History & Vision
Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River, Sauk Rapids is a thriving Central Minnesota city with a rich history. It began in 1851 with a single house and is now home to 13,250 residents, making it a vital part of one of the fastest growing regions in MN.
Sauk Rapids offers the many benefits of being part of the regional economic hub, yet has the humble tranquility of a smaller town. Residents appreciate the comfort and security of living in a close-knit community, citing it as an excellent place in which to live, work, raise families, and operate businesses.
Economic Development
The Sauk Rapids economy boasts a diverse mix of industry, retail, professional, and service businesses. The thriving downtown embraces its rich and full. history, while welcoming fresh opportunities. Downtown currently houses several diverse retails and service businesses, including:
- Manea’s Meats
- Sauk Rapids Herald
- Coborn’s Super Store
- Rock Creek Coffeehouse
- Copper Pony
- Dutch Maid Bakery
Industrial Growth
Sauk Rapids is an established community with extraordinary growth potential. Located approximately 70 miles northwest of the Twin Cities, the community is conveniently situated on U.S. Highways 10 & 15, and just minutes from I-94. The city has industrial parks located on the outskirts of three different areas of the community, incorporating a diverse mix of manufacturing, light industrial, heavy industrial, and retail. All have land available for new or expanding businesses.
Education
Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools offer comprehensive educational opportunities for approximately 4,500 students. With strong leadership and vision for the future, the Sauk Rapids-Rice school district has an outstanding reputation in Minnesota & beyond. Students, staff, and district are regularly recognized for excellence and continue to earn local, state and national awards. Recent highlights include:
- Personalized learning through technology
- Above average performance on college readiness testss
- Increased enrollment of more than 800 students since 2010
- Minnesota School Finance Award 2012-2016
- Two-time nationally recognized Board of Education
- Partnerships with St. Cloud Technical & Community College and St. Cloud State University
- Nationally recognized Early Childhood Program
The area is also home to several parochial and private schools.
Recreation
Parks & Trails
Residents cite leisure activities and facilities as both a priority and a perk of living here. Sauk Rapids is home to numerous city parks offering playgrounds, a wading pool, picnic areas, walking trails, ice rinks, ball fields, and tennis and basketball courts. Residents can bike, walk, and ski along the Mississippi River.
Sauk Rapids’ historic connections to the mighty Mississippi River continue to be a source of pride among residents who enjoy biking, walking, and skiing along its banks. Bicycle enthusiasts now have a bike fixi-it station on the Mississippi River Trail, thanks to efforts by the Great River Rotary Club. The kiosk offers bicycle repair tools, a map of trails within the Sauk Rapids area, and directions to local businesses.
Skating
Located on the Benton County Fairgrounds, Sports Arena East provides indoor skating opportunities for areas residents. It is home to Sauk Rapids Youth Hockey, Sauk Rapids-Rice Storm Boys High School Hockey, and the Granite City Lumberjacks.
Raceway
For armchair sports enthusiasts, Sauk Rapids offers a unique venue on Golden Spike Road that has entertained residents and visitors since 1961. The Granite City Speedway attracts between 900 and 2,000 fans each weekend during the dirt track racing season.
Culture & Tradition
Long-running local events draw current and former residents back to the river and area parks with their children and grandchildren.
- Rapids River Food Fest
- Rapids River Days
- Sauk Rapids Holiday Parade of Lights & Family Fun Day
- Benton County Fair
- Fire Department Annual Open House
- Riverside Nights
Service & Community Organizations
- Boy Scouts
- Girl Scouts
- Lions Club
- 4-H
- Great River Rotary Club
- Various Faith-Based Organizations
Fast Facts
Did you know?
- Population: 13,424 based on 2015 U.S. Census Bureau Estimate
- Median HHI: $49,981
- Access: Minnesota State Highways 23 and 15; US Highway 10
- Schools: Sauk Rapids is in the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District
- Governance: Sauk Rapids is located in Benton County
