Is New Prague a Suburb?

By Robert Palmer

New Prague is a city located in Scott County, Minnesota. It has a population of about 7,800 people and covers an area of approximately 4 square miles. However, the question arises: Is New Prague a suburb?

What is a Suburb?

Before we dive into whether New Prague qualifies as a suburb, let’s first define what exactly constitutes a suburb. A suburb is typically an area located on the outskirts of a larger city or metropolitan area. It is often characterized by residential neighborhoods, shopping centers, and other commercial areas.

Characteristics of Suburbs:

Suburbs tend to have several characteristics that distinguish them from urban or rural areas. These include:

Residential Neighborhoods

One of the primary characteristics of suburbs is that they have residential areas that are designed for families and individuals looking for a quieter lifestyle. Houses in suburbs are often larger and have more outdoor space than those found in urban areas.

Low Population Density

Another characteristic of suburbs is that they tend to have lower population densities than urban areas. This means there are more open spaces and fewer people living in close proximity to each other.

Access to Urban Areas

Most suburbs are located close enough to larger cities or metropolitan areas so that residents can easily commute for work or leisure activities.

Commercial Developments

Suburbs also tend to have shopping centers, grocery stores, and other commercial developments that cater to the needs of their residents.

New Prague as a Suburb:

Now that we’ve established what defines a suburb let’s look at whether New Prague fits this criteria.

New Prague does fit some of the characteristics associated with suburban living such as access to commercial developments like grocery stores and restaurants. However, it does not meet all the criteria associated with being considered a true suburban area.

For instance, New Prague has a relatively small population density, but it is not located near a larger city or metropolitan area. As such, it does not have the same level of access to urban areas that many suburbs have.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while New Prague shares some similarities with suburban areas such as access to amenities and low population density, it cannot be considered a true suburb. Its location and lack of proximity to a larger city or metropolitan area make it more of a small town than a suburb.