Coates, MN

Coates is a tiny, quiet community in central Dakota County, situated right along Highway 52 just south of the Twin Cities metro. With fewer than two hundred residents, the town offers a spread-out rural feel with plenty of open space. The highway runs straight through town, making it easy to head north toward St. Paul for work or south toward Cannon Falls for a weekend getaway.

Day-to-day life here is simple and small-scale. The community stays connected through local spots like St. Agatha’s Church hall, while a handful of roadside businesses cater to neighbors and passing drivers. For bigger shopping trips, restaurants, and schools, residents make the quick drive into neighboring Rosemount, Lakeville, or Hastings. It offers a peaceful slice of country living right on the edge of the Twin Cities.