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Find your place in our towns
Welcome to the ninth Apple Valley-Farmington-Rosemount Community Guide, which aims to provide information to longtime or new local residents, as they find community connections in civic life, the arts, the outdoors, volunteerism and more. The guide is focused on getting out and enjoying life with family friends and neighbors.
As of the printing of this guide in fall 2025, the events listed are subject to change and we encourage users of this guide to see the latest at SunThisweek. com or with event organizers and venue operators to determine the status of their offerings.
In recognition that many Dakota County residents cross municipal boundaries every day for work, recreation and other activities, the staff of the Dakota County Tribune and Sun Thisweek have assembled this guide with information about Apple Valley, Farmington, Rosemount and beyond. Following is a description of what folks can find in each of three communities we feature in the guide.
Farmington and Rosemount
The cities of Farmington and Rosemount share much in common other than their location in central Dakota County. Both communities have under 30,000 residents. Both have downtown commercial areas with some historical elements and several locally-owned businesses. Both have long and storied histories in Dakota County. Residents in both cities have demonstrated support for efforts that build community, such as with their annual festivals and events, school endeavors, and volunteer organizations.
Farmington was once a small town serving area farmers and made a strong bid to be the county seat at one time. Farmington’ s late-19th century roots shine through upon a visit to its historic downtown in the southern end of the city.
Established in 1875, Rosemount is still cherished by its residents for the city’ s small-town feel though many of its historic structures are long since gone.
Visitors to both communities will find a slow-paced, classic grid street layout around the downtown areas filled with friendly faces, plenty of locally-owned establishments and pleasant parks. Farmington is highlighted by some old-fashioned Victorian homes and bungalows in the walkable older part of town. Rosemount’ s downtown area is a center for many activities, including a Dakota County branch library, Steeple Center arts and cultural site and three schools – Rosemount elementary, middle school and high school.
Farmington and Rosemount often feel like the rural small towns of their inception, both with thriving grain elevators and trains running through town, but there is also a faster-paced, modern suburban side.
Farmington’ s north end features many recreational and YOUR PLACE, 7
Community Guide 2025-26 | APPLE VALLEY • FARMINGTON • ROSEMOUNT | 5