Monticello was founded in 1856. Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River at the northern edge of Wright County, Monticello is a growing and progressive community located halfway between the Twin Cities and St. Cloud. The population is 13,429 with over 4,500 households. The name Monticello is derived from the Italian word for 'Little Mountain,' it translates literally to English as hillock or small hill. The name Monticello was chosen because the city is situated at the base of a little mountain.
The City of Monticello, a regional center for jobs, shopping, and award winning health care, is located along I-94 just minutes northwest of the metro area. Poised for the future, recent investments include a 120-acre industrial business park plus many retail outlets have been constructed, including a Wal-Mart Supercenter, Mills Fleet Farm, a movie theater with the largest theatre screen in MN-Emagine Monticello, a state of the art bowling center-River City Extreme, The Home Depot, and much more. This planned growth has also brought new multi-unit housing opportunities, a taproom, and city-owned fiber optics. Monticello continues to attract new construction and business opportunities. Through good planning, new development, and increased market values; the City maintains a constant property tax base. Businesses and residents enjoy the natural amenities of the Mississippi River, Bertram Chain of Lakes, and City park/pathway system. The community also benefits from an outstanding public school system from early childhood through high school and quality healthcare from CentraCare Health, including a local hospital, cancer center, and clinic.
Over 26 city parks and 19 miles of paved pathways offer unlimited outdoor enjoyment. There are also seven lakes within five miles of downtown Monticello. We love visitors! Every winter Monticello is host to more than 2,000 migrating Trumpeter Swans. Thanks to the Monticello Nuclear Plant who keeps our river open upstream, these birds can be seen from mid-November through early March.
Monticello has one of the most impressive community centers in outstate Minnesota. The facility is widely used by local residents with over 240,000 visits per year.
The Monticello Senior Center just celebrated their 50 Year Anniversary with Pam Loidolt, director for 25 of those years. The Monticello Senior Center is the second largest center in the State of Minnesota!
Monticello's local newspaper is the Monticello Times.
