

With 5,407 residents, Circle Pines is one of the smallest cities on the list, but it boasted some high marks:

Suburb of: Minneapolis – St. Paul
Metro area unemployment rate: 6.5%
Median house value: $203,954
Safer from crime than this percent of all U.S. communities: 55%

Circle Pines is a small city with a population of 5,407 — and more people working in computers and math than 95% of the U.S. It has better public schools than 90% of all U.S. communities, and its public schools are better than 95% of schools in the rest of the state. A minority of Circle Pines’ populace holds a four-year degree (31.5%), but the vast majority are homeowners (92.6%).

More analysis of the suburb is found on the Circle Pines Neighborhood Scout profile.

"You always think your community is a special place. It's nice to have that verified by someone," Mayor Dave Bartholomay said.

To see the entire list, visit the 10 Perfect Suburbs slideshow.

Want to live in the perfect Minnesota suburb? Check out Circle Pines MN Real Estate.