History

Brooklyn Center was originally located in the southeastern portion of Brooklyn Township and in the northeastern section of Crystal Lake Township. The east-west town line was located on what is now 61st Avenue North. Brooklyn Township was created in 1858, the year of statehood when most other Hennepin County townships were formed. Crystal Lake Township was formed in 1860 by taking two tiers of sections from Brooklyn and another two from Minneapolis Township. Both Brooklyn and Crystal Lake Townships were essentially agricultural settlements. The land in the entire area was rich and easily tillable. The proximity of the area to the rapidly growing City of Minneapolis led to the development of market gardening as the chief type of agriculture. Local life remained basically rural in nature until after World War II.

Growth

There had been some land development after World War I that continued on through the depression-ridden 30s, but this was localized in the southeastern corner of Brooklyn Center. The market gardening economy continued until land value increased to a point that it was more lucrative to sell than to engage in agriculture. Citizens approved a City Charter in 1966, establishing a council-manager form of government. The council is comprised of a mayor, elected to a four-year term, and four councilmembers, elected at large to four-year terms. The annual budget of Brooklyn Center exceeds $8 million and provides for a 32-member police department, programming and maintenance of over 500 acres of public parks, the upkeep of 120 miles of city streets, a 37-member volunteer fire department, and administrative services.

The population has grown from 500 in 1911, when the Village of Brooklyn Center was formed, to 4,300 in 1950; 24,356 in 1960; 31,230 in 1980; 28,810 in 1990; 29,172 in 2000; 30,104 in 2010; and 31,400 in 2020.

The city covers 8.5 square miles and is home to 31,400 residents and 12,585 jobs. Industry is a mix of retail and service, light industrial and manufacturing and institutional.