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Detroit Lakes

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
City
Downtown Detroit Lakes along Washington Avenue
Downtown Detroit Lakes along Washington Avenue
Official seal of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Seal
Nickname(s): "The City"
Location of Detroit Lakeswithin Becker Countyin the state of Minnesota
Location of Detroit Lakes
within Becker County
in the state of Minnesota
Coordinates: 46°48′48″N 95°50′41″W / 46.81333°N 95.84472°W / 46.81333; -95.84472
Country United States
State Minnesota
County Becker
Government
 • Mayor Matt Brenk
Area
 • Total 15.20 sq mi (39.37 km2)
 • Land 10.22 sq mi (26.47 km2)
 • Water 4.98 sq mi (12.90 km2)
Elevation 1,368 ft (417 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 8,569
 • Estimate (2013) 8,899
 • Density 838.5/sq mi (323.7/km2)
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 56501, 56502
Area code(s) 218
FIPS code 27-15832
GNIS feature ID 0642777
Website www.ci.detroit-lakes.mn.us, www.detroitlakes.com

Detroit Lakes is a city in the State of Minnesota and the county seat of Becker County. The population was 8,569 at the 2010 census. Its unofficial population during summer months is much higher, estimated by citizens to peak at 13,000 midsummer, due to seasonal residents and tourists.

U.S. Highways 10 and 59, and Minnesota State Highway 34 serve as the primary routes through the city. Detroit Lakes is located 45 miles east of the Fargo–Moorhead ND-MN statistical metropolitan area. The nearest major metropolitan area with a population over 300,000 is Minneapolis–Saint Paul, which is approximately 205 miles southeast of Detroit Lakes.

Detroit Lakes is a regional summer and winter recreation destination, attracting large numbers of tourists and seasonal residents each year. Its economy is fueled by seasonal population increases, with tourism being the area's chief industry along with agriculture.

The city of Detroit Lakes was founded by Colonel George Johnston in 1871. The city grew quickly with the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1877, an election finally decided that Detroit Lakes, then known as Detroit, was to become the county seat. Detroit won the election by a ninety percent majority. The nearby cities of Frazee, Lake Park, and Audubon were also in the running for the county seat. By 1884, Detroit Lakes had many businesses, including the Hotel Minnesota, the Lakes Hotel, a bank, a newspaper, and an opera house. The first county courthouse was built in Detroit Lakes that year also.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.20 square miles (39.37 km2), of which, 10.22 square miles (26.47 km2) is land and 4.98 square miles (12.90 km2) is water.


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