08.11.25 - PC Agenda Packet August 11, 2025 — 6:30 PM
Council Conference Room
1.Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge and honor the Dakota nation, on whose ancestral land the City of Golden Valley
is built, and whose land resources we use. We commit to counteracting the erasure of the
cultural practices and presence of the Dakota people through education and by amplifying a wide
range of indigenous voices.
2.Discussion Item(s)
2.A.Missing Middle Housing Study
3.Adjourn
JOINT WORK SESSION AGENDA
Planning Commission and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Commission Joint Meeting
This joint meting between Planning Commission and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commission
is being conducted as an in-person meeting. The public may attend and listen to discussion with
public participation only allowed by invitation of the respective commissions.
City of Golden Valley Joint Work Session August 11, 2025 — 6:30 PM
1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Community Development
763-512-2345 / 763-512-2344 (fax)
Golden Valley Planning Commission Work Session
August 11, 2025
Agenda Item
2.A. Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared By
Jacquelyn Kramer, Senior Planner
Seth Kaempfer, Equity and Inclusion Manager
Summary
Golden Valley, like many first-ring suburbs in the Twin Cities region, is facing growing pressure to
expand housing options in response to shifting demographics, rising housing costs, and changing
household needs. While the city has long been characterized by its predominantly single-family
neighborhoods, there is growing recognition that this limited housing mix no longer meets the diverse
needs of current and future residents. Younger households, aging residents looking to downsize, and
workers seeking to live closer to employment centers all require more varied, flexible, and affordable
housing options than what is currently available.
"Missing middle housing" refers to a range of multi-unit or clustered housing types—such as duplexes,
triplexes, townhomes, and courtyard apartments—that are compatible in scale with single-family
neighborhoods but offer greater affordability and choice. These housing types have historically existed
in Golden Valley and surrounding communities but have become increasingly rare due to zoning
restrictions and development trends. This project explores strategies to reintroduce missing middle
housing into Golden Valley’s fabric in a way that supports the city’s goals of strategic redevelopment,
local control, and inclusivity.
Recommended Action
No formal action is requested at this time. Staff requests the Commissions engage in discussion to
better understand the scope of the issue.
Supporting Documents
Housing Market Analysis
2
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and
Housing Affordability in the City of Golden Valley
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
3
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
2
Key Findings
Homebuyers in Golden Valley need
incomes 14% higher than the median
income in the city and 31% higher than
the Metro median income to be able to
afford the median priced, for-sale home
(Figure 21, Slide 21)
“Cost-burdened households” are
households that pay more than 30% of
their income for housing
Almost one in five homeowners (18%)
are cost burdened in Golden Valley
(Figure 23, Slide 23)
Over four of every 10 renters (43%) are
cost burdened in Golden Valley (Figure
26, Slide 24)
Affordability
Owner-occupied, single-family homes
still make up the majority of homes in
Golden Valley (Figures 9 and 10, Slide
13)
Most new development has been larger
multifamily projects in the last few years
(Figure 13, Slide 15)
About 370 units opened in 2023 (Xenia
Apartments) and 300 new rental units
will be coming online in 2025 (The Winn)
The median sale price of a single-family
home increased about 22% between
2019 and 2025 (Figure 16, Slide 17)
The market-rate rental market has
absorbed about 25 units per quarter
since 2019 (Figure 20, Slide 19)
Housing Market
Golden Valley is projected to grow by
about 2,000 households between 2020
and 2040, according to the Metropolitan
Council (Figure 2, Slide 5)
Over the next five years, household
growth is projected to occur most in the
age 35 to 54 and over age 75 age
groups (Figure 3, Slide 6)
Millennials will continue to seek
affordable owner-occupied
housing
Baby boomers will be looking for
new maintenance-free options
Based on shifts and replacement needs,
the 2023 Compressive Housing Needs
Analysis found demand for between
1,600 and 1,800 units of new housing
(Slide 10)
Demographic Shifts
4
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
3
Demographic Shifts
5
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
4
Short-Term Projected Population and Household Growth from ESRI
Golden Valley has 22,000 people
within 10,000 households
The population is projected to grow by
0.3% annually between 2025 and
2030
Household growth is projected to be
stronger over the same period at
0.7%
Reflects a national trend of aging
households with fewer members
Compared to other areas, this trend is
more pronounced in Golden Valley
1 Population and Houshold Growth
Census Census Estimate Forecast
2010 2020 2025 2030 2010-2025 2025-2030
City of Golden Valley 20,359 22,552 22,135 22,506 0.6%0.3%
Comparison Areas
Hennepin County 1,152,439 1,281,565 1,298,422 1,312,783 0.8%0.2%
Seven County Metro Area 2,849,565 3,163,104 3,253,299 3,322,753 0.9%0.4%
Minneapolis-St. Paul MSA 3,333,633 3,690,261 3,809,346 3,903,629 0.9%0.5%
State of Minnesota 5,303,925 5,706,494 5,852,943 5,959,077 0.7%0.4%
United States 308,745,538 331,449,281 339,887,819 347,149,422 0.6%0.4%
City of Golden Valley 8,810 9,957 10,144 10,492 0.9%0.7%
Comparison Areas
Hennepin County 475,913 528,547 544,231 555,884 0.9%0.4%
Seven County Metro Area 1,117,748 1,239,526 1,288,806 1,325,145 1.0%0.6%
Minneapolis-St. Paul MSA 1,293,601 1,434,315 1,498,244 1,546,472 1.0%0.6%
State of Minnesota 2,087,227 2,253,990 2,333,970 2,391,162 0.7%0.5%
United States 116,716,292 126,817,580 132,422,916 136,716,884 0.8%0.6%
Source: US Census Bureau; ESRI; LOCi Consulting LLC
Annual Growth Rate
Population
Households
6
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
5
Long-Term Population, Household, and Employment Projections from Met Council
Metropolitan Council has estimates
available for projected population,
households, and employment,
2020 to 2040
The Met Council projections are
higher than ESRI’s projections
(Golden Valley: 1,400 new
households between 2020 and
2025 versus ESRI’s 535 new
households)
Household growth is projected to
decrease significantly between
2030 and 2040
2 Long-Term Population, Household, and Employment Projections
Census Forecast Forecast
2020 2030 2040 2020-2030 2030-2040
Population
Golden Valley 22,552 25,800 26,700 3,248 900
Seven-County Metro Area 3,163,104 3,451,000 3,653,000 287,896 202,000
Households
Golden Valley 9,957 11,400 11,800 1,443 400
Seven-County Metro Area 3,163,104 3,451,000 3,653,000 287,896 202,000
Employment
Golden Valley 28,845 36,000 37,000 7,155 1,000
Seven-County Metro Area 3,163,104 3,451,000 3,653,000 287,896 202,000
* Final Forecasts issued 12/31/2024.
Source: Metropolitan Council; LOCi Consulting LLC
Projected Change
7
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
6
Projected Household Growth by Age of Householder, 2025 to 2030
Baby Boomers (Age 65 plus) and
Millennials (Age 35-45) will continue to
drive household growth
Higher growth in Golden Valley for
households in their typical
homeownership years (Age 35 to 54)
Median Age in 2025:
Golden Valley: 42.5
Seven County Metro Area: 38.3
Median Age in 2030:
Golden Valley: 44.0
Seven County Metro Area: 39.0
Source: ESRI; LOCi Consulting LLC
3. Projected Household Growth by Age of Householder, 2025 to 2030
8
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
7
Projected Household Growth by Income of Householder, 2025 to 2030
Overall shift in growth to higher
income groups
Rising incomes overall and age
shifts
Millennials hitting higher
income earning years
Baby Boomers with higher
investment incomes
But might also reflect lower
household formation rates in
lower income groups due to
rising housing costs
Source: ESRI; LOCi Consulting LLC
4. Projected Household Growth by Income of Householder, 2025 to 2030
9
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
8
Population by Race and Ethnicity
The population of Golden Valley has
remained slightly less diverse than the
Seven-County Metro Area as a whole
In 2023, Golden Valley’s population:
82% White (Metro: 81%)
7% Black (Metro: 8%)
2% Asian (Metro: 6%)
5% Hispanic (Metro: 6%)
Between 2014 and 2023, the Black
population grew from 5% to 7% and
the Hispanic population grew from 3%
to 5%
Percent Asian declined from 5% to 2%
5. Population by Race and Ethnicity, Golden Valley, 2014, 2020, and 2023
Source: 2010 and 2023 American Community Survey, 2020 Census, US Census Bureau; Metropolitan Council LOCi Consulting LLC
Note that Hispanic is an Ethnicity and not a Race. Hispanic population is made up of multiple racial classifications.
10
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
9
Population by Race in Comparison Cities
Except for Edina, Golden Valley
has a lower percentage of Non-
White population than comparison
cities
Comparison cities, including Edina,
have seen their Non-White
populations grow at a greater rate
than Golden Valley
6. Percent Non-White Population, Comparison Cities, 2010 and 2023
Source: 2010 and 2023 American Community Survey, 2020 Census, US Census Bureau; Metropolitan Council LOCi Consulting LLC
Note that Hispanic is an Ethnicity and not a Race. Hispanic population is made up of multiple racial classifications.
11
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
10
Percent of Households Living Alone
The city of Golden Valley has
comparable rates of single
person households as the
rest of the Metro Area
However, a larger percentage
of those households are over
age 65
The Metro Area is seeing an
increase in single-person,
senior households. While
Golden Valley’s rate is
declining
7. Households Living Alone, 2014, 2020, and 2023
8. Households Living Alone Over Age 65 as a Percent of All Households,
2014, 2020, and 2023
Source: 2014, 2020, and 2023 American Community Survey, US Census Bureau; Metropolitan Council LOCi Consulting LLC 12
Based on the shift in housing need and natural
replacement, the 2023 Comprehensive Housing
Need Analysis found demand for about 1,600 to
1,800 new units between 2023 and 2025
Some of this demand could be developed as
Missing Middle Housing
13
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
12
Housing Market
14
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
13
Existing Housing Stock in Golden Valley
9 Housing Unit Inventory in Golden Valley, 2023
Source: American Community Survey, US Census Bureau; LOCi Consulting LLC
9,671
6,769
2,902
Totaal Housing Units Owner Occupied
Housing Units
Renter Occupied
Housing Units
10 Units in the Structure, Golden Valley, 2023
Source: American Community Survey, US Census Bureau; LOCi Consulting LLC
63.1%
5.5%1.0%0.5%2.2%4.3%
23.4%
0.0%
1-unit,
detached
1-unit,
attached
2 units 3 or 4 units 5 to 9 units 10 to 19 units 20 or more
units
Mobile home
Golden Valley
15
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
14
Existing Housing Stock in Golden Valley
11 Year the Structure Was Built, Golden Valley, 2023
Source: American Community Survey, US Census Bureau; LOCi Consulting LLC
0.8%
10.8%
7.8%
1.8%
9.1%
10.4%
22.0%
28.9%
5.0%
3.4%
Built 2020 or later
Built 2010 to 2019
Built 2000 to 2009
Built 1990 to 1999
Built 1980 to 1989
Built 1970 to 1979
Built 1960 to 1969
Built 1950 to 1959
Built 1940 to 1949
Built 1939 or earlier 12 Number of Bedrooms in the Unit, Golden Valley, 2023
Source: American Community Survey, US Census Bureau; LOCi Consulting LLC
2.8%
12.3%
20.9%
32.3%
25.9%
5.7%
No bedroom 1 bedroom 2 bedrooms 3 bedrooms 4 bedrooms 5 or more
bedrooms
16
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
15
Recent Residential Building Permits in Golden Valley
Note: Xenia Apartment development—369 units—was approved
in 2013 and permits were issued in 2017.
13 Building Permit Units in the City of Golden Valley, 2018-2023
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Total Housing Units 137 13 4 8 10 5
Single-Family Structures 21 13 4 8 10 5
2- to 4 Unit Structures 18 0 0 0 0 0
Multifamily Units 98 0 0 0 0 0
Source: SOCDS HUD Building Permits; Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry; LOCi Consulting LLC
0
50
100
150
2018 2020 2021 2022 2023
Total Housing Units
17
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
16
Building Permit Activity in Golden Valley versus Comparison Cities
Golden Valley has had
fewer building permit
housing units per year,
compared to peer cities
Average Annual Housing
Units Permitted, 2000-2023
Golden Valley: 43
Edina: 192
Richfield: 79
St. Louis Park: 208
14. Total Building Permit Housing Units by Year, 2000 to 2023
Source: SOCDS Building Permits, HUD; LOCi Consulting LLC 18
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
17
For-Sale Housing Market in Golden Valley
15 Residential Real Estate Transactions in Golden Valley
321
Source: Multiple Listing Service; LOCi Consulting LLC
406 426 422
347 308 321
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
16 Median Sales Price of Home Sales in Golden Valley
*2024 YTD is rolling 12-months from October 2024.
Source: Multiple Listing Service; LOCi Consulting LLC
$343,000 $367,450 $390,000 $425,000 $424,000 $424,000 $420,000
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 YTD
17 Average Days on the Market for Home Sales in Golden Valley
*2024 YTD is rolling 12-months from October 2024.
Source: Multiple Listing Service; LOCi Consulting LLC
48
37
24 22
40 40 46
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 YTD
19
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
18
Market Rate Rental in Golden Valley—Vacancy Rate and Average Rents
18 Vacancy Rates for Market-Rate Rental Housing in Golden Valley
* Data is Q1 2018 to Q2 2025
Source: CoStar; LOCi Consulting LLC
19 Average Rent for Market-Rate Rental in Golden Valley
* Data is Q1 2018 to Q2 2025
Source: CoStar; LOCi Consulting LLC
20
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
19
Rental Market in Golden Valley—Absorption of Units
20 Quarterly Absorption of Units for Market-Rate Rental in Golden Valley
* Data is Q1 2018 to Q2 2025
Source: CoStar; LOCi Consulting LLC
21
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
20
Housing Affordability
22
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
21
Housing Affordability Relative to Incomes—For Sale Housing
Homebuyers in Golden Valley need incomes
14% higher than the median income to afford
the median for-sale home. For the Metro Area,
incomes need to be 26% percent higher than
the median
Higher incomes in Golden Valley make the
affordability index seem more affordable than
the Metro Area.
This might be explained by the fact that there
are fewer housing options for lower- and
moderate-income households, thus fewer
lower- and moderate-income households
Available housing may be driving incomes, not
vice versa
21 Income Needed for Median Sale Price For-Sale Housing
Golden Valley Twin Cities Metro Area
Home Price $420,000 $401,000
Down Payment (10%)$42,000 $40,100
Estimated Closing Costs (3%)$12,600 $12,030
Total Loan Amount $390,600 $372,930
Interest Rate for 30-Year Mortgage 6.75%6.75%
Monthly Payment (Principal and Interest)$2,533 $2,419
Property Tax $350 $334
Homeowners Insurance $140 $134
Mortgage Insurance $163 $155
Home Maintenance and Repair $100 $100
Total Monthly Housing Cost $3,286 $3,142
Total Annual Housing Cost $39,434 $37,704
Household Income Required Assuming 30% Affordability $131,000 $126,000
2025 Median Household Income $114,732 $99,859
Affordability Index 1.14 1.26
Source: Northstar MLS; ESRI; LOCi Consulting LLC
23
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
22
Housing Affordability Relative to Incomes—Rental Housing
On average, rental affordability looks similar to
homeowner affordability
Higher incomes in Golden Valley mean overall
rents are more affordable
However, higher incomes in Golden Valley
might be explained by the fact that there are
fewer overall housing options for lower- and
moderate-income households
So fewer lower- and moderate-income
households live in Golden Valley
22 Income Needed for Average Market Rate Rental Housing
Golden Valley Twin Cities Metro Area
Monthly Rent $1,596 $1,589
Total Monthly Housing Cost $1,596 $1,589
Total Annual Housing Cost $19,152 $19,068
Household Income Required Assuming 30% Affordability $63,840 $63,560
2025 Median Household Income $114,732 $99,859
Affordability Index 0.56 0.64
Source: Costar; ESRI; LOCi Consulting LLC
24
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
23
Cost-Burdened Owner-Occupied Housing
Almost one in five homeowners (18%) in the city
of Golden Valley—including both those with and
without mortgages—pay more than 30% of their
income in housing costs
About 7% of homeowners pay over 50% of their
income in housing costs
23. All Housing Cost Burdened Owner Households, 2023
Source: 2023 American Community Survey, US Census Bureau; Metropolitan Council; LOCi Consulting LLC
25. Housing Cost Burdened Owner Households by Race and Ethnicity, 2023
24. Housing Cost Burdened Owner Households by Income, 2023
Note that Hispanic is an Ethnicity and not a Race. Hispanic population is made up of multiple racial classifications. “Other” includes
Two or more races, Some other race alone, or Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone.25
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
24
Cost-Burdened Renter-Occupied Housing
Four in 10 renters pay more than 30% of their
incomes in rent in the city of Golden Valley
Over one in five pay more than 50% of their
income in rent in the city
26. All Housing Cost Burdened Renter Households, 2023
Source: 2023 American Community Survey, US Census Bureau; Metropolitan Council; LOCi Consulting LLC
28.Housing Cost Burdened Renter Households by Race and Ethnicity, 2023
27.Housing Cost Burdened Renter Households by Income, 2023
Note that Hispanic is an Ethnicity and not a Race. Hispanic population is made up of multiple racial classifications. “Other” includes
Two or more races, Some other race alone, or Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone.26
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
25
Data Resources and Study Limitations
The data in this preliminary analysis are compiled from a variety
of sources. Sources are identified in the tables and figures.
LOCi Consulting believes that these sources are reliable.
However, there is no way to authenticate this data and
information. LOCi Consulting does not guarantee the data and
assumes no liability for any errors in fact, analysis, or judgement.
The data in this analysis includes the most recent information
available at the time of this analysis.
The findings, conclusions, and recommendations in this demand
analysis are based on the best judgements and analysis at the
time of the study. LOCi Consulting makes no guarantees or
assurances that the projections or conclusions will be realized as
stated.
27
Demographic Shifts, Housing Market, and Housing Affordability
Missing Middle Housing Study
Prepared for Bolton & Menk and the City of Golden Valley
August 11, 2025
26
Contact Information:
Grant Martin
Principal
LOCi Consulting LLC
651-888-8464
grant@lociconsult.com
https://www.lociconsult.com/
Services:
•Market studies
•Demographic analysis
•Customer segmentation
•Market identification
•Market sizing
•Competitive analysis
•Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
and site selection
•Data analytics
28