Coon Rapids | |
|---|---|
 2024 New Coon Rapids Water Tower with Minneapolis Skyline | |
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 Location of the city of Coon Rapids within Anoka County, Minnesota | |
| Coordinates:45°10′20″N93°18′15″W / 45.17222°N 93.30417°W /45.17222; -93.30417 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Anoka |
| Incorporated (village) | October 1952[1] |
| Incorporated (city) | June 1959[1] |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Jerry Koch |
| Area | |
• City | 23.33 sq mi (60.43 km2) |
| • Land | 22.60 sq mi (58.53 km2) |
| • Water | 0.73 sq mi (1.90 km2) |
| Elevation | 863 ft (263 m) |
| Population | |
• City | 63,599 |
• Estimate (2022)[5] | 62,785 |
| • Rank | US: 616th MN:15th |
| • Density | 2,814.1/sq mi (1,086.53/km2) |
| • Metro | 3,693,729 (US:16th) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes | 55433, 55448 |
| Area code | 763 |
| FIPS code | 27-13114 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2393628[3] |
| Website | coonrapidsmn.gov |
Coon Rapids is a northern suburb ofMinneapolis, and the second-largest city by population inAnoka County,Minnesota, United States.[6] The population was 63,599 at the2020 census,[4] making itMinnesota's 15th-largest city and the seventh-largestTwin Cities suburb.
According to theUnited 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 ofAndover, immediately to the north.
In 1835, theRed 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]
In 1912, construction began on theCoon 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 theNorthern States Power Company until it was sold to the Hennepin County Park Board in 1969 and incorporated into theCoon 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 the15th-largest city in Minnesota.
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While commercial traffic on theMississippi River once passed through Coon Rapids—steamboats could reach as far north asSt. Cloud under certain conditions[10]—the completion of theCoon Rapids Dam in 1914 established the city as the Mississippi River's northernmost navigable point.[11]
U.S. Highway 10,Minnesota State Highway 47, andMinnesota State Highway 610 are three of the main routes in the city.
Coon Rapids Riverdale Station is served by theNorthstar Commuter Rail line connecting the northwest suburbs and downtownMinneapolis; the line opened in 2009.[12]
TheBurlington Northern/Santa Fe mainline railroad from Seattle to Chicago travels directly through Coon Rapids, and the commuter rail runs on these tracks.
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.
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 |
Coon Rapids is acharter 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]
As of the 2025 special election,[16] Coon Rapids is represented in the Minnesota State House via the following districts:
State Senate:
Coon Rapids is inMinnesota's 3rd congressional district, represented by DemocratKelly Morrison.
Since its incorporation as a city in 1952, Coon Rapids has had 15 mayors:
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The next mayoral election is in 2026.
As of 2025, the members of the Coon Rapids City Council are:
|
| 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 |
The city is home toAnoka-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 theAnoka-Hennepin Public School District 11.
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-drivenproject based learning, interdisciplinary seminars, and expeditions.[25] Enrollment was 149 students across grades 9 to 12 as of the 2023–24 annual report.[26]
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 theWisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Coon Rapids.
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]
In the 1980s theMinnesota Japanese School, aweekend supplementary school for Japanese people, held classes at the Coon Rapids campus, using 11 of its classrooms.[27]
Coon Rapids contains severalAnoka County parks, such asCoon Rapids Dam and Bunker Hills Regional Park, includingBunker Beach water park.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 602 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,498 | 148.8% | |
| 1880 | 261 | −82.6% | |
| 1890 | 360 | 37.9% | |
| 1900 | 382 | 6.1% | |
| 1910 | 422 | 10.5% | |
| 1920 | 548 | 29.9% | |
| 1930 | 670 | 22.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,018 | 51.9% | |
| 1950 | 2,563 | 151.8% | |
| 1960 | 14,931 | 482.6% | |
| 1970 | 30,505 | 104.3% | |
| 1980 | 35,826 | 17.4% | |
| 1990 | 52,978 | 47.9% | |
| 2000 | 61,627 | 16.3% | |
| 2010 | 61,476 | −0.2% | |
| 2020 | 63,599 | 3.5% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 62,785 | [5] | −1.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[28] 2020 Census[4] | |||
As of thecensus of 2010, there were 61,476 people, 23,532 households, and 16,323 families living in the city. Thepopulation 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% fromother races, and 3.1% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino 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% weremarried 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.
As of thecensus 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% fromother races, and 1.73% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino 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% weremarried 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. Theper capita income for the city was $22,915. About 3.6% of families and 4.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
Municipalities and communities ofAnoka County, Minnesota,United States | ||
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| CDP | ||
| Unincorporated community | ||
| Ghost towns/Neighborhoods | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
