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 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 colonization and 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, and the Guthrie Theater. Four professional sports teams play downtown. Musician Prince played 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.

Infobox

Country

United States

State

Minnesota

County

Hennepin

Incorporated

1867

Founded by

Franklin Steele and John H. Stevens

• Type

Mayor–council (strong mayor)

• Body

Minneapolis City Council

• Mayor

Jacob Frey (DFL)

• City

429,954

• Land

54.00 sq mi (139.86 km2)

• Water

3.51 sq mi (9.08 km2)

Elevation

830 ft (250 m)

• Estimate (2024)

428,579

• Rank

mw- 46th (US) 1st (Minnesota)

• Density

7,962.2/sq mi (3,074.21/km2)

• Urban

2,914,866

• Urban density

2,870/sq mi (1,109/km2)

• Metro

$350.710 billion (2023)

Demonym

Minneapolitan

• MSA

$323 2024)

Time zone

UTC–6 (Central)

• Summer (DST)

UTC–5 (CDT)

ZIP Codes

55401-55419, 55423, 55429-55430, 55450, 55454-55455, 55484-55488

Area code

612

FIPS code

27-43000

GNIS ID

655030

Website

minneapolismn.gov

Founded

1856; 169 years ago (1856)