About The
Central Region
Home to a wide variety of communities, the Central Region extends from the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities, through the Brainerd Lakes area and into the Chippewa National Forest.
The Region
Fourteen counties make up the Central Region. St. Cloud, with more than 16,000 people, is the largest city in central Minnesota, and also one of the ten largest in the state. Occasionally information at the regional level may include fewer or more counties because of how data is collected. When this is the case, it is noted.
Support for this region of Minnesota Compass is provided by the Initiative Foundation.
At a glance profiles
Benton – Located one hour north of the Twin Cities, Benton County is part of the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area. It has a population of nearly 40,000 and its county seat is Foley.
Cass – The heart of the lake country, Cass County is made up of a number of small towns of fewer than 2,000 people. It has a population of nearly 29,000 and the county seat is Walker.
Chisago – Just northeast of the Twin Cities, Chisago County has steadily grown since 1960, and now is home to more than 50,000 people. Its county seat is Center City, which is home to Hazelden drug and alcohol treatment center.
Crow Wing – With a population of 62,000, Crow Wing County includes portions of the Brainerd Lakes area, and two state forests. Its county seat is Brainerd, one of the largest cities in central Minnesota.
Isanti – First settled by Swedish immigrants, Isanti County is located just north of the Twin Cities. It has a population of 39,000 and its county seat is Cambridge.
Kanabec – Deriving its name from the Ojibwe language, Kanabec which means Snake River, is named for the river which flows through it. It has a population of 16,000. The county seat is the city of Mora, which plays host each February to the Mora Vasaloppet, the largest ski race in Minnesota.
Mille Lacs – Meaning “a thousand lakes” in French, this county is home to Lake Mille Lacs, the largest lake in the Brainerd Lakes Area. It has a population of 26,000, and the county seat is Milaca.
Morrison – The Morrison county seat is Little Falls, one of the oldest cities in Minnesota, and boyhood home of Charles Lindbergh. It has a population of around 33,000.
Pine – Named for its giant pine forests, Pine County is one of many scenic areas in Minnesota, also containing a portion of the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. It has a population of 28,000 and the county seat is Pine City.
Sherburne – Situated between two rapidly growing and economically healthy metropolitan areas, Sherburne County has experienced rapid residential growth, especially in its rural areas. It has a population of nearly 88,000, nearly a quarter of whom live in Elk River, its county seat.
Stearns – St. Cloud is the Stearns county seat, the city in the state’s Central Region, the 5th largest city outside the Twin Cities, and the 8th largest in the state overall. Stearns County has a population of 147,000.
Todd – Named after John Blair Smith Todd, a U.S. Representative and civil war general, Todd County has a population of nearly 24,000. The Todd county seat is Long Prairie, the first white settlement within Todd County.
Wadena – In the heart of the lake country, Wadena is home to more than 20 lakes. It has a population of more than 13,000. Its county seat is the city of Wadena.
Wright – Named after New York politician Silas Wright, the county was established in 1855, primarily settled by German and Swedish immigrants. It has a population of nearly 120,000, and its county seat is Buffalo.
Central region news
The Initiative Foundation
Does your nonprofit
need help?
Starting in January, central Minnesota nonprofits can apply to host a VISTA member who will help strengthen their efforts to fight poverty.
Free Paints & Coatings
Offered by Valspar.
In an effort to help spruce up area communities, Valspar and the Initiative Foundation are teaming up to provide paints and coatings. Now accepting applications!
ground level
Baldwin Township, Todd County, and the City of Brainerd
A new pilot project from MPR explores ways people living in Central Minnesota want to mold the future. Featured communities:
Baldwin Township, facing challenges that rapid growth can present.
Todd County, on the front of the aging curve.
City of Brainerd, typically passed by in spite of being part of a popular lake area.
Hear from residents of these communities how they are coming to grips with these issues.
