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

9,106

Population
Growth Rate

0.01%

Median Age

43

Diversity Index

20.000

Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31

Housing & Income

Households

4,039

Total Housing Units

4,275


Owner Occupied

2,435

Renter Occupied

1,604

Vacant

236

Median Home Value

$227,387


Average Home Value

$244,083

Income
Growth Rate

Median
Household Income

0.00%


Per Capita Income

2.17%

Income Projection

Median Household

$53,149 $57,861


Average Household

$77,615 $85,777


Per Capita

$34,731 $38,658

Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31

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

606

Total Employed

6,438

Workers 16+

3,520

2026 HealthCare / Social Assistance

cp-industries

Businesses

79

Employed

1,062

2026 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

82

Employed

1,015

2026 Public Administration

cp-industries

Businesses

39

Employed

848

2026 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

18

Employed

656

2026 Other Service excl Pub Admin

cp-industries

Businesses

83

Employed

650

2026 Accommodation / Food Service

cp-industries

Businesses

38

Employed

539

Some
High School

217

Graduated
High School

2,118

Associates
Degree

907

Bachelor's
Degree

916

Graduate
Degree

540

Average Commute Time

20 min.



Resident Commuters

2,599

Non-Resident Commuters

921

Drive Alone

2,796

Carpooled

318

Public

21

Work At Home

230

Source: ESRI, 2026-08-31

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