Woodbury is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, in the United States. It is located about 8 miles (13 km) east of Saint Paul. Woodbury is part of the larger Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. In 2020, about 75,102 people lived in Woodbury, making it the eighth largest city in Minnesota.

History of Woodbury

Woodbury is a large city, covering almost 36 square miles. It was once part of a "congressional township." This land became available for settlement after Native Americans of the United States agreed to share the territory.

How Woodbury Got Its Name

Woodbury was first called Red Rock. However, there was another Red Rock Township in Minnesota. So, the city was renamed after Levi Woodbury. He was an important judge on the Supreme Court of the United States.

Early Settlement and Growth

When people first settled here in 1844, the area was mostly forest. Over time, it was turned into farmland. The local government for the township started in 1858. One of the oldest farms still standing is the Charles Spangenberg Farmstead. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its historical importance.

In 1955, the first suburban neighborhood, Woodbury Heights, began to be built. As more people moved in, the town's government found it hard to provide all the services needed. It became clear that Woodbury needed to become an official village.

Becoming an Official Village

In the early 1960s, there was a big discussion about Woodbury becoming an official village. At that time, many towns around Minneapolis were growing in a messy way. This made it hard to plan for things like sewers and water systems. So, state officials encouraged towns to become full villages.

There was an idea to combine Woodbury and a nearby town, Cottage Grove, into one large village called Washington. Both towns agreed to vote on this idea in 1963. However, the idea was voted down. Cottage Grove then became its own village in 1965.

Finally, in 1966, meetings began to make Woodbury its own village. A vote was held on February 14, 1967. Most people voted for the change, and Woodbury officially became a village on March 7, 1967.

Geography and Climate

Woodbury covers about 35.56 square miles (92.10 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Where is Woodbury Located?

The city has clear boundaries. Interstate 94 is to the north. The south side is near 60th Street South. To the west is Century Avenue, and to the east is Manning Avenue. Woodbury is next to several other cities, including Oakdale, Lake Elmo, and Cottage Grove.

Natural Features

Woodbury is located on higher ground between the Mississippi River and the St. Croix River. A small part of the city is in the watershed of Valley Creek. This creek is special because it's one of the few places in the Twin Cities area where you can still find trout. Valley Creek flows east into the St. Croix River.

Woodbury also has several small lakes. These include Powers Lake, Wilmes Lake, Colby Lake, Carver Lake, and Battle Creek Lake. Battle Creek Lake is where Battle Creek starts, which then flows west to the Mississippi River in Saint Paul.

Weather in Woodbury

Woodbury experiences a typical Midwest climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters.

Climate data for Woodbury, Minnesota
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	23 (−5)	30 (−1)	42 (6)	58 (14)	71 (22)	79 (26)	83 (28)	81 (27)	72 (22)	59 (15)	41 (5)	27 (−3)	55.5 (13.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	6 (−14)	13 (−11)	24 (−4)	36 (2)	48 (9)	58 (14)	63 (17)	61 (16)	52 (11)	40 (4)	26 (−3)	12 (−11)	36.6 (2.6)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.02 (26)	0.78 (20)	1.92 (49)	2.54 (65)	3.73 (95)	4.98 (126)	4.41 (112)	4.37 (111)	3.20 (81)	2.51 (64)	2.09 (53)	1.04 (26)	32.59 (828)

People of Woodbury

The number of people living in Woodbury has grown a lot over the years.

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	350	—
1870	990	182.9%
1880	1,169	18.1%
1890	1,166	−0.3%
1900	1,200	2.9%
1910	1,039	−13.4%
1920	956	−8.0%
1930	931	−2.6%
1940	955	2.6%
1950	1,056	10.6%
1960	3,014	185.4%
1970	6,184	105.2%
1980	10,297	66.5%
1990	20,075	95.0%
2000	46,463	131.4%
2010	61,961	33.4%
2020	75,102	21.2%
2022 (est.)	78,561	26.8%
U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census

Population in 2020

In 2020, there were 75,102 people living in Woodbury. There were 28,304 households and 31,280 families.

Population in 2010

According to the 2010 census, Woodbury had 61,961 people. The city had 22,594 households and 16,688 families. The population density was about 1,784 people per square mile.

The people living in Woodbury came from many different backgrounds. About 81.4% were White, 5.6% were African American, and 9.1% were Asian. About 3.8% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

In terms of households, 42.3% had children under 18 living with them. Most households (61.8%) were married couples. The average household had 2.73 people, and the average family had 3.20 people. The median age in the city was 35.6 years old.

Economy and Jobs

Woodbury has a strong economy with many job opportunities.

Major Employers in Woodbury

Many people in Woodbury work in retail, healthcare, and technology. One of the biggest employers used to be State Farm Insurance. Now, other large companies provide many jobs. Many Woodbury residents also work at 3M, a big company located nearby in Maplewood.

The city also has several large shopping areas. These include Tamarack Village, Woodbury Village, and Woodbury Lakes. Woodbury Lakes is an outdoor mall that opened in 2005.

Here are some of the largest employers in Woodbury as of 2022:

Rank	Employer	# of Employees
1	M Health Fairview (HealthEast)	1,013
2	South Washington County School District ISD 833	964
3	Target Corporation	864
4	3M	759
5	Self Esteem Brands	472
6	Summit Orthopedics	397
7	HealthPartners (includes TRIA)	393
8	Long Term Care Group, Inc.	317
9	City of Woodbury	250
10	Saint Therese	199
Total		5,628

Arts and Culture

Woodbury has a special annual event called Woodbury Days.

Woodbury Days Festival

Every year, during the last weekend of August, the Woodbury Days Council hosts Woodbury Days. This is a big festival for the community. It includes a parade, a carnival with rides, live music, and fireworks. Many local shops, churches, and services set up booths. There's also a "Taste of Woodbury" tent where you can try food from many of the city's restaurants.

Parks and Recreation

Woodbury is known for its many parks and outdoor activities.

Powers Lake Park in Woodbury

Parks and Trails

The city has 45 parks that cover about 3,000 acres (12 square kilometers). There are also about 100 miles (160 km) of trails, mostly paved. These trails connect many of the parks, making it easy to walk or bike around the city. Three of the biggest parks are around Colby, Wilmes, and Powers lakes.

Sports and Activities

The indoor Central Park is right next to the public library. The HealthEast Sports Center is a main place for sports. It has fields for softball, baseball, soccer, and football. It also has sand volleyball courts and two indoor ice rinks, plus an outdoor ice rink.

Woodbury has two golf courses: Prestwick (private) and Eagle Valley (public). In the summer, you can also join the Colby Lake Pool for swimming.

Education in Woodbury

Most students in Woodbury attend schools in the South Washington County School District.

East Ridge High School and part of the HealthEast Sports Complex

High Schools

Most high school students go to either Woodbury High School or East Ridge High School. Some students in certain parts of the city might attend Tartan Senior High School in Oakdale or Stillwater Area High School in Stillwater. Students can also choose to attend public or private schools in other districts.

East Ridge High School opened in September 2009. It is located near the HealthEast Sports Center.

Middle and Elementary Schools

Woodbury has two middle schools: Lake Middle School and Woodbury Middle School. Some middle school students also attend schools in nearby cities. The city is also served by 12 elementary schools across three different school districts.

Other Schools

Woodbury is home to the Minnesota Math and Science Academy, which is a charter school. There are also private schools like Saint Ambrose of Woodbury (a Catholic school for Pre-K through 8th grade) and New Life Academy (a Christian school).

For older students, Rasmussen College has a campus nearby. It offers programs in health sciences, nursing, business, technology, and other fields.

Notable People from Woodbury

Many interesting people have lived in Woodbury, including politicians and athletes.

Kelly Fenton, a former state representative in Minnesota.
Michelle Fischbach, a United States Representative.
Brent Kallman, a professional soccer player.
Susan Kent, a state senator in Minnesota.
Jason Lewis, a former United States Representative.
Nicole Mitchell, a meteorologist and politician.
Walt Perlt, a Minnesota state representative.
Mary Giuliani Stephens, a former mayor of Woodbury.
Michelle Young, a TV personality who starred in The Bachelorette.

Images for kids

The historic Heritage House
Woodbury from the northeast

Woodbury, Minnesota facts for kids

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