Brooklyn Center, Minnesota

"Brooklyn Center" redirects here. For the neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, see Brooklyn Centre. For the nonprofit in New York, see Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts.

Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
City
Hennepin County District Court in Brooklyn Center
Seal
Motto: 
At The Center
Interactive map of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
Brooklyn Center
Brooklyn Center
Coordinates: 45°04′05″N 93°19′04″W / 45.067970°N 93.317829°W / 45.067970; -93.317829
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyHennepin
Settled1852
Incorporated (village)February 18, 1911
Incorporated (city)December 8, 1966
Government
[1][2]
 • TypeMayor–council
 • MayorApril Graves
 • City managerDaren Nyquist
 • CouncilmembersDan Jerzak
Teneshia Kragness
Kris Lawrence-Anderson
Laurie Ann Moore
Area
[3]
 • Total
8.381 sq mi (21.707 km2)
 • Land8.003 sq mi (20.728 km2)
 • Water0.378 sq mi (0.979 km2)  4.51%
Elevation
[6]
856 ft (261 m)
Population
 (2020)[5]
 • Total
33,782
 • Estimate 
(2024)[4]
31,755
 • Density4,221.1/sq mi (1,629.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
55429, 55430
Area code763
FIPS code27-07948
GNIS feature ID0640508[6]
Websitebrooklyncentermn.gov

Brooklyn Center is a first-ring suburban city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 33,782 at the 2020 census,[5] and was estimated at 31,755 in 2024.[4] It is part of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area.

On February 18, 1911, the area became a village formed from parts of Brooklyn Township and Crystal Lake Township.[7] On December 8, 1966, Brooklyn Center became a charter city.[8] The city has commercial and industrial development. The majority of land use is single-family homes.[9] and the city has become the most ethnically diverse community in the state.[10]

History

Pioneers organized town governments for Brooklyn Township and Crystal Lake Township when Minnesota became a state in 1858. Osseo Road was a main thoroughfare that brought settlers to an area centered around their school, post office, store, meeting hall, and Baptist and Methodist churches. That location thrived as a market gardening community. It abutted the encroaching development of Minneapolis to the south.[7]

Steps were taken to protect the area from annexation by Minneapolis and to retain "simpler public business methods, and extra police protection" by incorporation.[11] The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners accepted a petition to incorporate the Village of Brooklyn Center on January 16, 1911.[12] An election followed, the boundaries were set, and documents filed with the state on February 18, 1911. P.W. Reidhead was the first president. The population was 500.[7]

By 1940, the village saw a need for more organized planning to deal with issues such as sewage and traffic. In 1942, a Planning Commission was established. Farmers were selling their valuable land to housing developers. The decade saw unprecedented population growth, reaching 4,000 by 1950. Brookdale, a new shopping concept by Dayton’s, was constructed in 1960[13] when the population had grown to over 24,000. In 1963, even more new opportunities for commercial development were presented with the estate of Earle Brown, deceased, the heir of Captain John Martin who had been one of the wealthiest men in Minneapolis.[14]

Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center was the former Cap Martin country estate, built in 1878 and willed to his grandson Earle Brown in 1901. The buildings included the family home, office and garage, housing for the workers, a pump house, multiple barns, a hippodrome, an antique carriage collection, and a restored lumber bunkhouse and cook shanty. It is now a historic site in Brooklyn Center owned by the city and developed into a conference and event center.

In April 2021, Daunte Wright was killed by a city police officer. Due to elevated racial tensions and anti-police sentiment because of the concurrent Derek Chauvin trial, riots and looting broke out. California Congresswoman Maxine Waters traveled to the city to hold a rally for the protestors, which only encouraged the rioting.[15] The city worked with Juxtaposition Arts on a permanent memorial to Wright.[16]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.381 square miles (21.71 km2), of which 8.003 square miles (20.73 km2) is land and 0.378 square miles (0.98 km2) (4.51%) is water.[3]

All of Brooklyn Center is in the Upper Mississippi Watershed Basin.[17] The Mississippi River is the eastern boundary of the city and is part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area of Minnesota. The North Mississippi Regional Park,[18] at 5700 Lyndale Avenue North, is managed by Three Rivers Park District Board, on which Brooklyn Center is represented in District 3.[19]

Southwestern Brooklyn Center includes Upper Twin Lake[20] (117 acres)[21] and connects to a chain of lakes that discharge into Shingle Creek, which discharges into the Mississippi River.[22] Shingle Creek also runs through Palmer Lake.[23] The city is a member of Shingle Creek and West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission, which manages the lakes, streams, and wetlands in this area.[24] Palmer Lake Park is a natural environmental preserve of lake and marsh habitat on over 200 acres.[25]

All of Brooklyn Center is in the state's Deciduous Forest Biome.[26] The Plant Hardiness Zone is 4B, with an average minimum extreme temperature of −25 to −20 Fahrenheit.[27] The city has developed and maintains 26 parks and a 20-mile trail system.[28] The majority of land use is single-family homes.[9] The historical route, Osseo Road, was renamed Brooklyn Boulevard by both Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park in 1969.[29] Interstates 94 and 694 and Minnesota State Highways 100 and 252 are four of the main routes in Brooklyn Center.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1920788—
19301,34470.6%
19401,87039.1%
19504,284129.1%
196024,356468.5%
197035,17344.4%
198031,230−11.2%
199028,887−7.5%
200029,1721.0%
201030,1043.2%
202033,78212.2%
2024 (est.)31,755[4]−6.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[30]
2020 Census[5]

According to realtor website Zillow, the average price of a home as of February 28, 2026, in Brooklyn Center is $293,538.[31]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 11,164 estimated households in Brooklyn Center with an average of 2.87 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $72,535. Approximately 12.3% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Brooklyn Center has an estimated 65.7% employment rate, with 24.6% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 88.1% holding a high school diploma.[32] There were 11,572 housing units at an average density of 1,445.96 per square mile (558.3/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (69.7%), Spanish (13.3%), Indo-European (1.2%), Asian and Pacific Islander (11.0%), and Other (4.7%).

The median age in the city was 33.5 years.

Brooklyn Center, Minnesota – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic)
Population
1990[33] 		Population
2000[34] 		Population
2010[35] 		Population
2020[36]
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
White alone (NH) 26,067 90.24% 20,530 70.38% 13,815 45.89% 11,105 32.87%
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,483 5.13% 4,088 14.01% 7,744 25.72% 9,340 27.65%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 262 0.91% 229 0.78% 182 0.60% 245 0.73%
Asian alone (NH) 667 2.31% 2,549 8.74% 4,291 14.25% 6,401 18.95%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 4 0.01% 11 0.04% 7 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 41 0.14% 70 0.24% 70 0.23% 162 0.48%
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 879 3.01% 1,102 3.66% 1,848 5.47%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 367 1.27% 823 2.82% 2,889 9.60% 4,674 13.84%
Total 28,887 100.00% 29,172 100.00% 30,104 100.00% 33,782 100.00%

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 31,755 people, 11,164 households, and _ families residing in the city. The population density was 3,967.89 inhabitants per square mile (1,532.0/km2). There were 11,572 housing units at an average density of 1,445.96 per square mile (558.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 31.5% White (30.6% NH White), 31.5% African American, 1.4% Native American, 15.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 10.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 16.5% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 33,782 people, 11,309 households, and 7,413 families residing in the city.[37] The population density was 4,221.17 inhabitants per square mile (1,629.8/km2). There were 11,665 housing units at an average density of 1,457.58 per square mile (562.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 34.42% White, 27.97% African American, 1.36% Native American, 19.02% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 8.21% from some other races and 9.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 13.84% of the population.[38]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 30,104 people, 10,756 households, and 7,010 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,784.29 inhabitants per square mile (1,461.1/km2). There were 11,640 housing units at an average density of 1,463.23 per square mile (565.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 49.12% White, 25.94% African American, 0.77% Native American, 14.31% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 5.37% from some other races and 4.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 9.60% of the population.

There were 10,756 households, of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.8% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.43.

The city's median age was 32.6. 27.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.1% were from 25 to 44; 22.1% were from 45 to 64; and 12.2% were 65 or older. The gender makeup was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 29,172 people, 11,430 households, and 7,383 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,671.98 inhabitants per square mile (1,417.8/km2). There were 11,598 housing units at an average density of 1,459.88 per square mile (563.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 71.39% White, 14.09% African American, 0.87% Native American, 8.79% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.49% from some other races and 3.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.82% of the population.

There were 11,430 households, of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 35. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The city's median household income was $44,570, and the median family income was $52,006. Males had a median income of $36,031 versus $27,755 for females. The city's per capita income was $19,695. About 4.7% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those 65 or older.

Economy

Notable businesses include Surly Brewing Company, and Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, a mixed martial arts training center. The FBI's Minneapolis field office is located in Brooklyn Center.[39]

Top employers

According to the City's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[40] the largest employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees Percentage
1 PROMEON Inc., A Division of Medtronic 1,100 7.65%
2 Luther Auto Group 555 3.86%
3 City of Brooklyn Center 398 2.77%
4 Brooklyn Center Schools ISD #286 396 2.75%
5 University of Minnesota Physicians 330 2.29%
6 Walmart 278 1.93%
7 Caribou Coffee Headquarters 240 1.67%
8 Presbyterian Homes, Maranatha Care Center 215 1.50%
9 Cass Screw Machine Products 124 0.86%
10 HealthPartners 97 0.67%
— Total employers 3,733 25.96%

Government

Brooklyn Center is in Minnesota's 5th congressional district.

Presidential election results 1960–2024
Precinct General Election Results[41]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2024 26.6% 3,391 70.8% 8,749 2.6% 325
2020 25.9% 3,609 71.6% 9,973 2.5% 352
2016 26.4% 3,321 65.7% 8,253 7.9% 987
2012 27.9% 3,783 69.7% 9,444 2.4% 332
2008 31.9% 4,238 66.0% 8,757 2.1% 279
2004 36.7% 5,047 62.0% 8,530 1.3% 173
2000 36.3% 4,740 56.9% 7,434 6.8% 897
1996 30.3% 3,884 58.8% 7,528 10.9% 1,388
1992 29.7% 4,606 48.3% 7,491 22.0% 3,420
1988 41.8% 6,067 58.2% 8,461 0.0% 0
1984 46.0% 7,385 54.0% 8,667 0.0% 0
1980 35.9% 5,881 55.1% 9,036 9.0% 1,483
1976 37.6% 6,257 60.8% 10,115 1.6% 272
1972 50.9% 7,512 46.9% 6,924 2.2% 315
1968 33.8% 4,239 61.9% 7,757 4.3% 535
1964 33.4% 3,833 66.4% 7,633 0.2% 26
1960 44.6% 4,605 55.1% 5,683 0.3% 27

Infrastructure

Law enforcement

The Brooklyn Center Police Department was established in 1953, the city having previously had elected constables and appointed marshals.[42] The department has about 47 sworn officers. The department is organized into a number of divisions and units.

Crime

Brooklyn Center
Crime rates* (2025)
Violent crimes
Homicide0
Rape32
Robbery40
Aggravated assault89
Total violent crime161
Property crimes
Burglary71
Larceny-theft647
Motor vehicle theft109
Arson0
Total property crime827
Notes

*Number of reported crimes per 100,000 population.

2024 population: 31,755

Source: 2025 FBI UCR Data

According to the Uniform Crime Report statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2025, there were 161 violent crimes and 827 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Of these, the violent crimes consisted of 0 murder, 32 forcible rapes, 40 robberies and 89 aggravated assaults, while 71 burglaries, 647 larceny-thefts, 109 motor vehicle thefts and 0 acts of arson defined the property offenses.

Notable people

References

  1. ^ Zamora, Karen (January 2, 2019). "Brooklyn Center welcomes new mayor who reflects its growing diversity". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 2, 2019. Mike Elliott, who came from Liberia at age 11, said the city he will lead "put arms around us."
  2. ^ "City Council". City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  3. ^ a b "2025 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  5. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  6. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
  7. ^ a b c The Brooklyns : a history of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Daniel John Hoisington, Brooklyn Historical Society. Brooklyn Center, MN: Brooklyn Historical Society. 2001. ISBN 0-9708439-0-9. OCLC 47669661.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. ^ "City Charter and Charter Commissions". City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Retrieved March 18, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ a b "Hennepin County Land Use and Cover" (PDF). Minnesota Geospatial Information Office. 1990. Retrieved March 18, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ Sullivan, Becky (April 18, 2021). "Brooklyn Center, Minnesota's Most Diverse City, Is In The Spotlight After Shooting". NPR. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  11. ^ "County Lets Two Villages". The Minnesota Star Tribune. February 20, 1911. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  12. ^ "County Commissioners Board". The Minnesota Star Tribune. January 20, 1911. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  13. ^ "Work Begins at Dayton's Brookdale Shop Center". The Minnesota Star Tribune. September 28, 1960. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  14. ^ Hallberg, Jane, Leone Howe, and Mary J. Gustafson. (1966). History of the Earle Brown Farm. Brooklyn Center, Minn.: Brooklyn Historical Society.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "Waters calls for protesters to 'get more confrontational' if no guilty verdict is reached in Derek Chauvin trial | CNN Politics". CNN. April 19, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  16. ^ "Brooklyn Center unveils design for memorial to Daunte Wright". MPR News. July 18, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  17. ^ "Minnesota's watershed basins". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved December 3, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ "North Mississippi Regional Park". Three Rivers Park District. Retrieved December 3, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "Board of Commissioners". Three Rivers Park District. Retrieved December 3, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ "Upper Twin (27004201)". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved December 3, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "Minnesota LakeBrowser". University of Minnesota. Retrieved December 3, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ "Twin and Ryan Lakes - Excess Nutrients: TMDL Project". Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Retrieved December 3, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ "Palmer (27005900)". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved December 3, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ "Watershed Management Commissions". Shingle Creek and West Mississippi Watershed Management Commissions. Retrieved March 18, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ "Parks and Trails". City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Retrieved March 18, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ "Biomes of Minnesota". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved December 3, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ "Find Your Hardiness Zone". Minnesota State Horticultural Society. July 7, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ "Parks Amenities Finder". Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  29. ^ "The Minneapolis Star from Minneapolis, Minnesota • Page 65 • Road To Be Renamed". Newspapers.com. June 10, 1969. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  30. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  31. ^ "Brooklyn Center, MN Housing Market". Zillow. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  32. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Brooklyn Center city, Minnesota". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  33. ^ Minnesota: 1990 (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 53 of 512. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  34. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Brooklyn Center city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  35. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Brooklyn Center city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  36. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Brooklyn Center city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  37. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  38. ^ "How many people live in Brooklyn Center city, Minnesota". USA Today. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  39. ^ Baca, Maria Elena. "New FBI field office in Brooklyn Center seen as a catalyst." Star Tribune. August 31, 2010. Retrieved on October 29, 2011
  40. ^ "City of Brooklyn Center 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report" (PDF). April 27, 2024. p. 192.
  41. ^ "Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State - Election Results". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  42. ^ "History of the Police Department". City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Retrieved March 18, 2026.

Further reading

  • A Church Grows in Brooklyn: A History of Two Hundred Years of Methodism in America, a History of the One Hundred Thirty Years of Brooklyn United Methodist Church. Brooklyn Center, Minn: Brooklyn United Methodist Church, 1984.
  • Hallberg, Jane, Leone Howe, and Mary J. Gustafson (1996). History of the Earle Brown Farm. Brooklyn Center, Minn.: Brooklyn Historical Society.
  • Hoisington, Daniel John (2001). The Brooklyns: A History of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Brooklyn Center Historical Society. ISBN 978-0970843906.
  • Snodgrass, Pat (2009). Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. Chicago, IL: Arcadia Pub. ISBN 978-1531639723.
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