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Basic
Twin Cities Information
Located along the banks of the Mississippi River, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul and their suburbs are home to just under three million people - nearly 60 percent of Minnesota's entire population. For their size, the Cities boast many natural and cultural amenities. Life in the Cities is vibrant with more theatres per person than any other US city except New York, art museums, the river, professional sports teams, ethnic restaurants, and music venues showcasing both local and national talent. The Cities also offer a wide range of opportunities to become civically engaged and actively involved in the community.
Minneapolis (a hybrid Dakota/Greek word meaning "water city") and Saint Paul are competitive, yet complementary cities. Only a twenty-minute car ride separates their respective downtowns, but each city has its own personality, style, and strengths. Saint Paul, the state, capital, preserves much of its old character, buildings, and traditions. The city's residents are historically German, Irish, and Catholic. A historic Hispanic presence in the West Side neighborhood is still growing, and a large number of recent Asian immigrants live in the Frogtown neighborhood. The compact and dignified downtown is built on several hills with the impressive monuments of the Capitol Building and the Cathedral of Saint Paul each occupying one hilltop. By far the top employer in Saint Paul is the state of Minnesota, underlining the city's function as an administrative, government center. Higher education is another Saint Paul pillar, with Macalester College, the University of St. Thomas, the University of Minnesota, Bethel University, and the College of St. Catherine among others, located within city limits. Above all, Saint Paul is really about neighborhoods, with a strong residential feel.
With many skyscrapers, more up-to-date architecture, and an upbeat, distinctly edgier attitude, Minneapolis is livelier and more modern than Saint Paul. Though more urbane, Minneapolis still has an essential friendliness. The mostly Slavic, Nordic, and Lutheran residents spread out over a slightly larger area than Saint Paul. Minneapolis also has a significant black population and the largest urban American Indian community in Minnesota, concentrated in the Phillips neighborhood. Dozens of lacks and parks accentuate the city. Home-grown stars such as Prince, the Replacements, and Minnesota native Bob Dylan throw a spotlight on the thriving local music scene.
Twin
Cities
Research and Demographic Information
Community
Involvement and Volunteer Resources
Culture and Events
Government and Schools
Twin
Cities Research and Demographic Information
Metropolitan Council - Research and Data
The Metropolitan Council coordinates regional services for the Twin Cities area. Research and data reports on regional policies, the census, economics, housing. Plus maps and much more.
Wilder Research Center
Provides very extensive reports on Twin Cities neighborhoods and social service needs.
Twin Cities FAQ
A good introduction to the Twin Cities, answers all your basic questions! Fun Did you know? facts under the Twin Cities Info section.
DNR
Air
Photos Online
Air photos of the metro area and other resources.
MN State
Planning
Minnesota Planning, a state agency, provides information on critical
issues to policy-makers and the public.
Minneapolis
Center for Neighborhoods
Works to improve the health of neighborhoods through round tables, neighborhood connections, and technical assistance.
Midtown Community Works
A public-private partnership dedicated to redeveloping the Midtown-Lake Street corridor in Minneapolis. Contains information on Lake Street planning, transportation networks, the Midtown partnership itself, latest news on the redevelopment and reconstruction.
Community
Involvement and Volunteer Resources
Springboard for the Arts
Springboard for the Arts connects artists and resources, providing services designed to improve the business competence and confidence of independent artists and cultural organizations
Minnesota Council of
Nonprofits
Good site for local nonprofit job listings and other nonprofit
resources
Minnesota Council on
Foundations
Your online source for news & information on Minnesota
grantmaking
& philanthropy, with a nonprofit jobs page
Hands On Twin Cities
Hands on Twin Cities matches potential volunteers with
opportunities in the Twin Cities area. Features a searchable online
database featuring thousands of local volunteer opportunities.
United
Way
of
Greater Twin Cities
Extensive volunteer database and nonprofit job search engine
Twin
Cities
Free Market
A listing service for residents who want to give or get free reusable
goods for the home, garage and garden; part of an effort to reduce the
amount of reusable goods being thrown away.
Culture and Events
Community Connections Calendar
The Community Connections Calendar puts all the information in one place and it allows people to search by the topics that interest them most, by location or by time. It's easy one-stop shopping for civic engagement, or click, find, engage.
Twin Cities.Com
A great site for news and events in the Twin Cities, this site is linked to the Pioneer Press.
City Pages
Twin Cities cultural homepage. Includes the City Pages "Annual Manual: Your guide to the Twin Cities," news columns, an event calendar, and information on restaurants and music.
Government and Schools
City of Saint Paul
St. Paul's homepage - contains information on city services, neighborhoods, entertainment, jobs, etc.
City of Minneapolis
Home page of Minneapolis -- similar to above.
St. Paul Public Public Schools
This is the St. Paul school district's website.
Minneapolis Public Schools
Minneapolis school district website.
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