East Isles Neighborhood

 

East Isles is a vibrant, historic urban neighborhood that enjoys both the best of the commercial city and the peaceful escape of tree-lined streets and parks. Over 50 shops and restaurants line the southern and eastern borders in the Uptown area, while the serene Lake of the Isles borders it to the west.

East Isles neighborhood is located on the east side of Lake of the Isles, in the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes area. The neighborhood is enclosed by W 22nd St (north), W Lake St (south), Hennepin Ave (east), and Knox Ave and the Parkway (west).

The neighborhood’s name reflects the small isles in the lake. Lake of the Isles, with Bde Mka Ska, is one of the most popular recreational destinations in Minneapolis. The Midtown Greenway, a converted railroad line featuring bike and walking paths, runs through the southern part of the neighborhood and connects it with the Mississippi River on the east and the city limits on the west.

Demographics 

population: 3,852

age:

  • < 18 yrs: 13%

  • 18–24 yrs: 4%

  • 25–34 yrs: 28%

  • 35–44 yrs: 13%

  • 45–54 yrs: 12%

  • 55–64 yrs: 15%

  • 65+ yrs: 15%

housing:

  • renters: 51%

  • homeowners: 42%

education:

  • high school degree or higher: 99%

  • bachelor’s degree or higher: 77%

  • graduate/professional degree: 35%

income:

  • <$35,000: 15%

  • $35,000–49,999: 9%

  • $50,000–$74,999: 12%

  • $75,000–$99,999: 10%

  • $100,000+: 54%

MN Compass (2024 Census Data)

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Historic Context

Commissioned by EINA in 2006, this study examines East Isles’ historic architectural and landscape context.

The focus is residential development, especially between 1885–1930, with separate sections on apartment construction and commercial and institutional development. Another section provides short biographies of many of the area’s leading architects and builders.

Read Study
Read Study