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Hailed “an overnight success story, decades in the making” by the Star Tribune*, Anoka County has “catapulted into the metro consciousness…with some of the region's most daring and forward-looking projects” of the decade. It's no fluke that so many major developments are landing in Anoka County. The county is close the core cities, but still has space available at reasonable prices. “Taxes are low and business incentives high. Civic and business leaders have toiled for decades to set this stage."
Location & Access Anoka County sits just north of Minneapolis and Saint Paul on the banks of the Mississippi River. Close enough to be accessible, it borders Isanti County on the north, Chisago and Washington Counties on the east, Ramsey and Hennepin Counties on the south, and Hennepin and Sherburne Counties on the west. At 440 square miles, the county occupies both sides of the Rum River.
Major Industries & Employers Businesses, attracted by affordable land, are building and expanding. Medtronic, the world's leading medical technology company, headquarters here. Corporate giants like Aveda, United Defense, Hoffman Engineering, Onan, and Federal Cartridge strengthen and diversify its economic base.
Population & Workforce Anoka County is a magnet for growth. It is the fourth most populated county in Minnesota. It grew at almost twice the rate of the rest of the state from 1990 to 2000. Its housing units jumped by 25% during the 1990s. Residents are well-educated and take pride in their work and community. Most have at lease a high school education (91%), own their own home (84%), and have an average household income that’s 30% higher than the statewide average.
Transportation Much of Anoka County lies within a 20-mile radius of downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Businesses are served by Interstates 35W, 35E, and 694. Highway 65 dissects the county, heading straight north from downtown Minneapolis. U.S. Highway 10 connects the county to the St. Cloud market. The first phase of the Northstar commuter rail, scheduled to begin carrying passengers in 2009, is expected to fan the county's growth. The 40-mile segment will run along Highways 10 and 47 from Big Lake to Minneapolis.
Quality of Life World-class sports and recreation facilities define Anoka County. It has 125 lakes and 18 parks covering 8,000 acres. Its National Sports Center in Blaine is the largest soccer complex in the world. Host to the prestigious USA Cup and more than 55 national events each year, the Center also offers competitive hockey, cycling, track and field, and youth golf. The county boasts a dozen golf courses, including the TPC of the Twin Cities – home of the Senior PGA 3M Championship. * Star Tribune, March 6, 2005
Demographics Demographic profile of Anoka County
Colleges & Universities Anoka Technical CollegeAnoka-Ramsey Community College Minnesota School of Business, Brooklyn Center & Blaine Campuses Rasmussen College, Brooklyn Park Campus
Major Cities & Populations
Population Estimates: Metropolitan Council, April 1, 2006
Economic Development Contact Karen Skepper, Community Development Manager
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