“Big hill” in Welsh. That is what Bryn Mawr means. This Minneapolis neighborhood offers a unique blend of urban convenience and natural beauty.
Bryn Mawr is located directly west of downtown Minneapolis. It is part of the Calhoun-Isles community. In Bryn Mawr you find a residential area with two small business clusters. Parks and hiking trails surround much of the neighborhood.
Before the 1960s, many workers of the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway yard lived here in Bryn Mawr. The neighborhood was developed from farmland starting in the mid-1800s. Promoters called it a “garden suburb” because of its proximity to lakes and green spaces.
Bryn Mawr sits between Kenwood, Cedar Lake, Wirth Park, Bassett Creek, and Bryn Mawr Meadows. This location gives the neighborhood stability and quiet. Over 650 acres of parks, lakes, and trails surround Bryn Mawr. It retains its small-town charm. But it also has access to the best urban and natural features of Minneapolis.
Bryn Mawr is the northwestern anchor to Minneapolis’ chain of lakes. Yet, it is just minutes from shopping and business centers. You can easily reach historic sites, cultural venues, and sports facilities. Several colleges and universities are also nearby.
Bryn Mawr has a mix of building styles. You will see Victorian, Tudor, colonial, bungalow, and mid-century modern homes.
Bryn Mawr is known for its low crime rate. A high percentage of residents actively vote. The neighborhood has two public schools. These are Bryn Mawr Community School and Anwatin Middle School. Anwatin is an International Baccalaureate Middle School.
Minnesota Monthly Magazine named Bryn Mawr one of the “Best Places to Live” in April 2010. This recognition did not surprise Bryn Mawr residents.
In 2022, Bryn Mawr was the hottest place in Minneapolis for home sales. Prices, sales, and days on the market were compared with the previous five-year average. The Star Tribune listed Bryn Mawr as number one. Real estate agent Aimee Morice noted the “sense of community coveted by many urban buyers”. She added that houses are close to downtown. But they are surrounded by parks, trails, and green space.
Morice said Bryn Mawr is strategically located. Residents can walk to the corner store or a coffee shop. St. Louis Park, West End, or Ridgedale Mall are only 10 minutes away.
Bryn Mawr hosts several annual events. The Bryn Mawr Festival of Garage Sales started in the 1970s. It features over 100 garage sales, food, and drink. People come from all over the Greater Twin Cities Area. It is held the first full weekend in May.
The Bryn Mawr Ice Cream Social and Scoop Off is another annual event. The Bryn Mawr Neighborhood Association hosts it. Neighbors socialize and vote for their favorite ice cream flavors.
Sip and Stroll is sponsored by Bryn Mawr’s businesses. It is held in October. Neighbors visit local restaurants and stores.
The Bryn Mawr Bugle is a monthly publication. It keeps residents informed about neighborhood news. It is not published in January.
As of 2020, the population of Bryn Mawr was 2,768. About 46.8% were male and 53.2% were female. Around 99.6% of residents had at least a high school diploma. About 71.8% had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median household income in Bryn Mawr was $106,310.
Bryn Mawr Elementary School serves grades preK-5. Anwatin Middle School serves grades 6-8. North High School serves grades 9-12. Students in Bryn Mawr attend these schools.