BlockBefore

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

10 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1953 and the latest in 1986. It stands in Detroit Lakes City. It lies in ZIP code area 56501. It stands on Sucker Creek Number One. The Survey maps it on the Detroit Lakes quadrangle. 9,869 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 1,368 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Detroit Lakes within Becker County

On record in Detroit Lakes

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 7 records

Population over time

2 figures

Detroit Lakes grew from 8,569 to 9,869 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
20108,569
20209,869+1,300 (+15%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

6 surveys from 10 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Fires near this place

205 since 1992

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 205 fires within 5 miles of Detroit Lakes between 1992 and 2020, burning about 5,252 acres in total. 1 started naturally. 32 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning92
Missing data/not specified/undetermined45
Arson/incendiarism32
Equipment and vehicle use10
Recreation and ceremony8
Misuse of fire by a minor6
Smoking6
Railroad operations and maintenance3
Natural1
Power generation/transmission/distribution1
Fireworks1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
26 August 2003Missing data/not specified/undetermined3.0 acresDetroit Lakes Wetland Management DistrictBALKE LAKE
25 August 1995Naturalunder an acreMinnesota Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
24 August 2003Debris and open burningunder an acreMinnesota Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
20 August 2003Debris and open burning12 acresMinnesota Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
19 August 1992Misuse of fire by a minor2.0 acresMinnesota Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
8 July 2003Arson/incendiarismunder an acreMinnesota Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
5 July 2001Missing data/not specified/undetermined2.0 acresMinnesota Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
4 July 2003Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreMinnesota Department of Natural Resourcesnot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Becker County

Mines and quarries near this place

5 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 5 workings within 5 miles of Detroit Lakes: 4 producers, 1 occurrence. 4 still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Clay. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Becker County Clay DepositClayOccurrence
Anderson Pit & MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Chadbourne Pit & MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Long Pit and MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Nester Pit & MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer

Every working recorded in Becker County

Storms near this place

60 of 76 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Detroit Lakes in 76 storm reports between 1994 and 2024: 32 hail, 30 thunderstorm wind, 7 flash flood, 2 flood. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
July 2017Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$350,000The wind gust was measured by a RAWS station. Numerous trees were snapped near Floyd Lake. One 24x40 foot shed was lifted and collapsed.
July 2010Flash FloodDetroit Lakes$200,000Street flooding occurred in Detroit Lakes. Roosevelt Avenue was barricaded due to water over the roadway, mainly on the north side of U. S. Highway 10. About 12 miles east-northeast of Detroit Lakes, rushing water washed out a culvert along highway 34. A nearby house also got water in its basement.
July 2001Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$50,000Strong winds hit the Soo Pass Ranch, which was preparing for its country music festival. Three travel trailers were flipped over, one completely wrecked. Signs, fence posts, and a booth were damaged. One tree fell on a large camper. Two boats were flipper over.
June 1997FloodDetroit Lakes$50,0002.5 to 4.5 inches of rain fell in two hours, flooding city streets and low areas.
May 1996Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$50,000no account filed
July 1998FloodDetroit Lakes$25,0001.6 inches of rain in 90 minutes flooded low spots around Detroit Lakes, including US Highway 10 and the industrial park. Several cars stalled in the deep water.
July 2001Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$20,000Strong winds knocked tree branches onto powerlines and blew over a portable greenhouse. A metal roof was torn off a building.
July 2001Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$20,000The Soo Pass Ranch was holding its Spirit Fest concert south of Detroit Lakes. The strong wind knocked over chairs, vendor booths, and sound equipment.
July 1999Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$20,000Strong winds knocked down many trees in the Lake Sallie area. One landed on an empty tent, another fell on a restaurant, and another fell on a pickup. Pontoons and sailboats were also flipped over.
May 2022Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$10,000Multiple trees blown down. Some trees have fallen on power lines. Shingles were torn of the roof of a house.
July 2002LightningDetroit Lakes$10,000Lightning struck a house and ignited a fire in the attic.
August 2002Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$10,000Three boat docks were damaged and several boats were overturned. A large oak tree was also split.
May 1996Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$10,000no account filed
June 1996HailDetroit Lakes$10,000no account filed
July 2001LightningDetroit Lakes$5,000Lightning hit a major downtown power substation, knocking out power for two-thirds of the city.
August 2001Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$5,000Powerlines were blown down.
July 2011Flash FloodDetroit Lakes$4,000Two to three inches of rain fell in less than an hour, causing street flooding in Detroit Lakes. A few sections of rural road between Detroit Lakes and Frazee were closed due to water running across roadways.
July 2016Flash FloodDetroit Lakes$2,000Flooding was reported in Washington Park, on Langford Street, and along highway 10.
October 1997Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$2,000Trees were blown down in the Detroit Lakes area by the strong wind.
June 1998Flash FloodDetroit Lakes$1,000Water flowed over US Highway 10 west of the city.
July 1999Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$500Trees were blown down at Height of Land Lake.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$4008 inch diameter trees were knocked down by the strong wind.
June 1998Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$200no account filed
June 1998Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes$200no account filed
July 2024HailDetroit Lakes-Hail stones up to an inch.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-Reports and video of structure damage to at least 2 businesses in Detroit Lakes, MN. Time estimated from radar.
July 2023HailDetroit Lakes-Public reports quarter-sized hail via email.
May 2022Flash FloodDetroit Lakes-Heavy rain causing flooding of residential streets and yards.
June 2022Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-Peak wind measured at a RAWS station. Time was estimated based on radar and other nearby wind sensor reports.
July 2021HailDetroit Lakes-Several reports of dime to quarter sized hail around Big Detroit Lake.
August 2020Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-The wind gust was measured by a RAWS mesonet station.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-A large tree was blown down along the highway between Detroit Lakes and Frazee.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-Large tree branches were blown down around town.
September 2014Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-A tree was blown down near Abbey Lake.
July 2013Funnel CloudDetroit Lakes-A pronounced landspout type funnel developed north of Detroit Lakes from a southward moving cumuliform cloud. A cell phone video clip provided by a traveler on U. S. Highway 10 north of downtown Detroit Lakes showed the weak funnel extending to within a few hundred feet of the ground and persisting for almost a minute.
June 2012HailDetroit Lakes-Quarter size hail fell.
June 2012HailDetroit Lakes-The report was made via Facebook.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-A tree blew down and blocked a roadway.
August 2009Funnel CloudDetroit Lakes-A series of brief funnels quickly formed and dissipated across portions of central Becker County. These funnels formed coincident with a band of rain showers which crossed the area between 715 pm and 815 pm CDT.
June 2007Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-At Lake Maud, strong winds damaged a cabin roof and uprooted many trees. Some trees fell on lake cabins.
June 2007Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-Strong winds twisted the fishing pier and knocked over trees.
May 2005Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-Two large trees were snapped off by the strong wind.
June 2005Flash FloodDetroit Lakes-One inch of rain fell in less than 30 minutes, flooding several city streets.
May 2005HailDetroit Lakes-The hail covered a deck.
May 2004Flash FloodDetroit Lakes-[See the event description under the Lawndale, Wilkin county, flash flood event.]
July 1999Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-Power was lost in Detroit Lakes.
June 1994Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-Several small buildings were damaged and many trees and power lines were blown down.
July 2008HailDetroit Lakes-no account filed
June 2006HailDetroit Lakes-no account filed
July 2006HailDetroit Lakes-no account filed
June 2005HailDetroit Lakes-no account filed
May 2004HailDetroit Lakes-no account filed
May 2004HailDetroit Lakes-no account filed
May 2004HailDetroit Lakes-no account filed
May 2004HailDetroit Lakes-no account filed
June 2004Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-no account filed
July 2003HailDetroit Lakes-no account filed
June 2002HailDetroit Lakes-no account filed
July 2001HailDetroit Lakes-no account filed
July 2001Thunderstorm WindDetroit Lakes-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Becker County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Richards3.8 miles11
Shoreham5.0 miles11
Bucks Mill7.5 miles16
Westbury7.7 miles9
Audubon7.9 miles11
Lake Eunice8.2 miles16
Rochert8.9 miles11
Frazee9.8 miles12

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on Detroit LakesAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q1898538The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 642777. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.