North suburbs both lead and lag the Twin Cities metro area in homeownership.

Andover in northern Anoka County achieved the highest score in the state for "major cities" with a 94 percent homeownership rate from 2011 to 2013, according to U.S. Census data compiled by the organization Minnesota COMPASS. That means about 9,400 of the city's 10,000 homes were owner-occupied. Major cities are described as communities with populations over 20,000.

Lino Lakes came in No. 2 at 90.1 percent. On the other end of the suburban spectrum, New Hope had a 54.6 percent homeownership rate. About 4,600 of its 8,300 households were owner-occupied. Homeownership rates are one way to gauge the economic health of a city and its residents.

Shannon Prather • 612-673-4804