About the Bemidji Area

"Bemidji" is derived from an Ojibwe term, Bemidjigamaag, meaning "lake with cross waters." The mighty Mississippi crosses Lake Bemidji and flows north before turning south and completing it 2,320 mile journey. 

First City on the Mississippi is Regional Hub

The "First City on the Mississippi," Bemidji is a progressive, northern Minnesota city of 13,413 people. Serving approximately 228,000 individuals within a 75-mile radius, the city is a regional hub for education, finance, medical care, government, culture, recreation, and retail. The community is frequently recognized for its quality of place. Bizjournals ranked Bemidji one of America's top dream towns (31st of 141 dream towns) because of the city's economy, light traffic, moderate costs of living, first-class educational systems, and access to big-city amenities.

Educational Options Abound

Besides BSU and NTC, Bemidji is home to Oak Hills Christian College. At the elementary and secondary education levels, vibrant public, charter, and private school options exist. On the shore of Lake Bemidji, the city has hundreds of lakes and three major forests nearby, creating abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.

Arts and entertainment flourish in Bemidji. Cultural offerings include: The Paul Bunyan Playhouse (sixty years of professional summer stock theatre), Bemidji Choral, Bemidji Symphony, Headwaters School of Music and the Arts, Bemidji Community Theatre, Mask and Rose Theater, Bemidji Sculpture Walk, Bemidji Center for the Arts, art galleries, theatre and music at Bemidji State University, and award-winning music programs at Bemidji High School.

Highlights

  • Airport with daily service to the Twin Cities
  • Public transportation on Paul Bunyan Transit
  • Active service organizations, including  Lions, Rotary, Eagles, American Legion, VFW,BPOE
  • Concordia Language Villages, with the internationally renown immersion language camps
  • Curling Capital of the USA
  • Dragon Boat Festival, racing on Lake Bemidji
  • Art Cruise's fall artist driving tour
  • Art in the Park and Forestedge Winery art fairs
  • Forestedge Winery, an area winery
  • A Night We Light and Fourth of July parades
  • Fourth of July waterfront carnival
  • Camping: Bemidji and Itasca State Parks, Chippewa National Forest
  • Hotels and restaurants - smoke-free
  • Tribal colleges (3)
  • Nearby casinos

Area Links