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St. Cloud, MN

Frequently asked questions

St. Cloud, MN

St. Cloud or Saint Cloud is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the largest population center in the state's central region. The population was 68,881 at the 2020 census, making it Minnesota's 12th-largest city. St. Cloud is the county seat of Stearns County and was named after the city of Saint-Cloud, France (in Île-de-France, near Paris), which was named after the 6th-century French monk Clodoald.

Though mostly in Stearns County, St. Cloud also extends into Benton and Sherburne counties, and straddles the Mississippi River. It is the center of a contiguous urban area, with Waite Park, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, St. Joseph, Rockville, and St. Augusta directly bordering the city, and Foley, Rice, Kimball, Clearwater, Clear Lake, and Cold Spring nearby. The St. Cloud metropolitan area had a population of 199,671 at the 2020 census. It has been listed as the fifth-largest metro with a presence in Minnesota, behind Minneapolis–St. Paul, Duluth–Superior, Fargo-Moorhead, and Rochester. But the entire St. Cloud area is within Minnesota, while most of Fargo-Moorhead's population is in North Dakota, and Superior, Wisconsin, contributes a significant population to the Duluth area.

St. Cloud is 65 miles (105 km) northwest of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis–St. Paul along Interstate 94, U.S. Highway 52 (conjoined with I-94), U.S. Highway 10, Minnesota State Highway 15, and Minnesota State Highway 23. The St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is made up of Stearns and Benton Counties. The city was included in a newly defined Minneapolis–St. Paul–St. Cloud Combined Statistical Area (CSA) in 2000. St. Cloud as a whole has never been part of the 13-county MSA comprising Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, and parts of western Wisconsin, though the Sherburne County portion is part of the 13-county MSA.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 41.08 square miles (106.40 km2); 40.04 square miles (103.70 km2) is land and 1.04 square miles (2.69 km2) is water. The city developed on both sides of the Mississippi River. Part of the Sauk River runs along its northern edge. Just south of downtown is the 7-acre, 35-foot-deep Lake George. In 2021, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) credited decade-long city investments in stormwater filtration with reducing Lake George's phosphorus levels well below the state standard. It called Lake George one of three "success stories" in the state and planned to remove it from a list of impaired waters. 

St. Cloud places a significant emphasis on health and wellness, with numerous facilities and programs dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle such as CentraCare Health System, ensuring that residents have access to comprehensive medical services. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Department. 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 STā Fit, Burn and Build Fitness, and Lions Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around St. Cloud, such as the Mississippi River Regional Trail (Anoka) and West Mississippi River Regional Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in St. Cloud, MN are Munsinger Clemens Gardens, Paramount Center for the Arts, and Quarry Park and Nature Preserve.

Population: 72,145 (2024). ZIP codes: 56301, 56302, 56303, 56304, 56393, 56397, 56398. Area code: 320. Elevation: 1,112 feet (339 meters). Area: 41.23 sq mi (106.78 km2).

FAQs

What is St. Cloud, MN famous for?

Organized by French settlers, the town is named after the city of Saint Cloud, France, where Napoleon supposedly had his favorite palace. Granite quarries have operated in the area since the 1880s, giving St. Cloud its nickname, “The Granite City.” Formerly made up of three towns, first known as Upper, Middle, and Lower towns, The trio, arranged around two deep ravines that joined the Mississippi River, were united as the city of St. Cloud in 1856.

Is St. Cloud, MN a good place to live?

Living in St. Cloud offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In St. Cloud, there are a lot of bars and parks. Many families and young professionals live in St. Cloud and residents tend to lean conservative.

Is St. Cloud, MN expensive?

The cost of living in St. Cloud, MN is 3% higher than the state average and 2% lower than the national average. St. Cloud, MN housing is 18% cheaper than the U.S. average, while utilities are about 7% less pricey. When it comes to necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 9% more in St. Cloud, MN than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 9% more.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of St. Cloud

CentraCare Health System

St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Department

STā Fit

Burn and Build Fitness 

Lions Fitness

Mississippi River Regional Trail (Anoka) 

West Mississippi River Regional Trail

Munsinger Clemens Gardens

Paramount Center for the Arts

Quarry Park and Nature Preserve

Visitstcloud

Niche

Rentcafe

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