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Brainerd, MN

Frequently asked questions

Brainerd, MN

Brainerd is a city and the county seat of Crow Wing County, Minnesota, United States. Its population was 14,395 at the 2020 census. Brainerd straddles the Mississippi River several miles upstream from its confluence with the Crow Wing River, having been founded as a site for a railroad crossing above the confluence. Brainerd is the principal city of the Brainerd Micropolitan Area, a micropolitan area covering Cass and Crow Wing counties and with a combined population of 96,189 at the 2020 census. The city is well known for being the partial setting of the 1996 film Fargo.

Brainerd is just north of Minnesota's geographical center, in a relatively hilly terminal moraine area created by the Superior Lobe of the Labradorian ice sheet. The town occupies land on both sides of the Mississippi River, though its older parts are almost all to the east.

Though the city itself has relatively few lakes, there are over 460 lakes within 25 miles (40 km) of Brainerd, mostly to the north. For this reason, Crow Wing County and parts of the adjoining counties are often collectively called the Brainerd Lakes Area despite most of the lakes existing closer to Nisswa. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 12.66 square miles (32.79 km2), of which 11.91 square miles (30.85 km2) is land and 0.73 square miles (1.89 km2) is water. Brainerd has been assigned ZIP code 56401 by the USPS.

The area that is now Brainerd was formerly Ojibwe territory. Brainerd was first seen by European settlers on Christmas Day in 1805 when Zebulon Pike stopped there while searching for the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Crow Wing Village, a fur and logging community near Fort Ripley, brought settlers to the area in the mid-19th century. In those early years, the relationship between the settlers and the Native Americans was fraught. The most famous example of this tenuous relationship was the "Blueberry War" of 1872. Two Ojibwe were hanged for allegedly murdering a missing girl. When a group of Ojibwe approached the town, troops from Fort Ripley were called to prevent a potential reprisal. As it turned out, the Ojibwe only wanted to sell blueberries and the settlers avoided a bloody misunderstanding. The guilt of the two Ojibwe was never proven.

Brainerd serves as a regional hub for healthcare services, with institutions like the Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center provides quality care to residents and visitors alike. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness, Takedown Gym, and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Brainerd, such as the Rotary Riverside Park and Wolf Lake Multi-Purpose Trail System. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Brainerd, MN are Northland Arboretum, Crow Wing County Historical Society, and Lum Park.

Population: 14,563 (2023). ZIP code: 56401. Area code: 218.  Elevation: 1,217 feet (371 m). Area: 12.64 square miles (32.74 km²).

FAQs

Is Brainerd, MN a good place to live?

Living in Brainerd offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Brainerd, there are a lot of parks. Many families live in Brainerd and residents tend to be conservative. The public schools in Brainerd are highly rated.

What is Brainerd, MN is known for?

Whether you're interested in biking, family fun, fishing, food, golfing, hiking, or shopping—experience it all from a centralized location in Brainerd MN. Situated on the Mississippi River, in the heart of Minnesota's lake country and nestled among the pines, there is so much to experience and love about Brainerd. The communities of Brainerd and Baxter are the heart of the Brainerd Lakes Area and are a short drive from hundreds of lakes, holes of golf, and miles of biking trails.

Why is Brainerd important to Minnesota?

Lumbering still contributes to the city’s economy, but tourism is now the primary economic factor. Paper milling and financial services are also important. Brainerd is a regional trade, retail, and healthcare center. 

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Brainerd

Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center

Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department 

Planet Fitness

Takedown Gym 

Anytime Fitness

Rotary Riverside Park 

Wolf Lake Multi-Purpose Trail System

Northland Arboretum

Crow Wing County Historical Society

Lum Park

Niche

Visit Brainerd

Britannica

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