Incorporated May 20, 1896, Bemidji is a vigorous, friendly city of quaint charm in a setting of natural beauty that covers an area of 16 square miles with an elevation of 1,356 feet. The judicial seat of Beltrami County, geographically, Bemidji is the First City on the Mississsippi River, situated on Lake Bemidji and Lake Irving, sister lakes fed by the mighty river.
Known as the First City on the Mississippi, Bemidji is a thriving regional center with more than 100,000 residents in the surrounding area. With innovative manufactures, aspiring entrepreneurs and growing retail and services sector, the Bemidji region serves as the center for economic development for all of northern Minnesota.
World-class features such as The Sanford Regional Events Center, twice-daily flights to Minneapolis from the Bemidji Regional Airport, exceptional health care provided by Sanford Health, some of the most advanced fiber-optic telecommunications infrastructure in the United States, and the hub for education and training in northern Minnesota (Bemidji State University, Bemidji Technical College, Oak Hills Christian College and tribal colleges).
Bemidji, Minnesota - Best MN Town Contest
Bemidji is the county seat of Beltrami County and was organized in 1896. The name is derived from the OJibwe (Chippewa) Indian word Bay-me-ji-gamuag, meaning a lake with water (the Mississippi River) flowing through. In 1835, early explorers referred to Bemidji as Pamitchi. In the early 1890’s a small settlement grew up around the Carson Trading Post, which was located on the south shore of Lake Bemidji.
For years, Bemidji has been renowned as the home of the folk heroes, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. The statues of Paul and Babe were constructed in 1937. The Paul Bunyan statue is 18 feet tall and weighs over two tons above the footings. Each year, thousands of visitors come to see and be photographed with the historic statues of Paul and Babe. The statues are on the National Register of Historic Places as official cultural resources worthy of preservation.
Bemidji is a thriving regional center that serves a population of more than 100,000 people. The city of Bemidji maintains its small-town charm, with roughly 15,000 people living within the city limits. In Bemidji, you get the best of both worlds, quaint-small town fell with the lifestyle and opportunities only a regional center can provide.