Minneapolis

About Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 429,954 as of the 2020 census, it is the state's most populous city. Located in the state's center near the eastern border, it occupies both banks of the Upper Mississippi River and adjoins Saint Paul, the state capital of Minnesota. Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and the surrounding area are collectively known as the Twin Cities, a metropolitan area with 3.69 million residents. Minneapolis is built on an artesian aquifer on relatively flat terrain and is known for cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. Nicknamed the "City of Lakes", Minneapolis is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks, and waterfalls. The city's public park system is connected by the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway.

Dakota people previously inhabited the site of today's Minneapolis. European settlement began north of Fort Snelling along Saint Anthony Falls—the only natural waterfall on the Mississippi River. Location near the fort and the falls' power—with its potential for industrial activity—fostered the city's early growth. For a time in the 19th century, Minneapolis was the lumber and flour milling capital of the world, and as home to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, it has preserved its financial clout into the 21st century. A Minneapolis Depression-era labor strike brought about federal worker protections. Work in Minneapolis contributed to the computing industry, and the city is the birthplace of General Mills, the Pillsbury brand, Target Corporation, and Thermo King mobile refrigeration.

The city's major arts institutions include the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Guthrie Theater. Four professional sports teams play downtown. Musician Prince played at the First Avenue nightclub. Minneapolis is home to the University of Minnesota's main campus. The city's public transport is provided by Metro Transit, and the international airport, serving the Twin Cities region, is located towards the south on the city limits.

Residents adhere to more than fifty religions. Despite its well-regarded quality of life, Minneapolis has stark disparities among its residents—arguably the most critical issue confronting the city in the 21st century. Governed by a mayor-council system, Minneapolis has a political landscape dominated by the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), with Jacob Frey serving as mayor since 2018.

Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Minneapolis weather: 7-day forecast

Source: National Weather Service (NOAA).

Live webcams in Minneapolis

Webcams: Windy.com

Living in Minneapolis

Median household income

$80,846

Median home value

$362,200

Median rent

$1,371/mo

Median age

33.4

Map of Minneapolis

Tap any street on the map to see it in Street View below. Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Minneapolis Street View

Drag the image to look around and tap the arrows on the ground to move. If it says there is no imagery, tap a nearby street on the map above.

Minneapolis, MN population

Minneapolis had 429,954 residents in the 2020 Census.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.

Minneapolis at a glance

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.

Towns near Minneapolis

• Lauderdale3.8 mi NE
• Golden Valley4.8 mi W
• St. Louis Park4.8 mi W
• Falcon Heights4.9 mi E
• Robbinsdale5.2 mi NW
• St. Anthony5.3 mi NE
• Columbia Heights6.0 mi N
• Richfield6.2 mi S
• Hilltop6.3 mi N
• Roseville6.7 mi NE
• Edina6.7 mi SW
• Crystal6.8 mi NW

Straight-line distance between town centers.

Frequently asked questions about Minneapolis