Moving to Aitkin, Minnesota
The current estimated population of Aitkin is 2,200, with 48% male and 52% female. The population has remained stable, supported by its role as a regional hub for outdoor recreation in northern Minnesota.
City Facts
- Year founded: 1871
- County: Aitkin County
- Land area: 2.0 square miles
- Population density: 1,100 people per square mile
- Area code: 218
- Zip code: 56431
Geography and Location
Aitkin is located in north-central Minnesota, in Aitkin County. The town is situated near the Mississippi River, in the heart of Minnesota’s lake country. Aitkin is known for its natural beauty, with numerous lakes, forests, and rivers surrounding the area. It serves as a gateway to outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hunting. The nearby Mille Lacs Lake is a popular destination for anglers. The climate in Aitkin is typical of northern Minnesota, with cold, snowy winters and warm, pleasant summers.
Demographics
Median resident age: 45.1 years
Median household income: $24,574
Median house value: $69,900
Population by Race
Races in Aitkin:
- White Non-Hispanic (97.0%)
- American Indian (1.6%)
- Hispanic (0.8%)
- Two or more races (0.6%)
Ancestries: German (27.9%), Swedish (15.4%), Norwegian (13.0%), Irish (9.6%), English (7.0%), French (5.9%).
Elevation: 1217 feet
Land area: 1.7 square miles
Population by Education
For population 25 years and over in Aitkin
- High school or higher: 74.7%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.6%
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.0%
- Unemployed: 8.9%
- Mean travel time to work: 15.5 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Aitkin city
- Never married: 21.9%
- Now married: 46.2%
- Separated: 0.2%
- Widowed: 21.5%
- Divorced: 10.3%
0.7% Foreign born
Population change in the 1990s: -137 (-6.5%).
Hospitals
Hospital/medical center in Aitkin:
- RIVERWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER (301 MINNESOTA AVE S)
Other hospitals/medical centers near Aitkin:
- CUYUNA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 19 miles; CROSBY, MN)
- MILLE LACS HEALTH SYSTEM (about 32 miles; ONAMIA, MN)
- BRAINERD REGIONAL HUMAN SERVICES CTR (about 34 miles; BRAINERD, MN)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Aitkin:
- BRAINERD LAKES RGNL (about 32 miles; BRAINERD, MN; Abbreviation: BRD)
- GRAND RAPIDS/ITASCA CO-GORDON NEWSTROM FLD (about 49 miles; GRAND RAPIDS, MN; Abbreviation: GPZ)
- ST CLOUD REGIONAL (about 73 miles; ST CLOUD, MN; Abbreviation: STC)
Other public-use airports nearest to Aitkin:
- AITKIN MUNI-STEVE KURTZ FIELD (about 3 miles; AITKIN, MN; Abbreviation: AIT)
- BIRCH LAKE (about 14 miles; DEERWOOD, MN; Abbreviation: M69)
- MAL’S/SERPENT LAKE/ (about 16 miles; DEERWOOD, MN; Abbreviation: M14)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Aitkin:
- CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE-BRAINERD (about 34 miles; BRAINERD, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,364)
- SAINT CLOUD TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 75 miles; ST CLOUD, MN; Full-time enrollment: 2,183)
- SAINT CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY (about 78 miles; ST CLOUD, MN; Full-time enrollment: 12,913)
- ANOKA-RAMSEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 98 miles; COON RAPIDS, MN; Full-time enrollment: 3,627)
- HENNEPIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 101 miles; BROOKLYN PARK, MN; Full-time enrollment: 3,138)
- NORTH HENNEPIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 101 miles; BROOKLYN PARK, MN; Full-time enrollment: 3,097)
- NORTHWEST TECHNICAL COLLEGE-BEMIDJI (about 105 miles; BEMIDJI, MN; Full-time enrollment: 3,761)
Schools
Public high schools in Aitkin:
- AITKIN SEC. (Students: 634; Location: 306 2ND ST. N.W.; Grades: 07 – 12)
- AITKIN ALP (Students: 9; Location: 12 7TH AVE. N.W.; Grades: 11 – 12)
Public primary/middle school in Aitkin:
- RIPPLESIDE EL. (Students: 647; Location: 225 2ND ST. S.W.; Grades: PK – 06)