10 Best Independent Living Communities in Waconia, MN

Learn More About Independent Living in Waconia, MN

Nature awaits you in beautiful Waconia! Founded on the banks of its pristine namesake lake, Waconia is a small suburb with a hometown feel. Its location just 30 miles west of the Twin Cities offers you easy access to all the metropolitan amenities you could need.

Independent living communities — also known simply as retirement communities — in Waconia are geared towards seniors who are able to live on their own, without daily assistance, and prefer to live among people their age. This usually means residents are self-sufficient and do not require hands-on care. Think of Waconia retirement communities as age-restricted (typically 55+) complexes, which provide organized activities, meal services, and transportation.

Cost of Independent Living in Waconia, MN

In 20129, the median monthly cost of independent living in the state of Minnesota was around $2,050.

Learn More About Waconia, MN

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Waconia tends to be more expensive than the average U.S. city. The total household expenses associated with living in Waconia are rated 19 points above the national average. Grocery and other essential costs are rated about 9 points above average.

Index Scores

All index scores are based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates that the cost is twice as expensive as the national average, while a score of 50 indicates that the cost is half as expensive.

Household Expenses	Health Care	Insurance	Entertainment	Groceries	Clothing
119	121	119	127	109	119

Income and Housing

Median Income Age 45-64	Median Income Age 65+	Median Household Income	Average Individual Income	Median Employee Salary	Average Property Tax	One-bedroom Apartment Gross Rent Estimate
$107,687 per year	$37,156 per year	$85,495 per year	$38,186 per year	$44,177 per year	$4,066 per year	$862 per month

Local Hospitals

The top hospitals that service Waconia include:

Ridgeview Medical Center

• Facility type: nonprofit, acute care
• Bed count: 120+
• Specialties: primary care, urgent care, specialty care, cardiovascular care

Saint Francis Regional Medical Center

• Facility type: nonprofit, acute care
• Bed count: 80+
• Specialties: cancer care, cardiology, stroke care, diagnostic imaging, emergency services

Glencoe Regional Health Services

• Facility type: nonprofit, critical access
• Bed count: 130+
• Specialties: emergency services, senior services, advanced wound care, transitional care, rehabilitation services

Weather and Climate

Waconia’s climate is classified as warm summer continental, which means it experiences four distinct seasons and a wide variation in seasonal temperature. The summers tend to range from warm to hot, while the winters are often cold and snowy. The average humidity level is 67%, and humidity levels are often highest during December at about 77%.

Seasonal Temperatures

January Average	January Maximum	January Minimum
10°F	20°F	-1°F

July Average	July Maximum	July Minimum
72°F	83°F	61°F

Air Quality

• Relative Air Quality Index: 75

This index is based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates twice the presence of air pollutants than the national average, while a score of 50 indicates half the presence.

Precipitation

• Average annual precipitation: 30.7″

Demographics and Values

Population Statistics

Median Age	Percent of Population Over 65	Population	Population Density	Average Household Size
37.7	13.2%	12,043	2,739.5 per square mile	2.7

Race & Ethnicity

American Indian or Alaskan Native	Asian	Black	Hispanic or Latino	Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	White (not Hispanic or Latino)
<0.1%	0.6%	0.7%	2.9%	<0.1%	1.1%	95.0%

These figures were taken from the most recent U.S. Census.

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity

These scores were taken from the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.

• Non-discrimination laws in Saint Cloud: 24/30
• Overall inclusivity: 48/100

2020 Presidential Election Results for Carver County

Democratic	Republican	Other
46.5%	51.4%	2.1%

Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation

Waconia, Minnesota has something for everyone. Nature lovers can spend a beautiful summer day swimming and sunning on the shores at 100 Acre Lake Waconia Regional Park, while in the winter, ice skating and cross country skiing are popular activities. Afterwards, warm up at one of the many bars and restaurants in town, or if you prefer, check out one of the local wineries or breweries. If you prefer a more introspective pastime, visit the Carver County Historical Society, an award winning organization dedicated to preserving the history of the region. Seniors can also drop in and visit the Waconia Senior Center to grab a cup of coffee and socialize, join a card or game club, or participate in any of the many other activities they offer.

Transportation

Waconia residents can access a community-based supplemental transportation service, WeCab, which offers discounted rides to registered users from local volunteers.