Minneapolis, Minnesota

History of Minneapolis

Minneapolis was first settled in the early 19th century around the waterfalls of the Mississippi River, which provided power for sawmills. By the 1870s, Minneapolis had grown into one of the world’s largest flour milling centers. The city continued to expand into the 20th century as a major business and transportation hub. Key moments in Minneapolis history include:

• 1819 – Fort Snelling established near the falls of St. Anthony Falls (later Minneapolis)
• 1854 – Minneapolis incorporated as a city
• 1874 – Minneapolis Millers baseball team formed, now the Minnesota Twins
• 1883 – Minneapolis Grain Exchange established
• 1886 – First indoor shopping mall opens in Minneapolis
• 1892 – University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus established
• 1905 – Ten thousand workers strike in Minneapolis, lasting six weeks
• 1967 – Minneapolis Lakers basketball team moves to Los Angeles

Minneapolis Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Minneapolis had a population of 429,954 people. Key demographics include:

• 63.8% White, 19.3% Black, 9.7% Hispanic/Latino, 5.9% Asian
• Median age of 33.4 years old
• Estimated median household income of $55,184

Minneapolis is growing in diversity and saw a population increase of 8% from 2010 to 2020.

Government & Politics

Minneapolis has a mayor-council system of government. The mayor serves 4-year terms along with a 13-member city council. Current mayor Jacob Frey took office in 2018. Minneapolis politics lean strongly Democratic).

Key municipal government offices:

• Mayor’s Office – (612) 673-2100
• City Council – (612) 673-2200
• City Clerk – (612) 673-2216

Major Companies & Economy

Major companies headquartered in Minneapolis include:

• Target – Retail giant, Fortune 500 company
• U.S. Bancorp – Banking and financial services
• Xcel Energy – Electric and gas utility serving multiple states
• Ameriprise – Investment advising and asset management
• Thrivent – Fortune 500 insurance and financial services
• General Mills – Global food manufacturer and marketer

The metro economy generates around $243 billion in GDP annually. Major industries include finance, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and food processing. The Minneapolis Fed also oversees banking in five different states.

Colleges & Universities

Minneapolis is home to several universities and colleges including:

• University of Minnesota – Leading public research university ranked in the top 150 nationally with over 52,000 students across 5 campuses. Main campus is in Minneapolis. umn.edu
• Augsburg University – Private liberal arts college founded in 1869, enrolls around 3,000 students. augsburg.edu
• Minneapolis College – Public two-year community college, part of the Minnesota State system. minneapolis.edu
• Dunwoody College of Technology – Private not-for-profit applied technical college offering certificates and associate’s degrees. dunwoody.edu

Over 15 colleges and universities are located in the Twin Cities metro area, providing education opportunities to over 200,000 students.

Transportation & Public Transit

• Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) – Major airport and Delta Air Lines hub serving the region. mspairport.com
• Metro Transit) – Network of light rail, buses, and commuter trains serving the Twin Cities area. metrotransit.org
• Nice Ride Minnesota – Bike rental system with over 200 stations in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. niceridemn.com

The Metro area is a transportation hub with rail lines, major highways, and the Mississippi River also facilitating transportation.

Sports Teams & Venues

Minneapolis is home to several professional and college sports teams:

• Minnesota Vikings – NFL football team playing at U.S. Bank Stadium. vikings.com
• Minnesota Twins – MLB baseball team playing at Target Field. mlb.com/twins
• Minnesota Timberwolves – NBA basketball team playing at Target Center arena. nba.com/timberwolves
• Minnesota Wild – NHL hockey team playing at Xcel Energy Center. nhl.com/wild
• Minnesota United FC – MLS soccer team playing at Allianz Field. mnufc.com
• NCAA Division I teams competing in hockey, football, basketball, and more.

The Twin Cities area boasts 7 major professional teams across 5 major leagues. Minneapolis also hosts marquee sporting events like the Super Bowl, Final Four, X Games, and more.

Arts & Culture

• Guthrie Theater – Leading regional playhouse hosting over 700,000 visitors annually. guthrietheater.org
• Walker Art Center – Renowned contemporary art center founded in 1927. walkerart.org
• Minneapolis Institute of Art – World-class art museum housing over 90,000 works of art. artsmia.org
• First Avenue) – Iconic music venue and nightclub that helped launch Prince’s) career. first-avenue.com
• Northrup King Building – Vibrant arts community with galleries, studios, and event venues. northrupkingbuilding.com

The Twin Cities area is regarded as one of the most vibrant Midwest arts scenes. Other major landmarks include the Minnesota Orchestra, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, and Children’s Theatre Company.

Parks & Outdoors

• Chain of Lakes – Popular venue for biking, running, paddling, and other recreation connected by parkways.
• Minneapolis Sculpture Garden – 11-acre urban oasis featuring the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture. walkerart.org/garden
• Minnehaha Regional Park – Features 53-foot Minnehaha waterfall, limestone bluffs, and biking trails. minneapolisparks.org/park_care__improvements/park_projects/current_projects/minnehaha_park_improvements_project
• Loring Park – “Gateway to Minneapolis” park dating back to 1883 with gardens, art, and an Off-Leash dog area. loringpark.org

The “City of Lakes” lives up to its nickname with 22 lakes, wetlands, creeks, and the Mississippi River offering recreation. The Grand Rounds Scenic Byway connects major parks and green spaces throughout the city.

Famous Minneapolis Landmarks

• Stone Arch Bridge) – Historic bridge over the Mississippi River and iconic Minneapolis landmark.
• Mary Tyler Moore statue) – Honors the 1970s sitcom set in Minneapolis.
• Spoonbridge and Cherry – Famous sculpture by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen representing the Mississippi River and a cherry on a spoon.
• Foshay Tower – Distinctive art deco skyscraper built in 1929 as the tallest building west of the Mississippi.
• U.S. Bank Stadium – Futuristic home stadium for the Minnesota Vikings featuring a transparent roof.

Where to Stay in Minneapolis

As the largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis offers extensive lodging options from global hotel brands to quirky boutique hotels. Top neighborhoods to stay in include:

Downtown Minneapolis – Closest to business, sports venues, and major attractions. Luxury hotels like W Minneapolis Foshay and Four Seasons Minneapolis anchor downtown. More affordable options like Hampton Inn Minneapolis Downtown and AC Hotel Minneapolis Downtown are also available.

North Loop – Trendy warehouses turned into hip hotels and restaurants. Options include Hewing Hotel, Renaissance Minneapolis Downtown Hotel, and Moxy Minneapolis Uptown. Close to Target Field.

University of Minnesota-Dinkytown – Neighborhood packed with university culture, restaurants, and nightlife. Try Graduate Minneapolis or Days Hotel University Ave SE near campus.

Uptown – Vibrant commercial district with boutiques, eateries, and entertainment. Great for experiencing Minneapolis culture. Le Meridien Chambers and W Minneapolis The Foshay provide high-end stays.

Minneapolis Arts District – Close to museums, theaters, and music venues. Stay at artful destinations like Le Méridien Chambers and Elliot Park Hotel.

Minneapolis Public Schools

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) oversees public education for over 29,000 K-12 students across nearly 40 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 7 high schools, and numerous alternative schools. MPS operates with an elected school board and superintendent. Some top-performing public schools based on test scores include Anthony Middle School, Burroughs Elementary, and Southwest High School. MPS also offers magnet school programs with focuses like language immersion, International Baccalaureate, and more.

In addition to district schools, Minneapolis hosts over 35 charter schools throughout the city. Minneapolis graduation rates average around 80%.

Additional Local Resources

• Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association
• Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
• Meet Minneapolis
• Mpls Downtown Council

From sports stadiums to parks, world-class museums to theater productions, Minneapolis offers an incredible array of attractions and amenities. Though cold in the winter, its lush summers and friendly residents make Minneapolis a vibrant Midwest hub.

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