Anoka, Minnesota facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anoka, Minnesota
City
Main Street in downtown Anoka, July 2009
Motto(s):  "Halloween Capital of the World"
Location of the city of Anoka within Anoka County, Minnesota
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Anoka
Founded	1844
Incorporated	March 2, 1878
Area
• Total	7.18 sq mi (18.59 km2)
• Land	6.67 sq mi (17.27 km2)
• Water	0.51 sq mi (1.32 km2)  7.07%
Elevation	843 ft (257 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	17,921
• Density	2,687.61/sq mi (1,037.74/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (Central)
ZIP code	55303
Area code(s)	763
FIPS code	27-01720
GNIS feature ID	2393964
Website	City of Anoka

Anoka (/əˈnoʊkə/ ə-NOH-kə) is a city in Minnesota, United States. It is the county seat of Anoka County. In 2020, about 17,921 people lived there.

Anoka is known as the "Halloween Capital of the World." This is because it held one of the very first Halloween parades in 1920. The city still celebrates Halloween every year with many parades and events. Anoka is a northern suburb of the Twin Cities area. Main roads like U.S. Highways 10 / 169 and State Highway 47 pass through Anoka. It also has a train station for the Northstar Commuter Rail line, which goes to Minneapolis.

History of Anoka

People first settled in the area that is now Anoka in 1844. By the mid-1850s, Anoka had grown to include a school, a store, and a mill for grinding flour. The city officially became a city in 1878.

What Does the Name "Anoka" Mean?

The name Anoka might come from two different Native American words.

• The Santee Dakota people used the word anoka, which means "on both sides" or "from both sides." This likely refers to Anoka's location on both banks of the Rum River.
• The Ojibwe people used the word anoki, meaning "I work." This could refer to the busy lumber sites in the town.

Anoka's Role in the Civil War

Aaron Greenwald Historical Marker

Anoka has a special connection to the American Civil War. It is believed to have provided some of the first volunteers for the Union Army. A small plaque in the city marks this important event.

In 1861, when the war began, Minnesota's governor, Alexander Ramsey, was in Washington, D.C. He quickly offered a group of soldiers to the War Department. He sent a message to former governor Willis Arnold Gorman in Anoka. Gorman was in court in Anoka when he got the message. He stopped the court session and asked for volunteers.

Aaron Greenwald and five other men stepped forward. Greenwald was the first to sign up. He later died on July 5, 1863, after being badly wounded while fighting in the Battle of Gettysburg. He was part of the 1st Minnesota Regiment.

Geography of Anoka

Anoka is located where the Rum River meets the Mississippi River. It is about 20 miles (30 km) northwest of Minneapolis.

The city covers about 7.21 square miles (18.67 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, and a smaller part is water. Anoka is next to other communities like Dayton, Ramsey, Andover, Coon Rapids, and Champlin.

People of Anoka (Demographics)

The Anoka County Courthouse and Government Center in downtown Anoka, July 2009

Population in 2010

In 2010, there were 17,142 people living in Anoka. There were 7,060 households, which are groups of people living together. About 29.4% of these households had children under 18 years old.

The average age of people in Anoka was 37.6 years old.

• About 21.9% of residents were under 18.
• About 13.7% of residents were 65 years or older.

The city had a nearly equal number of males and females.

Economy and Attractions

Top Employers in Anoka

Many people in Anoka work for these large companies and organizations:

Places to Visit in Anoka

Anoka has many interesting places, including:

• Anoka County Historical Society (learn about local history)
• Anoka County Library
• Castle Field and Goodrich Field (sports fields)
• Peninsula Point Two Rivers Historical Park
• Anoka–Champlin Mississippi River Bridge
• Windego Park Auditorium/Open Air Theater
• Anoka Nature Preserve
• Greenhaven Golf Course
• Anoka Aquatic Center (for swimming)
• Colonial Hall and Masonic Lodge No. 30
• Lyric Arts Theater (for plays and performances)

Education in Anoka

Anoka has several schools for different age groups.

Colleges

• Anoka Technical College is located in Anoka.
• One of the main campuses for Anoka-Ramsey Community College is in nearby Coon Rapids.

Public Schools

Most students in Anoka attend schools in the Anoka-Hennepin School District 11. This is the largest school district in Minnesota.

• High Schools: Anoka High School and Secondary Technical Education Program (S.T.E.P.) High School.
• Middle School: Anoka Middle School for the Arts. This school has two campuses: Fred Moore Campus and Washington Campus.
• Elementary Schools: Franklin Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, and Wilson Elementary School.

Some students from other areas also come to Anoka's schools through special programs.

Private Schools

Anoka also has private schools, such as St. Stephens Catholic School.

Sports in Anoka

Anoka is home to several sports teams.

High School Sports

Anoka High School teams are called the Tornadoes. They compete in the Northwest Suburban Conference. Over the years, Anoka High School has won 25 state championships in various sports!

Local Baseball Teams

Anoka has two successful local baseball teams:

• Anoka Bucs: This team started in 1980 and moved to Anoka in 1982. They have played in the MBA State Tournaments for five years in a row (2019-2023).
• Minnoka Grays: This team plays in the Federal League, which is for men aged 35 and older. In 2023, the Grays won the Class AAA Minnesota State Tournament. They also won the 2023 MSBL World Series in Arizona, making them the 35+ National Champions!

Both the Bucs and the Grays play their home games at Castle Field during the summer.

Transportation

Anoka has important roads that help people get around. U.S. Highways 10 / 169 and State Highway 47 are the main routes. The city also has a station for the Northstar Commuter Rail line, which started in 2009. This train takes people to Minneapolis.

Notable people

Many interesting people have come from Anoka, including:

• Flora Aldrich, a doctor and writer
• Stub Allison, an American college football coach
• Dale Arnold, a sportscaster
• Michele Bachmann, a U.S. Representative
• Theodora Bean, a journalist
• Gretchen Carlson, a former Fox News Channel anchor and Miss America
• Larry Constantine, a computer software pioneer and author
• Jake Deitchler, an Olympic wrestler
• Herbert Funk Goodrich, a former judge
• Anna Arnold Hedgeman, a civil rights leader
• Garrison Keillor, a radio host and author
• Ernest A. Larsen, a Minnesota state legislator
• Tom Mangan, a Minnesota state legislator
• Steve Nelson, a football player for the New England Patriots
• Brandon Paulson, an Olympic wrestler and silver medalist
• Briana Scurry, a goalie for the United States women's national soccer team
• Sean Sherk, a former UFC lightweight champion
• Richard K. Sorenson, a Marine who received the Medal of Honor
• Matt Sorteberg, a professional ice hockey player
• Robert Stewart Sparks, a city council member in Los Angeles
• Bill Tuttle, a major league baseball player
• Dick Wildung, a football player for the Green Bay Packers

See also

In Spanish: Anoka (Minnesota) para niños