Anoka, Minnesota
Anoka is a city of 17,970 people in Anoka County, Minnesota, founded in 1844.
Why visit Anoka
Townapedia lists 15 museums and landmarks, 50 parks and trails, 73 places to eat, 6 places to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Anoka–Champlin Mississippi River Bridge, Heart of the City Music Factory, Anoka Post Office and Colonial Hall and Masonic Lodge No. 30.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82°F; January lows average 2°F, and about 44 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Anoka
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Anoka
Anoka is a city in and the county seat of Anoka County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 17,921 at the 2020 census. Anoka is a northern suburb of the Twin Cities, at the confluence of the Rum and Mississippi Rivers. It is nicknamed the "Halloween Capital of the World" because in 1920 it hosted one of the first Halloween parades.
From the Wikipedia article Anoka, Minnesota (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do3
Anoka–Champlin Mississippi River Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Highway bridge across the Mississippi River between Anoka, Minnesota and Champlin, Minnesota
Museums and landmarks15
Anoka Post Office
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi
Former post office building in Anoka, Minnesota, United States
Colonial Hall and Masonic Lodge No. 30
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi
House in Anoka, United States of America
District No. 28 School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.9 mi
Historic school building in Ramsey, Minnesota, United States
Heman L. Ticknor House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.4 mi
Historic house in Anoka, Minnesota, United States
Jackson Hotel
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Anoka County, Minnesota
Shaw–Hammons House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi
Oldest standing residential building in Anoka, Minnesota, United States
Windego Park Auditorium/Open Air Theater
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi
Amphitheatre in Anoka, United States of America
Old Ramsey Town Hall
Monument and historic site · 0.9 mi
14120 Saint Francis Boulevard, Ramsey
3 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds50
Andrews Park (Champlin, Minnesota)
Park · 3.3 mi
Park in Minnesota, United States of America
Josephine Nunn Park
Park · 2.2 mi
12790 Monticello Lane North, Champlin
Mo-Su 06:00-22:00
Doris A. Kemp Park
Park · 2.3 mi
Pretty green park with flower beds, a picnic area & gazebo beside a fishing & boating lake.
921 HWY 169, Champlin
Mississippi River Park / King's Island
Park · 1.3 mi
2751 Cutters Grove Avenue, Anoka
38 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes73
Anoka Hardware Store
Bar and pub · Burger, Local, Tea · 1.1 mi
201 Jackson Street
We 16:00-22:00; Th 17:00-22:00; Fr 16:00-23:00; Sa 15:00-23:00
Chili Lime
Restaurant · Mexican, Tacos, Burrito, Comfort Food, Quick Bites · 2.4 mi
12490 Champlin Drive, Champlin
Mo-Su 11:00-20:00
10k Brewing
Brewery and winery · 1.1 mi
2005 2nd Avenue, Anoka
Mo-Tu 16:00-21:00; We-Th 15:00-22:00; Fr 13:00 - 23:00; Sa 12:00 -...
Ambi Wine Bar & Desserts
Restaurant · 1.1 mi
2015 2nd Avenue, Anoka
Tu-Th 16:00-22:00; Fr 15:00-23:00; Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 13:00-19:00
JR's Outpost
Bar and pub · 1.6 mi
6141 US 10, Ramsey
Mo-We 07:00-25:00; Th-Sa 07:00-26:00; Su 08:00-25:00
201 Tavern & Grill
Restaurant · 1.1 mi
201 Jackson Street, Anoka
Su-Th 11:00 - 23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-25:00
61 more on the map.
History
Colonists first settled the site that is now Anoka in 1844. By the mid-1850s, Anoka had a school, a store and a flour mill. In 1856, C. C. Andrews called it a "large and handsome village" and noted that pine logs were floated down the Rum River to sawmills there. The city was formally incorporated in 1878. The name Anoka may derive from two Indian words. Santee Dakota used anoka, meaning "on both sides" or "from both sides", referring to its location on both banks of the Rum River. Ojibwe used anoki, meaning "I work", referring to the town's busy local lumber sites.
From the History section of Anoka, Minnesota on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay6
AmericInn by Wyndham Coon Rapids
Motel and hotel · 1.9 mi
3430 Northdale Boulevard Northwest, Coon Rapids
Churches and places of worship8
United Methodist Church- Anoka
Church · Methodist · 1.9 mi
850 South Street, Anoka
Shopping14
Gas and EV charging8
Casey's General Store
Gas station · 2.0 mi
14131 Sunfish Lake Boulevard Northwest, Ramsey
Schools, colleges and libraries47
Athlos Leadership Academy
School · 5.9 mi
10100 Noble Parkway North, Brooklyn Park
Healthcare10
Allina Health Mercy Pharmacy
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.3 mi
11850 Blackfoot Street Northwest, Coon Rapids
Mercy Health Care Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.5 mi
3960 Coon Rapids Boulevard Northwest, Coon Rapids
Mercy Heart & Vascular Center
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.5 mi
4040 Coon Rapids Boulevard Northwest, Coon Rapids
Walgreens
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.1 mi
3470 River Rapids Drive Northwest, Coon Rapids
Map of Anoka
234 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22°F | 2°F | 0.6 in | 5.1 in |
| Feb | 28°F | 7°F | 0.8 in | 9.6 in |
| Mar | 41°F | 19°F | 1.4 in | 6.3 in |
| Apr | 56°F | 32°F | 2.9 in | 5.7 in |
| May | 68°F | 45°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 78°F | 55°F | 3.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 82°F | 60°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 80°F | 57°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 72°F | 48°F | 2.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 58°F | 36°F | 2.7 in | 0.7 in |
| Nov | 41°F | 23°F | 1.4 in | 4.3 in |
| Dec | 27°F | 11°F | 1.0 in | 12.4 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Andover 1N (6 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Anoka County has had 6 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.
- 2020-04-07: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2011-06-07: Severe Storms And Tornadoes (Severe Storm)
- 2005-09-13: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
- 2001-05-16: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes (Flood)
- 2000-10-20: Mn - Carlos Edge Fire Complex - 10/19/2000 (Fire)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Crystal Airport (MIC) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 11 miles away.
- Champlin 3 mi south, about 5 min by car
- Andover 4 mi northeast, about 6 min by car
- Ramsey 4 mi northwest, about 7 min by car
- Dayton 4 mi southwest, about 7 min by car
- Coon Rapids 5 mi southeast, about 8 min by car
- Brooklyn Park 7 mi south, about 12 min by car
- Maple Grove 7 mi southwest, about 12 min by car
- Osseo 7 mi south, about 11 min by car
- Minneapolis 18 mi south, about 30 min by car
- St. Paul 23 mi southeast, about 37 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Anoka Minnesota Main Street, Tim Kiser ( w:User:Malepheasant, CC BY-SA 2.5
- Anoka High School, Widgetkid, CC BY-SA 4.0
- DecoPac Headquarters in Anoka, Minnesota, Scott Fillman, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Anoka Classic Car Show, Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0
- Exhibit at the Anoka County History Center, Myotus, CC BY 4.0
- Anoka County History Center gallery, Myotus, CC BY 4.0
- Exhibit display panels at the Anoka County History Center, Myotus, CC BY 4.0
- Rolled textile storage at Anoka County Historical Society, Myotus, CC BY 4.0
- Anoka County History Center file server, Myotus, CC BY 4.0
- Anoka County History Center fire place room, Myotus, CC BY 4.0
- Windego Park 1, Elkman, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Anoka-Champlin Bridge, McGhiever, CC BY 4.0
- Heman L. Ticknor House, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Anoka Post Office, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Shaw-Hammons House 2013, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Jackson Hotel, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Colonial Hall and Masonic Lodge No 30, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0
- TownHallRamseyMN, Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
- District 28 School 3, Elkman, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Ramsey Town Hall, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Ramsey Historic Town Hall, Bradinator33, CC BY-SA 4.0
- District No. 28 School, Tiggr222, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1979 Pontiac Sunbird coupe, Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0
- 1961 Cadillac Coupe de Ville & 1961 Lincoln Continental Convertible (37368998862), Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS - 48742939906, Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0
- 1961 Cadillac Coupe de Ville & 1961 Lincoln Continental Convertible (37142298720), Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 1979 Pontiac Sunbird - 48740332407, Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0
- 1961 Cadillac Coupe de Ville & 1961 Lincoln Continental Convertible (36690581524), Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 1961 Cadillac Coupe de Ville & 1961 Lincoln Continental Convertible (37142313020), Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 1967 Buick Electra 225 (37440539135), Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 1970 Mercury Marquis Brougham, Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0
- 1970 Mercury Marquis Brougham (cropped), Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0
- 1970 Mercury Marquis Brougham - 51352123100, Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0
- 1929 Packard Model 633 Runabout (36690448074), Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 1967 Buick Electra 225 (36628241813), Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 1967 Buick Electra 225 (36628237373), Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 1967 Buick Electra 225 (36628248403), Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 1967 Buick Electra 225 (36628248403) (cropped), Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Object storage shelving in museum collections, Myotus, CC BY 4.0
- Framed objects rack storage in museum collections, Myotus, CC BY 4.0
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