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The League of Minnesota Cities is a membership association dedicated to promoting excellence in local government. The League, governed by a Board of Directors consisting of local elected and appointed city officials, serves its more than 800 member cities through advocacy, education and training, policy development, risk management, and other services.
View the League’s 2023-2024 Annual Report (pdf).
Our mission
The League of Minnesota Cities promotes excellence in local government through effective advocacy, expert analysis, and trusted guidance for all Minnesota cities.
Our vision
We envision a future for Minnesota and the League where:
- All cities are thriving, taking advantage of new opportunities, and successfully meeting ongoing challenges.
- The League continues to provide premier service to its members, and is recognized as the trusted, authoritative, and unified voice on issues affecting cities.
Read about our core values
View the League Constitution (pdf)
What is a municipal league?
Local government is the highest-functioning, least partisan, and most responsive level of government. The League of Minnesota Cities is one of dozens of independent local government associations in the United States. Like other municipal associations, the League centers common local government values in our work, including stewardship of resources, safety, responsiveness, and transparency.
The League’s core philosophy is based on the fundamental principle of local control – that means supporting and advocating for elected officials and the residents they serve to make policy decisions that are right for their own communities. The League supports local decision-making authority and opposes attempts at the state and federal level to interfere with the ability for local elected officials to respond to the needs of residents.
League intergovernmental relations
The League of Minnesota Cities considers our policy development process the pillar of our intergovernmental advocacy.
Our work is rooted in the practice of local officials from around the state, representing cities of all sizes. Our policies are shaped by their participation in a rigorous process that occurs annually and brings that experience to the table.
With 855 cities in Minnesota, many under 1,000 in population, advocacy by municipal associations provides policy makers with a knowledgeable, nonpartisan source of information on city operations and the relationship between local, state, and federal jurisdictions. We value the long-standing city-state partnership in Minnesota and strive to maintain robust and constructive communication between cities and state policy makers on issues affecting local communities.
History of the League
The League of Minnesota Cities was founded in 1913 by a special law passed by the Minnesota Legislature. It was initially a part of the Extension Division of the University of Minnesota. In 1974, the League became an independent organization. Today, the League’s membership includes cities and their elected and appointed officials, as well as a number of special municipal districts and townships.
How many cities are there in Minnesota and how many of them are League members?
There are 856 cities in Minnesota, and 840 cities are members of the League of Minnesota Cities. Twelve townships, one joint powers entity, and 69 special districts are also League members.
Read about membership dues rates
Learn more about League members
Access the Online City Directory to get general information about a city, including street address, office hours, phone, fax, email and website addresses, population, and city council meeting times.