Little Falls

The beautiful falls on the Mississippi River attracted native inhabitants, explorers, traders and settlers. By the 1880's a surge in immigration, railroad expansion and industrial development created a boom. In 1889, Little Falls was incorporated as a city. It is the third oldest city in the state. Due to local brick-making industries, by 1890, large brick buildings replaced the former wooden storefronts. Within a two-year period the population had doubled, reaching 4,699.

Major industries that contributed to the growth of Little Falls were the Pine Tree Lumber Company, Hennepin Paper Company, and two large flour mills. Smaller industries included the Kiewel Brewery, a sash and door factory and a horseshoe factory. Carpenters, cigar manufacturers and blacksmiths were among the numerous tradesmen setting up shop. A major contributor to the economic growth of Little Falls was the surrounding diversified farming. Also evident was a vibrant social and religious community.

When the lumber and flour milling industries declined, others sprang up. Most notable was boat building, which began with the Larson Boat Company, in the 1920's. Boat building was the driving force in Little Falls' industry for nearly 100 years. The City of Little Falls continues to grow with new and innovative, startup companies. Little Falls is home to Hoonuit, an international software company; Lakemaster, a lake mapping software company; AirBorn Inc, a specialty connector company; Wabash National, a leading refrigerated trailer company; Falls Fabricating, a metal fabricating facility; DJ Products, a power trailer moving manufacturer; Mielke Oil, a lubricant and fuel distributor; and Little Falls Machine, a nationally known plow manufacturer.  The growth of Little Falls continues, thanks to the early entrepreneurs whose vision gave it impetus.

Little Falls Industrial Park

Little Falls Demographics, 2000

Population

Total Population

9,088

Population
Growth Rate

-0.28%

Median Age

42

Diversity Index

19.100

Housing & Income

Households

3,982

Total Housing Units

4,236


Owner Occupied

2,552

Renter Occupied

1,430

Vacant

254

Median Home Value

$178,619


Average Home Value

$197,169

Income
Growth Rate

Median
Household Income

0.00%


Per Capita Income

2.72%

Income Projection

Median Household

$52,355 $59,525


Average Household

$74,416 $84,538


Per Capita

$32,672 $37,360

Quality of Life

Our teachers are highly educated and highly trained, nearly half of which have masters degrees and bring an average of 17 years in education to the classroom. Our district is larger then 75% of school districts in the state and offers "big District" programs and opportunities for students through a personalized community environment. Please view the complete list of education facilities below. For information on Little Falls Public Schools visit www.lfalls.k12.mn.us. For information on Mary of Lourdes Schools visit www.molschool.org.


Local Public Information, ISD #482
Elementary:

Charles Lindbergh Elementary
101 9th Street SE
Little Falls
(320) 616-3200

DR. S. G. Knight Elementary
504 East Minnesota Avenue
PO Box 69
Randall, MN 56475
(320) 616-5200

Lincoln Elementary
300 6th Street SW
Little Falls
(320) 616-6200

Middle School:

Little Falls Community Middle School
1000 1st Avenue SE
Little Falls
(320) 616-4200

High School:

Little Falls Community High School
1001 5th Avenue SE
Little Falls
(320) 616-2200

Other:

Continuing Education Center (CEC)
116 8th Avenue SE
Little Falls
(320) 632-4159

Community Services
14800 Riverwood Drive
(320) 632-7938
www.lfalls.k12.mn.us

St. Francis Music Center
116 8th Avenue SE
(320) 632-0637
www.sfmusiccenter.org

Local Parochial Information
Elementary:

Mary of Lourdes Elementary School
307 4th Street SE
Little Falls
(320) 632-5408

Middle School:

Mary of Lourdes Middle School
205 3rd Street NW
Little Falls
(320) 632-6742

 

Workforce

Total Businesses

553

Total Employed

7,019

Workers 16+

4,071

2023 HealthCare / Social Assistance

cp-industries

Businesses

68

Employed

1,140

2023 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

80

Employed

1,111

2023 Public Administration

cp-industries

Businesses

41

Employed

1,063

2023 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

19

Employed

678

2023 Other Service excl Pub Admin

cp-industries

Businesses

75

Employed

636

2023 Manufacturing Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

18

Employed

628

Some
High School

287

Graduated
High School

2,246

Associates
Degree

666

Bachelor's
Degree

1,039

Graduate
Degree

464

Average Commute Time

0 min.



Resident Commuters

2,849

Non-Resident Commuters

1,167

Drive Alone

3,003

Carpooled

535

Public

77

Work At Home

193

Workforce Occupations

Little Falls is home to a diversity of industries: military, boats, health care, mail processing, sheet metal/welding, snowplows and conveyors, wood products, food processing, monuments, tool and die, technology, ethanol and more. For additional information view the Little Falls Workforce information available on the MNPRO website, designed by DEED.

Transportation

Highway Information

Interstate:

  • I – 94
  • 40 Miles from Community

Four Lane:

  • US – 10
  • within Community

Other:

  • MN – 27
  • within Community

Air Service Information

International Service:

Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport
Location: Bloomington
Miles to: 100
Longest Runway: 10,000 Feet
Lighted: Yes
Service Type: Charter, Commercial, Freight, Jet
Major Airlines: American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, TWA, United Airlines, US Air

Local Service:

Morrison County Municipal Airport
(320) 632-2413 or (320) 616-5525
Location: Little Falls
Miles to: 2
Longest Runway: 4,000 Feet
Lighted: Yes

Regional Service:

St. Cloud Regional Airport
Location: St. Cloud
Miles to: 30
Longest Runway: 5,200 Feet
Lighted: Yes
Service Type: Charter, Commercial, Freight, Jet
Major Airlines: Mesaba, Northwest Airlink, US Air

Ground Transit Information

Little Falls Taxi
12988 Highway 27
(320) 632-4104

Airport Shuttle Service
3358 Southway Drive, St. Cloud
(320) 253-2226

Greyhound Bus Lines
Fare & Schedule Info (800) 231-2222
Local Terminal (320) 632-3823 (McDonald's)

Train Service
(800) 872-7245

Med – Cab (Disabled Transportation)
111 5th Street SE
Little Falls, MN 56345
(800) 232-8530