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Coon Rapids, Minnesota

Coordinates: 45°10′20″N 93°18′15″W / 45.17222°N 93.30417°W / 45.17222; -93.30417
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Coon Rapids
City
2024 New Coon Rapids Water Tower with Minneapolis Skyline
2024 New Coon Rapids Water Tower with Minneapolis Skyline
Official logo of Coon Rapids
Location of the city of Coon Rapids within Anoka County, Minnesota
Location of the city of Coon Rapids
within Anoka County, Minnesota
Coordinates: 45°10′20″N 93°18′15″W / 45.17222°N 93.30417°W / 45.17222; -93.30417
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyAnoka
Incorporated (village)October 1952[1]
Incorporated (city)June 1959[1]
Government
 • MayorJerry Koch
Area
[2]
 • City
23.33 sq mi (60.43 km2)
 • Land22.60 sq mi (58.53 km2)
 • Water0.73 sq mi (1.90 km2)
Elevation
[3]
863 ft (263 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • City
63,599
 • Estimate 
(2022)[5]
62,785
 • RankUS: 616th
MN: 15th
 • Density2,814.1/sq mi (1,086.53/km2)
 • Metro
3,693,729 (US: 16th)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
55433, 55448
Area code763
FIPS code27-13114
GNIS feature ID2393628[3]
Websitecoonrapidsmn.gov

Coon Rapids is a northern suburb of Minneapolis, and the second-largest city by population in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States.[6] The population was 63,599 at the 2020 census,[4] making it Minnesota's 15th-largest city and the seventh-largest Twin Cities suburb.

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 23.34 square miles (60.45 km2), of which 22.61 square miles (58.56 km2) is land and 0.73 square miles (1.89 km2) is water.[7] Recreational lakes in the city include Cenaiko Lake and Crooked Lake, two-thirds of which is in Coon Rapids. The other third is in the city of Andover, immediately to the north.

History

[edit]

In 1835, the Red River Ox Cart Trail was laid to establish military and trade connections between Minneapolis and Anoka. The first industries of Coon Rapids sprung up around the road, including the prominent Anoka Pressed Brick and Terra Cotta Company, founded by D. C. Dunham in 1881. The clay excavation site—known locally as the "Clay Hole"—is one of the lasting reminders of Coon Rapids's industrial history. Today, the vital Red River Ox Cart Trail is known as Coon Rapids Boulevard and remains an important commercial corridor for the city.[8]

Coon Rapids Dam
Coon Rapids Dam

In 1912, construction began on the Coon Rapids Dam and the influx of laborers and engineers increased the city's population to over 1,000 for the first time. Completed in 1914, the dam functioned as a regional power source for the Northern States Power Company until it was sold to the Hennepin County Park Board in 1969 and incorporated into the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park.[9]

When the dam was built, Anoka Township renamed itself Coon Creek Rapids, later shortened to Coon Rapids. In 1959, the Village of Coon Rapids voted to incorporate as a city and the City of Coon Rapids was born. The city's population increased from 14,000 in 1959 to more than 62,785 in 2022, making it the 15th-largest city in Minnesota.

Transportation

[edit]
Coon Rapids–Riverdale station on the Northstar Line

While commercial traffic on the Mississippi River once passed through Coon Rapids—steamboats could reach as far north as St. Cloud under certain conditions[10]—the completion of the Coon Rapids Dam in 1914 established the city as the Mississippi River's northernmost navigable point.[11]

U.S. Highway 10, Minnesota State Highway 47, and Minnesota State Highway 610 are three of the main routes in the city.

Coon Rapids Riverdale Station is served by the Northstar Commuter Rail line connecting the northwest suburbs and downtown Minneapolis; the line opened in 2009.[12]

The Burlington Northern/Santa Fe mainline railroad from Seattle to Chicago travels directly through Coon Rapids, and the commuter rail runs on these tracks.

Economy

[edit]

Coon Rapids is home to the headquarters of medical device manufacturer RMS Company; healthcare and housing provider Mary T, Inc.; furniture retailer HOM Furniture; and printers/publishers John Roberts Company and ECM Publishers.

Largest employers

[edit]

According to the City's 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[13] the city's largest employers are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Mercy Health (Allina Health System) 1,860
2 Independent School District #11 1,238
3 Mary T, Inc. 1,120
4 RMS Company 672
5 Honeywell Aerospace 600
6 Anoka-Ramsey Community College 403
7 HOM Furniture 300
8 Target 300
9 City of Coon Rapids 285
10 Menards 220
11 Walmart 200

Government

[edit]

Coon Rapids is a charter city with a council-manager form of government. The city council has seven members: the mayor and a member at-large, both elected by the entire city, and one member for each of the city's five wards.[14][15]

State level

[edit]

As of the 2025 special election,[16] Coon Rapids is represented in the Minnesota State House via the following districts:

State Senate:

Congress

[edit]

Coon Rapids is in Minnesota's 3rd congressional district, represented by Democrat Kelly Morrison.

Mayors and local government

[edit]

Since its incorporation as a city in 1952, Coon Rapids has had 15 mayors:

  • Joe Nelson (1952–1953)
  • Glenn Haven (1954–1955)
  • Leslie B. Mason (1956–1958)
  • Irving Nelson (1958–1959)
  • Joe Craig (1960–1967)
  • Robert Voss (1968–1971)
  • Donald Erlandson (1972–1975)
  • George White (1976–1979)
  • David S. McCauley (1980–1981)
  • Robert B. Lewis (1982–1989)
  • Richard S. Reiter (1990–1991)
  • William F. Thompson (1992–1998)
  • Ilona McCauley (1999–2002)
  • Tim Howe (2003–2014)
  • Jerry Koch (2015–present)

The next mayoral election is in 2026.

As of 2025, the members of the Coon Rapids City Council are:

  • Ward 1: Brad Greskowiak (Term Expires December 31, 2028)
  • Ward 2: Peter Butler (Term Expires December 31, 2028)
  • Ward 3: Sean Novack (Term Expires December 31, 2026)
  • Ward 4: Christopher Geisler (Term Expires December 31, 2028)
  • Ward 5: Brian Armstrong (Term Expires December 31, 2026)
  • At-Large: Pat Carlson (Term Expires December 31, 2028)
Presidential election results 1960–2020
Precinct General Election Results[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 45.1% 16,154 52.2% 18,707 2.7% 980
2016 47.0% 15,427 43.4% 14,237 9.6% 3,137
2012 46.5% 16,064 51.0% 17,617 2.5% 852
2008 47.4% 16,317 50.5% 17,399 2.1% 736
2004 50.8% 17,365 48.0% 16,414 1.2% 391
2000 46.4% 13,262 48.4% 13,817 5.2% 1,500
1996 34.5% 9,195 53.0% 14,146 12.5% 3,347
1992 31.6% 9,105 41.7% 12,022 26.7% 7,724
1988 45.7% 10,111 54.3% 11,994 0.0% 0
1984 48.5% 9,326 51.5% 9,895 0.0% 0
1980 37.7% 5,761 52.2% 7,978 10.1% 1,548
1976 36.7% 5,134 61.1% 8,533 2.2% 306
1972 50.9% 5,351 46.0% 4,839 3.1% 322
1968 32.0% 2,795 61.8% 5,400 6.2% 537
1964 28.4% 2,205 71.5% 5,558 0.1% 12
1960 39.5% 2,314 60.3% 3,538 0.2% 12

Education

[edit]

The city is home to Anoka-Ramsey Community College, which offers a wide variety of 2- and 4-year programs. The college awarded 754 Associate degrees in 2013.[22]

Coon Rapids is served by the Anoka-Hennepin Public School District 11.

High schools

[edit]

Coon Rapids High School is the city's largest public school, with about 1,935 students in four grades, 9–12, as of 2025–26 projections.[23]

Paladin Career & Technical High School, a charter school, has also been in Coon Rapids since 2022. As of 2023-24 it had 299 students in grades 9–12.[24]

Northwest Passage High School is a charter school specializing in inquiry-driven project based learning, interdisciplinary seminars, and expeditions.[25] Enrollment was 149 students across grades 9 to 12 as of the 2023–24 annual report.[26]

Middle schools

[edit]

Coon Rapids Middle School has a projected enrollment of 1,298 for 2025–26[23] for grades 6 to 8.

Northdale Middle School has a projected enrollment of 1,192 for 2025–26 for grades 6 to 8.[23]

The Catholic Church of the Epiphany has a private school for grades Pre-K to 8.

Cross of Christ Lutheran School is a Pre-K–8 grade school of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Coon Rapids.

Elementary schools

[edit]

Adams Elementary School has a projected enrollment of 456 students from K to 5.[23]

Eisenhower Elementary School has a projected enrollment of 475 students from K to 5.[23]

Hamilton Elementary School has a projected enrollment of 364 students from K to 5.[23]

Hoover Elementary School has a projected enrollment of 459 students from K to 5.[23]

Mississippi Elementary School has a projected enrollment of 436 students from K to 5.[23]

Morris Bye Elementary School has a projected enrollment of 442 students from K to 5.[23]

Sand Creek Elementary School has a projected enrollment of 559 students from K to 5.[23]

Historical

[edit]

In the 1980s the Minnesota Japanese School, a weekend supplementary school for Japanese people, held classes at the Coon Rapids campus, using 11 of its classrooms.[27]

Recreation

[edit]

Coon Rapids contains several Anoka County parks, such as Coon Rapids Dam and Bunker Hills Regional Park, including Bunker Beach water park.

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860602—
18701,498148.8%
1880261−82.6%
189036037.9%
19003826.1%
191042210.5%
192054829.9%
193067022.3%
19401,01851.9%
19502,563151.8%
196014,931482.6%
197030,505104.3%
198035,82617.4%
199052,97847.9%
200061,62716.3%
201061,476−0.2%
202063,5993.5%
2021 (est.)62,785[5]−1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[28]
2020 Census[4]

2010 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2010, there were 61,476 people, 23,532 households, and 16,323 families living in the city. The population density was 2,719.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,049.8/km2). There were 24,462 housing units at an average density of 1,081.9 per square mile (417.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.0% White, 5.5% African American, 0.7% Native American, 3.5% Asian, 1.2% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 23,532 households, of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.6% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the city was 36.9 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.5% were from 25 to 44; 27.8% were from 45 to 64; and 11.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2000, there were 61,627 people, 22,578 households, and 16,572 families living in the city. The population density was 2,718.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,049.5/km2). There were 22,828 housing units at an average density of 1,007.2 per square mile (388.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.22% White, 2.18% African American, 0.67% Native American, 1.60% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.51% of the population.

There were 22,578 households, out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $55,550, and the median income for a family was $62,260. Males had a median income of $41,195 versus $30,277 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,915. About 3.6% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "City History | Coon Rapids, MN - Official Website". www.coonrapidsmn.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Coon Rapids, Minnesota
  4. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  6. ^ "Cities in Anoka County, Minnesota by Population (2023)". worldpopulationreview.com.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  8. ^ Hatler, C. "The Brickyards of Coon Rapids". Forgotten Minnesota. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  9. ^ "City History". City of Coon Rapids. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  10. ^ Dean Klinkenberg (September 30, 2012). "Saint Cloud". Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  11. ^ Anfinson, John O. "River of History - Chapter 5 - Mississippi National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov.
  12. ^ Levy, Paul (December 11, 2007). "Northstar set to roll, but how far?". Star Tribune. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  13. ^ "City of Coon Rapids 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report". City of Coon Rapids. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  14. ^ "Coon Rapids FAQ".
  15. ^ "Coon Rapids City Council".
  16. ^ "DFL candidate Xp Lee wins District 34B special election".
  17. ^ "MN House Directory 35A". Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  18. ^ "MN House Directory 35B". Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  19. ^ "MN Senate Directory 34". Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  20. ^ "MN Senate Directory 35". Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  21. ^ "Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State - Election Results". Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  22. ^ "Fast Facts". Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "ISD 11 2025–2026 Enrollment Projections" (PDF). Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  24. ^ "PCTHS 2023-24 Annual Report (Web)". Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  25. ^ Contributer, Community (April 9, 2014). "Northwest Passage teacher recognized". hometownsource.com.
  26. ^ "NWPHS 2023-24 Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  27. ^ Johnson, Cheryl (May 31, 1988). "Saturday school". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. pp. 1B, 3B. - Clipping of first and of second page from Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  29. ^ "PWHL Minnesota lifts Walter Cup as league's first champion with Game 5 win over Boston". Star Tribune. May 29, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Coon Rapids.
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