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Anoka, Minnesota

Anoka is a city in and the county seat of Anoka County, Minnesota, United States.
Population 17,921

Top Events in Anoka History

1
1844Government
== History == Colonists first settled the site that is now Anoka in 1844.
2
1861Disaster
Alexander Ramsey, Minnesota's governor in 1861, was in Washington, D.C., when Fort Sumter was fired upon.
3
1863Military
He died on July 5, 1863, after sustaining a mortal wound as a member of the 1st Minnesota Infantry in defense against Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg.
4
1878Government
The city was formally incorporated in 1878.
5
1920Government
It is nicknamed the "Halloween Capital of the World" because it hosted one of the first Halloween parades in 1920.
6
1944Military
Sorenson, master sergeant, USMC, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific in February 1944 Rick Sorenson Park in downtown Anok...
7
1980Culture
Jim Lundeen started the Ham Lake Bucs in May 1980.
8
1982Sports
The team was officially approved by the Eastern Minney League and moved to Anoka in the fall of 1982.
9
1983History
The first official game for the Anoka Bucs was played in May 1983.
10
1996Education
Olympic wrestler, 1996 silver medalist, graduated from Anoka High School in 1992 Briana Scurry, United States women's national soccer team goalie, graduated from Anoka High Scho...

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Historical Timeline

1844Government
== History == Colonists first settled the site that is now Anoka in 1844.
1861Disaster
Alexander Ramsey, Minnesota's governor in 1861, was in Washington, D.C., when Fort Sumter was fired upon.
1863Military
He died on July 5, 1863, after sustaining a mortal wound as a member of the 1st Minnesota Infantry in defense against Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg.
1878Government
The city was formally incorporated in 1878.
1920Government
It is nicknamed the "Halloween Capital of the World" because it hosted one of the first Halloween parades in 1920.
1944Military
Sorenson, master sergeant, USMC, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific in February 1944 Rick Sorenson Park in downtown Anok...
1980Culture
Jim Lundeen started the Ham Lake Bucs in May 1980.
1982Sports
The team was officially approved by the Eastern Minney League and moved to Anoka in the fall of 1982.
1983History
The first official game for the Anoka Bucs was played in May 1983.
1996Education
Olympic wrestler, 1996 silver medalist, graduated from Anoka High School in 1992 Briana Scurry, United States women's national soccer team goalie, graduated from Anoka High Scho...
1998Government
Skogquist was the second-youngest mayor ever elected in Minnesota (one year older than John Gibeau, who was elected mayor of Ceylon in 1998).
2000History
=== 2000 census === At the 2000 census, there were 18,076 people, 7,262 households and 4,408 families living in the city.
2002Government
He was reelected in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
2009Architecture
Anoka station is located on the Northstar Commuter Rail line to Minneapolis, which opened in 2009.
2010History
== Demographics == === 2010 census === As of the census of 2010, there were 17,142 people, 7,060 households, and 4,202 families living in the city.
2019Sports
(2019-2023) The Minnoka Grays play baseball in the Federal League which is baseball for men 35 and older.
2023Sports
The Grays won Class AAA in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and they won the last 35+ Minnesota State Tournament in 2023 and won the 2023 MSBL World Series in Arizona - recognizing them as t...
2024Sports
In 2024 the Grays reached the Championship Game again at the 2024 MSBL World Series losing to Houston in the last inning.

Did You Know?

1
Anoka is located in the state of Minnesota.
2
Anoka has a population of 17,921 residents.
3
The population was 17,921 at the 2020 census.

Other Cities in Minnesota

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M
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SP
St. Paul
Pop. 311,527
D
Duluth
Pop. 93,000
B
Bloomington
Pop. 90,000
BP
Brooklyn Park
Pop. 86,000
P
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Famous People from Anoka, Minnesota

JD
Jake Deitchler
Wrestler · Born Dec 1, 1989 · Age 36
BE
Bonnie Erickson
Designer · Born Sep 20, 1941 · Age 84
AH
Anna Arnold Hedgeman
Civil Rights Leader, Politician · Born Jul 5, 1899 · Died Jan 17, 1990 (age 90)
SN
Sean Nienow
Politician · Born Mar 9, 1968 · Age 57
TH
Tom Hackbarth
Politician · Born Dec 28, 1951 · Age 74
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