Willow River, Minnesota
City · Population 396 · #541 in Minnesota
About Willow River
Willow River, MN is a tiny community located in northeastern Minnesota counting 396 people who proudly call it home.
Officially, Willow River is an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 1.78 square miles, giving it wide-open spaces and a spread-out, rural feel at roughly 222 residents per square mile.
📰 Willow River News Today
- ‘I thought someone hit our house’: Willow River residents reacts to massive pipeline explosion Northern News Now · Jan 16
- Massive explosion involving gas line reported near Willow River dailydispatch.com · Jan 20
- Willow River residents reconnected with temporary natural gas WDIO.com · Jan 17
- Large gas line explodes near Willow River - FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul · Jan 16
- Natural gas explosion occurs in Willow River pinecountynews.com · Jan 20
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Willow River Unique
- The only place in America named Willow River — a truly one-of-a-kind name among 32,000+ US communities.
- Positioned in northeastern 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
- A tight community feel that bigger cities can't replicate.
- Housing dollars stretch further here than in the nearest metro.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 6 miles.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Willow River
- Dave's Cafe — burger (café)
- Peggy Sue's Cafe — burger (café)
Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Willow River
- General C.C. Andrews State Forest · Nature reserve reviews ★
- Frank Magdziarz Feild reviews ★
- Willow River City Park reviews ★
Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.
🏫 Schools in Willow River
- WILLOW RIVER ELEMENTARY
- WILLOW RIVER SECONDARY
Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.
⚡ Quick Facts
StateMinnesota
TypeCity
Population (2024)396
Rank in state#541 of 855
Land area1.78 sq mi
Density222/sq mi
Coordinates46.3238, -92.8300