This partial list of city nicknames in Minnesota compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in Minnesota are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity. Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. Their economic value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.Alfredo Andia, Branding the Generic City :) , MU.DOT magazine, September 10, 2007
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency. Anoka – Halloween Capital of the WorldCity of Anoka Web Site Albert Lea – The Land Between the LakesCity of Albert Lea website, accessed September 7, 2018 Austin – Spamtown USAU.S. City Monikers, Tagline Guru website, accessed January 5, 2008Claims to Fame – Favorites , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Bemidji – First City on the MississippiClaims to Fame – Activities , Epodunk, accessed April 10, 2008. Braham – Homemade Pie Capital of MinnesotaClaims to Fame – Food , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Duluth The Zenith CityTwin Ports: Duluth/Superior , accessed May 8, 2007. "Duluth, also known as the "Zenith City", is the larger of the two, and usually gets the most notoriety, but Superior, also referred to as "Soup Town"(because of common fog overhangs!) has a lot to offer residents as well as visitors." The Twin Ports (with Superior, Wisconsin) Elk River – Where City and Country Flow Together Hanover – The Little City on the CrowCity of Hanover Web Site Hermantown – The City of Quality LivingHermantown School District Web Site International Falls – The Icebox of the United States, Irvine World News, February 22, 2004 Lake Benton – Windpower CapitalClaims to Fame – Energy , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Madison – Lutefisk Capital of the WorldCity of Madison, Minnesota – Welcome to the City of Madison, Minnesota Minneapolis City of Flour and Sawdust (reported in 1883)Barry Popik, Smoky City, barrypopik.com website, March 27, 2005 City of LakesCity of Minneapolis, Minnesota – Official Web Site Mill CityAs per the city history book, The Mill City; or the Mill City Museum The Mini Apple MurderapolisReturn to Murderapolis The Twin Cities (with St. Paul) Montgomery – Kolacky Capital of the World Morris – Motown Mountain Iron – Taconite Capital of the WorldWelcome To Mountain Iron, motto listed on web site, accessed May 8, 2007. New Ulm – The City of Charm and TraditionThe History Of New Ulm , accessed May 8, 2007. "New Ulm, the City of "Charm and Tradition", is nestled just 90 miles southwest of the Twin Cities, in the heart of the scenic Minnesota River Valley." Northfield – Cows, Colleges and Contentment Preston – America's Trout CapitalClaims to Fame – Fish , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007. Richfield – PoorfieldThread in General, NikeTalk, accessed August 27, 2021. Robbinsdale – Birdtown Rochester – Med CityNumerous organizations, including Med City Mobility, Med City Marathon, Med City Driving School, and Med City Limousines St. Cloud – Granite CityDowntown St. Cloud, accessed May 8, 2007. "Since 1898, the region has supported one of the world's largest granite producers, Cold Spring Granite. Helping to give St. Cloud the surname "Granite City", this family-owned company employs about 900 people locally, including third and fourth generation craftspeople." St. Louis Park – St. Jewish Parkas per former resident Al Franken Saint Paul Pigs Eye (the city's original name – see Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant for details) HockeytownSI.com – Writers – In Search of... Hockeytown U.S.A. Tuesday December 4, 2007, Sports Illustrated Saintly City The Twin Cities (with Minneapolis) Stillwater – The Birthplace of Minnesota Warroad – Hockeytown Worthington – Turkey Capital of the WorldClaims to Fame – Birds , Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.
See also List of city nicknames in the United States
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