A Postcard from Grand Rapids. Minnesota
We came for the wilderness and we’ve found more than we expected. Our vacation home is near acres of forest, and we can hike, hunt and fish to our hearts content. And best of all—no traffic jams to contend with, except perhaps the Bald Eagles.

  

About Grand Rapids

Acreage for $1,000 an acre? Lake front homes for under $200,000? Are we dreaming? Are we back in time? No, we are in Grand Rapids. Which Grand Rapids, you may ask… Michigan? North Dakota? No, the best kept secret for vacation homes is Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Land, lots of it, hunting, fishing, lakes, and all very affordable await the second home buyer in Grand Rapids.

Selected as one of the Best Small Towns in America, Grand Rapids offers all the attractions, events and recreational opportunities one could want in a vacation getaway. Outdoor adventures, scenic beauty and preserved local heritage come together in the 1,000 Grand Lakes area for a truly memorable experience. Grand Rapids also serves as the southern gateway to the Chippewa National Forest where you can enjoy hundreds of miles of trails and nearly one million acres of forests. Hiking, biking, snowmobiling, nordic skiing, world-class fishing, hunting and championship golf are just a few of the recreational activities offered year-round in Itasca County. Family vacations are especially fun with beaches, eagles and lost of singing and dancing to entertain the kids.

Unlike other ‘vacation only’ destinations, Grand Rapids has strong roots and an economy that lives on things other than tourists. This gives the area a much more settled feeling, where quality of life is foremost in the minds of city planners. Good health care systems and schools attract lots of families as permanent residents.

Several nearby towns have great homes, including Effie, 47 miles away at the other end of the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway. Other nearby towns include Deer River, Bigfork and Hibbing. .

An Average Lifestyle in Grand Rapids, Minnesota
The first question people have about living in Minnesota is: what about the weather? Well, from personal experience, it seems no one complains until it gets to be -30. People have adapted, they are acclimatized, expect the cold and still do lots of winter sports. Summer is equally fun outdoors, and there, weather complaints don’t start till it’s in the 80’s when “it’s too hot” can be heard. People here are rugged, rooted to the land, love the beauty and love Minnesota. What more could you ask?

Housing

Costs: Great prices, with a median price in 2000 of $78,000.

Things to Do in Grand Rapids

Spend time at Chippewa National Forest hiking and camping

Hiking

Biking

Snowmobiling

Nordic skiing

World-class fishing

Hunting

Championship golf

Shopping

Canoeing

Bird watching – Bald eagles

Drive the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway

Sledding and skiing on Mount Itasca

Ice fishing

Cultural Activities in Grand Rapids

Judy Garland Festival

Judy Garland Museum

Children’s Discovery Museum

Visit Blandin Paper mill

Forest History Center

Grand Rapids Players

Itasca Orchestral Society

Myles Reif Performing Arts Center (symphony, ballet, dance)

West Range Country Show

Tall Timber Festival Days

Near-By Excursions

Ironworld Discovery Center

Itasca Heritage Center Museum

Hill Annex Mine State Park, Calumet

Location
Itasca County, Minnesota, in the North East quadrant of Minnesota

Elevation: 1290 ft

Size: 7.3 sq miles

Distance to other major cities

Duluth, MN: 102 miles

Minneapolis, MN: 157

Getting To Grand Rapids, Minnesota

By plane to Grand Rapids/Itasco county, or Chilsolm-Hibbing (50 miles)

Weather
Well, it’s Minnesota, after all. So the winters are cold. Be prepared.

Annual Average Temperature: Jan: 5.7, July 67.

Annual Average Snowfall: about 70 inches in the city in the long winter. No snow falls in June through August.

Economics and Demographics

Population: (2002) 7,778

Median Age, 2000: 40.9

Median Household Income: $28,991

Principle Industries
"Trees, Tourism and Taconite" (Paper Mills, Logging, mining)

Higher Education

Itasca Community College