Mankato is a city in the state of Minnesota, USA. It is located where the Minnesota River meets the Blue Earth River. Mankato is the main city in the Mankato–North Mankato metropolitan area.

The city is the county seat of Blue Earth County, Minnesota. In 2020, about 44,488 people lived here. This makes it one of Minnesota's larger cities. Mankato is also home to Minnesota State University, which is the second-largest university in the state.

History of Mankato

Early Settlements

For a long time, different groups of indigenous peoples lived in this area. By the mid-1800s, the Dakota Sioux were the main group living here.

Henry Jackson (1811–1857) was one of the people who helped start Mankato.

European Americans began settling in Mankato Township in February 1852. The city of Mankato was officially started on May 11, 1858. People like Henry Jackson helped organize the city.

There's a story that the city was supposed to be named Mahkato. But a mistake by a clerk led to the name Mankato. The Dakota people called the river Makato Osa Watapa, which means "the river where blue earth is gathered." This is why the river is now called the Blue Earth River.

Important Events

A historical drawing of the execution of thirty-eight Dakota people in Mankato in 1862.

On December 26, 1862, a very sad event happened in Mankato. After the Dakota War of 1862, 38 Dakota people were executed. This was a difficult time in U.S. history. President Lincoln reviewed the cases and pardoned many others. Today, there are two statues in Mankato to remember this event. They are at the site of the hangings, which is now the Blue Earth County Library and Reconciliation Park.

By 1880, Mankato was the fourth-largest city in Minnesota. Its population was about 5,500 people.

Notable Visitors

Vice President Schuyler Colfax died in Mankato in 1885 while traveling.

Geography of Mankato

Mankato covers about 18.26 square miles (47.3 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. The Minnesota River, Blue Earth River, and Le Sueur River all flow through or near the city.

Population and People

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1870	3,482	—
1880	5,550	59.4%
1890	8,838	59.2%
1900	10,599	19.9%
1910	10,365	−2.2%
1920	12,469	20.3%
1930	14,039	12.6%
1940	15,654	11.5%
1950	18,809	20.2%
1960	23,797	26.5%
1970	30,895	29.8%
1980	28,651	−7.3%
1990	31,477	9.9%
2000	32,427	3.0%
2010	39,309	21.2%
2020	44,488	13.2%
2023 (est.)	45,742	16.4%
U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census

In 2022, there were about 17,605 households in Mankato. The average household had 2.31 people. The city's median household income was $61,726. About 22.5% of the people in Mankato live below the poverty line.

Most people in Mankato have a high school diploma (93.6%). Many also have a bachelor's degree or higher (37.6%).

Population Details (2020)

Mankato Racial Composition
Race	Number	Percent
White (NH)	34,381	77.3%
Black or African American (NH)	3,652	8.2%
Native American (NH)	162	0.4%
Asian (NH)	1,698	3.8%
Pacific Islander (NH)	21	0.0%
Some Other (NH)	184	0.4%
Other/Mixed (NH)	1,801	4.0%
Hispanic or Latino	2,589	5.8%

In 2020, Mankato had 44,488 people. The city had 17,576 households. The average age in the city was 26.5 years. About 16.9% of residents were under 18 years old.

Economy of Mankato

Mankato has many different types of jobs. Education and healthcare are big parts of the economy.

A Walmart distribution center in Mankato.

Major Employers

Here are some of the largest employers in Mankato:

#	Employer	# of Employees	Percentage
1	Mankato Area Public Schools ISD #77	2,123	8.06%
2	Immanuel St. Joseph's - Mayo Health System	1,300	4.94%
3	Minnesota State University, Mankato	1,300	4.94%
4	Walmart Distribution Center	525	1.99%
5	Blue Earth County	491	1.86%
6	Mankato Clinic	425	1.61%
7	Mankato Rehabilitation Center Inc. Industrial Operation	375	1.42%
8	Compeer Financial	362	1.37%
9	Johnson Outdoors-Mankato	360	1.37%
10	The City of Mankato	313	1.19%
—	Total employers	7,574	28.75%

Arts and Culture

Fun Events

For 52 years, the Minnesota Vikings football team held their summer training camp at Minnesota State University. In 2018, they moved their camp to Eagan, Minnesota.

Places to Visit

The original Happy Chef Restaurant in Mankato.

Mankato has many interesting places:

The Betsy & Tacy Houses: These are homes that inspired the famous children's book series.
Blue Earth County Courthouse: A historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Happy Chef original restaurant: You can still see the last 36-foot Happy Chef statue here!
The Hubbard House: A beautiful historic home built in 1871.
ISG Field: Home to the Mankato Moondogs, a summer baseball team.
River Hills Mall: A popular shopping center.
Sibley Park: A city park along the river.
The Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center: An arena downtown for events and concerts.

Library Services

The Blue Earth County Library serves the city. It is part of the Traverse des Sioux Library System.

Education in Mankato

Mankato has many schools for students of all ages.

Local Schools

The Mankato Area Public Schools include Mankato, North Mankato, Eagle Lake, and Madison Lake. There are:

Ten elementary schools (like Franklin, Kennedy, and Roosevelt)
Two middle schools (Dakota Meadows and Prairie Winds)
Two high schools (Mankato West High School and Mankato East High School)

There are also several private schools, such as Loyola Catholic School and Immanuel Lutheran School. Kato Public Charter School is another option.

Colleges and Universities

Old Main building at Bethany Lutheran College.

Mankato is a great place for higher education:

Minnesota State University: This is the second-largest university in Minnesota. It opened in 1868.
South Central College
Bethany Lutheran College
Rasmussen University

Media Outlets

Newspapers

The main daily newspaper in Mankato is the Mankato Free Press.

Television Channels

KMNF-LD 7 (NBC/CW)
KEYC-TV 12 (CBS/Fox)
K14KE-D 14 (Independent)
K26CS-D 26 (PBS)
K29IE-D 29 (PBS)
K30FN-D 30 (ABC)

Radio Stations

FM Radio

89.1 FM, KTIS (AM), Christian talk
89.7 FM, KMSU, college radio
90.5 FM, KNGA, Minnesota Public Radio
91.5 FM, KGAC, classical music
93.1 FM, KATO-FM, classic hits
94.1 FM, KXLP, classic rock
94.9 FM, KTIS-FM, Christian music
95.3 FM, KCMP, adult album alternative
95.7 FM, KMKO-FM, active rock
96.7 FM, KDOG, top 40
99.1 FM, KEEZ-FM, adult contemporary
100.5 FM, KXAC, country music
101.5 FM, KEMJ, adult contemporary
101.7 FM, KMKO-FM, active rock
102.7 FM, KTOE, news/talk
103.1 FM, KFSP, sports talk
103.5 FM, KYSM-FM, country music
104.5 FM, KJLY, Christian music
105.1 FM, KCMP, adult album alternative
105.5 FM, KRBI-FM, adult contemporary
107.1 FM, KJLY, Christian music

AM Radio

860, KNUJ (AM), news/talk
1230, KFSP, sports talk
1420, KTOE, news/talk

Transportation

Getting Around Mankato

The Mankato Transit System provides public transportation within the city. The Mankato Regional Airport serves the area, but it does not have commercial flights.

Main Roads

Several major highways pass through Mankato:

U.S. Highway 14
U.S. Highway 169
Minnesota State Highway 22
Minnesota State Highway 60
Minnesota State Highway 83

Local Food History

In 2016, a cookbook from a Mankato church congregation was recognized. It had the first known recipe for a "hotdish" from 1930. A hotdish is a popular casserole dish in Minnesota. The recipe used hamburger, onions, pasta, peas, tomato soup, and tomatoes.

Famous People from Mankato

Barry Anderson, a judge on the Minnesota Supreme Court
Walter Jackson Bate, a writer who won a Pulitzer Prize
Frederick Russell Burnham, known as the "father of the international scouting movement"
Jimmy Chin, a professional climber and Academy Award-winning filmmaker
Craig Dahl, a former NFL safety for the New York Giants
Adolph Olson Eberhart, a former Governor of Minnesota
Justin Hartwig, a former NFL center
Ron Johnson, a U.S. Senator
Sinclair Lewis, a famous author
Maud Hart Lovelace, author of the Betsy-Tacy book series
Adam Thielen, an NFL wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings
Tim Walz, the current Governor of Minnesota
Steve Zahn, an actor and comedian

Mankato, Minnesota facts for kids

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