Population200,518 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Iron Range Roots and Lake Superior Horizons
St. Louis County, MinnesotaSt. Louis County connects the Iron Range with Duluth and the Lake Superior waterfront, alongside extensive forest and lake country. Mining, timber, shipping, and public services help explain its different communities. The county’s scale makes choosing a local starting point an important part of exploring the area. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 200,518 residents in St. Louis County, Minnesota, on July 1, 2025.
St. Louis County at a Glance
Population200,518 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatDuluth
Largest MunicipalityLitchfield
Established1856
ZIP Codes12
Total Area, Including Water6,860.136 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-55 - IL-16 - IL-127
Area Codes217
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover St. Louis County
St. Louis County
St. Louis County was established on March 1, 1856, taking its name from the river that reaches Lake Superior through the county's southeastern corner. Its history connects Iron Range mining with timber and Great Lakes shipping. Duluth's courthouse was built in 1909, followed by a courthouse in Virginia the next year. Those separate civic centers reflect the county's geographic spread and the need to serve communities whose local stories extend well beyond the Lake Superior waterfront.
Duluth, Virginia, Hibbing, and Ely provide different starting points for county services and regional exploration. The county maintains courthouses or service offices in these communities, so confirm the relevant location before an appointment. For visitors, Lake Superior, the Iron Range, and the northern forest landscape suggest very different itineraries. Plan around a specific community or destination instead of treating the whole county as a single compact stop.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
St. Louis County connects the Iron Range with Duluth and the Lake Superior waterfront, alongside extensive forest and lake country.
Community Story
St. Louis County was established on March 1, 1856, taking its name from the river that reaches Lake Superior through the county's southeastern corner.
Explore Locally
Duluth, Virginia, Hibbing, and Ely provide different starting points for county services and regional exploration. The county maintains courthouses or service offices in these communities, so confirm the relevant location before an appointment.
Industrial roots, northern landscapes, and communities across the map
A Closer Look
St. Louis County
Places and perspectives from St. Louis County
MPR News — Minnesota
MPR News hosts Senate debate between Flanagan, Tafoya
Democratic nominee Peggy Flanagan and Republican nominee Michele Tafoya appear at noon Friday in their only scheduled debate…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Around St. Louis County
Stories from every corner of St. Louis County.
MPR News hosts Senate debate between Flanagan, Tafoya
Democratic nominee Peggy Flanagan and Republican nominee Michele Tafoya appear at noon Friday in their only scheduled debate…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Sam Zimmerman paints his North Shore roots
A collection of paintings and stories by Sam Zimmerman captures memories of life in northern Minnesota. His new…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
St. Cloud races could decide who controls Legislature
The mixed politics of St. Cloud-area voters have led to some razor-thin outcomes in past elections. And it…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Grandmother, daughters and grandson among 6 victims who died in a Wisconsin plane crash
Family members say a grandmother, two of her adult daughters and her grandson were among the six people…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Teen shooter kills 4 at Oregon elementary school before being shot by a witness
Authorities say a 16-year-old opened fire at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, killing three children and a…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Vaughan-Steffensrud Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-03. 1000 1ST AVE NE, CHISHOLM, MN 55719. 218-254-5726.
Congdon Elementary – Elementary; grades KG-05. 3116 E SUPERIOR ST, DULUTH, MN 55812. 218-336-8825.
North Star Academy – Elementary; grades PK-08. 3301 TECHNOLOGY DR, DULUTH, MN 55811. 218-728-9556.
East Range Academy Of Tech-Science – High; grades 09-12. 8541 PARK RIDGE DR, MOUNTAIN IRON, MN 55768. 218-744-7965.
Washington Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-05. 520 E HARVEY ST, ELY, MN 55731. 218-365-6166.
Floodwood Elementary – Elementary; grades PK-06. 115 4TH AVE W, FLOODWOOD, MN 55736. 218-476-2285.
Harbor City International Charter – High; grades 09-12. 332 W MICHIGAN STREET STE 300, DULUTH, MN 55802. 218-722-7574.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center – Critical Access Hospitals. 5211 Highway 110, Aurora, MN 55705. 218-229-4222.
Cook Hospital – Critical Access Hospitals. 10 Se Fifth St, Cook, MN 55723. 218-666-5945.
Essentia Health Duluth – Acute Care Hospitals. 502 East Second Street, Duluth, MN 55805. 218-786-2652.
Essentia Health St Mary’S Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 402 East Second Street, Duluth, MN 55805. 218-786-3574.
St Lukes Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 915 East 1St Street, Duluth, MN 55805. 218-249-2449.
Ely – Bloomenson Community Hospital – Critical Access Hospitals. 328 West Conan Street, Ely, MN 55731. 218-365-3271.
Range Regional Health Services – Acute Care Hospitals. 750 East 34Th St, Hibbing, MN 55746. 218-362-6730.
Public Safety
Emergency Services
State Parks Resources
Montgomery County Administration
Find information about county leadership, departments, and public services.
(217) 532-9530
County Clerk's Office
Vital records, elections, licenses, and official documents.
(217) 532-9531
County Treasurer
Property taxes, payments, and financial services.
(217) 532-9525
Building & Zoning Department
Permits, inspections, zoning, and property information.
(217) 532-3941
Health Department
Community health programs, services, and resources.
(217) 532-5541
County Extension Office
Agriculture, community education, and youth programs.
(217) 532-3941
Trails Resources
Montgomery County Administration
Find information about county leadership, departments, and public services.
(217) 532-9530
County Clerk's Office
Vital records, elections, licenses, and official documents.
(217) 532-9531
County Treasurer
Property taxes, payments, and financial services.
(217) 532-9525
Building & Zoning Department
Permits, inspections, zoning, and property information.
(217) 532-3941
Health Department
Community health programs, services, and resources.
(217) 532-5541
County Extension Office
Agriculture, community education, and youth programs.
(217) 532-3941
Utilities
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Aurora Public Library – 14 West Second Avenue No, Aurora, MN 55705. 218-229-2021.
Babbitt Public Library – 71 South Drive, Babbitt, MN 55706. 218-827-3345.
Buhl Public Library – 400 Jones Avenue, Buhl, MN 55713. 218-258-3391.
Chisholm Public Library – 300 W Lake St, Chisholm, MN 55719. 218-254-7913.
Cook Public Library – 103 South River St., Cook, MN 55723. 218-666-2210.
Courts
DMV
Transportation
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know St. Louis County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
St. Louis County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
200,518 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
6,860.136 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with Board of Commissioners, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Courts/Law, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Roads/Transit, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Recycling & Waste, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Human Resources, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Law Library, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Sheriff, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Veterans Service, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Start with Rescue Squad, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
County Photo Credits
- Aerial Lift Bridge centered — McGhiever. CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized by Wikimedia; otherwise unmodified.
- SLCCH — Todd Murray from Bloomington, MN, USA; Original uploader to en.wikipedia was Appraiser at en.wikipedia. CC BY-SA 2.5. Resized by Wikimedia; otherwise unmodified.
- “Bull of the Woods” on Birch Lake. St. Croix Logging and Milling Company (5187332113) — Superior National Forest. CC BY 2.0. Resized by Wikimedia; otherwise unmodified.
- Aho Farmstead — McGhiever. CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized by Wikimedia; otherwise unmodified.
- Alango School — McGhiever. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized by Wikimedia; otherwise unmodified.
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