Meeker County has 10 Communities and has just over 23,000 total residents within the county. Each Community has a unique and proud heritage.
MDC supports communities by helping to enhance their ability to work with businesses. Plan for the future of business needs, as well as market the unique and special qualities of each community.
We know from research of rural areas within MN, that those people seeking to move, relocated, stay and build in the rural areas are doing so for these specific reasons.
- Low-cost affordable housing.
- Safe and low crime.
- Quality of life / slower pace of life.
Meeker County has all 3 of these attributes…
as well as many lakes, hunting, and recreational areas to enjoy. Proximity to the Twin Cities, regional centers, and world-class employers make Meeker a great choice for your company, family, and future. Make it Meeker!
Meeker’s Greatest Resources are the People
People make communities, businesses, and quality of life thrive. By supporting communities, we are supporting the structure of qualities that people want in rural communities. MDC promotes creating the best communities we can so that people want to stay, play, and move to Meeker County.
MDC helps to create a community marketing concept that promotes Meeker County in these categories:
- Technology
- Industry
- Housing
- Agriculture
- Community and Recreation
Meeker County Demographics
Meeker County was home to 23,496 people in 2022, making it the 43rd largest county (out of 87) in the state of Minnesota. Over the last decade, Meeker County’s population has increased 0.2%, making it the 43rd fastest growing county in the state from 2010 to 2021. In comparison, the state of Minnesota saw a population increase of 7.5 percent from 2010-2021.
Communities
Meeker County has unique communities that offer an overall fit for families and businesses alike. With three major state Highways, 12, 55, and 15, that run through Meeker County we are a short drive to the Twin Cities, St. Cloud or Willmar. Meeker County is also within 30 minutes of other regional centers that have 2-year and 4-year colleges to help support your business needs and labor force. Our taxes are typically lower and building costs are competitive to other areas, cities, and counties. We are pro-business and a great place to live and thrive.
Cosmos
Pioneer Daniel Hoyt has been accredited with the name Cosmos. Cosmos was organized in 1870 but wasn’t officially incorporated as a village until 1926. Cosmos is located along the South Fork of the Crow River just over an hour west of Minneapolis and St. Paul in the heart of the Minnesota farming and prairie area. Minnesota State Highways 4 and 7 are two of the main arterial routes in the community. The Luce Line Trail, which is used for biking and walking, starts in Cosmos and runs to Minneapolis.
Along with the name Cosmos for the city, the space theme extends to other streets which are named after planets or constellations.
The city holds the Cosmos Space Festival in July on the third weekend. The festival features Minn-E-Rods, a softball and volleyball tournaments, an antique tractor pull, meals in the park, pig races, a Space Festival parade, fireworks, a pancake breakfast, a pork chop dinner, church in the park, music entertainment, crafters, a pedal tractor pull, a disc golf tournament, laser tag, a bean bag tournament, city wide garage sales, drawings, and many other activities.
Government
City Clerk/Treasurer
220 Milkyway S.
PO Box 614
Cosmos, MN
P: 320-877-7345
Email Us
2021 Population: 512
Number of households: 229
Persons per household: 2.2
Median household income: $43,438
Median Age: 46.8
Darwin
Darwin, MN is the home to the Largest Ball of Twine built by one man, Francis A. Johnson. In 1869 Darwin was platted and named for E. Darwin Litchfield. E. Darwin was a major stockholder of the Pacific and St. Paul Railroad. The Darwin Post Office has been operating since Darwin was platted in 1869. US Highway 12 serves as the main highway in the community.
Darwin celebrates Twine Ball Days on the second Saturday in August with many activities including a parade, craft fair, sand volleyball, and bean bag tournaments. Minnesota Minn-e-rods tractor pull is one of the main attractions which takes place on the Main Street in Darwin. There is also an opportunity to tour the Twine Ball Museum.
Government
Darwin City Hall
305 E. Curran Street
PO Box 67
Darwin, MN 55324
P: 320-693-2928
Email Darwin City Hall
2021 Population: 389
Number of households: 146
Persons per household: 2.7
Median household income: $68,333
Median Age: 37.6
Dassel
Dassel was named for Bernard Dassel. It was platted in 1869 and was incorporated in 1878. In 1869 the Dassel Post office started operation and is still in operation. Dassel, MN is located on two main routes, US Hwy 12 and MN Hwy 15.
Dassel celebrates Red Rooster Days each year on the first weekend in September. There are many events that take place throughout the weekend such as a 18 & 7 mile bike ride, Red Rooster run(5 mile run/1 mile run/walk) , Grande Parade on Saturday, art show and the largest Chicken BBQ in the state.
Government
City Office
460 3rd St.
PO Box 391
Dassel, MN 55324
P: 320-275-2454
2022 Population: 1505
Number of households: 587
Persons per household: 2.4
Median household income: $54,543
Median Age: 43.7
Eden Valley
Eden Valley was incorporated as a village in 1894 and then platted in 1886.The Post office began its operation as Eden Lake in Stearns county in 1872 and was then transferred to Eden Valley in 1887 where it has been operating ever since. Two of the main routes in Eden Valley are MN State Hwys 22 and 55. The city is located in two counties, Meeker And Stearns. There are more than a dozen lakes that can be found within a 10- mile radius of Eden Valley. Some of these lakes include the famed Horseshoe Chain of Lakes, Lake Koronis, and Rice Lake.
Valley Daze in Eden Valley is an annual Community Celebration that is held the 4th weekend of June. A silent auction, food court, parade, and car & bike show are just a few of the things that go on during Valley Daze.
Government
171 Coissart Ave W
PO Box 25
Eden Valley, MN 55329
P: 320-453-5251
2021 Population: 917
Number of households: 364
Persons per household: 2.5
Median household income: $55,000
Median Age: 38.1
Grove City
In the summer of August 1870 Grove City was platted and on February 14, 1878 Grove City was incorporated. When the town was named, “Grove” was chosen from Swede Grove and “City” was the citizens’ hope for the future town. In 1879 the post office moved from north of town and was among one of the first businesses in town. Some of the other initial businesses in Grove City were four grocery stores, two hardware stores, four filling stations, two hotels, two lumberyards, two banks, two blacksmiths, a barrel factory, a feed mill, and four grain elevators. Also in town there was a bakery, restaurants, a confectioner, a millinery shop, a shoe store, five saloons, and a pool hall.
Windmill Days is Grove City’s celebration each year. Some of the activities that take place during this celebration are city wide garage sales, medallion hunt, bean bag tournament, mud volleyball, mini rods, street dance, a parade, and fire truck rides.
Government
City Office
210 Atlantic Ave W
PO Box 98
Grove City, MN 56243
P: 320-857-2322
Email Grove City Government Office
2021 Population: 784
Number of households: 293
Persons per household: 2.7
Median household income: $50,446
Median Age: 29.4
Watkins
The city of Wakins was established as a village in 1893 and the post office has been in operation since 1887. Watkins was named after a Sault Ste. Marie railroad employee. MN State Hwy 55 runs east and west through the city and CSAH 2 runs north and south through the city.
Kraut N’ Wurst Days is the town’s annual celebration each year which is held on the first Saturday of August. Activities for this celebration include a parade, Little Miss Watkins Pageant, cow drop raffle, an evening street dance, and some food and beverage stands.
Government
City Of Watkins
111 Central Ave. S
Box 306
Watkins, MN 55389
P: 320-764-6400
Email City of Watkins Government Office
2021 Population: 813
Number of households: 328
Persons per household: 2.4
Median household income: $60,278
Median Age: 34.7
Litchfield
On August 13, 1869, the first train arrived in Litchfield and was a construction train. The first settlers originally named Litchfield ” Ness”. Before Litchfield was called Litchfield it was also called Round Lake & Ripley. A contractor, stockholder, and investor Electus Bachus Darwin Litchfield is to whom Litchfield was named after. Litchfield is the county seat of Meeker County and was incorporated as a city in 1943.
On September 20, 1869 the town’s first post office opened in a home. The post office later moved to the northwest corner of Sibley Avenue and Second Street which was a clothing store owned by the town’s first official postmaster. In 1870 Litchfield’s first church was built and it was the Presbyterian Church.
The city’s celebration each year is the Litchfield Watercade. Watercade is held on the second weekend in July each year. Some activities that go on each year during Watercade are the tennis & softball tournament, sand sculpture contest, beach party, Watercade walk and run, fishing tournament, talent contest, golf and bean bag tournament, and the Grand Day Parade.
Government
City Hall
126 North Marshall Ave
Litchfield, MN 55355
P: 320-693-7201
2021 Population: 6537
Number of households: 2782
Persons per household: 2.3
Median household income: $49,457
Median Age: 45.3
Kingston
Kingston’s name was proposed by a lawyer, George A. Nourse. The city was platted in 1871 and incorporated on September 13, 1961. The post office began in 1857 and was re-established as a community post office in 1954. There are provinces in New Brunswick and twenty-five other states that have villages or cities and townships with this same name.
Finnish Memorial Park is located just west of Kingston on County Road 27 along the Crow River. This park has a tennis court, water, playground, restrooms, and canoe landing.
Government
Kingston City Hall
30840 722nd Ave
PO Box 98
Dassel, MN 55325
P: 320-274-8424
Email Kingston City Hall
2021 Population: 211
Number of households: 87
Persons per household: 2.4
Median household income: $61,875
Median Age: 32.1
Cedar Mills
In 1860 the village of Cedar Mills was founded and was incorporated in 1950. The post office was originally started in Renville county in 1870, but in 1872 it was transferred to Meeker County. In 1904 it was discontinued but re-established in 1927 and then changed to a rural branch in 1955. The town was named after Cedar Lake which was about 2 miles to the east. The Luce Line Trail runs through the city. The trail is crushed granite from Hutchinson to Cedar Mills and then from Cedar Mills to Cosmos it is natural mowed grass.
Government
Cedar Mills City Hall
13484 County Road 26
PO Box 565
Hutchinson MN 55350
P: 320-587-5541
Email Cedar Mills City Hall
2021 Population: 27
Number of households: 12
Persons per household: 2.3
Median household income: $48,750
Median Age: 51.3
Mannanah
Meeker County
Government
Meeker County Courthouse
325 N Sibley Ave
Litchfield, MN 55355
P: 320-693-5540
2021 Population: 23,268
Number of households: 8964
Persons per household: 2.6
Median household income: $67,099
Median Age: 42.1
Unincorporated communities in Meeker County: Acton, Beckville, Corvuso, Crow River, Forest City, Greenleaf, Jennie, Lamson, Manannh, Rosendale, and Strout
