Park Rapids, Minnesota
10 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1953 and the latest in 1986. It stands in Park Rapids City. It lies in ZIP code area 56470. The Survey maps it on the Park Rapids quadrangle. 4,142 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 1,440 feet above sea level.
Research this city
On record in Park Rapids
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 2 records
Hubbard County Courthouselisted 1984
Park Rapids Jaillisted 1988
Population over time
2 figuresPark Rapids grew from 3,709 to 4,142 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.
| Year | People | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3,709 | |
| 2020 | 4,142 | +433 (+12%) |
Topographic sheets covering this place
6 surveys from 10 printed sheetsMatched 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.
- 1953 USGS Brainerd quadrangle1:250000, 3 printings
- 1957 USGS Brainerd quadrangle1:250000
- 1958 USGS Brainerd quadrangle1:250000
- 1965 USGS Brainerd quadrangle1:250000
- 1969 USGS Park Rapids quadrangle1:24000, 2 printings
- 1986 USGS Detroit Lakes quadrangle1:100000, 2 printings
Fires near this place
114 since 1992Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 114 fires within 5 miles of Park Rapids between 1992 and 2020, burning about 188 acres in total. 1 started naturally. 17 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 burning | 46 |
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 24 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 17 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 13 |
| Recreation and ceremony | 4 |
| Smoking | 4 |
| Power generation/transmission/distribution | 3 |
| Misuse of fire by a minor | 1 |
| Other causes | 1 |
| Natural | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 September 2012 | Arson/incendiarism | under an acre | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 2 September 2004 | Debris and open burning | 1.0 acres | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 4 July 2008 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 31 July 2006 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 28 July 2006 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 12 July 2003 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 8 June 2000 | Arson/incendiarism | 1.0 acres | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | not named |
| 3 June 2006 | Arson/incendiarism | under an acre | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources | not named |
Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:
Mines and quarries near this place
1 within 5 milesRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 1 working within 5 miles of Park Rapids: 1 producer. All of them still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumbers Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer |
Storms near this place
60 of 71 shownRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Park Rapids in 71 storm reports between 1996 and 2024: 30 hail, 27 thunderstorm wind, 6 funnel cloud, 4 tornado. 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.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2011 | Tornado (EF1) | Park Rapids | $600,000 | This tornado tracked for about six miles and was likely enshrouded in downburst winds and heavy rain along much of its path. Several sections of center pivot irrigation systems were flipped. Numerous large trees were uprooted or snapped and shingles and roofing materials were scattered about. Peak winds were estimated at 105 mph. |
| July 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | $250,000 | Several large trees were blown down between Fish Hook and Potato Lakes. Some homes nearby received shingle damage. Boats and docks were blown about on area lakes. |
| July 1996 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | $80,000 | no account filed |
| July 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | $10,000 | Several buildings were damaged by the strong wind. The steel from one of the buildings was found wrapped around some trees 1/4 mile away. |
| May 2018 | Lightning | Park Rapids | $2,000 | Lightning struck a radio tower and caused a fire on the tower. A second lightning strike occurred while the fire department was on the scene. |
| August 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | $2,000 | Numerous trees were blown down. |
| June 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | $2,000 | A fish house was blown over due to the strong wind. |
| July 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | $500 | Tree branches were blown down. |
| July 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | $500 | Trees were downed by the wind. |
| June 2003 | Lightning | Park Rapids | $400 | Lightning struck the NOAA weather radio tower and knocked the broadcast off the air. |
| June 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | Park Rapids ASOS records peak wind gust of 59 MPH at 426am. |
| June 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | Public reports tree and property damage in Park Rapids, MN. Wind speeds estimated. |
| June 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | AWOS reports a 62 mph gust. |
| May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | Peak wind measured at the Park Rapids Airport, KPKD. Numerous pine and poplar trees were snapped or uprooted across Todd and Arago Townships, from Fish Hook Lake northward through Potato, Eagle, Island, and Cedar Lakes. Time ranged between 529 and 539 pm CDT based on radar, nearby wind sensors, and public reports. |
| July 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | Peak wind of 59 mph was measured at the Park Rapids airport KPKD. |
| August 2020 | Tornado (EF0) | Park Rapids | - | A wall cloud produced a tornado with multiple brief touchdowns west of Fishhook Lake and near highway 71. Several trees were damaged. Peak winds were estimated at 70 mph. |
| July 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | Large tree branches were blown down near Long Lake. |
| July 2019 | Funnel Cloud | Park Rapids | - | A persistent wall cloud with an intermittent funnel were reported. |
| July 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | Tree damage was observed. |
| May 2018 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | The hail started out nickel sized, but then increased to quarter sized. |
| August 2017 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | Dime to nickel sized hail fell off and on. |
| August 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | The wind gust was measured at the Park Rapids airport. |
| July 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | A few trees were blown down. |
| July 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | Three large trees were uprooted. |
| July 2016 | Funnel Cloud | Park Rapids | - | Strong rotation and a funnel were observed on the west edge of Park Rapids. |
| July 2016 | Funnel Cloud | Park Rapids | - | A small brief funnel was observed near Island Lake on highway 71. |
| September 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | A few four to six inch diameter tree branches and tree trunks were snapped off along Two Inlets Road. |
| July 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | The wind gust was measured by the Park Rapids ASOS. |
| July 2010 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | Hail ranged from dime to quarter sized. |
| June 2010 | Funnel Cloud | Park Rapids | - | A funnel cloud was reported to be ascending and descending approximately halfway from the cloud base to the ground. |
| May 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | Trees were blown down around the Park Rapids area and vicinity. |
| May 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | Numerous large trees were blown down. |
| June 2008 | Funnel Cloud | Park Rapids | - | A funnel cloud was veiwed overhead at a WalMart store. |
| June 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | The wind knocked down two six inch diameter trees. |
| July 2008 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | The hail damaged crops and gardens. |
| August 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | The wind gust was measured by the ASOS at the Park Rapids aiport. |
| June 2005 | Flash Flood | Park Rapids | - | One inch of rain fell in less than 30 minutes, causing street flooding in Park Rapids. |
| June 2005 | Tornado (F1) | Park Rapids | - | The tornado originated 4 miles east-northeast of Osage in Becker county. The tornado tracked to near Portage Lake and knocked down several trees. Peak winds were estimated at 100 mph. |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | Large branches were blown down. A wind gust of 51 mph was measured at the Park Rapids airport at 346 pm CDT. |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | The strong winds damaged a metal barn roof, a hay shed, two fish houses, and an irrigation rig. Several trees were also blown down. |
| June 2002 | Flash Flood | Park Rapids | - | Street flooding was reported. |
| July 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | Trees were blown down in the strong wind. One tree fell on a parked car. Park Rapids was without power for an hour. |
| July 1997 | Tornado (F0) | Park Rapids | - | A brief touchdown produced minor tree damage. |
| August 2020 | Funnel Cloud | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| July 2020 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| July 2020 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| June 2015 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| June 2015 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| May 2008 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| June 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| June 2008 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| June 2005 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| June 2005 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| July 2003 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| July 2003 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| July 2003 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| July 2003 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| July 2003 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| July 2003 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
| June 2002 | Hail | Park Rapids | - | no account filed |
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.
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 Park Rapids | An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied. |
| Wikidata item Q1924427 | The 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 649151. 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.





