Chisholm, Minnesota
City in the United States in St. Louis County
About Chisholm
Chisholm is a small town in St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,775 at the 2020 census. The city has been called "The Heart of the Iron Range" due to its location in the middle of the Mesabi Iron Range.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How Chisholm is governed
Form of government not yet listed.
0 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.
Residents of Chisholm
Registered voters elect the officials below.
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Mayor
Executive
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The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.
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City Manager / Administrator
Executive
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The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).
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Police Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the police department.
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Fire Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the fire and emergency services department.
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Public Works Director
Administration & departments
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Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.
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Finance Director
Administration & departments
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The budget, taxes, and city accounts.
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Planning & Zoning Director
Administration & departments
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Land use, zoning, building permits.
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Parks & Recreation Director
Administration & departments
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Parks, programs, and public facilities.
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City Council
Legislative
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The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.
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City Clerk
Administration & departments
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Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.
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City Attorney
Administration & departments
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The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.
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Boards & Commissions
Legislative
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Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.
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Municipal Court
Judicial
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Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.
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Municipal Judge
Judicial
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Presides over the municipal court.
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- Website
- chisholm.govoffice.com
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Population over time
From 4,976 in 2010 to 4,775 in 2020 (−4.0%).
Show the numbers
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 4,775 |
| 2010 | 4,976 |
History
The city was named for its founder, Archibald Mark Chisholm (1862–1933), a mining man and investor from Glengarry County, Ontario, Canada. Chisholm was incorporated in 1901. A post office called Chisholm has been in operation since 1901. With a railroad line to Duluth and plenty of mining work available in and near town, Chisholm's population grew rapidly, and by 1908 it had more than 6,000 people and 500 buildings. On September 5, 1908, a fast-moving forest fire obliterated the town due to dry conditions and the wooden construction of nearly all the town's buildings. Many people escaped by going into the lake. No one died in the fire. Afterward, building codes were enhanced, and by the next summer, more than 70 fireproof buildings had been erected.
Chisholm became a city in 1934.
1930s and 1940s
Chisholm experienced significant change throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries, reflecting the booms and busts of the iron mining industry. The 1930s were a challenging time for Chisholm. The Great Depression affected iron ore demand, leading to mine closures and unemployment. Workers faced labor unrest and strikes. World War II brought renewed demand for iron ore, reviving Chisholm's economy.
Muralist Elizabeth Carney Pope completed a Works Progress Administration (WPA) mural, Discovery of Ore, in the Chisholm post office in 1941.
1970s and 1980s
The 1970s saw a decline in iron ore prices and a shift to foreign competition. Mines in and near Chisholm began closing again, resulting in job losses and population decline. The city grappled with economic diversification efforts.
Since the 1990s
The late 20th and early 21st centuries brought continued adjustments. Tourism and healthcare emerged as new economic sectors. Chisholm focused on preserving its mining history and revitalizing its downtown area. It maintains a strong connection to its iron mining past. The Minnesota Museum of Mining and the Minnesota Discovery Center interprets the region's mining history, and the city hosts festivals and events celebrating its heritage.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.