Community Profiles

County Seat: Aitkin Aitkin County is strategically located between the northern Minnesota urban centers of Brainerd, Grand Rapids and Duluth.  Its largest Industries are tourism, forest products, and agriculture, but there is a growing base of metal fabrication and other manufacturing. The county has excellent public schools, well-developed transportation systems, and modern community health care facilities.  Long famous for its recreational assets, it boasts an abundance of trails and lakes, including Mille Lacs, one of Minnesota’s most popular and prolific fishing destinations. The Mississippi River runs through the county seat. Year Population Households Average Household Size Average Household Income 2015 16,299 7,380 2.17 $55,279 2020 16,520 7,533 2.16 $62,743 Source: Northland Connection, ESRI...Learn More »

County Seat: Ashland Nestled on the south shore of Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay, the City of Ashland boasts historic charm, modern convenience, and a diverse economy. Home to Memorial Medical Center, Northland College, and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, Ashland also contains a strong manufacturing base. “The heart and soul of Chequamegon Bay,” Ashland is the seat of Ashland County and the commercial hub of the region Historic downtown Ashland is characterized by extraordinary turn-of-the-century brownstone buildings. As you browse the many unique shops, take time to view the distinct architectural styles on display as well as the many vibrant murals, each highlighting a particular aspect of Ashland’s colorful past. From Butternut in the south to Madeline Island in the north, Ashland County’s over two dozen eye-catching murals dazzle visitors all year long. Year Population Households Average Household Size Average Household Income ...Learn More »

County Seat: Bayfield We are located on the shores of Lake Superior in America’s heartland. This is the “Home of Wisconsin’s National Treasures” - including the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the world-famous Ice Caves, in addition to the first ever Tribal National Park! With 800+ miles of paved roads and not one traffic light, you may be surprised by all the shops and galleries, great restaurants and lodging options. Amenities include 600 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 38 hiking trails, over a dozen orchards & fruit farms, and the Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway. Year Population Households Average Household Size Average Household Income 2015 15,114 6,756 2.2 $57,005 2020 15,526 6,994 2.2 $65,569 Source: Northland Connection, ESRI...Learn More »

County Seat: Carlton Carlton County in northeastern Minnesota offers abundant opportunities for growth oriented companies. The region’s wood products industries form a strong, stable, base that complements and supports many other manufacturing, service, and retail businesses. Two key transportation arteries, Interstate 35 and Minnesota Highway 210, converge in Carlton County. They combine with exceptional railroad infrastructure and close proximity to Great Lakes shipping to create an ideal location from which to manufacture and deliver goods. Carlton County also features quality K-12 and higher education, community health care and many recreational opportunities. Year Population Households Average Household Size Average Household Income 2015 35,740 13,750 2.45 $62,116 2020 36,063 13,901 2.45 $70,588 Source: Northland Connection, ESRI...Learn More »

County Seat: Grand Marais Cook County is located in the far northeast corner of Minnesota and sits on the edge of Lake Superior, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Superior National Forest. This breathtaking region, with its towering trees, rocky cliffs and quaint harbor communities, enjoys strong tourism and forest products industries and a thriving real estate market. Thanks to careful planning, a growing number of light manufacturing and technology-based businesses are choosing to locate in Cook County. The city of Grand Marais features a business development area with 85 acres. Year Population Households Average Household Size Average Household Income 2015 45,562 19,238 2.32 $60,868 2020 46,404 19,682 2.31 $68,024 Source: Northland Connection, ESRI...Learn More »

County Seat: Superior Douglas County is located in northwest Wisconsin at the head of Lake Superior. Superior is Douglas County's largest municipality. With Duluth, MN, Superior forms the largest port on the Great Lakes by tonnage. Superior is home to the University of Wisconsin Superior and the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. Major industries in Douglas County include: transportation, manufacturing, wood products, petroleum and tourism. The County offers outstanding K-12 and higher education, first-class health care facilities and a high quality of life. Douglas County is a transportation hub served by an international shipping port, North America's longest pipeline, four Class I railroads and several trucking firms. Interstate 35 and four-lane U.S. Highway 53 connect Douglas County to major metropolitan areas in the upper Midwest and throughout the U.S. Douglas County has some of the lowest electric rates in the Midwest. Douglas County offers a number of economic development...Learn More »

County Seat: Grand Rapids Itasca County in northern Minnesota boasts two million acres, one thousand lakes and one mighty Mississippi River. Long a popular vacation destination, the region is attracting a growing number of technology-based companies and manufacturers, who appreciate operating in a small-town environment with big-time amenities. A modern airport and well-developed transportation system, robust telecommunications infrastructure, exceptional training and educational opportunities, competitive industrial property, skilled and available workforce and business-friendly climate are just a few of reasons Itasca County communities are experiencing economic growth. Year Population Households Average Household Size Average Household Income 2015 45,562 19,238 2.32 $60,868 2020 46,404 19,682 2.31 $68,024 Source: Northland Connection, ESRI...Learn More »

County Seat: International Falls Koochiching County in northern Minnesota offers businesses ample room to grow. The largest city, International Falls, is on the United States/Canada border, a strategic location from which to serve markets in both countries. Agriculture, forest products and tourism are dominant industries, but Koochiching County offers competitive advantages for all types of businesses. Low-priced energy, ready industrial sites, a skilled workforce, quality highway and rail services, higher education and health care, and advancing telecommunications are just a few. If that's not enough, Voyageurs National Park is right in the backyard! Year Population Households Average Household Size Average Household Income 2015 13,054 5,799 2.21 $59,764 2020 12,910 5,774 2.19 $66,670 Source: Northland Connection, ESRI...Learn More »

County Seat: Two Harbors Lake County in northeastern Minnesota is known for its rustic beauty, with four state parks on its Lake Superior shoreline and parts of the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness within its borders. It also is an attractive location for businesses. Major industries in Lake County are mining, logging, wood products, shipping and transportation, manufacturing, health care and tourism. Two cities are operating harbors for Great Lakes shipping. The county offers great schools, a modern hospital, easy highway and rail access, skilled workers and many business incentives. Year Population Households Average Household Size Average Household Income 2015 10,791 4,813 2.20 $61,801 2020 10,754 4,817 2.19 $69,266 Source: Northland Connection, ESRI...Learn More »

County Seat: Duluth St. Louis County in northeastern Minnesota stretches from the international port city of Duluth to the Canadian border. It encompasses much of the eastern Iron Range, including Hibbing and the Quad Cities (Eveleth, Gilbert, Mountain Iron, Virginia) plus Ely, a popular gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Major industries include mining, wood and paper products, shipping/transportation, health care and tourism. The region offers convenient access to air, rail, seaway and highway transportation. It features excellent K-12 and higher education, a thriving medical community and outstanding recreational opportunities. Year Population Households Average Household Size Average Household Income 2015 200,418 85,856 2.23 $59,085 2020 201,931 86,828 2.22 $67,387 Source: Northland Connection, ESRI...Learn More »