Saint Paul, Minnesota

Saint Paul, often called St. Paul, is the capital city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is also the county seat of Ramsey County.

Saint Paul and its neighbor Minneapolis form the core of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Important places in Saint Paul include the Minnesota State Capitol and the Science Museum of Minnesota. The city is also home to several sports teams, such as the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota United FC, and the minor-league baseball team the St. Paul Saints.

Saint Paul was established in November 1849 near Dakota Sioux settlements. It became a city in 1854 and later grew important because of railroads. The city has a mayor–council government, and its current mayor is Kaohly Her, who began her term in 2026.

History

Main article: History of Saint Paul, Minnesota

The area now known as Saint Paul has a long history. Native American burial mounds show that people lived there as long as 2,000 years ago. The Dakota people, called the Mdewakanton, lived near the river and named the area Imniza-Ska, meaning 'white cliffs,' because of the sandstone cliffs.

In the early 1800s, American soldiers built Fort Snelling nearby. Traders and settlers came, and a small community grew, first called “Pig’s Eye” after a local tavern owner. In 1841, a priest named Lucien Galtier built a chapel and named it after Saint Paul, and the settlement took that name too.

Saint Paul became an important place for travel and trade. Many steamboats stopped there, and it was the last good place for boats to land before the river became too shallow. Later, railroads were built there as well. Over time, many different groups of people came to live in Saint Paul.

In 1904, storms and tornadoes damaged many buildings in the downtown area. In the 1960s, some neighborhoods were torn down for new roads. This brought attention to unfair housing practices.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Saint Paul welcomed new immigrants, including many people from Southeast Asia. The city has a special archive to preserve the history of the Hmong community.

In late 2025 and early 2026, there were large efforts to enforce immigration laws, leading to many protests and legal actions.

Geography

Saint Paul is a city in Minnesota shaped by water. It is where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers meet. This place was formed long ago during the last ice age. Glaciers and ancient lakes helped create the rivers and the steep hills. Saint Paul is in the eastern part of the state.

The Mississippi River forms part of the city's western border, with Minneapolis nearby to the west. Other nearby cities and towns include Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Roseville, Maplewood, West Saint Paul, South Saint Paul, Lilydale, Mendota, and Mendota Heights. The city's largest lakes are Pig's Eye Lake, Lake Phalen, and Lake Como. According to the United States Census Bureau, Saint Paul covers an area of 56.18 square miles (145.51 km²), with 51.98 square miles (134.63 km²) of land and 4.20 square miles (10.88 km²) of water.

The city has many parks and recreation areas, ranking second in the United States for park quality and access.

Neighborhoods

Main article: Neighborhoods in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Saint Paul is divided into 17 planning districts to help neighborhoods take part in local government. These districts give neighborhood groups a say in land use and development, and they help organize community activities.

The city's 17 Planning Districts are:

1. Southeast
2. Greater East Side
3. West Side
4. Dayton's Bluff
5. Payne-Phalen
6. North End
7. Thomas Dale (Frogtown)
8. Summit-University
9. West Seventh
10. Como Park
11. Hamline-Midway
12. Saint Anthony Park
13. Union Park
14. Macalester-Groveland
15. Highland Park
16. Summit Hill
17. Downtown

Climate

See also: Climate of the Twin Cities and Climate of Minnesota

Saint Paul has cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers, typical of the Upper Midwest. The city can experience many types of weather, including snow, ice, rain, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and fog. Because it is far north and lacks large lakes to control the temperature, Saint Paul can get very cold in the winter.

Climate change may bring more extreme heat and heavier rains, which could lead to flooding. Changes in temperature and rain patterns might also affect the spread of certain diseases carried by insects.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Saint Paul, Minnesota

2020 census

In the census of 2020, Saint Paul had 311,527 people. The population density was 5,994 people per square mile. There were 127,392 places to live, with an average of 2,451 per square mile.

In terms of race, the people were 50.5% White (including 21.1% German), 19.2% Asian (including 10.9% Hmong, 2.53% Burmese, 0.85% Vietnamese, 0.69% Chinese, 0.51% Indian), 16.8% Black or African American, 1% Native American, 4.8% from other races and 7.6% from two or more races. About 9.7% of the people were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.

According to the American Community Survey for 2016–2020, the average household income was $59,717, and the average family income was $74,852. Men who worked full-time earned about $50,186, while women earned about $45,541. The per capita income was $32,779. About 13.2% of families and 17.9% of all people lived below the poverty line. This included 27% of children under age 18 and 10.1% of people aged 65 or older. Of people aged 25 or older, 87.6% had finished high school, and 41.3% had a bachelor's degree or higher.

2010 census

In the 2010 census, Saint Paul had 285,068 people, 111,001 households, and 59,689 families. The population density was 5,484 people per square mile. There were 120,795 places to live, with an average of 2,324 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 60.1% White, 15.7% African American, 1.1% Native American, 15% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.9% from other races, and 4.2% from two or more races. About 9.6% of the people were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.

The average age was 30.9 years. About 25.1% of people were under 18; 13.9% were aged 18 to 24; 29.6% were aged 25 to 44; 22.6% were aged 45 to 64; and 9% were aged 65 or older. Women made up 51.1% of the population, and men made up 48.9%.

Ethnic history

The first known people in the St. Paul area, from around 400 AD, were part of the Hopewell tradition. They buried their dead in mounds on the river bluffs (now Indian Mounds Park). Later, the Mdewakanton Dakota people lived there in the 1600s.

By 1800, French-Canadian explorers visited the area, and fur traders came too. Fort Snelling and Pig's Eye Tavern brought the first people from New England and English, Irish, and Scottish backgrounds. Many Irish settlers lived in Connemara Patch along the Mississippi River.

In 1850, many Swedish immigrants passed through St. Paul on their way to farms in other areas. Some settled in Swede Hollow.

By the 1980s, many Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian people who had to leave their homes because of war settled in the Thomas-Dale area. Soon after, many Hmong people also came to St. Paul. By 2000, St. Paul had the largest group of Hmong people in the country.

Hmong Americans make up about 11% of St. Paul's population today. Other groups from Southeast Asia, like Burmese Americans from the Karen and Karenni groups, also live in Saint Paul. They came to the U.S. in the 2000s and 2010s because of problems in Myanmar.

Mexican people have lived in St. Paul since the 1930s. The largest group of Mexican Americans lives on St. Paul's West Side.

Since the 1990s, many Somalis and Ethiopians have made Saint Paul their home, leaving places where there was conflict.

African Americans first came to St. Paul as servants to officers at Fort Snelling. Today, they are one of the largest groups in the city.

Economy

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul–Bloomington area has many jobs, and most people work in services.

Big companies in Saint Paul include Ecolab and Securian Financial Group Inc.. The 3M Company moved to Saint Paul in 1910 and had an important old building there.

Saint Paul has used special money to help build the city, like for a stadium and affordable housing.

Housing

In 2021, Saint Paul tried to help with rising rent by limiting how much rent could increase each year. But this rule changed later, and rent increases became like those in nearby Minneapolis. The city has many homes, and about the same number of people rent as own.

Culture

Every January, Saint Paul hosts the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a fun event that began in 1886. It has ice and snow sculpting contests, a treasure hunt, food, and many activities. The Como Zoo and Conservatory and its Japanese Garden are popular places to visit all year. The historic Landmark Center in downtown Saint Paul is home to many cultural groups.

Saint Paul is where famous cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, creator of Peanuts, was born. His work has inspired large decorations around the city. The city has many places to enjoy music and theater, including the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and the Minnesota Opera. Saint Paul also has many museums, such as the Minnesota Children's Museum and the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Sports

Main articles: Sports in Minneapolis–Saint Paul and Sports in Minnesota

Saint Paul has many sports teams and activities. The Minnesota Wild play hockey in downtown Saint Paul at the Grand Casino Arena. This arena opened in 2000 and can host many sports and concerts. It is where the Minnesota high school boys hockey tournament and girls volleyball tournament take place.

The St. Paul Saints are a baseball team that plays at CHS Field in downtown Saint Paul. Saint Paul also has teams for soccer, roller derby, and curling, among other sports. There are many organized sports teams in Saint Paul run by the city's Parks and Recreation department.

Saint Paul is home to many famous sports players, including several who became well-known in Major League Baseball while playing for the Minnesota Twins. The city also has a big circus school called Circus Juventas.

In 2019, a new soccer stadium called Allianz Field opened in Saint Paul. It is where the Minnesota United FC team plays.

Government and politics

Main articles: Government and politics in Saint Paul, Minnesota and List of mayors of Saint Paul, Minnesota

Saint Paul has a mayor who leads the city, and seven council members who help make decisions. The mayor is chosen by everyone in the city, and council members are chosen by smaller areas called wards. The city uses a special voting system called ranked choice voting, and leaders serve for four years.

The city is led by its first African-American mayor, Melvin Carter. All seven council members are women. Saint Paul is also the capital of Minnesota, home to important state buildings and offices. It is part of Minnesota's 4th congressional district, represented by Betty McCollum.

The city is the county seat of Ramsey County, named after Alexander Ramsey, the state's first governor. Ramsey County is the smallest and most crowded county in Minnesota. It has a special form of government where a board chooses a county manager.

Education

Main article: Education in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Saint Paul is a city with many schools and colleges. It has more colleges and universities than many other cities in the United States, except for Boston. Some well-known schools in Saint Paul include Saint Catherine University, Concordia University, Hamline University, Macalester College, the University of St. Thomas, and the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus.

The Saint Paul Public Schools district is the largest in Minnesota. It serves many students and has schools for different ages, including elementary, middle, and high schools. The students speak many different languages.

Media

Main article: Media in the Twin Cities

People in Saint Paul can watch 10 television stations. Five of these stations broadcast from the city. There is one main newspaper, the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and several smaller neighborhood papers. Media outlets based in Minneapolis, like the Star Tribune, also serve Saint Paul.

Saint Paul is home to two big national broadcast companies. Hubbard Broadcasting is located between Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is a network with many stations. It offers local news, classical music, and other types of music. The station has many listeners in the region.

Transportation

Residents of Saint Paul use Interstate 35E that runs north–south and Interstate 94 that runs east–west. Other important roads include U.S. Highway 52, Minnesota State Highway 280, and Minnesota State Highway 5. The city has special roads like Ayd Mill Road and Shepard Road/Warner Roads that follow the shape of the land. Biking is becoming more popular with new bike lanes connecting to other paths in the metropolitan area. Downtown Saint Paul has a covered skyway system that stretches over many blocks.

Metro Transit offers bus and light rail service. The METRO Green Line is a light rail line that links downtown Saint Paul to downtown Minneapolis. It started service in 2014 and has many stops along the way. Plans are also in place for new rail lines to connect Saint Paul to the airport and shopping centers.

The Empire Builder train, operated by Amtrak, stops in Saint Paul on its trips between Chicago and Seattle or Portland. A new train service called the Borealis began in 2024, running between Saint Paul and Chicago.

Although Holman Airfield was important in the past, most flights in the area use the large Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. This airport is home to many airlines and serves as a main hub for Delta Air Lines and Sun Country Airlines.

Sister cities

Saint Paul has many sister cities around the world. These cities are friends and work together in many ways. Some of Saint Paul's sister cities are:

• Changsha, China
• Ciudad Romero, El Salvador
• Culiacán, Mexico
• Djibouti City, Djibouti
• George, South Africa
• Manzanillo, Mexico
• Modena, Italy
• Mogadishu, Somalia
• Nagasaki, Japan
• Neuss, Germany
• Novosibirsk, Russia
• Tiberias, Israel

Notable people

Saint Paul, Minnesota has been home to many famous people. Some well-known names include actors like Walter Abel and Josh Hartnett. Comedians such as Louie Anderson and Mitch Hedberg also come from there. Authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald grew up in the city.

The city has produced many athletes, including Olympic gymnast Sunisa Lee. Baseball players like Joe Mauer and Paul Molitor were born there. Hockey players such as Herbie Brooks and Lindsey Vonn are also from Saint Paul. Other famous individuals include Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, and Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota.