About The
Northland Region
Located in the northeast portion of the state, the Northland Region is home to beautiful natural areas, including the north shore of Lake Superior and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It includes the cities of Duluth and Grand Rapids.
the region
Seven counties make up the Northland Region. Duluth, the fourth-largest city in Minnesota, is the largest in the region.
Occasionally information at the regional level may include fewer or more counties because of how some data are collected. When this is the case, it is noted.
Support for this region of Minnesota Compass is provided by Northland Foundation and Blandin Foundation
At a glance profiles
Aitkin – Aitkin County was named after William Alexander Aitken, a fur trader for the American Fur Company. It is home to nearly 16,000 people. Its county seat is the city of Aitkin.
Carlton – Located just south of St. Louis County, Carlton County has a population of about 34,000 and is included in the Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its county seat is Carlton.
Cook – Located in the Northeastern tip of the state, Cook County has a population of about 5,500. Its county seat is Grand Marais. The Grand Portage Indian Reservation is entirely within the county.
Itasca – With 3,000 square miles, Itasca is the third largest county in terms of area in the state. It has 1,000 lakes and more than 1,000 miles of skiing and snowmobiling trails. It has a population of nearly 45,000 and its county seat is Grand Rapids, which is famed as the birth place of Judy Garland.
Koochiching – The name "Koochiching" means "at the place of inlets," referring to the neighboring Rainy Lake and River. Established in 1906, Koochiching is one of the youngest counties in Minnesota, and has a population of around 13,000. Its county seat is International Falls.
Lake – Located in the Arrowhead region along the North Shore of Lake Superior, Lake County has a population of nearly 11,000 and its county seat is Two Harbors. Known for its spectacular natural beauty, it has within its boundaries four state parks and a national forest.
St. Louis – St. Louis County is the largest county in terms of area in Minnesota. It has a population of nearly 200,000, and major industries include pulpwood production, surface mining and tourism. Known for its natural beauty, St. Louis County includes parts of Voyageurs National Park, the Superior National Forest, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Duluth, (the fourth-largest city in Minnesota, population 84,000) is its county seat. Duluth is located on the westernmost point of the Great Lakes on the north shore of Lake Superior, and forms a metropolitan area with Superior, Wisconsin, called the Twin Ports. These two cities share the Duluth-Superior Harbor and together are the world's largest inland port and one of the most important ports on the Great Lakes, shipping coal, iron ore (taconite), and grain. The city is named for Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut, the first known European explorer of the area.
Northland news
Northland Foundation
Event: March 19, 2010
Labor Market and Econonic Data for Community Leaders
Duluth – A two-hour workshop about data from the Minnesota Department of Economic Development, Minnesota Compass, and the Duluth Prosperity Index. Duluth Workforce Center, 10:00-noon. Cost is free, but please RSVP to Drew Digby, 218-723-4775, by March 16.
News notes:
Northland Foundation receives nearly $1 million for nonprofit capacity building
Age to Age newsletter
A program that brings together generations and communities
Blandin Foundation
Minnesota High Speed Broadband Task Force
Featured on Almanac North and in Information Week
Itasca County Transportation
Public comment sought on recommendations
Grant Awards announced
Blandin Foundation gives $3.9 million. See the funded projects.
Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation
Community Foundation announces grant recipients
Awards totaling more than $306,000
2009 Touchstone Awards
See photo gallery
