Community Corner

Report: Minnetonka Growing Older

The city has a targeted strategy to address Minnetonka's aging people and homes.

Minnetonka’s 50,000-person population is getting older.

According to the latest census data, over the last 10 years, the city saw a 30 percent increase in the age 50-64 population and a 74 percent increase in the age 85 and over population.

“This is what we expected,” Community Development Director Julie Wischnack told Patch. “We are keenly aware of the population shift and understand the changing needs of our community.”

Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Specifically Wischnack referenced the proposed changes to the Ridgedale YMCA and development in the Glen Lake area.

Right now, there are talks of tearing down the existing building and replacing it with a campus of three buildings, including a new, smaller YMCA center, a 150-unit senior residential complex and a single-story medical office building.

Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“When you look at the demographic of the Minnetonka area, it’s aging,” Bette Fenton said. “The real need is there to provide options for older adults.”

The project is in a very early stage, however. The YMCA Board hasn't formally filed an application with the city, made major decisions about contractors or finalized site plans. 

The Glenn by St. Therese Southwest, a combination assisted and independent living facility for seniors in Minnetonka, is on schedule to open in November. And now, months before completion, 91 percent of the independent living units have been snatched-up. Although many assisted living and memory care units are still available, St. Therese anticipates these units will be reserved closer to the opening in November.

Because these projects would provide alternative housing for the city’s seniors, Wischnack said, they are examples of a targeted strategy the city has begun implementing to address Minnetonka’s aging people and homes. 

Another piece of this strategy, Wischnack said, includes housing rehab loans that the city has made available to residents. 

Of the 47 municipalities that make up Hennepin County, Minnetonka ranked ninth for the largest percentage of age 65 and over population, scoring ahead of Minnetonka were Bloomington, Edina, Golden Valley, New Hope, Osseo, Woodland, Wayzata and Spring Park.

Between 2000-2010, Minnetonka had population losses in every age category under age 50. Over age 50, Minnetonka made population gains. 

But Minnetonka isn’t the only city in Hennepin County that’s getting older—not by a longshot. 

During the last decade every city in the county experienced an increase in the number of people between the ages of 50 and 64 as Baby Boomers aged into this interval.

According to County Administrator Richard Johnson, growing numbers of older adults in our communities spurred Hennepin County to launch an aging initiative to assess the implications of the aging population for the county. Right now, the initiative is examining current research to determine how residents’ housing, transportation, health services and other needs change as they age to help the county prepare an effective public policy response to this important demographic shift. 

“We are a community growing older,” said Kristine Martin, director of the Hennepin County’s Research, Planning and Development (RPD) in a statement. 

***

 

Total Population

0-4

5-19

20-34

35-49

50-64

65-84

85+

%65+

Minnetonka

49,734

2,434

8,722

8,080

9,617

12,591

6,864

1,426

16.7%


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