Minneapolis

by The Linguist

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota – The City of Lakes

Minneapolis is the largest and most populous city in the U.S. state of Minnesota. With a population of 429,954 as of 2020, Minneapolis is the 46th most populous city in the United States. Minneapolis lies on both banks of the Mississippi River, just north of the river’s confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Saint Paul, the state’s capital. The city’s name is attributed to the city’s first school teacher, who combined mni, the Dakota word for water, and polis, the Greek word for city. Today, Minneapolis is known for its natural beauty, arts and entertainment, Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, parks and recreation, and high standard of living.

History

Minneapolis traces its roots to Fort Snelling, which was established in 1819 by the United States Army at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. The land was acquired from the native Dakota people in a treaty in 1837. The earliest white settlers came to the area in the 1850s, establishing the town of Saint Anthony on the east bank of the Mississippi River. Minneapolis itself was founded by John H. Stevens and Franklin Steele on the west bank of the river in 1856 and became incorporated as a city in 1867. The city grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as the Upper Mississippi and its tributaries provided abundant water power for flour mills, lumber mills, and other industries. Today, locks and dams regulating the river are part of the infrastructure of the city.

Learn more about the history of Minneapolis on Wikipedia.

Population

As of the 2020 census, the population of Minneapolis was 429,954, making it the most populous city in Minnesota and the 46th most populous city in the United States. Minneapolis is the larger of the Twin Cities, the 16th-largest metropolitan area in the United States, with about 3.6 million residents.

Economy

Some of the largest companies based in Minneapolis include Target Corporation, U.S. Bancorp, Xcel Energy, Ameriprise Financial, Thrivent Financial, and Best Buy. Minneapolis is also home to four Fortune 500 companies: Target, Best Buy, Ameriprise Financial and U.S. Bancorp. The city also has a strong healthcare industry led by the Mayo Clinic and UnitedHealth Group.

Learn more about the economy of Minneapolis on the Minneapolis Regional Chamber website.

Transportation

Minneapolis is served by Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, which handles over 35 million passengers annually and provides service to over 160 destinations around the world. Public transportation includes light rail and bus service provided by Metro Transit, with two light rail lines and a commuter rail line connecting Minneapolis to Saint Paul and the southern suburbs.

Education

Minneapolis Public Schools enroll over 35,000 students in public primary and secondary schools. The district administers about 100 public schools including 45 elementary schools, seven middle schools, seven high schools, eight special education schools, eight alternative schools, 19 contract alternative schools, and four charter schools.

Learn more at the Minneapolis Public Schools website.

Landmarks

Stone Arch Bridge

The Stone Arch Bridge is a former railroad bridge crossing the Mississippi River at Saint Anthony Falls connecting downtown Minneapolis with the historic Marcy-Holmes neighborhood. It was built from 1883 to 1883 and is the only arched bridge made of stone on the entire length of the Mississippi River. The bridge was originally built for the Great Northern Railway. Today, it is open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic as part of the city’s riverfront park system.

Stone Arch Bridge
100 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
GPS: 44.9778, -93.2655

Walker Art Center

The Walker Art Center is a contemporary art center located in Minneapolis. Established in 1927, the Walker Art Center ranks among the most-visited modern art museums in the United States. Its permanent collection includes over 13,000 modern and contemporary art pieces in all media. The building was designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron and features a unique brick facade that blends into the winter snow.

Walker Art Center
725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 375-7600
GPS: 44.9772, -93.2847

Target Field

Target Field is a baseball park located in downtown Minneapolis. It is the home ballpark of the Minnesota Twins, the city’s Major League Baseball franchise. Opened in 2010, it was constructed on the site of the Twins’ former home, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. The open-air stadium can seat up to 38,544 fans and features views of the Minneapolis skyline.

Target Field
1 Twins Way, Minneapolis, MN 55403
(800) 338-9467
GPS: 44.9818, -93.2778

County Information

Minneapolis is located in Hennepin County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, Hennepin County had a population of 1,265,843, making it Minnesota’s most populous county. The county seat and largest city is Minneapolis.

Hennepin County Government Center
300 South 6th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55487
(612) 348-3000
https://www.hennepin.us/

Sports Teams

Major professional sports teams based in Minneapolis include:

Local Resources

Here are some additional local resources and attractions in Minneapolis: