| Official Name: | Little Canada |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Mapsize: | 250px |
| Pushpin Map: | Minnesota#USA |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of Little Canada in Minnesota##Location of Little Canada in the United States |
| Pushpin Label: | Little Canada |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Minnesota |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Ramsey |
| Government Type: | Minnesota Statutory City |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Date: | 1858 |
| Established Title1: | Incorporated (village) |
| Established Date1: | 1953 |
| Established Title2: | Incorporated (city) |
| Established Date2: | 1974 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 11.62 |
| Area Land Km2: | 10.10 |
| Area Water Km2: | 1.52 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 4.49 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 3.90 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.59 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Est: | 10499 |
| Pop Est As Of: | 2021 |
| Population Total: | 10819 |
| Population Density Km2: | 1071.56 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 2775.53 |
| Timezone: | CST |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
| Elevation Ft: | 906 |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP codes |
| Postal Code: | 55109, 55117 |
| Area Code: | 651 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 27-37502 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 2395733 |
Little Canada is a city in Ramsey County, Minnesota, United States. It is a second-ring suburb of Minneapolis-Saint Paul. The population was 10,819 at the 2020 census.[2]
In 1844, French Canadian settler Benjamin Gervais moved north from Saint Paul to claim land in order to build the first grist mill in Minnesota that was independent from the government. Today, the large lake on the east side of Little Canada bears his name (Lake Gervais). The grist mill was converted into a park, which is recognized as the birthplace of the city. Little Canada began as the township of New Canada in 1858. In the 1950s, the township was threatened by the suburban sprawl of the ensuing larger communities that were formed, such as Maplewood. In 1953, the city leaders came together and established the village of Little Canada. It became a city in 1974.
The city displays the Canadian influence in its history in several ways. Its official symbol is an initial LC on a white fleur-de-lis with a red maple leaf background, and the Canadian flag is displayed in council chambers.
In early August, the city hosts an annual celebration, Canadian Days, with its sister city Thunder Bay, Ontario, in Canada.
Thunder Bay, Ontario since 1977According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.48sqmi, of which 3.89sqmi is land and 0.59sqmi is water.[3]
Interstate Highway 35E, Interstate Highway 694, and Minnesota Highway 36 are three of the main routes in the city. Nearby places include Maplewood, Roseville, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, and Saint Paul.
Little Canada has a number of parks and trails, including Pioneer Park, Spooner Park, Gervais Mill Park, Nadeau Wildlife Park, and the upcoming Veterans Memorial Park.[4] [5]
As of the census of 2010, there were 9,773 people, 4,393 households, and 2,361 families living in the city. The population density was 2512.3PD/sqmi. There were 4,689 housing units at an average density of 1205.4/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 74.6% White, 6.6% African American, 0.5% Native American, 13.1% Asian, 2.7% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.8% of the population.
There were 4,393 households, of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.7% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.3% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.96.
The median age in the city was 39.7 years. 19.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 to 44; 29.3% were from 45 to 64; and 14.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,771 people, 4,375 households, and 2,393 families living in the city. The population density was 2445.8sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 4,471 housing units at an average density of 1119.1sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 85.38% White, 4.20% African American, 0.58% Native American, 6.68% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 2.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.29% of the population.
There were 4,375 households, out of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.3% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.1% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $46,609, and the median income for a family was $61,082. Males had a median income of $41,205 versus $31,689 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,624. About 4.6% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
Little Canada is a Minnesota "Plan-A" (Council/Administrator) statutory city with a five-member council including the mayor. Little Canada elects its mayor every two years in each statewide general election. Council members are elected at-large in a staggered cycle, two every two years. Terms are four years and also occur during statewide general elections.
Little Canada is served mostly by the Roseville Area School District (ISD 623) with a small section of the city north of Interstate 694 served by the White Bear Lake School District. The two schools within city limits are Little Canada Elementary and Roseville Area Middle School.