Columbia Heights, Minnesota
Columbia Heights is a city of 22,155 people in Anoka County, Minnesota, founded in 1898.
Why visit Columbia Heights
Townapedia lists 13 museums and landmarks, 52 parks and trails, 67 places to eat, 2 places to stay and 9 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Broadway Avenue Bridge, Camden Bridge, Foss House and Banfill Tavern.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 83°F; January lows average 8°F.
Weather in Columbia Heights
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Columbia Heights
Columbia Heights is a city in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 21,973 at the 2020 census.
From the Wikipedia article Columbia Heights, Minnesota (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do9
Broadway Avenue Bridge
Bridge · 3.7 mi
Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Camden Bridge
Bridge · 2.1 mi
Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Canadian Pacific Camden Place Rail Bridge
Bridge · 2.2 mi
Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Lowry Avenue Bridge
Bridge · 2.8 mi
Tied-arch bridge that crosses the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Northern Pacific-BNSF Minneapolis Rail Bridge
Bridge · 3.4 mi
Bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Museums and landmarks13
Foss House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.5 mi
Home in New Brighton, Minnesota, United States
321 Silver Lake Road Southwest, New Brighton
Banfill Tavern
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.1 mi
Building in Fridley, Minnesota, United States
Fredrika Bremer Intermediate School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.4 mi
Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Hollywood Theater
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
Former movie theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Lawrence A. and Mary Fournier House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.8 mi
House in Minneapolis, United States of America
Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.6 mi
Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Minneapolis Brewing Company Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.6 mi
Brewery building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
North East Neighborhood House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
1 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds52
North Mississippi Regional Park
Park · 2.0 mi
Park in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States of America
4900 Mississippi Court, Minneapolis
Bohanon Park
Park · 2.3 mi
City park in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
40 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes67
Al Baraka Grill
Restaurant · Middle Eastern · 0.4 mi
4110 Central Avenue Northeast, Columbia Heights
Mo-Th 11:00-22:30; Fr 10:00-23:00; Sa,Su 11:00-23:45
Big Marina Buffet & Deli
Restaurant · Greek · 0.4 mi
4755 Central Avenue Northeast, Columbia Heights
Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00
Chimney Cake House
Cafe · Dessert, Coffee Shop · 0.4 mi
4110 Central Avenue Northeast, Columbia Heights
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-00:00; Su 11:00-22:00
Don Goyo
Restaurant · Mexican, Salvadoran · 1.3 mi
2301 37th Place Northeast, Columbia Heights
Mo 11:00-21:00; Tu-Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 09:00-21:00
El Tequila Mexican Grill & Bar
Restaurant · Mexican, Ecuadorian · 0.5 mi
4005 Central Avenue Northeast, Columbia Heights
Su-Th 11:00-23:00; Fr, Sa 11:00-00:00
Fat Nat's Eggs
Restaurant · American, Breakfast · 1.4 mi
2700 39th Avenue Northeast, Saint Anthony
Mo-Su 07:00-13:00
Filfillah Mediterranean Grill
Restaurant · Mediterranean
4301 Central Avenue Northeast, Columbia Heights
Su-Sa 11:00-23:45
Five Hole Sports Bar & Grill
Restaurant · Burger, Sandwich, Grill, Wings · 1.3 mi
3701 Stinson Boulevard Northeast, Saint Anthony
Mo-Fr 11:00-01:00; Sa-Su 10:00-01:00
Great Moon Buffet
Restaurant · Chinese · 0.5 mi
4029 Central Avenue Northeast, Columbia Heights
Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr, Sa 11:00-22:00
55 more on the map.
History
Columbia Heights was formed as a village on March 14, 1898, when it separated from the former Fridley Township. On July 21, 1921, the Charter of the City of Columbia Heights was adopted and the city was formed.
A Polish flag and white eagle are on the sign marking the border between Columbia Heights and Minneapolis, visible when entering Columbia Heights on Central Avenue, in celebration of the suburb's early roots as a Polish–American community. In 1991, Columbia Heights joined Sister Cities International and selected Łomianki, Poland as its Sister City. In 1944, a plane of Allied flyers was shot down during the Warsaw uprising, near Łomianki. The brother of a longtime Columbia Heights resident was on that mission. In 1987, the people of Łomianki erected a monument in memory of the American flyers who lost their lives. Because of this personal connection Łomianki was selected as the Sister City.
Abraham Lincoln's funeral car was bought by Thomas Lowry who restored it and featured it at a number of exhibitions throughout the country. When not in use, it was stored in Columbia Heights but was destroyed by a fire on March 18, 1911.
In 2016, Columbia Heights was honored with the All-American City Award according to the National Civic League.
In 2023, Columbia Heights formed a second Sister City with Galdogob, Somalia for its growing and significant Somali American population.
From the History section of Columbia Heights, Minnesota on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay2
Churches and places of worship10
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church · Mormon · 1.4 mi
100 Silver Lake Road, New Brighton
Shopping12
Gas and EV charging11
Schools, colleges and libraries47
Legacy of Dr Josie R Johnson Montes
School · 4.1 mi
2201 Girard Ave N, Minneapolis
Healthcare5
North Memorial Health Clinic
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.4 mi
2600 39th Avenue Northeast, Saint Anthony
Map of Columbia Heights
228 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22°F | 8°F | 0.9 in |
| Feb | 27°F | 12°F | 0.9 in |
| Mar | 40°F | 24°F | 1.6 in |
| Apr | 55°F | 36°F | 3.3 in |
| May | 69°F | 49°F | 4.3 in |
| Jun | 79°F | 58°F | 4.8 in |
| Jul | 83°F | 64°F | 4.6 in |
| Aug | 80°F | 62°F | 4.5 in |
| Sep | 72°F | 54°F | 3.4 in |
| Oct | 56°F | 40°F | 3.0 in |
| Nov | 40°F | 27°F | 1.7 in |
| Dec | 27°F | 15°F | 1.3 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Lower St Anthony Falls (5 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, 6 miles away.
- Brooklyn Center 4 mi west, about 6 min by car
- Minneapolis 6 mi south, about 10 min by car
- Brooklyn Park 7 mi northwest, about 11 min by car
- Blaine 9 mi north, about 14 min by car
- St. Paul 10 mi southeast, about 16 min by car
- Champlin 11 mi northwest, about 18 min by car
- Anoka 13 mi northwest, about 22 min by car
- Andover 15 mi north, about 24 min by car
- Bloomington 16 mi south, about 25 min by car
- Burnsville 20 mi south, about 32 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
- 2009-0610-006-ColumbiaHeights-TheHeights, Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
- Foss House, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fournier House 1, Elkman, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Hollywood Theater Mpls, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- North East NHood House 1, Elkman, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Minneapolis Brewing Company, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fredrika Bremer Intermediate School, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Banfill Tavern, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Foss House resized, Elkman, CC BY-SA 3.0
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