Baxter, Minnesota
City · Population 9,186 · #108 in Minnesota
close-knit town🌐 baxter-mn.uscitysearch.com
About Baxter
Set in the northern part of Minnesota, Baxter is a close-knit town, home to 9,186 residents as of the latest Census estimates.
Baxter holds the status of an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 18.85 square miles, giving it wide-open spaces and a spread-out, rural feel at roughly 487 residents per square mile.
📰 Baxter News Today
- Where’s the water? Drought dries up Minnesota lake levels MPR News · Aug 9
- Baxter Air Quality Index (AQI) and USA Air Pollution IQAir · Jun 22
- Minnesota mom waits months for final paid leave program payment from state despite approved application change kare11.com · Aug 3
- Laurie Raboin Brainerd Dispatch · Aug 10
- Dennis Hyatt Obituary Jun 18, 2026 brenny.com · Jun 18
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Baxter Unique
- Positioned in northern Minnesota, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
- Part of the fabric of Minnesota — one of 915 recognized communities statewide.
Why People Love It Here
- Big enough for services and schools, small enough to feel like home.
- Local businesses and schools anchored by a stable resident base of 9,186.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 10 miles.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Baxter
- Black Bear Lodge & Saloon
- El Tequila — mexican
- Pizza Ranch — pizza
- Poncho & Lefty's
Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🎡 Fun Things to Do
- Safari North Wildlife Park · Zoo
Attractions mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Baxter
- Crow Wing State Park · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Oscar Kristofferson Park reviews ★
- South Dale reviews ★
- Whipple Beach Recreational Area reviews ★
Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.
🏫 Schools in Baxter
- BAXTER ELEMENTARY
- BRAINERD EARLY CHILDHOOD SP. ED.
- FORESTVIEW MIDDLE
Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.
🏥 Hospitals & Healthcare
- Community Behavioral Health Hospital - Baxter · Psychiatric
Medicare-registered hospitals with official CMS star ratings.
⚡ Quick Facts
StateMinnesota
TypeCity
Population (2024)9,186
Rank in state#108 of 855
Land area18.85 sq mi
Density487/sq mi
Coordinates46.3439, -94.2760