Elk River MN

Welcome to the picturesque community of Elk River!

Founded February 25, 1856, Elk River Minnesota is the largest city in Sherburne County and sits as the 6th Congressional District and the county seat for Sherburne County.

It’s approximately 24,506 residents* enjoy a rich historic downtown atmosphere and culture with all of the benefits of today’s comforts, amenities, and conveniences sought by many young families of today. Located about 34 miles northwest of Minneapolis and set at the confluence of the mighty Mississippi and Elk Rivers, you’ll find a treasure of shopping, dining, and recreation throughout its city limits.

The Foundation of the Community

Elk River’s original city center; incorporated in 1880, shifted over the years with the building of the railroads and highway systems that serve that community and county today. The charm of the community’s landscape is comprised of beautiful hardwood forests and hard-mineral hills; not great for farming like other neighboring areas of northwestern Minnesota, but its coarse materials were perfect for gravel mining which continues to support the community today.

Families will enjoy over 800 acres of park land shared between over 40 different park areas. There are two great golf courses; the municipal 9-hole Pinewood Golf Course, and the 18-hole Elk River Golf Club. And, the Elk River Arena offers families ice skating, including a Skate with Santa event in December, an indoor walking path, and seasonal craft fairs to keep you moving all year long. There’s also the recently acquired ERX Motor Park; a powersports playground offering entertaining and family-friendly competitions year-round, attracting over 30,000 fans and racers, and bringing in millions of dollars to the community each year.

And, as much as there is for young families, Elk River also offers a vibrant community for the 55+ community from an active senior center and activity center, to the adult book club that meets at the Great River Regional Library in town. No matter how young or old, there’s always something happening in town to get the community out and engaging. You can find an annual snapshot of things to come by checking out the city’s official website and calendar of activities & events.

A Closer Look at Elk River’s Business-Community

From the popular ERX Motor Park to the vast number of restaurants, diners, grills & bars, coffee houses, and all your traditional shopping outlets, Elk River is an economically thriving community offering a variety of leisure and necessity purchase options for residents and visitors alike.

In addition to those retail and food and beverage businesses, companies like Sportech, Classic Acrylics, and Northwoods Machine offer great and important employment opportunities in the community. And, because of its geographic position and local transportation development, residents can conveniently access work in neighboring communities.

You can learn more about the economic development of the Elk River community by visiting http://www.econdev.elkrivermn.gov/ .

Residents and visitors alike agree the small-town feel with an urban-living lifestyle makes for the perfect place to call home. 

Schools/School District

DISTRICT 728