The 19th-century development of St. Cloud was inevitable. Between the expansion of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad and the growing interest in granite quarrying across the nation, the area’s attraction was undeniable for settlers. It’s from this history that the Mississippi River settlement earned its nickname, “The Granite City.”
Today, St. Cloud is home to more than 70,000 residents. As the largest city in central Minnesota, it houses both St. Cloud University and an active downtown area that appeals to families and college students alike. “When we look at the city today, it’s important to remember where we came from,” says Rachel Thompson, executive director of the St. Cloud Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Residual parts of Downtown Saint Cloud echo back to the lumber mills; the granite quarries and nature preserves are some of our top attractions. It’s that small-town charm with big city amenities, with our local businesses as the lifeblood of our community.”
With the land rich in granite and other minerals, areas in and around St. Cloud still have active quarries.
Historic brick and stone buildings house many restaurants, shops, and offices in downtown St. Cloud.
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Skating on Lake George, swimming at Quarry Park
St. Cloud has more than 90 parks and 25 miles of trails all through the city. Paired with the Mississippi River, which flows through the downtown area, residents have ample opportunities to explore the natural landscape. “Whether you’re looking to ski in the winter, fish for trout, or go rock climbing, it’s all there,” Thompson says. “We really try to make the most of those four seasons, especially at Lake George.” Eastman Park, known colloquially as Lake George, boasts a lively band shell in the summer and an ice rink in the winter. Farther east, beyond city limits, Quarry Park and Nature Preserve showcases the rich history of St. Cloud’s granite mining industry. The 683-acre natural area features scenic woodlands and swimming quarries.
Lake George in St. Cloud provides residents and visitors fishing in the summer and ice skating in the winter.
Quarry Park and Nature Preserve in St. Cloud features rustic hiking trails, rock climbing, and quarry swimming.
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The Hallmark charm of Downtown St. Cloud
Division Street, which rests between Colonial Gardens and Seberger-Roosevelt , is a central thoroughfare lined with shopping and dining options. Chain grocers like Costco Wholesale and Lunds & Byerlys are down the road from big-name retailers like Target and TJ Maxx. Locally owned haunts are interwoven, particularly in Downtown St. Cloud.
“The downtown area is very much like a Hallmark Christmas movie,” Thompson says. “We have lights strung about, small shops and retail. It’s really a charming district to wine and dine in.” Comprising a handful of city blocks between Tenth Avenue and the Mississippi River, Downtown St. Cloud offers bookstores, bars, boutiques and a summer farmer’s market. Many businesses operate out of century-old buildings mere blocks from the waterfront.
Lunds & Byerlys is one of many grocery store options for St. Cloud residents.
Cozy eateries and quaint boutiques are tucked into charming storefronts in downtown St. Cloud.
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Free summertime concerts at Eastman Park
Each year, from June to August, the Rotary Club of St. Cloud hosts Summertime by George. The free concert series takes place in the Lake George neighborhood and features live music and local vendors. “The series brings tens of thousands of people to Lake George,” Thompson says. “But the park is largely programmed throughout the year with cultural events. The city really embraces that band shell.” Granite City Days also takes place in the summer. The weekend-long festival celebrates the St. Cloud community with fishing tournaments, petting zoos and regional musicians. “We also have weekly farmer’s markets and Art in the Garden at Munsinger Gardens, which is always very lovely,” she continues. “We’ve got drag shows, burlesque shows, dueling pianos, speakeasies. I mean, there’s loads of entertainment across the city.”
St. Cloud's Eastman Park and Lake George provide a backdrop for numerous events and activities throughout the year.
St. Cloud's picturesque Clemens and Munsinger Gardens is home to weekly farmers markets and Art in the Garden.
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Rural and urban living in The Granite City
While modern subdivisions have steadily increased in St. Cloud, historic homes constructed before 1960 still comprise a large part of the market. Bungalows and ranch-style homes sit closer to the city center, while new traditional and contemporary homes rest farther out, constructed as recently as the 2010s. "There's a great deal of land available for those seeking that city lifestyle but want to retreat home to more acreage," Thompson says. "You're not talking about an hour's commute into the city; you're talking about minutes. But there are also apartments and high-rises, so it's a nice mix. You can get the rural setting or the urban, walkable setting." Altogether, the median home price in St. Cloud sits around $250,000, significantly below the national median.
Closer to the city core of St. Cloud, classic ranch-style homes are common.
New traditional-style home construction is becoming commonplace as St. Cloud's housing development continues to expand.
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St. Cloud State University gives back
Students citywide attend St. Cloud Area School District No. 742. With 14 schools enrolling approximately 10,000 students each year, the district earns an overall B-minus on Niche. The city is also home to St. Cloud Technical & Community College and St. Cloud State University. “St. Cloud U is a huge community supporter,” Thompson says. “They’re part of the Downtown Alliance, so they sponsor and host events that people show up for all the time.” With top majors including business, education and health services, the university extends dual-enrollment opportunities to local high school students to get a head start.
St. Cloud Technical & Community College is a highly-rated school, ranking fourth best community college in Minnesota.
St. Cloud State University is a well-regarded educational institution in central Minnesota.
Once a hub of granite quarries and lumber mills, St. Cloud today is a haven for healthcare workers and teachers. “We definitely have some remote employees that live in town and work elsewhere, but we also have a lot of opportunities for local employment,” Thompson says. St. Cloud Hospital and the St. Cloud VA Health Care System are the city’s largest employers, along with St. Cloud Area School District No. 742, according to the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce.
Residents are primarily car-dependent, though St. Cloud provides Metro Bus service throughout the city. Twin Cities commuters typically rely on Interstate 94, while Route 10 and Route 15 are major thoroughfares for local travel. St. Cloud Regional Airport is a public-use facility providing domestic flights to Phoenix, Arizona and seasonal flights to Punta Gorda, Florida. Most residents fly commercially out of Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, 75 miles south.
Crime statistics in St. Cloud
While crime rates have declined across Minnesota since 2020, St. Cloud’s fluctuate more frequently and skew higher than state and national averages. The CAP Index identifies pockets in the downtown area and Route 10 corridor to experience a higher crime risk overall.
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