Little Falls is a city in Morrison County, Minnesota, United States, near the geographic center of the state. Established in 1848, Little Falls is one of the oldest European-American cities in Minnesota. It is the county seat of Morrison County. The population was 9,140 at the 2020 census. Little Falls was the boyhood home of noted aviator Charles Lindbergh. Just across from his former home is Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, named after Lindbergh's father, prominent Minnesota lawyer and U.S. Congressman Charles August Lindbergh.
The town developed at falls on the Mississippi River, and was named after them. Several different dams have been built over the falls during the town's history, some of which powered sawmills in the 19th century. Today, the Little Falls Dam is a hydroelectric station that generates power for the surrounding area.
According to the obituary of the Ojibwe war chief Mou-zoo-mau-nee, the people of Little Falls asked the Ojibwe for protection during the Sioux Uprising. The Ojibwe sent 150 warriors.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of , of which is land and is water.
U.S. Highway 10 and Minnesota State Highways 27 and 371 are three of the main routes in the city.
Little Falls is also the eastern terminus of Minnesota Highway 28, which heads to Browns Valley at its western terminus at the Minnesota–South Dakota border. Highway 28 is co-signed with Highway 27, 12 miles west of town, until it turns towards Swanville. Highway 28 is unsigned until outside the city limits.
Minnesota Highway 238 is also nearby, linking Minnesota Highway 27 at Little Falls to Interstate 94 (I-94) in Albany, 35 miles south of Little Falls.
A large ravine used to run through the east side business district, past the Morrison County Courthouse and the original Little Falls City Hall. The ravine served as an outflow for excess water from Fletcher Creek, which flows into the Mississippi River approximately six miles north of the city. Filling of the ravine began in the 1880s, to allow city development, and continued until the 1950s. It was directly filled with dirt in some locations, while in other places, buildings were built over the ravine.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 9,140 people, 3,951 households. The population density was . There were 4,243 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 95.2% White, 0.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population.
There were 3,951 households. The average household size was 2.20.
21.3% of residents were under the age of 18; and 24.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 8,343 people, 3,608 households, and 2,055 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,867 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.1% White, 0.8% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.
There were 3,608 households, of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.0% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.85.
The median age in the city was 40.9 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 20.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 7,719 people (2008: 8,121 population), 3,197 households, and 1,899 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,358 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 97.21% White, 0.49% African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population. 38.2% were of German, 16.5% Polish, 8.4% Norwegian and 7.8% Swedish ancestry.