Located a short drive northwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Big Lake was originally called Humboldt until year 1867. Big Lake was established to harvest ice in both of the area lakes. Due to the immense amount of ice Big Lake produced, timely transportation became a necessity which lead to the creation of a railway station in 1871.

Big Lake is also known for its annual summer festival, Spud Fest, and has been a popular destination for quick escapes from the cities for summer recreation. That same proximity now allows residents to commute to the Minneapolis/St. Paul urban area for work while enjoying the natural beauty of a “beyond the suburbs” community.

Big Lake’s population is an ideal workforce—prosperous, family-oriented, and highly educated. Big Lake is populated primarily by young families with a median age of 28 years. Big Lake prioritizes quality of life by actively enhancing community cohesiveness, cultural events, parks and natural resources, technology advancements, and financial transparency. It also supports a robust partnership with the Big Lake School District.

Source: https://www.biglakemn.org/DocumentCenter/View/4032/New-Resident-Guide-04-2022