Where is Mankato, Minnesota, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is Mankato Located? - Mankato is a city located in the Blue Earth, Nicollet, Le Sueur County of Minnesota, United States. Mankato lies between 47.6013252 Degrees North latitudes and 114.122336 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Mankato, Minnesota

Where is Mankato, Minnesota

Mankato Map, Minnesota, USA

Where is Mankato?: The Google Map showing the location of Mankato in the U.S. state of Minnesota.

Where is Mankato Located?

Mankato is a city located in the Blue Earth, Nicollet, Le Sueur County of Minnesota, United States. Mankato lies between 47.6013252 Degrees North latitudes and 114.122336 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Mankato city is 44488 people and the city has a total area of 19.08 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Mankato, Minnesota Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityMankato
CountyBlue Earth County
StateMinnesota
State CapitalSaint Paul
US RegionMidwestern United States (Upper Midwest Region)
Latitude44.1636° N
Longitude93.9994° W
Elevation794 ft (242 m)
Land Area18.15 sq mi
Water Area0.61 sq mi
Total Area18.76 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)43,159
Population Density2,378 per sq mi
ZIP Code(s)56001, 56002
Area Code(s)507
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST, UTC−6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code27-39878
Congressional DistrictMinnesota's 1st Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Mankato

CategoryDetails
Airport NameMankato Regional Airport
IATA CodeMKT
Secondary AirportMinneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 14, U.S. Route 169, Minnesota State Highway 22
Train ServiceNo passenger rail service within city
Local Transit ServiceMankato Transit System
  • Mankato is located in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, along the Minnesota River.
  • The city is part of the Greater Mankato metropolitan area and serves as a regional center for education, healthcare, manufacturing, and commerce.
  • Mankato is home to Minnesota State University, Mankato, one of the largest universities in the state.
  • The city is known for its river valleys, parks, cultural attractions, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Top Places to Visit in Mankato, Minnesota

Landmark NameType
Minneopa State ParkState Park
Minneopa FallsWaterfall & Scenic Attraction
Blue Earth County Historical SocietyHistory Museum
Children's Museum of Southern MinnesotaChildren's Museum
Mount Kato Ski AreaSki & Recreation Area
Sibley ParkCity Park & Zoo
Red Jacket TrailRecreation Trail
Riverfront ParkWaterfront Park
Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery (nearby)Winery & Event Venue
Seven Mile Creek Park (nearby)County Park

Driving Distances from Mankato, Minnesota to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
New UlmMinnesota3035 minutes
FaribaultMinnesota4550 minutes
RochesterMinnesota901 hour 30 minutes
MinneapolisMinnesota851 hour 30 minutes
Saint PaulMinnesota901 hour 35 minutes
Sioux FallsSouth Dakota1252 hours
Des MoinesIowa1803 hours
La CrosseWisconsin1502 hours 30 minutes
MilwaukeeWisconsin2604 hours
ChicagoIllinois4006 hours

Colleges and Universities in Mankato, Minnesota

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Minnesota State University, MankatoPublicUniversityBusiness, education, aviation, nursing, engineering, and research
South Central College – North Mankato CampusPublicCommunity & Technical CollegeManufacturing, healthcare, business, and technical programs
Riverland Community College (regional)PublicCommunity CollegeCareer education, agriculture, technology, and transfer programs
Gustavus Adolphus CollegePrivateLiberal Arts CollegeArts, sciences, business, and humanities
Martin Luther College (regional)PrivateLiberal Arts CollegeEducation, theology, and liberal arts

Waterbodies in Mankato, Minnesota

Mankato is located in Blue Earth County at the meeting point of the Minnesota River and Blue Earth River. Major nearby water resources include the Minnesota River, Blue Earth River, Spring Lake, and Madison Lake. These waterways support fishing, boating, wildlife habitats, and outdoor recreation.

Stadiums and Sports Facilities in Mankato

Mankato features major sports facilities including Blakeslee Stadium, Bresnan Arena, Caswell Park, and Minnesota State University athletic facilities. These venues host football, hockey, basketball, baseball, soccer, and other collegiate and community sporting events.

Mankato, Minnesota — Key Historical Facts

  • Mankato was founded in 1852 and developed along the Minnesota and Blue Earth Rivers.
  • The city's name comes from the Dakota word "mahkato," referring to the blue earth found in the region.
  • Mankato became an important regional center for agriculture, trade, and transportation in southern Minnesota.
  • The city played a significant role in the history of the U.S.–Dakota War of 1862, including the site of the largest mass execution in U.S. history.
  • Minnesota State University, Mankato was established in 1868 and has played a major role in the city's growth.
  • The community expanded through manufacturing, healthcare, education, and regional commerce.
  • Today, Mankato is recognized as a regional hub with strong educational institutions, cultural attractions, and access to outdoor recreation.

References

Minnesota Related Maps and Info

Minnesota MapMinnesota County MapMap of Minnesota With Cities
Minnesota ZipcodesAirports in MinnesotaWhere is Saint Paul
Minnesota Area CodesWhere is MinnesotaMinnesota River Map
Minnesota Physical MapMinnesota Road MapWhere is Minneapolis