Minneapolis is the largest and most populous city in the state of Minnesota. Situated along the Mississippi River, it forms the larger Twin Cities metropolitan area together with the neighboring capital of Saint Paul.
Minneapolis traces its origins to the early 19th century as a center of lumber and flour milling around the Mississippi River and Saint Anthony Falls. The first permanent settlement was established at Saint Anthony Falls in 1819. Minneapolis itself was founded as a town in 1856 and incorporated as a city in 1867.
Thanks to the immense water power provided by Saint Anthony Falls, Minneapolis quickly became a major national hub for lumber and flour milling in the 1860s and 1870s. Pillsbury, General Mills, and other mills fueled the city's growth. With the arrival of railroads and its location near key transportation routes, Minneapolis evolved into the main commercial center in the Upper Midwest.
Over the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the city experienced rapid development and expansion. New technologies like electrical power generation enabled large-scale industry and manufacturing to thrive. Minneapolis also developed a strong banking and finance sector. In the post-WWII era, the city transitioned to a more diversified economy centered around banking, healthcare, transportation, food processing, technology, and retail.
For more details on the history of Minneapolis, visit the History of Minneapolis page on Wikipedia.
According to 2019 census estimates, Minneapolis has a population of around 429,954 residents. It ranks as the 46th most populous city in the United States. The broader Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area consists of approximately 3.6 million residents.
Minneapolis is considered one of the most livable major cities in the U.S., known for its high standard of living, education levels, and low unemployment and poverty rates. Over 76% of adults hold a high school degree or higher, and nearly 43% have a bachelor's degree or advanced degree.
Minneapolis has a mayor-council form of municipal government led by an elected mayor and city council members representing individual wards. City elections follow a ranked-choice voting system. The current mayor of Minneapolis is Jacob Frey, first elected in 2017.
In Congress, Minneapolis lies within Minnesota's 5th district, represented by Democrat Ilhan Omar. Different parts of the city are divided among multiple state legislative districts.
More information about Minneapolis' government services and departments can be found at the city's official website: https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/
As a major metropolitan hub, Minneapolis has a diverse, thriving economy across many sectors. Major companies headquartered in the city include:
In addition to major corporations, Minneapolis supports thousands of small and mid-sized businesses in sectors like healthcare, finance, technology, retail, food service, manufacturing, and more.
Major colleges and universities located in Minneapolis include:
The broader Twin Cities metro contains dozens of major colleges and universities that drive economic growth.
As a metropolitan hub, Minneapolis has extensive transportation infrastructure including:
Minneapolis also has one of the most extensive urban bike trail systems in the U.S., with dedicated bike lanes, paths, and trails.
Home to several professional sports teams, Minneapolis is considered one of America's top sports towns. Major teams include:
These and other local teams attract millions of spectators yearly, driving tourism and economic activity.
Known for its thriving arts and entertainment scene, top Minneapolis institutions include:
The city is also home to a renowned stand-up comedy scene centered around clubs like Acme Comedy Company.
Known as the "City of Lakes", Minneapolis contains 22 lakes and extensive green spaces perfect for recreation:
The Grand Rounds Scenic Byway connects many of the city's best parks and trails for biking, walking, and outdoor enjoyment.
As a major convention and tourism destination, Minneapolis offers abundant lodging options. Top-rated hotels include:
Many budget-friendly chain hotels like Best Western, Holiday Inn Express, and La Quinta Inn also operate locations around Minneapolis.
Public education in Minneapolis is provided by Minneapolis Public Schools, an independent special school district not part of city government. The district operates over 35 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, and 7 high schools serving the city. There are also dozens of public charter schools within city limits.
More information about Minneapolis Public Schools can be found at: https://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/
With its natural beauty, arts and culture, sports teams, parks, and more, Minneapolis offers endless opportunities as the largest city in Minnesota.