CITY OF ANOKA
Anoka
Anoka is a suburban city of 17,500 + residents and rests at the confluence of the Rum and Mississippi Rivers northwest of the Twin Cities; about 18 miles from Minneapolis and 25 miles from St. Paul. As the county seat of one of the fastest growing counties in the Twin Cities Metro area, Anoka offers an abundance of attractions, events and activities. It’ s historic downtown boasts an array of eclectic and unique shops, restaurants, bars, and services, all surrounded by beautiful city parks, trails, and neighborhoods.
The Anoka Enterprise Park located on the west side of the city is brimming with large manufacturing, machining, and distribution businesses. The largest private employers in Anoka are Federal Cartridge Company / Vista Outdoor and nVent which together employ approximately 3,000 people. Close to 1,000 businesses reside in Anoka ranging from in-home offices to major international corporations, including the Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center, Anoka County Government Center, Anoka
Technical College, Anoka-Hennepin School District 11, and municipal buildings which all together provide over 14,000 jobs.
The City of Anoka was settled in 1844 and formally incorporated in 1878. In 1914, the City adopted the council-manager form of government and continues to operate under this system. The City Council is the policy making body and the city manager serves as the chief executive officer heading up a staff of approximately 120 full-and part-time employees, plus, approximately 100 seasonal employees. The City Council is comprised of four council members and a mayor, all elected at large. Several volunteer citizen boards and commissions serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council.
Anoka City Hall is open 8 a. m. – 4:30 p. m. Monday through Friday. City services include the Anoka Police Department, Anoka-Champlin Fire Department, Green Haven Golf Course & Event Center, Better Values Liquor store, Anoka Aquatic Center,
Anoka Senior Center, and two cemeteries. Anoka has operated its own electric utility, Anoka Municipal Utility( AMU) since 1909. In late 2025, Anoka opened the Anoka Cannabis Company, the first municipal dispensary in the state of Minnesota.
At the confluence of the rivers, a historic park connects the walking and biking trail system throughout the city. The Anoka Nature Preserve, at the north end of the city, is a 200-acre natural area offering passive recreation, trails, and access to the Rum River. Anoka provides unlimited water recreation opportunities, 30 parks and playgrounds, with four major park complexes including a lit and supervised sliding hill, 3 full size baseball fields and numerous tennis court and pickle ball facilities.
Housing opportunities range from stately historic older homes to beautiful executive homes along the rivers, to quad-homes, townhomes, apartments, and buildings designed specifically for the needs of senior citizens.
14 | Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce | anokaareachamber. com