Bemidji, Minnesota

"Bemidji" redirects here. For the lake, see Lake Bemidji.
Bemidji, Minnesota
City
Beltrami Avenue
Beltrami Avenue
Flag of Bemidji, Minnesota
Flag
Motto: 
"The First City on the Mississippi"
Location of the city of Bemidji within Beltrami County in the state of Minnesota
Location of the city of Bemidji
within Beltrami County
in the state of Minnesota
Coordinates: 47°28′25″N 94°52′49″W / 47.47361°N 94.88028°W / 47.47361; -94.88028
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyBeltrami
Founded1888
IncorporatedMay 20, 1896
Government
 • MayorJorge Prince
Area
[1]
 • City
22.335 sq mi (57.847 km2)
 • Land17.440 sq mi (45.169 km2)
 • Water4.895 sq mi (12.679 km2)  21.90%
Elevation
[3]
1,368 ft (417 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • City
14,574
 • Estimate 
(2022)[5]
15,946
 • Density914.0/sq mi (353.0/km2)
 • Urban
14,849[2]
 • Metro
46,718 (US: 246th)
Time zoneUTC–6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
56601
Area code218
FIPS code27-05068
GNIS feature ID0655325[3]
Sales tax7.875%[6]
Websiteci.bemidji.mn.us

Bemidji (/bəˈmɪdʒiː/ bə-MIJ-ee)[7] is a city and the county seat of Beltrami County,[8] in northern Minnesota, United States. The population was 14,574 at the 2020 census.[4] According to 2022 census estimates, the city is estimated to have a population of 15,946,[5] making it the largest commercial center between Grand Forks, North Dakota and Duluth.

As a central city for three Indian reservations, Bemidji is the site of many Native American services, including the Indian Health Service. Near Bemidji are the Red Lake Indian Reservation, White Earth Indian Reservation, and the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. Bemidji lies on the southwest shore of Lake Bemidji, the northernmost lake feeding the Mississippi River; it is nicknamed "The First City on the Mississippi". Bemidji is also the self-proclaimed "curling capital" of the U.S. and the alleged birthplace of legendary Paul Bunyan.

  1. ^ "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  2. ^ United States Census Bureau (April 18, 2024). "2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications". Federal Register.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Bemidji, Minnesota
  4. ^ a b "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference USCensusEst2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Bemidji (MN) sales tax rate". Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  7. ^ "Minnesota Pronunciation Guide". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  8. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.