Editing Fridley, Minnesota

{{Short description|City in Anoka County, Minnesota, USA}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
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'''Fridley''' is a city in [[Anoka County, Minnesota|Anoka County]], [[Minnesota]], United States. Its population was 29,590 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Fridley_city,_Minnesota?g=160XX00US2722814 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=March 23, 2023}}</ref> It was first settled as a place named '''Manomin''' where Rice Creek flows into the Mississippi river and the Red River Oxcart trail crosses the creek. Fridley was incorporated in 1949 as a village and became a city in 1957. It is part of the [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul]] metropolitan area as a northern "first-ring" or "[[Inner suburb|inner-ring]]" suburb. Most of the growth in Fridley occurred between 1950 and 1970.<ref name="Census">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 28, 2014|author-link=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Fridley borders [[Minneapolis]] to the southwest. Neighboring first-ring suburbs are [[Columbia Heights, Minnesota|Columbia Heights]] to the south and [[Brooklyn Center, Minnesota|Brooklyn Center]] to the west, across the [[Mississippi River]].

==Geography and climate==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|10.89|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|10.17|sqmi|sqkm|2}} are land and {{convert|0.72|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is covered by water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=July 2, 2012}}</ref>

The city lies within a narrow portion of the southernmost part of Anoka County. It is longer north–south along the path of the Mississippi River, and the highways that follow the river. It is narrower east/west in the portion between the Mississippi River and [[Spring Lake Park, Minnesota|Spring Lake Park]].

Fridley borders the cities of [[Coon Rapids, Minnesota|Coon Rapids]] and [[Blaine, Minnesota|Blaine]] to the north; [[Spring Lake Park, Minnesota|Spring Lake Park]] to the northeast; [[Mounds View, Minnesota|Mounds View]] and [[New Brighton, Minnesota|New Brighton]] to the east; [[Columbia Heights, Minnesota|Columbia Heights]] to the southeast; [[Minneapolis]] to the southwest; and [[Brooklyn Park, Minnesota|Brooklyn Park]] and Brooklyn Center to the west.

Fridley is at the southern edge of the [[Anoka Sand Plain]].<ref name="DNR">{{Cite web|title=Anoka Sand Plain Subsection|url=https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ecs/222Mc/index.html|access-date=January 18, 2021|website=Minnesota Department of Natural Resources|language=en}}</ref> Lakes in Fridley include East Moore Lake, West Moore Lake, and Locke Lake. [[Rice Creek (Mississippi River)|Rice Creek]] flows through the central part of the city,<ref>''King's Twin Cities Metro Street Atlas '04.''  Minneapolis: The Lawrence Group.  2004.  {{ISBN|1-58301-215-X}}.</ref> Springbrook Creek through the northwest section, and the Mississippi River borders Fridley to the west. Parts of islands in the Mississippi River, including the Islands of Peace and Banfill Island, are within the city.

===Climate===
{{Main|Climate of Minnesota|Climate of the Twin Cities}}

Fridley shares its climate with nearby Minneapolis. It has a hot-summer [[humid continental climate]] zone (''Dfa'' in the [[Köppen climate classification]]),<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Peel |first1=M. C. |last2=Finlayson |first2=B. L. |last3=McMahon |first3=T. A. |title=Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification |journal=Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |date=October 2007 |volume=11 |issue=5 |pages=1633–1644 |doi=10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007|bibcode=2007HESS...11.1633P |url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00298818/|doi-access=free }}</ref> typical of southern parts of the [[Upper Midwest]], and is situated in USDA [[hardiness zone|plant hardiness]] zone 4b.<ref>[http://climate.umn.edu/pdf/normals_means_and_extremes/2005_Annual_LCD_MSP_page_3.pdf Normals, Means, and Extremes for Minneapolis/Saint Paul (1971–2000)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100720065506/http://climate.umn.edu/pdf/normals_means_and_extremes/2005_Annual_LCD_MSP_page_3.pdf |date=July 20, 2010}}: Mean of Extreme Mins for January</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=''Pioneer Press'' staff |title=USDA: Milder winters mean some changes in plant hardiness zones |url=http://www.twincities.com/2012/01/24/usda-milder-winters-mean-some-changes-in-plant-hardiness-zones/ |access-date=July 21, 2016 |work=[[St. Paul Pioneer Press]]|date=January 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721202402/http://www.twincities.com/2012/01/24/usda-milder-winters-mean-some-changes-in-plant-hardiness-zones/ |archive-date=July 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ |title=USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |publisher=Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture |date=2012 |access-date=August 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227032333/http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ |archive-date=February 27, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> As is typical in a continental climate, the difference between average temperatures in the coldest winter month and the warmest summer month is great: {{convert|60.1|F-change}}.

==History==

===19th century===
Fridley's post-European/American settlement history began with the construction of the [[Red River Trails]] Woods trail for the [[Red River ox carts]] in 1844.<ref>{{cite book|last=Fridley Historical Society |date=December 2008 |title=Fridley, Minnesota Its History and People |location=United States of America  |publisher=Fridley Historical Society |page=<!-- or pages= -->}}</ref> The trail traveled through Minnesota Territory from [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]] to [[Pembina, North Dakota|Pembina]] in present-day [[North Dakota]]. It was used to transport furs to the south and other supplies to [[Red River Valley]] [[settler]]s in the north. The East River Road (Anoka County Highway 1) follows this route today within Fridley, from the border with Minneapolis to the border with Coon Rapids. 
[[File:AbramMFridley1848.jpg|left|thumb|upright|[[Abram M. Fridley]], for whom the city is named.]]
{{seealso|Manomin County, Minnesota}}
In 1847, John Banfill became the first settler in the township area, which was known at the time as Manomin. Manomin is a variant spelling of ''manoomin'', the [[Ojibwe language|Ojibwe]] word for [[wild rice]], a staple of their diet. It comprised the modern-day municipalities of Columbia Heights, Fridley, [[Hilltop, Minnesota|Hilltop]], and Spring Lake Park. The [[Banfill Tavern]] was built in 1847.

The area soon grew quickly in size. In 1851, Banfill platted the actual town of Manomin. There, a general store and sawmill were built next to Rice Creek, named after [[Henry Mower Rice]], a settler who two years earlier had acquired land in the area. In 1853, the first town post office was in operation, and a year later, a ferry crossing the Mississippi River was established.

In 1855, [[Abram M. Fridley]], for whom the city is named, was elected as the first territorial representative for the area.<ref name="MNH5">Minnesota History (Volume 5). United States: Minnesota Historical Society, 1923.</ref>

In 1857, the area separated from [[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey County]]; [[Manomin County, Minnesota|Manomin County]] was established, and it became the smallest county in the nation, with only 18 sections.<ref name="MNH5"/> This distinction was short-lived; it was annexed by Anoka County in 1870 and became a township with the same name.<ref name="MNH5"/>

The [[Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad]], which joined St. Paul to St. Anthony across from Minneapolis in 1862, began extending rail to Anoka, reaching it through Fridley in 1864.<ref>Frank G. O'Brien, Minnesota Pioneer Sketches (Minneapolis: H. H. S. Rowell, 1904), 287-288; ―‗Dud‘ Condit, Who Saw railroads Supplant Stage Coaches in Northwest, Declares Conductor‘s Job Was Happiest in World,‖Minneapolis Journal, February 13, 1921</ref><ref>City and State,‖ Minnesota State News (Minneapolis), July 26, 1862; ―First Time Table of the St. Paul and Pacific, Minnesota Historical Society Collections‖; Ralph W. Hidy, Muriel E. Hidy, Roy V. Scott, Don L. Hofsommer, The Great Northern Railway: A History (repr., Minneapolis, London: University of Minnesota Press, 2004), 12; ―A Railroad Excursion Without an Accident,‖ Saint Paul Pioneer, January 19, 1864. The First TimeTable of the St Paul and Pacific does not state the amount of fares charged.</ref><ref>RAPIDS, REINS, RAILS: TRANSPORTATION ON THE Prepared for MINNEAPOLIS RIVERFRONT Marjorie Pearson, Ph.D. Principal Investigator Penny A. Petersen Researcher Hess, Roise and Company. May 2009</ref>

In 1879, the [[Minnesota Legislature]], of which Abram Fridley was still a member, changed the township's name to bear his name.

===20th century===
In 1949, Fridley Township voted to be incorporated as the Village of Fridley.<ref name="2016factsheet">[http://www.ci.fridley.mn.us/documentcenter/view/1538 City of Fridley combined city hall fact sheet]. City of Fridley, October 2016</ref> The ''Fridley Free Press'' was also established. Northern Pump, whose factory was within the village's boundaries, sued to challenged the village's incorporation.<ref>[https://law.justia.com/cases/minnesota/supreme-court/1951/35-061.html STATE EX REL. NORTHERN PUMP COMPANY AND ANOTHER v. SO-CALLED VILLAGE OF FRIDLEY AND OTHERS] Minn 233 M 442, 47 NW(2d) 204.</ref> This caused the village funds to be frozen. Minnesota state law allowed cities to operate municipal liquor stores after [[Prohibition in the United States|Prohibition]] ended.<ref>Minnesota Statutes 340A.601 ESTABLISHMENT OF MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORES.</ref> Fridley's liquor store proceeds were the primary funding for daily city operations until the lawsuit was resolved in 1950. Minnesota has both private liquor stores and city-owned municipal liquor stores.<ref name="MNCITY">Stemmer, Irene - [http://www.wayzata.org/DocumentCenter/View/707 History of the Muni] Wayzata Heritage Preservation Board, City of Wayzata, MN. 2009</ref> Fridley is the location of the headquarters of the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association (MMBA), a lobbying coalition for municipalities with city-owned liquor stores. In conjunction with the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, it lobbied against Sunday liquor store sales in Minnesota until they were finally permitted in 2017.<ref>Coolican, J. Patrick - [https://www.startribune.com/state-senate-passes-bill-to-end-ban-on-sunday-liquor-store-sales/414885874 State Senate passes bill to end ban on Sunday liquor store sales.] Star Tribune, February 27, 2017</ref>

The [[Totino's]] frozen pizza company opened a factory in Fridley in 1970 as it was growing to a national business.<ref>Johnston, Louis D. - [https://www.minnpost.com/macro-micro-minnesota/2021/04/how-totinos-secured-minnesotas-slice-of-the-frozen-pizza-market/ How Totino’s secured Minnesota’s slice of the frozen pizza market]. MinnPost April 29, 2021</ref> The business was sold to Pillsbury in 1975.

====Growth====
In 1957, the village became the City of Fridley, a "[[home rule]] [[charter city]]". City Hall, at 6431 University Avenue Northeast, has a fire station, city services and council meetings. A newer fire station was built in 1964. Fridley's population grew past 15,000 in the 1950s and peaked over 30,000 by the 1970s.<ref name="Census"/>

====1965 flood and tornadoes====
Two of Fridley's worst disasters happened within weeks of each other. In April 1965, Minnesota was affected by a "500-year flood". The spring flood on the Upper Mississippi is still the flood of record for from about 100 miles north of Minneapolis to Hannibal, Missouri. The crests that April exceeded previous records by several feet at many river gauge sites. Those crests still exceed the second-highest crest by a foot or more at many of those sites.<ref>Boyne, Jeff - [https://www.weather.gov/arx/flood1965 1965 Mississippi River Flood] United States National Weather Service (La Crosse Bureau) {{PD-notice}}</ref> An ice jam rising 24 feet over the river broke up when it rammed a series of ice breakers above the Sartell Dam.<ref>Marc Hequet - [https://www.bigrivermagazine.com/br.story.c.htmlThe Mississippi Flood of 1965 —Part 1]{{Dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Big River Magazine, March 1994</ref> The Riverview Heights area where Springbrook creek enters the river was severely flooded.
[[File:Fridley City Hall July 2017-2.jpg|thumb|Former Fridley City Hall and Fire Station Number 1 in July 2017]][[File:Fridley City Hall July 2017.jpg|thumb|Former Fridley City hall in July 2017]]
On May 6, 1965, Fridley was hit by two F4 [[tornado]]es.<ref>Curt Brown - [http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-tornado-outbreak-still-vivid-50-years-later/302311331/ Minnesota tornado outbreak still vivid, 50 years later]. Star Tribune, May 6, 2015</ref> One of every four homes in the city was destroyed or damaged. The second twister to hit was the [[Early May 1965 tornado outbreak|deadliest storm in Twin Cities history]], killing 13 people.<ref>[http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mpx/HistoricalEvents/1965May06/index.php Summary of May 6, 1965 Tornado Outbreak - NWS Twin Cities]</ref> Parts of City Hall and the fire station were damaged.<ref name="2016factsheet" />

====Post disaster recovery====
In 1967, a new Civic Center Building opened at the City Hall location, with a plaza to the south. This building was remodeled in 1989<ref name="2016factsheet" /> and demolished in 2019. The acreage around 73rd and (old) Central was purchased by growing Minneapolis-originated companies, Medtronic, Inc. and Onan Corporation, for manufacturing facilities.<ref>Minnesota Progress. United States: Minnesota Department of Economic Development, 1968.</ref>

====Springbrook Nature Center and tornado====
In 1970, Fridley began purchasing land that became the [[Springbrook Nature Center]]. On July 18, 1986, a widely photographed tornado spent 16 minutes in Springbrook Nature Center, destroying thousands of century-old trees and extensive areas of mature forest habitat. Well-known aerial footage of the tornado was filmed by a [[KARE (TV)|KARE]] 11 television news helicopter passing through the area.<ref>Heidi Wigdahl - [https://www.kare11.com/article/news/30-years-ago-sky-11-captures-incredible-tornado-footage/276056859 30 years ago: Sky 11 captures incredible tornado footage]. KARE 11 TV, July 18, 2016</ref>

===21st century===
[[File:Medtronic OHQ Fridley MN 2017.jpg|thumb|Medtronic Operational<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.medtronic.com/about-us/company-profile/locations/index.htm?loc=MDTHomeRefresh_B_InPage_Footer_About1 |title=Medtronic Company Profile - locations|access-date=January 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032720/http://www.medtronic.com/about-us/company-profile/locations/index.htm?loc=MDTHomeRefresh_B_InPage_Footer_About1 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Headquarters is a major employer in Fridley.]]

In 2001, [[Medtronic]] opened its new World Headquarters on the site of the 100 Twin Drive-in at Interstate 694 and Minnesota Highway 65.<ref>[http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20051207005640/en/Medtronic-Breaks-Ground-Cardiac-Rhythm-Management-Headquarters Medtronic Breaks Ground on New Cardiac Rhythm Management Headquarters]. BusinessWire, December 7, 2005 Initially Housing More Than 3,000 Employees, New Facility Will Be Medtronic's Largest in the World</ref><ref>Architecture Minnesota. United States: Minnesota Society American Institute of Architects, 2005. "Medtronic World Headquarters" pg. 86</ref> As of 2019, it is still the Operational Headquarters for Medtronic, PLC, which reorganized as an Irish company in 2015.

On June 19, 2003, President [[George W. Bush]] visited the Micro Controls company in Fridley. He was promoting one of the tax relief changes made during his administration.<ref>Bumiller, Elisabeth - [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/20/us/in-minnesota-bush-makes-another-economic-sales-call.html In Minnesota, Bush Makes Another Economic Sales Call]. New York Times, June 30, 2003</ref><ref>[https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2003/06/20030619-2.html President Discusses Tax Relief in Minnesota] White House Archives. June 19, 2003</ref>

In the early 2000s, the Minnesota Sports Cafe was a notable venue for [[mixed martial arts]] competitions. Fighters who have claimed victories in Fridley include [[Sean Sherk]], [[Nick Thompson (fighter)|Nick Thompson]], [[Brock Larson]], [[Marcus LeVesseur]], [[Brian Ebersole]], and [[Harry Moskowitz]].

On September 21, 2005, Fridley was struck by straight-line winds exceeding {{convert|80|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, toppling many old growth trees as large as {{convert|2.5|ft|m}} in diameter and destroying dozens of homes and several vehicles. Cleanup efforts took a week, leaving hundreds of residents stranded in their homes without power, unable to drive until streets were cleared of debris. The storm also affected [[Brooklyn Center, Minnesota|Brooklyn Center]], [[New Brighton, Minnesota|New Brighton]], [[Brooklyn Park, Minnesota|Brooklyn Park]], [[Coon Rapids, Minnesota|Coon Rapids]], [[Spring Lake Park, Minnesota|Spring Lake Park]], [[Blaine, Minnesota|Blaine]], and other communities in the surrounding North Metro area.

Fridley has [[Fridley Station|one of the first six stations]] of the [[Northstar Commuter Rail]] line connecting the northwest suburbs and downtown Minneapolis; the line opened in November 2009.<ref name=ST121107>Paul Levy, [http://www.startribune.com/local/north/12389261.html Northstar set to roll, but how far?], ''Star Tribune'', December 11, 2007.</ref>

On July 17, 2011, heavy rains washed out the BNSF rail bridge over Rice Creek. A train derailed there and sent hopper cars containing corn into the creek.<ref>[http://www.wday.com/news/minnesota/2603654-2-injured-after-train-derails-fridley Two Injured after Train Derails in Fridley] WDAY, July 17, 2017</ref> Traffic was rerouted for several days. In 2013, a jury awarded damages from BNSF to the train's engineer and conductor.<ref>ABBY SIMONS AND PAUL WALSH - [http://www.startribune.com/jury-awards-2-6m-for-emotional-damage-to-worker-in-fridley-derailment/229792471/ Jury Awards $2.6m for Emotional Damage to Worker in Fridley Derailment] Star Tribune, October 29, 2013</ref>

The Columbia Arena, filming location for the Disney Movie [[D3: The Mighty Ducks]], was demolished in 2016 to make way for a new City Hall.<ref>[http://history.vintagemnhockey.com/page/show/1424332-columbia-arena Vintage MN Hockey: Columbia Arena]</ref> This was controversial because it was expected to cost $50 million and increase homeowner taxes by 19%.<ref>Covington, Hannah - [http://www.startribune.com/fridley-residents-at-odds-over-new-city-hall-complex/404362146/ Fridley residents at odds over new city hall complex.] Star Tribune, December 2, 2016. Some say time is right to replace the facility, while others want plan brought to a referendum.</ref> The Fridley Civic Campus dedication at 7071 University Avenue NE was held on November 17, 2018.<ref>[http://fridleymn.gov/1386/Fridley-Civic-Campus-Opening-Dedication Fridley Civic Campus Opening & Dedication.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125204210/http://fridleymn.gov/1386/Fridley-Civic-Campus-Opening-Dedication |date=November 25, 2018 }} City of Fridley, November 17, 2018</ref> The staff had moved from the previous city hall over Veteran's Day weekend and began working there on November 12. The city council approved the project in December 2016 after nearly three years of studies, meetings and workshops. The council raised the levy to pay for the project, increasing city taxes about 16% for the average homeowner.<ref>[http://www.startribune.com/metro-briefs-fridley-s-new-50-million-civic-campus-opens-this-week/500207461/ Metro Briefs Fridley's new $50 Million civic campus opens this week.] Star Tribune, November 10, 2018</ref> A number of other Twin Cities suburbs updated their civic facilities during a 2018 "building boom of sorts", including Eagan, New Hope, Minnetonka, and Burnsville.<ref>[https://kstp.com/news/minnetonka-fire-police-facility-upgrades-proposed-plan/5145272/ Minnetonka Fire, Police Departments Could Soon Get Facility Upgrades.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125204404/https://kstp.com/news/minnetonka-fire-police-facility-upgrades-proposed-plan/5145272/ |date=November 25, 2018}} KSTP TV, November 14, 2018</ref>

Fridley received an allocation of $1.52 million from the [[American Rescue Plan Act of 2021]] (ARPA).<ref name="ARPA">Adler, Erin and Kim Hyatt - [https://www.startribune.com/how-twin-cities-suburbs-are-spending-the-windfall-theyve-received-from-the-american-rescue-plan-act/600155406/How Twin Cities suburbs are spending a windfall from the American Rescue Plan Act]{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Star Tribune, March 12, 2022</ref> The money was used to upgrade and repair its water distribution system and wastewater and storm water infrastructure.<ref name="ARPA"/> The city plans in 2022 to use the next allocation of $1.52 million to improve security at water treatment plants, rebuild its water distribution system, and on sanitary sewer and water quality projects.<ref name="ARPA"/>

President [[Joe Biden]] visited the Cummins plant in Fridley on April 3, 2022, as part of his "Investing in America" tour.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/president-biden-brings-investing-in-america-tour-to-fridley-business-monday/ President Biden brings "Investing in America" tour to Twin Cities business]. CBS News, April 3, 2023</ref> Cummins had announced a $1 billion initiative to produce clean energy technology, including [[electrolyzer]]s for hydrogen cells in Fridley.<ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/cummins-to-invest-over-1-bln-to-upgrade-u-s-facilities-to-new-clean-energy-tech/ar-AA19qc4B Cummins to invest over $1 bln to upgrade U.S. facilities to new clean energy tech]. Reuters, April 3, 2023<</ref><ref>[https://www.cummins.com/news/releases/2023/04/03/cummins-announces-investments-more-1-billion-across-us-manufacturing Cummins U.S. CUMMINS ANNOUNCES INVESTMENTS OF MORE THAN $1 BILLION ACROSS U.S. MANUFACTURING NETWORK - Electrolyzer Product in Fridley, Minnesota] Cummins, April 3, 2023, Columbus, Indiana</ref>

==Economy==
Fridley is home to the Operational (formerly World)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.medtronic.com/about-us/company-profile/locations/index.htm?loc=MDTHomeRefresh_B_InPage_Footer_About1 |title=Medtronic: About Us |access-date=January 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032720/http://www.medtronic.com/about-us/company-profile/locations/index.htm?loc=MDTHomeRefresh_B_InPage_Footer_About1 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Headquarters of Ireland-based [[Medtronic|Medtronic plc]]. Medtronic also has a substantial Rice Creek business campus. Other major employers in Fridley include [[BAE Systems]] (formerly [[United Defense]]), [[Cummins]], Unity Medical Center, part of the Allina Healthcare system, part of the Mercy Hospitals, [[Minco Products, Inc]], and Kurt Manufacturing Company. Fridley is also home to a [[Target Stores]] retail distribution center. [[Magnum Research]], a company that produces the [[Desert Eagle]] firearm, had its headquarters in Fridley until 2010.

Minneapolis and Saint Paul draw their municipal water supplies from the Mississippi River at Fridley, which is upstream.<ref name="MPLSH2O">Roper, Eric - [https://www.startribune.com/do-the-twin-cities-really-get-their-drinking-water-from-the-mississippi-river/572506491/ How do cities make Mississippi River water safe to drink?] Star Tribune, October 9, 2020</ref> The City of Minneapolis Waterworks plant and Fire Department training facility are in Fridley.<ref name="MPLSH2O" />

In the 2000 census data, there were 11,542 more jobs in Fridley than the number of workers age 16 and over.<ref name="FRIDLEYECON">[http://www.ci.fridley.mn.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/661 Chapter 4, Economic and Redevelopment Plan] - City of Fridley. Retrieved June 12, 2017</ref> But most Fridley residents work outside Fridley, most commonly in other cities in Hennepin County and in Minneapolis. Only 21% of the 15,221 Fridley residents in the workforce in 2000 worked in Fridley. Fridley saw a decline in the number of jobs from 26,763 in 2000 to 23,845 in 2006, according to the city economic plan report.<ref name="FRIDLEYECON" />

===Largest employers===
According to the City's 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ci.fridley.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/8004/2021-Annual-Comprehensive-Financial-Report-PDF?bidId= |title=City of Fridley 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report|format=[[Portable Document Format|PDF]]|page=191|date=March 23, 2023}}</ref> the largest employers in the city are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
| 1
|[[Medtronic]]
|3,366
|-
|2
|[[Target Corporation|Target]]
|1,301
|-
|3
|[[Allina Health|Unity Medical Center]]
|1,215
|-
|4
|[[Cummins|Cummins Power (Onan)]]
|1,099
|-
|5
|[[Minco Products]] 
|592
|-
|6
|Fridley Public Schools ISD #14
|564
|-
|7
|[[BAE Systems Inc.|BAE Systems]]
|550
|-
|8
|Kurt Manufacturing 
|275
|-
|9
|Taylor Communications 
|250
|-
|10
|[[Walmart]]
|212
|}

==Education==
[[File:Fridley Middle School.jpg|thumb|right|Fridley Middle School]]
Fridley's public schools are governed by Fridley Independent School District 14. [[Fridley High School]], Fridley Middle School, Hayes Elementary School, and Stevenson Elementary School comprise the district. In 1978, Fridley closed three elementary schools due to declining enrollment: Gardena, Riverwood, and Parkview.<ref>School Closings: Trends and Prospects - State of Minnesota Department of Education. October 1982 https://www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/pre2003/other/821352.pdf</ref> Riverwood Elementary was demolished and single-family homes were developed. Parkview Elementary became the Fridley Community Center. Gardena Elementary became the Al-Amal School. Rice Creek Elementary closed later and was demolished, with single-family homes developed in its place. After the 1965 tornado, students at Parkview had to double up at the Riverwood school while it was being rebuilt.

[[Totino-Grace High School]], a private Roman Catholic high school, Calvin Christian High School, a private Christian high school, and Al-Amal School, a private Islamic K-12 school, are also in Fridley.

A small part of northern Fridley is in [[Anoka-Hennepin School District 11]]. Students living in an area of eastern Fridley are in Columbia Heights School District 13. North Park Elementary is in Fridley. Most students living in north-northeastern Fridley are in [[Spring Lake Park School District 16]].<ref>[https://www.springlakeparkschools.org/high-school/register/map-and-attendance-boundaries Map and Attendance Boundaries] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229134814/https://www.springlakeparkschools.org/high-school/register/map-and-attendance-boundaries |date=December 29, 2021 }} - Spring Lake Park Schools</ref> A District 16 elementary school, Woodcrest Spanish Immersion, is in Fridley.

==Parks and recreation==
Fridley is home to the {{convert|127|acre|km2|adj=on}} [[Springbrook Nature Center]] park and nature reserve on its northern border with Coon Rapids. The total Fridley city park space is {{convert|316|acres|km2|adj=off}}.<ref>[http://www.ci.fridley.mn.us/197/Parks-Trails Parks and Trails] City of Fridley</ref> There are baseball and softball diamonds, football and soccer fields, basketball courts, and tennis courts for sports. In the winter there are outdoor ice skating rinks with warming houses. The western border of Fridley comprises the [[Mississippi National River and Recreation Area]]. Parts of islands in the recreation area are within Fridley's city limits.

Fridley has the following [[Anoka County, Minnesota|Anoka County]] parks:
* Manomin County Park ([[Rice Creek (Mississippi River)|Rice Creek]] where it enters the Mississippi River and Locke Lake)
* Rice Creek West/Locke Park and Regional Trail (Rice Creek)
* Islands of Peace County Park (Mississippi River)
* Anoka County Riverfront Regional Park (Mississippi River)

==Infrastructure and transportation==
[[File:Interstate 694 Fridley MN 2017.jpg|thumb|Interstate 694 looking West through Fridley]]

[[Interstate 694]] and Minnesota State Highways [[Minnesota State Highway 47|47]] and [[Minnesota State Highway 65|65]] are three of the main automobile routes in the city. East River Road is one of the oldest roads in the state as a Minnesota Territorial road.<ref name="Heim2004">{{cite book|author=Michael Heim|title=Exploring America's Highways: Minnesota Trip Trivia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qpdxhqewliAC&pg=PA8|date=March 2004|publisher=Exploring America's Highway|isbn=978-0-9744358-1-7|pages=8–}}</ref> It was part of the [[Red River Trails]] Woods trail. The [[I-694 Bridge]], joining Fridley to [[Brooklyn Center]], is the only crossing of the Mississippi River within the city.

[[File:Fridley MN Station 2017.jpg|thumb|Platform of the Fridley Northstar station looking South towards Minneapolis]]

The [[BNSF Railway]] main [[Northern Transcon|Northern transcontinental]] Twin Cities to Portland/Seattle double track line passes through Fridley as part of the [[Staples Subdivision]].<ref name="rail-volume">{{cite web|url=http://www.dot.state.mn.us/ofrw/maps/MNFreightRailroadMapMay2013Large.pdf |title=Minnesota Freight Railroad Map |author=Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations |publisher=Minnesota Department of Transportation |date=May 2013 |access-date=January 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207074650/http://www.dot.state.mn.us/ofrw/maps/MNFreightRailroadMapMay2013Large.pdf |archive-date=February 7, 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.bnsf.com/ship-with-bnsf/maps-and-shipping-locations/rail-network-maps.html BNSF Rail Network Maps]</ref>  The [[Fridley (Metro Transit station)|Fridley Station]] is served by the [[Northstar Commuter Rail]] line running on the BNSF tracks into Minneapolis. The [[Amtrak]] [[Empire Builder]] passes through Fridley twice daily on this line, but does not stop in the city.<ref name="Timetable2">BNSF Northwest Division Timetable No. 2</ref> The massive BNSF Northtown Classification Yards are in the city.<ref name="Timetable2"/> The [[Minnesota Commercial Railway]] also serves Fridley, with a terminal warehouse there. 
[[File:BNSF Northtown Yard Fridley MN 2017.jpg|thumb|BNSF Northtown Classification Yard]]

The Mississippi River is non-navigable for barge traffic north of the [[Canadian Pacific Camden Place Rail Bridge]], but small boats can travel upstream to the [[Three Rivers Park District#Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park|Coon Rapids Dam]] without a portage. There is a landing for small boats in the river near Interstate 694 at the Anoka County Riverfront Regional Park.<ref>[http://www.anokacounty.us/794/Riverfront-Regional-Park Riverfront Regional Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511080933/http://www.anokacounty.us/794/Riverfront-Regional-Park |date=May 11, 2018 }} Anoka County</ref>

The [[Anoka County–Blaine Airport]] serves the area and is in neighboring Blaine.

==Nickname==
Fridley has the [[nickname]] "Friendly Fridley".<ref>Spotlight on Fridley; `Friendly' Minneapolis suburb mostly has ramblers, split-level homes. [[Star Tribune]] Homes Section (Minneapolis, Minnesota). November 23, 1996. Jim Buchta</ref><ref>[http://www.ci.fridley.mn.us/commdev/planning/Comp%20Plan/chapter1preface.pdf City of Fridley Community Development Comprehensive Plan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928075304/http://www.ci.fridley.mn.us/commdev/planning/Comp%20Plan/chapter1preface.pdf |date=2007-09-28 }} Chapter 1 preface (PDF)</ref> The nickname was spread further by a long-running series of advertisements on various radio stations for a local car dealer. The announcer directed people to "Friendly Chevrolet up in Friendly Fridley".

The city festival is named "49'er" days, which commemorates the 1949 incorporation. It is usually held in mid-June.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.fridley.mn.us/49er-days-parade |title=49er Days Parade - City of Fridley |access-date=September 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806230809/http://www.ci.fridley.mn.us/49er-days-parade |archive-date=August 6, 2011}}</ref>

==Sister city==
* {{flagdeco|France}} [[Fourmies, Nord]] (France) - [[Medtronic|Medtronic plc]] has an assembly plant in Fourmies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.medtronic.fr/qui-sommes-nous/medtronic-france/ |title=Medtronic France |access-date=August 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827054326/http://www.medtronic.fr/qui-sommes-nous/medtronic-france/ |archive-date=August 27, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1950= 3796
|1960= 15173
|1970= 29233
|1980= 30228
|1990= 28335
|2000= 27449
|2010= 27208
|2020= 29590
|estyear=2022
|estimate=30289
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=June 4, 2023|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 4, 2023}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 11, 2013}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}
{{US Census population
|1860= 136
|1870= 103
|1880= 257
|1890= 476
|1900= 443
|1910= 523
|1920= 533
|1930= 693
|1940= 1392
|1950= 2279
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Census for Fridley Township<ref name="Census" />
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 27,208 people, 11,110 households, and 7,057 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2675.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 11,760 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1156.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 75.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 11.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 4.9% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 4.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 7.3% of the population.

There were 11,110 households, of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.5% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.

The median age in the city was 37.1 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 14.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 27,449 people, 11,328 households, and 7,317 families residing in the city.  The population density was {{convert|2,701.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 11,504 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,132.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 88.65% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.42% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.82% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.89% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.07% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.23% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.93% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.56% of the population.

There were 11,328 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,372, and the median income for a family was $55,381. Males had a median income of $38,100 versus $29,997 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $23,022.  About 5.3% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.9% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==
Fridley has a [[council-manager government]]. David Ostwald is the mayor, first elected in 2024.

Fridley is in [[Minnesota's 5th congressional district]], represented by [[Ilhan Omar]], a [[Democratic Farmer Labor Party|Democrat]].

==Notable people==
*[[Joe Alt]], National Football League offensive lineman 
*[[Mikey Anderson]], National Hockey League player
*[[Bill Antonello]], Major League Baseball player
*[[Gordon Backlund]], politician 
*[[Connie Bernardy]], politician
*[[Don Betzold]], politician
*[[Satveer Chaudhary]], politician
*[[L. Joseph Connors]], politician
*[[Chris Dahlquist]], National Hockey League player
*[[Ducky DooLittle]], sex educator
*[[Brooke Elliott]], actress
*[[Mike Erlandson]], businessman
*[[Abram M. Fridley]], politician and namesake of the city
*[[Thomas E. Greig]], politician
*[[Sean Hjelle]], Major League Baseball pitcher
*[[Larry Hosch]], politician
*[[Warren Johnson]], NHRA drag racer
*[[Jon Melander]], NFL player
*[[Donald Savelkoul]], politician and lawyer
*[[Don Simensen]], NFL player
*[[Wayne Simoneau]], politician
*[[Tom Tillberry]], politician
*[[Rose Totino]], businesswoman
*[[Cory Wong]], guitarist

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.ci.fridley.mn.us Official City Website]
*[https://fridleyhistoricalsociety.org/ Fridley Historical Society]

{{commons category-inline|Fridley, Minnesota}}
{{wikivoyage|Fridley|Fridley, Minnesota}}

{{Anoka County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Fridley, Minnesota| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Minnesota populated places on the Mississippi River]]
[[Category:Cities in Anoka County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1847]]
[[Category:1847 establishments in Wisconsin Territory]]
[[Category:Former county seats in Minnesota]]