Central Minnesota facts for kids
Central Minnesota is a big area in the middle of the state of Minnesota. It doesn't have exact borders. But most people agree it's the land north of Interstate 94, east of U.S. Highway 59, south of U.S. Highway 2, and west of U.S. Highway 169. It's a place with lots of nature and interesting cities.
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Exploring Central Minnesota's Geography
Central Minnesota has many different landscapes. The northern part is home to large softwood forests. This includes the huge Chippewa National Forest. The western and southern areas have rolling prairie lands. This is where most of the region's farms are located.
The eastern part of Central Minnesota also has many forests. These include both hardwood and softwood trees. This area once had a lot of iron ore. The Cuyuna Range was here, near Crosby and Ironton. This mining area is now mostly used up.
Lakes and Rivers in Central Minnesota
One thing you'll find everywhere in Central Minnesota is lakes. There are many large and small lakes. They surround cities like St. Cloud, Alexandria, and Brainerd.
Two of Minnesota's biggest lakes are in this region. Mille Lacs Lake is the second largest. It covers about 206 square miles (534 square kilometers). Leech Lake is the third largest. It covers about 175 square miles (453 square kilometers). The famous Mississippi River also flows through Central Minnesota. It starts at Lake Itasca and winds its way through the region.
High school sports groups in the area often name their conferences after these natural features. Some names include Central Lakes, Granite Ridge, Great River, Heart O'Lakes, Mid-State, and Pine to Prairie.
Central Minnesota's Economy
The way people make a living in Central Minnesota has changed over time. It used to be mostly about farming and mining. Now, more jobs are in factories and services. But farming is still very important, especially in the southern and western parts. The land there is good for growing crops like corn and soybeans.
There are also dairy farms in areas where crops don't grow well. However, the number of dairy farms has been going down. In the heavily forested eastern and northern parts, paper companies own a lot of land. They used to do a lot of logging. While logging has slowed down, paper mills still operate in Brainerd and Sartell.
Tourism and Recreation
Tourism has become a very important industry in Central Minnesota. This is mostly thanks to all the lakes. Many cities in the region get much bigger in the summer. People from larger cities like Minneapolis/St. Paul, Duluth, Fargo, and Grand Forks come to visit. They enjoy fishing and other outdoor activities on the lakes.
The lakes around Brainerd are very well-known. This area is called the Brainerd Lakes Area. Many people from Minneapolis and St. Paul own cabins there. They enjoy spending time on or near the big lakes. There are also several nice resorts on Gull Lake.
Culture and People of Central Minnesota
The people living in Central Minnesota today often have roots from the first settlers. Many residents are of German and Scandinavian heritage. There is also a large Native American population.
Two of Minnesota's largest reservations are in Central Minnesota. These are the Leech Lake Indian Reservation and the White Earth Indian Reservation. The smaller Mille Lacs Indian Reservation is also here. It's along the southern shore of Mille Lacs Lake, near Garrison and Isle.
The 1996 movie Fargo and its TV show are mostly set in Brainerd and Bemidji. However, the accents of people in Central Minnesota are not as strong as those shown in the movie. The way people speak in Central Minnesota is similar to the rest of the Upper Midwest.
Major Cities in Central Minnesota
Central Minnesota has several important cities and towns. The biggest city by far is St. Cloud.
St. Cloud Metropolitan Area
The St. Cloud MSA is the largest urban area in Central Minnesota. It has a population of about 192,510 people.
- Saint Cloud (population: 66,389)
- Sartell (population: 16,523)
- Sauk Rapids (population: 13,348)
- Waite Park (population: 7,469)
- St. Joseph (population: 6,820)
- St. Augusta (population: 3,545)
Brainerd Micropolitan Area
The Brainerd μSA is another important area. It has a population of about 91,067 people.
Other Important Cities
Other cities in Central Minnesota include:
- Bemidji (population: 15,404)
- Elk River (population: 25,835)
- Fergus Falls (population: 13,419)
- Alexandria (population: 14,335)
- Detroit Lakes (population: 9,165)
- Little Falls (population: 8,689)
Colleges and Universities
Central Minnesota is home to several colleges and universities.
Four-Year Colleges
- College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University
- St. Cloud State University
- University of Minnesota Morris
Two-Year Colleges
- Alexandria Technical and Community College
- Central Lakes College
- Minnesota State Community and Technical College (campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, and Wadena)
- Northwest Technical College
- St. Cloud Technical and Community College
Famous People from Central Minnesota
Many notable people grew up in Central Minnesota.
