View source for Duluth, Minnesota

{{Short description|City in Minnesota, U.S.}}
{{Redirect|Duluth}}
{{Copyedit|date=December 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Duluth, Minnesota
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = Zenith city of unsalted seas
|motto                    = 
<!-- Images --------------->
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 | image1           = Downtown Duluth, Minnesota Skyline (25406820466).jpg 
 | caption1         = [[Downtown Duluth]]
 | image2           = Duluth Trip - July 2018 - MV Cedarglen (43304756232).jpg
 | caption2         = [[Duluth Harbor North Pier Light|North Pier Lighthouse]]
 | image3           = Park Point Beach (438563262).jpg 
 | caption3         = [[Minnesota Point]]
 | image4           = Duluth Drone.jpg
 | caption4         = [[Duluth Ship Canal]]
}}
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_flag               = Flag_of_Duluth,_Minnesota.svg
|flag_size                = 100px
|flag_alt                 = Flag comprising gold star on a light blue field with white, green, and dark blue waves below
|image_seal               = Seal of the City of Duluth, Minnesota.svg
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = St. Louis County Minnesota Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Duluth Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Duluth in [[St. Louis County, Minnesota|St. Louis County]], [[Minnesota]]
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|pushpin_map              = Minnesota#USA
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location within Duluth##Location within the United States
|pushpin_relief           = 1
|pushpin_label            = Duluth
<!-- Location ------------->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Minnesota]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Minnesota|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[St. Louis County, Minnesota|St. Louis County]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[Metropolitan statistical area|Metro]]
|subdivision_name3        = [[Twin Ports]]
<!-- Government ----------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]<ref>Duluth Charter, Chapter II §2</ref>
|leader_title             = [[List of mayors of Duluth, Minnesota|Mayor]]
|governing_body           = [[Duluth City Council]]
|leader_name              = [[Roger Reinert]]
|leader_party             = [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|DFL]]
|leader_title1            = [[City manager]]
|leader_name1             = Dave Montgomery
|leader_title2            = 
|leader_name2             = 
|established_title        = First Settled
|established_date         = 1850-51
|established_title1       = Platted
|established_date1        = 1856
|established_title2       = Incorporated (town)
|established_date2        = May 19, 1857
|established_title3       = Incorporated (city)
|established_date3        = March 5, 1870
|established_title4       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] (city charter)
|established_date4        = March 2, 1887
|named_for                = [[Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut]]
<!-- Area ----------------->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024">{{cite web|title=2024 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_gaz_place_27.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=November 18, 2024}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 207.634
|area_land_km2            = 185.593
|area_water_km2           = 22.041
|area_urban_km2           = 173.20
|area_metro_km2           = 21790.01
|area_total_sq_mi         = 80.168
|area_land_sq_mi          = 71.658
|area_water_sq_mi         = 8.510
|area_urban_sq_mi         = 66.87
|area_metro_sq_mi         = 8413.17
|area_water_percent       = 22.46
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 87680
|pop_est_as_of            = 2023
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2023"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 86697
|population_density_km2   = 472.39
|population_density_sq_mi = 1223.51
|population_rank          = US: 398th<br>MN: [[List of cities in Minnesota|4th]]
|population_urban         = 119411<ref name="urban area">{{cite web|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/29/2022-28286/2020-census-qualifying-urban-areas-and-final-criteria-clarifications|title=2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications|publisher=United States Census Bureau|website=Federal Register|date=December 29, 2022}}</ref> (US: [[List of United States urban areas|281st]])
|population_density_urban_km2 = 689.5
|population_density_urban_sq_mi = 1785.8
|population_metro         = 281603 (US: [[Metropolitan statistical area|177th]])
|population_density_metro_km2 = 12.92
|population_density_metro_sq_mi = 33.46
|population_blank1_title  = [[Combined statistical area|Combined]]
|population_blank1        = 326968 (US: [[Combined statistical area|112nd]])
|population_density_blank1_km2 = 11.39
|population_density_blank1_sq_mi = 29.50
|population_demonym       = Duluthian
|demographics_type1       = GDP
|demographics1_footnotes  = <ref>{{Cite web|title=Total Gross Domestic Product for Duluth, MN-WI (MSA)|url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/NGMP20260|work=[[Federal Reserve Economic Data]] |publisher=[[Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis]]}}</ref>
|demographics1_title1     = Metro
|demographics1_info1      = $16.822 billion (2022)
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = –6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = –5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m              = 215
|elevation_ft             = 705
|coordinates              = {{coord|46|46|59.78|N|92|06|23.68|W|region:US-MN_type:city|display=inline}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
|postal_code              = 55801–55808, 55810–55812, 55814–55816
|area_code                = [[Area code 218|218]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 27-17000
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 661145<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|661145}}</ref>
|blank2_name              = [[Sales tax]]
|blank2_info              = 8.875%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/minnesota/cities/duluth.html|title=Duluth (MN) sales tax rate|access-date=November 18, 2024}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://duluthmn.gov/|duluthmn.gov}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Duluth''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Duluth.ogg|d|ə|ˈ|l|uː|θ}} {{respell|də|LOOTH}}) is a [[Port|port city]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Minnesota]] and the [[county seat]] of [[St. Louis County, Minnesota|St. Louis County]]. Located on [[Lake Superior]] in Minnesota's [[Arrowhead Region]], the city is a hub for cargo shipping. The population was 86,697 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Duluth_city,_Minnesota?g=160XX00US2717000 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 15, 2023}}</ref> making it Minnesota's [[List of cities in Minnesota|fifth-largest city]]. Duluth forms a metropolitan area with neighboring [[Superior, Wisconsin]], called the [[Twin Ports]]. It is south of the [[Iron Range]] and the [[Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness]]. It is named after [[Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut]], the area's first known European explorer.

Duluth is on the north shore of Lake Superior at the westernmost point of the [[Great Lakes]]. It is the largest metropolitan area, the second-largest city, and the largest U.S. city on the lake. Duluth is accessible to the Atlantic Ocean, {{convert|2300|mi|km|-1}} away, via the [[Great Lakes Waterway]] and [[St. Lawrence Seaway]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duluth Seaway Port Authority |url=http://www.duluthport.com/port.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123153713/http://www.duluthport.com/port.php |archive-date=November 23, 2010 |access-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref> The Port of Duluth is the world's farthest inland port accessible to oceangoing ships<ref>{{Cite web |last=Circle |first=Twelve Mile |date=March 20, 2014 |title=Farthest Inland Port |url=https://www.howderfamily.com/blog/farthest-inland-port/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702055726/https://www.howderfamily.com/blog/farthest-inland-port/ |archive-date=July 2, 2020 |access-date=July 2, 2020 |website=Twelve Mile Circle |language=en-US}}</ref> and is the largest and busiest port on the Great Lakes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Duluth Seaway Port Authority |url=http://www.duluthport.com/port.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123153713/http://www.duluthport.com/port.php |archive-date=November 23, 2010 |access-date=July 2, 2020 |website=www.duluthport.com}}</ref> It is also among the top 20 U.S. ports by tonnage. Common items shipped from Duluth include coal, iron ore, grain, limestone, cement, salt, wood pulp, steel coil, and [[wind turbine]] parts.

Duluth is a popular [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]] tourist destination. The city is home to the [[Great Lakes Aquarium]], a freshwater aquarium. The [[Aerial Lift Bridge]], next to [[Canal Park (Duluth)|Canal Park]], crosses the [[Duluth Ship Canal]] into the Duluth–Superior harbor. [[Minnesota Point]], known locally as Park Point, is the world's longest freshwater [[Peresyp|baymouth bar]], stretching {{convert|6|mi|km|0}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scientific and Natural Areas: Minnesota Point Pine Forest: Minnesota DNR |url=http://www.dnr.minnesota.gov/snas/sna02000/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328071840/http://www.dnr.minnesota.gov/snas/sna02000/index.html |archive-date=March 28, 2012 |access-date=August 12, 2011 |publisher=Dnr.minnesota.gov |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The city is also the starting point for road trips along the [[North Shore (Lake Superior)|North Shore]] of Lake Superior to [[Thunder Bay]], [[Ontario]].

{{TOC limit}}

==History==
===Native history===
[[File:Ojibwe-women-canoe-St Louis River.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=Three or four dark haired women near the shore in a canoe|[[Ojibwe]] women on the [[Saint Louis River (Lake Superior tributary)|St. Louis River]], date unknown]]

The [[Ojibwe]] occupied a historic settlement at ''Onigamiinsing'' ("at the little portage"), the [[portage]] across Minnesota Point between Lake Superior and western St. Louis Bay, which forms Duluth's harbor.<ref name="Ojibwe People's Dictionary">{{Cite web |title=Owjibwe People's Dictionary |url=http://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/en/main-entry/onigamiinsing-name-place |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809043007/http://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/en/main-entry/onigamiinsing-name-place |archive-date=August 9, 2016 |access-date=June 14, 2016}}</ref> For both the Ojibwe and the Dakota, interaction with Europeans during the contact period revolved around the [[fur trade]] and related activities.

According to Ojibwe [[oral tradition|oral history]], Spirit Island, near the [[Spirit Valley (Duluth)|Spirit Valley]] neighborhood, was the "Sixth Stopping Place", where the northern and southern branches of the Ojibwe Nation came together and proceeded to their "Seventh Stopping Place", near the present city of [[La Pointe, Wisconsin]]. The "Stopping Places" were the places the Native Americans occupied during their westward migration as the Europeans overran their territory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duluth MN Facts |url=http://duluthtreeservices.com/city_info.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909031157/http://duluthtreeservices.com/city_info.html |archive-date=September 9, 2013}}</ref>

===Exploration and fur trade===
[[File:MinnPointCamp.jpg|thumb|left|alt=black and white image of two teepees with a dozen or more people, some in suite|Ojibwe camp and white visitors on Minnesota Point, 19th century]]
Several factors brought fur traders to the Great Lakes in the early 17th century. The fashion for [[beaver hats]] in Europe generated demand for pelts. French trade for beaver in the lower [[St. Lawrence River]] led to the depletion of the animals in the region by the late 1630s, so the French searched farther west for new resources and new routes, making alliances with the Native Americans along the way to trap and deliver their furs.

[[Étienne Brûlé]] is credited with the European discovery of Lake Superior before 1620. [[Pierre-Esprit Radisson]] and [[Médard des Groseilliers]] explored the Duluth area, [[Fond du Lac (Duluth)|Fond du Lac]] (Bottom of the Lake) in 1654 and again in 1660. The French soon established fur posts near Duluth and in the far north where [[Grand Portage]] became a major trading center. The French explorer [[Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut]], whose name is sometimes anglicized as "DuLuth", explored the [[Saint Louis River (Lake Superior tributary)|St. Louis River]] in 1679.

After 1792 and the independence of the United States, the [[North West Company]] established several posts on Minnesota rivers and lakes, and in areas to the west and northwest, for trading with the Ojibwe, the [[Dakota (given name)|Dakota]], and other native tribes. The first post was where [[Superior, Wisconsin]], later developed. Known as Fort St. Louis, the post became the headquarters for North West's new Fond du Lac Department. It had stockade walls, two houses of {{convert|40|ft|m}} each, a shed of {{convert|60|ft|m}}, a large warehouse, and a canoe yard. Over time, Indian peoples and European Americans settled nearby, and a town gradually developed.

In 1808, German-born [[John Jacob Astor]] organized the [[American Fur Company]]. The company began trading at the Head of the Lakes in 1809. In 1817, it erected a new headquarters at present-day [[Fond du Lac (Duluth)|Fond du Lac]] on the St. Louis River. There, portages connected Lake Superior with [[Lake Vermilion]] to the north and with the [[Mississippi River]] to the south. After creating a powerful [[monopoly]], Astor got out of the business about 1830, as the trade was declining. But active trade carried on until the failure of the fur trade in the 1840s. European fashions changed, and many American areas were getting over-trapped, with game declining.

In 1832, [[Henry Schoolcraft]] visited the Fond du Lac area and wrote of his experiences with the Ojibwe Indians there. [[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow]] based the [[Song of Hiawatha]], his epic poem relating the fictional adventures of an Ojibwe warrior named Hiawatha and the tragedy of his love for Minnehaha, a Dakota woman, on Schoolcraft's writings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=An Ethnographic Study of Indigenous Contributions to the City of Duluth |url=http://www.duluthstories.net/downloads/DuluthEthnographicStudy2015.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329210515/http://www.duluthstories.net/downloads/DuluthEthnographicStudy2015.pdf |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |access-date=March 30, 2020}}</ref>

Natives signed two [[Treaty of Fond du Lac|Treaties of Fond du Lac]] with the United States in the present neighborhood of Fond du Lac in 1826 and 1847, in which the Ojibwe ceded land to the American government. As part of the Treaty of Washington (1854) with the [[Lake Superior Band of Chippewa]], the United States set aside the [[Fond du Lac Indian Reservation]] upstream from Duluth near [[Cloquet, Minnesota]].

===Permanent settlement===
[[File:Minnesota Point.jpg|thumb|Minnesota Point from the hill above Duluth in 1875]]
[[File:Jay Cooke.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Statue of [[Jay Cooke]] by [[Henry Shrady]], located in Jay Cooke Plaza]]

As European Americans continued to settle and encroach on Ojibwe lands, the U.S. government made a series of treaties, executed between 1837 and 1889, that expropriated vast areas of tribal lands for their use and relegated the Native American peoples to a number of small reservations. Interest in the area was piqued in the 1850s by rumors of [[copper mining]]. A government land survey in 1852, followed by a treaty with local tribes in 1854, secured wilderness for gold-seeking explorers, sparked a [[land run|land rush]], and led to the development of [[iron ore]] mining in the area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Duluth, Minnesota |url=http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2126.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630182218/http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2126.html |archive-date=June 30, 2011 |access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> The 1854 Ojibwe Land Cession Treaty would force the Ojibwe onto what are now known as the Fond du Lac and Grand Portage Reservations, though some land rights such as hunting and fishing were retained.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1854: Ojibwe |url=http://treatiesmatter.org/treaties/land/1854-ojibwe |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721024744/http://treatiesmatter.org/treaties/land/1854-ojibwe |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |access-date=September 20, 2020 |website=Treaties Matter}}</ref>

Around the same time, newly constructed [[channel (geography)|channels]] and [[canal lock|locks]] in the East permitted large ships to access the area. A road connecting Duluth to the [[Minneapolis–St. Paul|Twin Cities]] was also constructed. Eleven small towns on both sides of the [[Saint Louis River (Lake Superior tributary)|St. Louis River]] were formed, establishing Duluth's roots as a city.

By 1857, copper resources were scarce and the area's economic focus shifted to timber harvesting. A nationwide financial crisis, the [[Panic of 1857]], caused most of the city's early pioneers to leave. A history of Duluth written in 1910 relates, "Of the handful remaining in 1859 four men were unemployed and one of those was a brewer. Capital idea; build a brewery. The absence of malt and hops and barley did not at all embarrass those stout-hearted settlers."<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Woodbridge |first1=Dwight Edwards |last2=Pardee |first2=John Stone |year=1910 |title=History of Duluth and St. Louis County Past and Present |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DeTGZQETyxIC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518123059/https://books.google.com/books?id=DeTGZQETyxIC |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |access-date=July 23, 2017}}</ref> The water for brewing was obtained from a stream that emptied into Lake Superior that came to be called Brewery Creek, as it is still known today. While the brewery "was not a pecuniary success", a few decades later it became the [[Fitger Brewing Company]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fitger's Brewhouse |url=https://fitgersbrewhouse.com/history/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111033928/http://fitgersbrewhouse.com/history/ |archive-date=November 11, 2017 |access-date=July 23, 2017}}</ref>

The opening of the canal at [[Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan|Sault Ste. Marie]] in 1855 and the contemporaneous announcement of the railroads' approach had made Duluth the only port with access to both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Soon the lumber industry, railroads and mining were all growing so quickly that the influx of workers could hardly keep up with demand, and storefronts popped up almost overnight. By 1868, business in Duluth was booming. In a [[Fourth of July]] speech Dr. Thomas Preston Foster, the founder of Duluth's first newspaper, coined the expression "The Zenith City of the Unsalted Seas".

In 1869–70, Duluth was the fastest-growing city in the country and was expected to surpass Chicago in only a few years.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Hudelson |first1=Richard |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttv8km |title=By the Ore Docks: A Working People's History of Duluth |last2=Ross |first2=Carl |date=2006 |publisher=University of Minnesota Press |isbn=978-0-8166-4636-4 |edition=NED - New |pages=2 |jstor=10.5749/j.ctttv8km |access-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309024351/https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttv8km |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> When [[Jay Cooke]], a wealthy Philadelphia land speculator, convinced the [[Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad]] to create an extension from [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]] to Duluth, the railroad opened areas due north and west of Lake Superior to [[iron ore]] mining. Duluth's population on New Year's Day of 1869 consisted of 14 families; by the [[Fourth of July]], 3,500 people were present to celebrate.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Brunt |first1=Walter Van |title=Duluth and St. Louis County, Minnesota; Their Story and People: An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with Particular Attention to the Modern Era in the Commercial, Industrial, Educational, Civic and Social Development |date=1921 |publisher=American Historical Society |page=171 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=flM0AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA171 |access-date=June 2, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

In the first ''Duluth Minnesotian'' printed on August 24, 1869, the editor placed the following notice on the editorial page:
{{Blockquote|text=Newcomers should comprehend that Duluth is at present a small place, and hotel and boarding room accommodation is extremely limited. However, lumber is cheap and shanties can be built. Everyone should bring blankets and come prepared to rough it at first.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Woodbridge |first1=Dwight Edwards |last2=Pardee |first2=John Stone |year=1910 |title=History of Duluth and St. Louis County, Past and Present, Volume 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DeTGZQETyxIC&q=Newcomers+should+comprehend+that+Duluth+is+at+present+a+small+place%2C+and+hotel+and+boarding+room+accommodation+is+extremely+limited.+However%2C+lumber+is+cheap+and+shanties+can+be+built.+Everyone+should+bring+blankets+and+come+prepared+to+rough+it.%22&pg=PA173 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518123124/https://books.google.com/books?id=DeTGZQETyxIC&q=Newcomers+should+comprehend+that+Duluth+is+at+present+a+small+place%2C+and+hotel+and+boarding+room+accommodation+is+extremely+limited.+However%2C+lumber+is+cheap+and+shanties+can+be+built.+Everyone+should+bring+blankets+and+come+prepared+to+rough+it.%22&pg=PA173 |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |access-date=July 21, 2017}}</ref>}}

In 1873, Cooke's empire crumbled and the [[Panic of 1873|stock market crashed]], and Duluth almost disappeared from the map. But by the late 1870s, with the continued boom in lumber and mining and with the railroads completed, Duluth bloomed again. By the turn of the century, it had almost 100,000 inhabitants, and was again a thriving community with small-business loans, commerce and trade flowing through the city. Mining continued in the [[Mesabi Range]] and iron was shipped east to mills in Ohio, a trade continuing into the 20th century.
{{Clear|left}}

===="The Untold Delights of Duluth"====
Early doubts about the Duluth area's potential were voiced in "The Untold Delights of Duluth," a speech U.S. Representative [[J. Proctor Knott]] of [[Kentucky]] gave in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 27, 1871. His speech opposing the St. Croix and Superior Land Grant lampooned Western [[boosterism]], portraying Duluth as an Eden in fantastically florid terms. The speech has been reprinted in collections of folklore and humorous speeches and is regarded as a classic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Untold Delights Of Duluth: {{!}} ''American Heritage''<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=http://www.americanheritage.com/content/untold-delights-duluth |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329000721/http://www.americanheritage.com/content/untold-delights-duluth |archive-date=March 29, 2014 |access-date=November 9, 2012}}</ref> The nearby city of [[Proctor, Minnesota]], is named for Knott.

Duluth's unofficial sister city, [[Duluth, Georgia]], got its name in 1871, shortly after Knott's speech gained national attention. Prominent Georgia newspaperman and politician [[Evan Howell|Evan P. Howell]] was called upon to make remarks at the dedication of a new railroad line into Howell's Crossing, a village named for his grandfather. Howell humorously suggested that the community be called "Duluth" instead, and townspeople agreed.

Proctor Knott is sometimes credited with characterizing Duluth as the "zenith city of the unsalted seas," but the honor for that coinage belongs to journalist Thomas Preston Foster, speaking at a Fourth of July picnic in 1868.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Macdonald |first=Dora Mary |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ADOlAAAACAAJ&q=This+is+duluth |title=This is Duluth |year=1999 |isbn=978-1-889924-03-8 |page=281 |publisher=Paradigm Press |access-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518123101/https://books.google.com/books?id=ADOlAAAACAAJ&q=This+is+duluth |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{wide image|General view from bluffs, Duluth, Minn. c1898.jpg|900px|Duluth panoramic view, {{Circa|1898}}}}

===20th century===
[[File:Superior Street, Duluth, Minn (NYPL b12647398-67839).tiff|thumb|Superior Street, Circa 1900]]
[[File:Chester Terrace-Duluth.jpg|thumb|[[Chester Terrace (Duluth, Minnesota)|Chester Terrace]], built in 1890]]

During the 20th century, the Port of Duluth was, for a time, the busiest port in the United States, surpassing even New York City in gross tonnage.<ref name="Port of Duluth">{{Cite web |title=Port of Duluth |url=http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/review/USA_MN_Port_of_Duluth_101.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708170744/http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/review/USA_MN_Port_of_Duluth_101.php |archive-date=July 8, 2017 |access-date=July 22, 2017 |website=World Port Source}}</ref> [[Lake freighter]]s carried iron ore through the Great Lakes to processing plants in Illinois and Ohio. Ten newspapers, six banks and an 11-story skyscraper, the Torrey Building, were founded and built.<ref>{{Cite web |last=GmbH |first=Emporis |title=Torrey Building, Duluth - 124061 - EMPORIS |url=http://www.emporis.com/building/torreybuilding-duluth-mn-usa |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627072407/http://www.emporis.com/building/torreybuilding-duluth-mn-usa |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> As of 1905, Duluth was said to be home to the most millionaires per capita in the United States.<ref name="Zenith City Archives">{{Cite web |title=An Extremely Brief History of Duluth |url=http://zenithcity.com/zenith-city-history-archives/duluths-development/3126-2/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728231151/http://zenithcity.com/zenith-city-history-archives/duluths-development/3126-2/ |archive-date=July 28, 2014 |access-date=July 21, 2014 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In 1907, [[U.S. Steel]] announced that it would build a $5 million plant in the area. Although steel production did not begin until 1915, predictions held that Duluth's population would rise to 200,000–300,000. Along with the [[Duluth Works]] steel plant, US Steel developed [[Morgan Park, Duluth, Minnesota|Morgan Park]], as a company town for steel workers. It is now a city neighborhood within Duluth.

The [[Diamond Calk Horseshoe Company]] was founded in 1908 and later became a major manufacturer and exporter of wrenches and automotive tools. Duluth's huge wholesale Marshall Wells Hardware Company expanded in 1901 by opening branches in [[Portland, Oregon]], and [[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]]; the company catalog totaled 2,390 pages by 1913. The Duluth Showcase Company, which later became the Duluth Refrigerator Company and then the Coolerator Company, was established in 1908. The Universal Atlas Cement Company, which made cement from the slag byproduct of the steel plant, began operations in 1917.

====Immigration====
Because of its numerous jobs in mining and industry, the city was a destination for large waves of immigrants from Europe during the early 20th century. It became the center of one of the largest [[Finnish people|Finnish]] communities in the world outside Finland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Port of Duluth |url=http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/USA_MN_Port_of_Duluth_101.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707214024/http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/USA_MN_Port_of_Duluth_101.php |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> For decades, a Finnish-language daily newspaper, ''Päivälehti,'' was published in the city, named after the former [[Grand Duchy of Finland]]'s pro-independence liberal [[Päivälehti|paper]]. The [[Finnish people|Finnish]] community of [[Industrial Workers of the World]] (IWW) members published a widely read labor newspaper ''[[Industrialisti]].'' From 1907 to 1941, the [[Finnish Socialist Federation]] and then the IWW operated [[Work People's College]], an educational institution that taught classes from a working-class, socialist perspective. Immigrants from [[Swedish Americans|Sweden]], [[Norwegian Americans|Norway]], [[Danish Americans|Denmark]], [[German Americans|Germany]], [[Austrian Americans|Austria]], [[Czech Americans|Czechoslovakia]], [[Irish Americans|Ireland]], [[English Americans|England]], [[Italian Americans|Italy]], [[Polish Americans|Poland]], [[Hungarian Americans|Hungary]], [[Bulgarian Americans|Bulgaria]], [[Croatian Americans|Croatia]], [[Serbian Americans|Serbia]], [[Ukrainian Americans|Ukraine]], [[Romanian Americans|Romania]], and [[Russian Americans|Russia]] also settled in Duluth.<ref name="Port of Duluth" /> At one time, Duluth was home to several historic immigrant neighborhoods, including Little Italy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duluth History: Little Italy, AKA the Glenn |url=http://secure-web.cisco.com/1NvOWs_kmchLbl2g5EdNKYHwNr93GXXqYcjRTagPUf4O2FzCmwrrBnQ13D-wwayEBoTXJ-KI161IVoZm5UZWehmbrHWAcV92V5VizvCFlE9X8BAcdUl_W0irwU5qpthKVUeT47wcAaGZU1O0CUKo82Qn7HhcUPp3fRGlFriSbStFjTXVtbejlzYqhtZGTbKWcr0Xd2Zp-AFvS1oO2MbcIiQdNHaBmjj842sA3aOxkkiSGuwEqJgTfy0r_yYi_O0apd-T1-HULLPul2wya8Ztcn1TO3v4UVrrYDtAgI48GAKHaH-s9v3bCepXJP7kUl7zFVa21vgzNMBLghaA5f_-3EQ/http%3A%2F%2Fzenithcity.com%2Farchive%2Fduluth-history%2Flittle-italy-aka-the-glenn%2F |website=Zenithcity.com}}</ref> Today, people of Scandinavian descent constitute a strong plurality of Duluth's population, accounting for more than one third of the residents identifying European ancestry.

====Duluth lynchings====
In September 1918, a group calling itself the [[Knights of Liberty (vigilante group)|Knights of Liberty]] dragged Finnish immigrant [[Olli Kinkkonen]] from his boarding house, tarred and feathered him, and [[Lynching in the United States|lynched]] him. Kinkkonen did not want to fight in [[World War I]] and had planned to return to Finland. His body was found two weeks later hanging in a tree in Duluth's Lester Park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MPR: Postcard From A Lynching |url=http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/projects/2001/06/lynching/olli.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812220443/http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/projects/2001/06/lynching/olli.shtml |archive-date=August 12, 2012 |access-date=June 25, 2012}}</ref>

Another lynching in Duluth occurred on June 15, 1920, when three innocent black male circus workers: Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie, were attacked by a white mob and hanged after purportedly raping a teenage white girl. The [[Duluth lynchings]] took place on First Street and Second Avenue East. In the late 20th century, journalist Michael Fedo wrote ''The Lynchings in Duluth'' (1970), which began to raise awareness of the event. Community members from many different groups began to come together for reflection and education. The men's unmarked graves were located and in 1991, gravestones were erected with funding from a local church. Vigils were held at the intersection where the men were lynched. In 2000, a grassroots committee was formed, and began to offer speakers to groups and schools. It decided to commemorate the event with a memorial. The Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, which includes a corner wall and plaza, was dedicated in 2003. It includes three {{convert|7|ft|m|adj=on}}-tall bronze statues of the three men. The CJMM Committee continues to work for racial justice through educational outreach, community forums, and scholarships for youth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kraker |first=Dan |title=Duluth marks anniversary of memorial to 3 lynching victims |date=June 15, 2013 |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2013/06/15/duluth-marks-anniversary-of-memorial-to-3-lynching-victims |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111190320/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2013/06/15/duluth-marks-anniversary-of-memorial-to-3-lynching-victims |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=August 2, 2020}}</ref><ref>[http://www.claytonjacksonmcghie.org/?page_id=92 "The Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Inc."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814070738/http://www.claytonjacksonmcghie.org/?page_id=92 |date=August 14, 2016 }}, official website; accessed August 22, 2016</ref>

====1918 Cloquet Fire====
In 1918, the [[1918 Cloquet Fire|Cloquet Fire]] (named for the nearby city of [[Cloquet, Minnesota|Cloquet]]) burned across Carlton and southern St. Louis counties, destroying dozens of communities in the Duluth area. The fire was the worst natural disaster in Minnesota history in terms of the number of lives lost in a single day. Many people died on the rural roads surrounding the Duluth area, and historical accounts tell of victims dying while trying to outrun the fire. The ''News Tribune'' reported, "It is estimated that 100 families were rendered homeless by Saturday's fire in the territory known as the Woodland District... In most cases, families which lost their homes also lost most or all of their furniture and personal belongings, the limited time and transportation facilities affording little opportunity for saving anything but human life."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duluth: the Homecroft City – Zenith City Online |url=http://zenithcity.com/duluth-the-homecroft-city/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221215309/http://zenithcity.com/duluth-the-homecroft-city/ |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |access-date=June 9, 2013}}</ref> The [[Minnesota National Guard|National Guard]] unit based in Duluth was mobilized in a heroic effort to battle the fire and assist victims, but the troops were overwhelmed by the enormity of the fire.

Retired ''Duluth News Tribune'' columnist and journalist Jim Heffernan<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jim Heffernan – Zenith City Online |url=http://zenithcity.com/author/hef/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904233603/http://zenithcity.com/author/hef/ |archive-date=September 4, 2013 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> writes that his mother "recalled an overnight vigil watching out the window of their small home on lower Piedmont Avenue with her father, her younger sisters having gone to sleep, ready to be evacuated to the waterfront should the need arise. The fire never made it that far down the hill, but devastated what is now Piedmont Heights, and, of course, a widespread area of Northeastern Minnesota."<ref>{{Cite web |title=West End confidential: Goat Hill to Slabtown – Zenith City Online |url=http://zenithcity.com/west-end-confidential-goat-hill-to-slabtown/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906111841/http://zenithcity.com/west-end-confidential-goat-hill-to-slabtown/ |archive-date=September 6, 2013 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> In the fire's aftermath, tens of thousands of people were left injured or homeless; many of the refugees fled into the city for aid and shelter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yesterday's News » Blog Archive » "Monday, Oct. 14, 1918: Hundreds die in Cloquet fire" |url=http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/oldnews/archives/45 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702024929/http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/oldnews/archives/45 |archive-date=July 2, 2012}}</ref>

====Continued growth====
[[File:Duluth Ore Docks.jpg|thumb|Duluth Ore Docks and freighters circa 1900–1915]]
[[File:Aerial transfer bridge (ferry), Duluth, Minnesota, ca.1920 (CHS-5034).jpg|thumb|[[Aerial Lift Bridge|Aerial Bridge]] ca. 1920, as a [[ferry bridge]] before conversion to a [[vertical-lift bridge]]]]
For the first half of the 20th century, Duluth was an industrial port boom town dominated by its several [[grain elevator]]s, a cement plant, a nail mill, wire mills, and the [[Duluth Works]] plant. Handling and export of iron ore, brought in from the Mesabi Range, was integral to the city's economy, as well as to the steel industry in the Midwest, including in manufacturing cities in Ohio.

The [[Aerial Lift Bridge]] (earlier known as the "Aerial Bridge" or "Aerial Ferry Bridge") was built in 1905 and at that time was known as the United States' first [[transporter bridge]]—only one other was ever constructed in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=shorpy.com, Photo of original bridge showing gondola |url=http://www.shorpy.com/node/4348 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719112205/http://www.shorpy.com/node/4348 |archive-date=July 19, 2017 |access-date=July 20, 2017}}</ref> In 1929–30, the span was converted to a vertical-lift bridge (also rather uncommon). The bridge was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1973.

In 1916, after Europe had entered the Great War (World War I), a shipyard was constructed on the St. Louis River. A new workers neighborhood, today known as Riverside, developed around the large operation. Similar industrial expansions took place during the [[World War II|Second World War]], as Duluth's large harbor and the area's vast natural resources were put to work for the war effort. Tankers and [[submarine chasers]] (usually called "sub-chasers") were built at the Riverside shipyard. The population of Duluth continued to grow in the postwar decade and a half, peaking at 107,884 in 1960.

====Economic decline====
Economic decline began in the 1950s, when high-grade iron ore ran out on the [[Iron Range]] north of Duluth; ore shipments from the Duluth harbor had been critical to the city's economy. Low-grade ore ([[taconite]]) shipments continued, boosted by new taconite pellet technology, but ore shipments were lower overall.

In the 1970s the United States experienced a [[steel crisis]], a recession in the global steel market, and like [[Rust Belt|many American cities]] Duluth entered a period of industrial restructuring. In 1981, US Steel closed its [[Duluth Works]] plant, a blow to the city's economy whose effects included the closure of the cement company, which had depended on the steel plant for raw materials (slag). More closures followed in other industries, including [[shipbuilding]] and [[heavy machinery]]. By decade's end, unemployment rates hit 15 percent. The economic downturn was particularly hard on Duluth's West Side, where ethnic Eastern and Southern European workers had lived for decades.

During the 1980s, plans were underway to extend [[Interstate 35]] through Duluth and up the [[North Shore (Lake Superior)|North Shore]], bringing new access to the city. The original plan called for the interstate to run along the shore on an elevated concrete structure, blocking the city's access to Lake Superior. Kent Worley, a local landscape architect, wrote an impassioned letter to then mayor [[Ben Boo]] asking that the route be reconsidered. The [[Minnesota Department of Transportation]] agreed to take another look, with Worley consulting. The new plan called for parts of the highway to run through tunnels, which allowed preservation of Fitger's Brewery, Sir Ben's Tavern, Leif Erikson Park, and Duluth's Rose Garden. Rock used from the interstate project was used to create an extensive new beach along Lake Superior, along which the city's Lakewalk was built.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Creger |first=Mike |title=Construction of Duluth's freeway drips with stories |url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/lifestyle/3320814-construction-duluths-freeway-drips-stories |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809171739/https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/lifestyle/3320814-construction-duluths-freeway-drips-stories |archive-date=August 9, 2019 |access-date=August 9, 2019 |website=Duluth News Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

===21st-century development===
[[File:Horse and carriage-Duluth-2006.jpg|thumb|left|Canal Park Lakewalk carriage ride]]

With the decline of the city's industrial core, the local economic focus gradually shifted to [[tourism]]. The downtown area was renovated to emphasize its pedestrian character: streets were paved with red brick and [[skywalk]]s and retail shops were added. The city and developers worked with the area's unique architectural character, converting old warehouses along the waterfront into cafés, shops, restaurants, and hotels. Combined with the new rock beach and Lakewalk, these changes developed the new [[Canal Park (Duluth)|Canal Park]] as a tourism-oriented district. Duluth's population, which had declined since 1960, stabilized at around 85,000.

At the beginning of the 21st century, Duluth has become a regional center for banking, retail shopping, and medical care for northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and northwestern Michigan. It is estimated that more than 8,000 jobs in Duluth are directly related to its two hospitals. Arts and entertainment offerings, as well as year-round recreation and the natural environment, have contributed to expansion of the tourist industry. Some 3.5 million visitors each year contribute more than $400 million to the local economy.

More recently a collection of like-minded businesses in [[Lincoln Park (Duluth)|Lincoln Park]], an old rundown blue-collar neighborhood with high unemployment and poverty rates, was cultivated by a group of entrepreneurs who have begun rebuilding and revitalizing the area. Since 2014, at least 25 commercial real estate transactions have occurred and 17 businesses have opened, including restaurants, breweries, coffee shops and artist studios.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kraker |first=Dan |title=Craftsmen, backpacks, beer build hope in a needy Duluth neighborhood |work=MPR News |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/04/18/duluth-lincoln-park-businesses-spark-revival |url-status=live |access-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423211342/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/04/18/duluth-lincoln-park-businesses-spark-revival |archive-date=April 23, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=MPR News |title=The creative economy in Duluth's craft district |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/05/12/chris-farrell-on-creative-economy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423211333/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/05/12/chris-farrell-on-creative-economy |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |access-date=April 23, 2019 |website=www.mprnews.org|date=May 11, 2017 }}</ref> Due to the neighborhood's revitalization, many developers are also investing in housing projects in anticipation of further growth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Busche |first=Kelly |date=March 9, 2020 |title=Following business boom, Duluth's Lincoln Park sees housing influx |url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/real-estate/4984156-Following-business-boom-Duluth%E2%80%99s-Lincoln-Park-sees-housing-influx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310202252/https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/real-estate/4984156-Following-business-boom-Duluth%E2%80%99s-Lincoln-Park-sees-housing-influx |archive-date=March 10, 2020 |access-date=April 25, 2020 |website=Duluth News Tribune}}</ref>

====Waterfront reclamation efforts====
Duluth's prominence as a port city gave it an economic advantage in its early years, but as various industries began to wane, new efforts to reclaim areas of the waterfront for public use emerged. Notable among them is the reclamation of the St. Louis River corridor, which runs along the edge of the city's western neighborhoods. Many of these sites, filled with legacy pollutants due to previous industrial use, have been or are in the process of being restored by the EPA, with several developments, such as Pier B Resort and Hotel, demonstrating the revitalization opportunity of these former industrial spaces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slater {{!}} |first=Brady |date=August 17, 2019 |title=Study highlights Duluth's cleanup efforts along the St. Louis River |url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/science-and-nature/4615703-Study-highlights-Duluths-cleanup-efforts-along-the-St.-Louis-River |access-date=November 30, 2021 |website=Duluth News Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

Other efforts to reclaim waterfront space in Duluth have been led by the Duluth Waterfront Collective.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.highway61duluth.com/about |access-date=November 30, 2021 |website=Highway 61 Duluth |language=en}}</ref> One notable example includes the Highway 61 Revisited concept, which seeks to reimagine the I-35 corridor as it runs through the city's downtown. The group's efforts have been met with interest, with the city council voting to explore options for the corridor in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Brooks Johnson Star |title=Duluth council looking at reimagining I-35 downtown |url=https://www.startribune.com/duluth-council-looking-at-reimagining-i-35-downtown/600087766/ |access-date=November 30, 2021 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

While the acreage of land utilizing the waterway for port-related purposes has shifted in recent years, the goods being shipped through the Duluth-Superior port have shifted to reflect a changing economy. In recent decades, declines in the shipment of coal and iron ore have been met by increases in the shipment of wind turbine components<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2020 |title=As energy use changes in the Great Lakes, so too does the Port of Duluth-Superior |url=https://www.minnpost.com/environment/2020/04/as-energy-use-changes-in-the-great-lakes-so-too-does-the-port-of-duluth-superior/ |access-date=November 30, 2021 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref> and multimodal shipping containers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Brooks Johnson Star |title=Calling all containers: Duluth port expands capabilities |url=https://www.startribune.com/calling-all-containers-duluth-port-expands-capabilities/600109325/ |access-date=November 30, 2021 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{see also|Neighborhoods of Duluth, Minnesota}}
{{multiple image
| total_width = 450
| image1      = Minnesota Point from Incline Railway, Duluth, Minn (NYPL b12647398-67838).tiff
| caption1    = [[Minnesota Point]] (or Park Point) from Incline Railway, 1907
| image2      = Duluth-Minnesota-Superior.jpg
| caption2    = Minnesota Point in 2006
}}

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|80.168|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|71.658|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|8.510|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024"/> It is Minnesota's second-largest city by land area, surpassed only by [[Hibbing, Minnesota|Hibbing]]. Duluth's canal connects Lake Superior to the Duluth–Superior harbor and the [[Saint Louis River (Lake Superior tributary)|Saint Louis River]]. It is spanned by the Aerial Lift Bridge, which connects [[Canal Park (Duluth)|Canal Park]] with [[Minnesota Point]] (or "Park Point").<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.duluthmn.gov/parks/parkpointtrail.cfm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809093012/http://www.duluthmn.gov/parks/parkpointtrail.cfm|url-status=dead|title=Park Point Trail<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=August 9, 2013|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> Minnesota Point is about {{convert|7|mi|km}} long, and when included with adjacent [[Wisconsin Point]], which extends {{convert|3|mi|km}} from the city of [[Superior, Wisconsin|Superior]], [[Wisconsin]], is the largest freshwater [[baymouth bar]] in the world at a total of {{convert|10|mi|km}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bemidji State University |title=A basic review of MN Geology page A review of Geologic Time in MN Basic Geologic History in MN |url=http://www.hutchk12.org/geo/mngeo/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031084641/http://www.hutchk12.org/geo/mngeo/index.html |archive-date=October 31, 2016 |access-date=July 20, 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Labeled neighborhoods of Duluth, Minnesota.svg|thumb|left|250px|Map of Duluth neighborhoods]]

Duluth's topography is dominated by a steep hillside that climbs from Lake Superior to high inland elevations. Duluth has been called "the San Francisco of the Midwest," alluding to [[San Francisco]]'s similar water-to-hilltop topography. This similarity was most evident before World War II, when Duluth had a network of streetcars and an [[funicular|inclined railroad]], the [[7th Avenue West Incline Railway]], that, like San Francisco's cable cars, climbed a steep hill. The change in elevation is illustrated by Duluth's two airports. The [[weather station]] at the lakeside Sky Harbor Airport on Minnesota Point has an elevation of {{convert|607|ft|m}}, while Duluth International Airport, atop the hill, is {{convert|820|ft|m}} higher at {{convert|1427|ft|m}}.<ref name="wunderground">{{Cite web |title=Duluth, Minnesota |url=http://www.wunderground.com/US/MN/Duluth/KDYT.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807143054/http://www.wunderground.com/US/MN/Duluth/KDYT.html |archive-date=August 7, 2007 |access-date=August 18, 2007 |publisher=The Weather Underground, Inc. (wunderground.com)}}</ref>

[[File:ISS053-E-223431.jpg|thumb|View from International Space Station, 2017. Duluth and Lake Superior coast are visible at far left]]
Even as the city has grown, its populace has tended to hug Lake Superior's shoreline, so Duluth is primarily a southwest–northeast city. The considerable development on the hill has given Duluth many steep streets. Some neighborhoods, such as [[Piedmont Heights (Duluth)|Piedmont Heights]] and [[Bayview Heights (Duluth)|Bayview Heights]], are atop the hill with scenic views of the city. [[Skyline Parkway]] is a scenic roadway that extends from Becks Road above the [[Gary – New Duluth]] neighborhood near the western end of the city to the [[Lakeside – Lester Park (Duluth)|Lester Park]] neighborhood on the east side. It crosses nearly Duluth's entire length and affords views of Lake Superior, the Aerial Lift Bridge, Canal Park, and the many industries that inhabit the largest inland port.

A developing part of the city is the [[Miller Hill Mall]] area and the adjacent big-box retailer shopping strips "over the hill" along the Miller Trunk Highway corridor. The 2009–10 road reconstruction project in Duluth's Miller Hill area improved movement through the [[U.S. Highway 53]] corridor from Trinity Road to Maple Grove Road. The highway project reconstructed connector roads, intersections, and adjacent roadways. A new international airport terminal was completed in 2013 as part of the federal government's Stimulus Reconstruction Program.

===Geological history===
[[File:Large anorthosite xenolith in ophitic ilmenite gabbro (anorthosite series, Duluth Complex, Mesoproterozoic, 1099 Ma; Keene Creek East Skyline Parkway roadcut, Duluth, Minnesota, USA) 1 (22039818790).jpg|thumb|[[Anorthosite]] [[xenolith]] in Duluth, part of the Duluth Complex]]

The geology of Duluth demonstrates the [[Midcontinent Rift]], formed as the North American continent began to split apart about 1.1 billion years ago. As the [[Mantle (geology)|Earth's crust]] thinned, [[magma]] rose toward the surface. These intrusions formed a {{convert|16|km|abbr=on}}-thick [[Sill (geology)|sill]], primarily of [[gabbro]], which is known as the [[Duluth Complex]].<ref name="Duluth Streams">{{Cite web |last=Miller, Jim |title=An Introduction to the Geology of the North Shore |url=http://www.lakesuperiorstreams.org/understanding/geology.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708182221/http://www.lakesuperiorstreams.org/understanding/geology.html |archive-date=July 8, 2015 |access-date=June 28, 2015 |publisher=Duluth Streams}}</ref>

The creation of the Lake Superior basin reflects the erosive power of [[Laurentide Ice Sheet|continental glaciers]] that advanced and retreated over Minnesota several times in the past 2 million years. The mile-thick ice sheets easily eroded the [[sandstone]] that filled the axis of the rift valley but encountered more resistance from the [[igneous rock]]s forming the flanks of the rift, now the margins of the lake basin. As the last glacier retreated, meltwaters filled the lake to as high as {{convert|500|ft|m}} above the current level; the [[Skyline Parkway]] roughly follows one of the highest levels of the ancient Lake Superior, [[Glacial Lake Duluth]].<ref name="Duluth Streams" /> The sandstone that buried the igneous rocks of the rift is exposed near [[Fond du Lac (Duluth)|Fond du Lac]]. At one time a large number of quarries produced the stone, sold as Fond du Lac or Lake Superior [[brownstone]]. It was widely used in Duluth buildings and also shipped to Minneapolis, Chicago, and Milwaukee, where it was also used extensively. The weathered sandstone forms the sandy lake bottom and shores of Park Point.<ref name="Duluth Streams" />

===Climate===
[[File:Duluth blizzard, December 2007.jpg|thumb|Late-winter blizzard, March 2007]]

{{climate chart
| Duluth
|2.4|19.9|0.95
|6.0|24.8|1.01
|17.8|36.2|1.46
|29.9|49.2|2.53
|41.0|63.0|3.37
|50.2|72.1|4.39
|56.2|77.7|3.92
|55.2|75.8|3.73
|47.3|67.2|3.48
|35.6|52.7|2.91
|22.5|37.1|1.96
|9.6|24.7|1.47
|float     =
|clear     =
|units     = imperial
}}

Duluth has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfb''), slightly moderated by its proximity to Lake Superior. Winters are long, snowy, and very cold, normally seeing maximum temperatures remaining at or below {{convert|32|F|C}} on 100 days (the second-most of any city in the contiguous US behind [[International Falls, Minnesota|International Falls]]), falling to or below {{convert|0|°F}} on 38 nights and bringing consistent snow cover from late November to early April.<ref name="Duluth NOAA" /> Winter storms that pass south or east of Duluth can often set up easterly or northeasterly flow, which leads to occasional upslope lake-effect snow events that bring {{one2a|{{convert|1|ft|cm|0}}}} or more of snow to the city while areas {{convert|50|mi|km}} inland receive considerably less. The average annual snowfall is {{convert|90.2|in}}. The lake steams in the winter when moist, lake-warmed air at the surface rises and cools, losing some of its moisture-carrying capacity.<ref name="superior">{{Cite web |title=Duluth Minnesota Travel - Things to do and see |url=http://www.superiortrails.com/duluth_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628231401/http://www.superiortrails.com/duluth_1.html |archive-date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=June 24, 2012}}</ref>

Using data on the minimum monthly temperature between 1981 and 2010, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration developed a Comparative Climatic Data report. With a minimum average monthly low temperature of {{convert|1.5|°F}} and a maximum average monthly low temperature of {{convert|55.4|°F}}, Duluth was found to be the fifth-coldest city in the United States.<ref name="USA TODAY">{{Cite news |date=February 28, 2015 |title=Brrrr: America's 50 coldest cities |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/02/28/247-wall-st-coldest-cities/24107481/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423153831/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/02/28/247-wall-st-coldest-cities/24107481/ |archive-date=April 23, 2017}}</ref>

Summers are warm, although nights are generally cool, with daytime temperatures averaging {{convert|78|°F}} in July, with that figure being a few degrees warmer inland. Temperatures reach or exceed {{convert|90|°F}} on average, only two days per year, while the city has officially seen {{convert|100|°F}} temperatures on only three days, all during the [[1936 North American heat wave|July 1936 heat wave]], part of the [[Dust Bowl]] years.<ref name="Duluth NOAA" /> The phrase "cooler by the lake" can be heard often in weather forecasts during the summer, especially on days when an easterly wind is expected. Great local variations are also common because of the rapid change in elevation between the nearly {{convert|900|ft|m|adj=on}} hilltop and shoreside. Often this variation manifests itself as snow in higher elevations while rain falls near Lake Superior.<ref name="superior" />

The record low temperature in Duluth is {{convert|-41|°F}}, set on January 2, 1885, and the record high temperature is {{convert|106|°F}}, set on July 13, 1936. On average, the first freezing temperature occurs on September 30, and the last on May 14, although a freezing temperature has occurred in August; the average window for measurable (≥{{convert|0.1|in|cm|abbr=on|disp=or}}) snowfall is October 22 through April 26.<ref name="Duluth NOAA" />

{{wide image|File:Duluth, Minnesota (2017).jpg|1000px|Skyline in summer, August 2017}}

{{Duluth, Minnesota weatherbox}}
{{Weather box
|location = [[Superior, Wisconsin|Superior]], Wisconsin (adjacent to Duluth, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1909–present)
|collapsed = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 55
|Feb record high F = 60
|Mar record high F = 80
|Apr record high F = 92
|May record high F = 96
|Jun record high F = 98
|Jul record high F = 105
|Aug record high F = 99
|Sep record high F = 97
|Oct record high F = 89
|Nov record high F = 79
|Dec record high F = 60
|year record high F = 105
|Jan avg record high F = 41.3
|Feb avg record high F = 45.0
|Mar avg record high F = 56.7
|Apr avg record high F = 70.4
|May avg record high F = 82.3
|Jun avg record high F = 87.3
|Jul avg record high F = 91.1
|Aug avg record high F = 89.4
|Sep avg record high F = 83.3
|Oct avg record high F = 74.7
|Nov avg record high F = 57.1
|Dec avg record high F = 43.0
|year avg record high F = 92.7
|Jan high F = 22.5
|Feb high F = 26.9
|Mar high F = 36.1
|Apr high F = 46.0
|May high F = 57.4
|Jun high F = 67.0
|Jul high F = 76.1
|Aug high F = 74.8
|Sep high F = 66.6
|Oct high F = 53.0
|Nov high F = 39.1
|Dec high F = 27.3
|year high F = 49.4
|Jan mean F = 14.1
|Feb mean F = 18.0
|Mar mean F = 28.5
|Apr mean F = 38.9
|May mean F = 49.1
|Jun mean F = 58.2
|Jul mean F = 67.1
|Aug mean F = 66.4
|Sep mean F = 58.4
|Oct mean F = 45.8
|Nov mean F = 32.4
|Dec mean F = 20.2
|year mean F = 41.4
|Jan low F = 5.8
|Feb low F = 9.1
|Mar low F = 21.0
|Apr low F = 31.8
|May low F = 40.9
|Jun low F = 49.5
|Jul low F = 58.0
|Aug low F = 58.0
|Sep low F = 50.1
|Oct low F = 38.6
|Nov low F = 25.6
|Dec low F = 13.1
|year low F = 33.5
|Jan avg record low F = -17.2
|Feb avg record low F = -10.9
|Mar avg record low F = -1.4
|Apr avg record low F = 18.3
|May avg record low F = 30.6
|Jun avg record low F = 39.2
|Jul avg record low F = 47.1
|Aug avg record low F = 47.0
|Sep avg record low F = 35.3
|Oct avg record low F = 25.1
|Nov avg record low F = 7.9
|Dec avg record low F = -9.3
|year avg record low F = -19.5
|Jan record low F = −37
|Feb record low F = −38
|Mar record low F = −38
|Apr record low F = -2
|May record low F = 11
|Jun record low F = 25
|Jul record low F = 34
|Aug record low F = 31
|Sep record low F = 19
|Oct record low F = 9
|Nov record low F = −19
|Dec record low F = −32
|year record low F = -38
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.81
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.89
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.41
|Apr precipitation inch = 2.64
|May precipitation inch = 3.37
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.56
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.88
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.92
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.39
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.17
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.12
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.29
|year precipitation inch = 31.45
|Jan snow inch = 14.5
|Feb snow inch = 12.4
|Mar snow inch = 9.1
|Apr snow inch = 1.7
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.2
|Nov snow inch = 5.8
|Dec snow inch = 12.3
|year snow inch = 56.0
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 7.1
|Feb precipitation days = 5.6
|Mar precipitation days = 7.1
|Apr precipitation days = 8.8
|May precipitation days = 11.6
|Jun precipitation days = 11.5
|Jul precipitation days = 10.4
|Aug precipitation days = 9.6
|Sep precipitation days = 9.9
|Oct precipitation days = 9.7
|Nov precipitation days = 8.1
|Dec precipitation days = 7.0
|year precipitation days = 106.4
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 6.8
|Feb snow days = 5.2
|Mar snow days = 3.7
|Apr snow days = 1.6
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 3.1
|Dec snow days = 5.7
|year snow days = 26.2
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name="nws">{{Cite web 
|title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data 
|url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=dlh 
|access-date = June 13, 2021 
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
|archive-date = May 9, 2021 
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210509024006/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=dlh 
|url-status = dead 
}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{Cite web 
|title = Station: Superior, WI 
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00478349&format=pdf 
|access-date = June 13, 2021 
|website = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) 
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240118225329/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00478349&format=pdf
|archive-date = January 18, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2012 flooding===
From June 19–20, 2012, Duluth suffered the worst flood in its history, caused by {{convert|9|in|mm|spell=in}} of rain throughout the course of thirty hours.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 21, 2012 |title=Worst ever Duluth, Minnesota flood causes $80 million in damage |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-weather-midwest-floods-idUSBRE85K1Q720120621 |url-status=live |access-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924164826/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/21/us-weather-midwest-floods-idUSBRE85K1Q720120621 |archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> Combined with its rocky sediments, hard soil and 43 streams and creeks, the city could not handle the massive rainfall.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 16, 2014 |title=Duluth |url=http://www.gulgasht.com/usa/duluth-minnesota.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919011501/http://www.gulgasht.com/usa/duluth-minnesota.html |archive-date=September 19, 2014 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Mayor [[Don Ness]] declared a [[state of emergency]], asking for national assistance.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47890156] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623194925/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47890156|date=June 23, 2012}}</ref> [[Minnesota Governor]] [[Mark Dayton]] declared a state of emergency, sending the [[Minnesota National Guard|National Guard]] and the [[Red Cross]] to assist in the relief efforts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gov. Dayton Tours Destruction in Duluth, Says Aid Will Come |url=http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Gov-Dayton-Tours-Destruction-in-Duluth-Says-Aid-Will-Come-159952915.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625002542/http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Gov-Dayton-Tours-Destruction-in-Duluth-Says-Aid-Will-Come-159952915.html |archive-date=June 25, 2012 |access-date=June 22, 2012 |website=northlandsnewscenter.com |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Several sinkholes opened throughout the city, causing massive property damage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S2663445.shtml?cat=10349|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623091039/http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S2663445.shtml?cat=10349|url-status=dead|title=WDIO.com – Duluth Roads Collapse, Sinkholes Swallow Cars<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=June 23, 2012|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> Several feet of standing water accumulated in many city alleys and parking lots.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/weather/people-animals-flee-duluth-floods|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623063805/http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/weather/people-animals-flee-duluth-floods|url-status=dead|title=People, animals flee Duluth floods<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=June 23, 2012|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> Streets were turned into rapids and many roads split apart due to the heavy flow of water.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kare11.com/news/article/980350/391/Duluth-flood-wreaking-havoc-on-families?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cbc%7Clarge|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127041711/http://www.kare11.com/news/article/980350/391/Duluth-flood-wreaking-havoc-on-families?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cbc%7Clarge|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 27, 2013|title=Duluth flood wreaking havoc on families &#124; kare11.com|date=January 27, 2013|website=Archive.ph|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=DeRusha |first=Jason |title=Good Question: Where Does Clean-Up Money Come From? |url=http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/06/21/good-question-where-does-clean-up-money-come-from/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623194713/http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/06/21/good-question-where-does-clean-up-money-come-from/ |archive-date=June 23, 2012 |access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref> A portion of West [[Skyline Parkway]] tumbled down the hill, isolating a neighborhood.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://secure.forumcomm.com/?publisher_ID=40&article_id=239432&CFID=619254345&CFTOKEN=19605424|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125030719/https://secure.forumcomm.com/?publisher_ID=40&article_id=239432&CFID=619254345&CFTOKEN=19605424|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2013|title=Grand Forks Herald &#124; Grand Forks, North Dakota|date=January 25, 2013|website=Archive.ph|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> The Saint Louis River, in Duluth's [[Fond du Lac (Duluth)|Fond du Lac neighborhood]], flooded Highway 23, isolating that neighborhood as well, and damaging roadways and bridges.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/235214/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122010702/http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/235214/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 22, 2013|title=Duluth couple endures tsunami on the river &#124; Duluth News Tribune &#124; Du…|date=January 22, 2013|website=Archive.ph|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref>

The Lake Superior Zoo flooded in the early hours of June 20; 11 barnyard animals drowned, as did a turkey vulture, a raven and a snowy owl.<ref>[http://bostonherald.com/news/national/midwest/view/20120621flooding_causes_animal_deaths_at_lake_superior_zoo]{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The rising waters enabled a [[polar bear]] to escape her exhibit, though she was quickly found on zoo grounds, tranquilized and moved to safety. Two [[harbor seal]]s escaped the zoo grounds but were later found on Grand Avenue. All three animals were moved to [[Como Park Zoo]] in Saint Paul for a temporary, but indeterminate, amount of time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 20, 2012 |title=People, zoo animals flee Minnesota city flooding |work=Fox News |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/people-animals-flee-floods-in-ne-minnesota-city/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622073134/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/06/20/people-animals-flee-floods-in-ne-minnesota-city/ |archive-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/234981/|title=Flood closes Lake Superior Zoo; kills barnyard animals and birds|website=Archive.today|access-date=July 9, 2019|archive-date=January 21, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121183038/http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/234981/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2012 |title=Como Zoo gives refuge to Duluth polar bear, seals (w/ video) – Twin Cities |url=http://www.twincities.com/2012/06/20/como-zoo-gives-refuge-to-duluth-polar-bear-seals-w-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220215901/http://www.twincities.com/2012/06/20/como-zoo-gives-refuge-to-duluth-polar-bear-seals-w-video/ |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=December 3, 2016}}</ref> The polar bear was transferred to the [[Kansas City Zoo]] in late 2012 as part of the American Zoological Association's (AZA) Species Survival Program breeding recommendation.

===2012 tornado===
Tornadoes are uncommon in Duluth, considering its latitude and location next to the climate-moderating Lake Superior. However, on August 9, 2012, at around 11 AM, a tornado touched down on Minnesota Point. It had originally started as a waterspout in Superior Bay, {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} from Sky Harbor Airport, but briefly found its way onto the sandbar's shoreline, making it a true tornado. It quickly dissipated, but soon touched down again on Superior's Barker's Island, where it again quickly dissipated. It caused no serious damage; the tornado was categorized as an EF0 on the [[Enhanced Fujita Scale]]. At the time the [[National Weather Service]] reported that it was Duluth's first tornado. Further investigation showed that more than {{rounddown|{{age|format=raw|1958|5|26}}|-1}} years ago, on May 26, 1958, Duluth had a "miniature tornado" that collapsed a garage and damaged two area lake cabins. It lasted only five minutes. The ''News-Tribune'' reported a possible twister on July 11, 1935: "Swirling into the city on the wings of a torrential rain, a miniature tornado struck in the heart of the Gary-New Duluth district shortly before 8 a.m. yesterday, flattening a row of coal sheds (and) a frame garage and causing general damage to trees in the vicinity. The United States weather bureau had no means of officially recording the twister, the high wind having limited itself to the Gary-New Duluth district."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/239784/|title=Duluth News Tribune &#124; Duluth, Minnesota<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=Duluthnewstribune.com|access-date=August 8, 2024}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Pioneer Press">{{Cite news |date=August 14, 2012 |title=Duluth tornado/waterspout might not have been a first |url=http://www.twincities.com/ci_21309198/duluth-tornado-waterspout-might-not-have-been-first |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808170417/http://www.twincities.com/ci_21309198/duluth-tornado-waterspout-might-not-have-been-first |archive-date=August 8, 2014}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 80
|1870= 3131
|1880= 3483
|1890= 33115
|1900= 52969
|1910= 78466
|1920= 98917
|1930= 101453
|1940= 101065
|1950= 104511
|1960= 107312
|1970= 100578
|1980= 92811
|1990= 85493
|2000= 86918
|2010= 86265
|2020= 86697
|estyear=2023
|estimate=87680
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=November 18, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=November 18, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

As of the 2023 [[American Community Survey]], there are 38,843 estimated households in Duluth with an average of 2.15 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $61,163. Approximately 17.7% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Duluth has an estimated 68.0% employment rate, with 44.4% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 95.8% holding a high school diploma.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Duluth city, Minnesota|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/duluthcityminnesota/PST045223|access-date=November 18, 2024|website=www.census.gov|language=en}}</ref>

The ACS 2023 one-year estimate reported that Duluth's residents are 74,622 (85.09%) [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2,063 (2.35%) [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 777 (0.89%) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2,093 (2.39%) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 122 (0.14%) [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1,355 (1.55%) from some other race and 6,654 (7.59%) from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 2,424 (2.76%) of the population.<ref name="u733">{{cite web|title=DP05 ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates |website=data.census.gov |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP1Y2023.DP05?g=160XX00US2717000 |access-date=November 18, 2024}}</ref>

The median age in the city was 37.0 years.

===Race and ethnicity===
Historically, Duluth has been overwhelmingly populated by [[non-Hispanic Whites|non-Hispanic whites]]. Since 1990, it has been home to a small but growing Black, Asian, and Hispanic population.

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Duluth, Minnesota – racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
! Race / ethnicity <small>(''NH = non-Hispanic'')</small>
! Pop. 1990<ref name="Census 19902">{{cite web|date=October 6, 2022 |title=1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Minnesota |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-25.pdf |access-date=November 25, 2022 |website=Census.gov |page=22}}</ref>
! Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Duluth city, Minnesota|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=160XX00US2717000|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 18, 2024}}</ref>
! Pop. 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Duluth city, Minnesota|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US2717000&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 18, 2024}}</ref>
! {{partial|Pop. 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Duluth city, Minnesota|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US2717000&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 18, 2024}}</ref>
! % 1990
! % 2000
! % 2010
! {{partial|% 2020}}
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
| 81,674
| 80,043
| 77,184
| style='background: #ffffe6; |72,984
| 95.53%
| 92.09%
| 89.47%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |84.18%
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
| 730
| 1,389
| 1,955
| style='background: #ffffe6; |3,001
| 0.85%
| 1.60%
| 2.27%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |3.46%
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
| 1,779
| 2,056
| 2,011
| style='background: #ffffe6; |2,077
| 2.08%
| 2.37%
| 2.33%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |2.40%
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
| 760
| 989
| 1,287
| style='background: #ffffe6; |1,381
| 0.89%
| 1.14%
| 1.49%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |1.59%
|-
| [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
| —
| 25
| 28
| style='background: #ffffe6; |34
| —
| 0.03%
| 0.03%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |0.04%
|-
| [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
| 40
| 64
| 54
| style='background: #ffffe6; |293
| 0.05%
| 0.07%
| 0.06%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |0.34%
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or multiracial]] (NH)
| —
| 1,431
| 2,441
| style='background: #ffffe6; |4,869
| —
| 1.65%
| 2.83%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |5.62%
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
| 510
| 921
| 1,305
| style='background: #ffffe6; |2,058
| 0.60%
| 1.06%
| 1.51%
| style='background: #ffffe6; |2.37%
|-
| '''Total'''
| '''85,493'''
| '''86,918'''
| '''86,265'''
| style='background: #ffffe6; |'''86,697'''
| '''100.00%'''
| '''100.00%'''
| '''100.00%'''
| style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 86,697 people and 37,104 households, and 18,700 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Duluth%20city,%20Minnesota%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=November 18, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|1209.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 39,762 housing units at an average density of {{convert|554.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 84.98% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.56% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.55% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.60% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.05% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.78% from some other races and 6.48% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 2.37% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Duluth city, Minnesota |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/duluth-city-minnesota/160-2717000/ |access-date=November 18, 2024 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref> 17.2% of residents were under the age of 18, 5.4% were under 5 years of age, and 16.6% were 65 and older.

The most common ancestries in Duluth were [[German Americans|German]] (24.0%), [[Norwegian Americans|Norwegian]] (14.2%), [[Swedish Americans|Swedish]] (10.3%), [[Irish Americans|Irish]] (9.8%), and [[Polish Americans|Polish]] (6.7%). 95.2% of residents were born in the United States, and 72.7% were born in Minnesota. 95.2% spoke only English at home, and 1.7% spoke Spanish. 94.5% have at least a high school degree, and 39.0% have at least a bachelor's degree.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 86,265 people, 35,705 households, and 18,680 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1272.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 38,208 housing units at an average density of {{convert|563.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 90.38% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.30% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.47% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.50% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.26% from some other races and 3.05% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 1.51% of the population.

There were 35,705 households, of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.7% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% 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 2.84.

The median age in the city was 33.6 years. 18.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 19.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 24.8% were from 45 to 64; and 13.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 86,918 people, 35,500 households, and 19,918 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1278.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 36,994 housing units at an average density of {{convert|544.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 92.65% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.63% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.44% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.14% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.29% from some other races and 1.82% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 1.06% of the population.

There were 35,500 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.9% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 16.2% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,766, and the median income for a family was $46,394. Males had a median income of $35,182 versus $24,965 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,969. About 8.6% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the [[poverty threshold|poverty line]], including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
[[File:Middletown-Duluth.jpg|thumb|right|upright|SS ''Middletown'' beneath Duluth's aerial lift bridge]]

Duluth is the major regional center for health care, higher education, retail, and business services not only of its own immediate area but also of a larger area encompassing [[Arrowhead Region|northeastern]] Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin, and the western [[Upper Peninsula]] of [[Michigan]]. It is also a major transportation center for the transshipment of coal, taconite, agricultural products, steel, limestone, and cement. In recent years it has seen strong growth in the transshipment of wind turbine components coming and going from manufacturers in both Europe and North Dakota and of oversized industrial machinery manufactured all around the world and destined for the tar sands oil extraction projects in northern Alberta. The Port of Duluth handles an average of 35 million short tons of cargo and nearly 900 vessel visits each year.<ref name=":0" /> Ninety percent of the port's vessels are "Lakers", ships that ship goods exclusively among the upper four Great Lakes and are too large to transit the [[Welland Canal]]. The rest are "Salties", ships that can traverse the seaway all the way from the Atlantic Ocean.<ref name=":0" />

The Twin Ports has attracted several new engineering firms, including [[TKDA]], Barr Engineering, LHB, [[Enbridge]] and Lake Superior Consulting, as well as new start-ups in various fields, including Loll Designs and Epicurean, two sister companies that make eco-friendly furniture and kitchen utensils respectively, and [[microbrewery]] [[Bent Paddle Brewing Company|Bent Paddle]].<ref name=CBSNews/> Women's clothing retail chain [[Maurices]] is also headquartered in Duluth, as are luggage manufacturers and suppliers [[Duluth Pack (company)|Duluth Pack]] and Frost River. In 1989, the [[workwear]] and accessories brand [[Duluth Trading Company]] was founded on a [[barge]] in the city's shipping district. The company moved its headquarters to southern Wisconsin in 2000. Supermarket chain [[Super One Foods]] is also based in the Twin Ports, with its headquarters in neighboring [[Hermantown]].

Duluth is a center for aquatic biology and aquatic science. The city is home to the EPA's Mid-Continent Ecology Division Laboratory and the [[University of Minnesota–Duluth]]. These institutions have spawned many economically and scientifically important businesses that support Duluth's economy. A short list of these businesses includes ERA Laboratories, LimnoLogic, the ASci Corporation, Environmental Consulting and Testing, and [[Ecolab]].

The city is popular for tourism. Duluth is a convenient base for trips to the scenic [[North Shore (Lake Superior)|North Shore]] via [[Minnesota State Highway 61|Highway 61]] and to fishing and wilderness destinations in Minnesota's far north, including the [[Superior National Forest]], [[Voyageurs National Park]], [[Lake Vermilion]], and the [[Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness]]. Tourists also may drive on the [[North Shore Scenic Drive]] to [[Gooseberry Falls State Park]], Baptism Falls (Minnesota's largest waterfall), the vertical cliff of [[Palisade Head]], [[Isle Royale National Park]] (reached via ferry), [[Grand Portage National Monument]] in Grand Portage, and High Falls of the [[Pigeon River (Minnesota–Ontario)|Pigeon River]] (on the Canada–US border). [[Thunder Bay]], [[Ontario]], can be reached by following the highway into Canada along Lake Superior.

In 2006, a volunteer task force was formed to manage the spiraling retiree health care benefit obligations that were threatening to bankrupt the city. Mayor [[Don Ness]] called it "the single most important volunteer effort in our city's history". After reforming and restructuring the benefits and a court case that went all the way to the Minnesota Supreme Court, in 2013 the liability stood at an estimated $191 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freudenheim |first=Milt |date=December 11, 2005 |title=The Next Retirement Time Bomb |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/11/business/yourmoney/11retire.html?_r=0 |url-status=live |access-date=February 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518123127/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/11/business/yourmoney/the-next-retirement-time-bomb.html |archive-date=May 18, 2021}}</ref> In 2014, Ness announced "a full solution for the retiree health care issue that once threatened to bankrupt our city".<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 25, 2015 |title=Duluth mayor touts plan for retiree health care |publisher=Pioneer Press |url=http://www.twincities.com/2014/10/07/duluth-mayor-touts-plan-for-retiree-health-care/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424085535/http://www.twincities.com/2014/10/07/duluth-mayor-touts-plan-for-retiree-health-care/ |archive-date=April 24, 2017}}</ref>

===Top employers===
According to the city's 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://duluthmn.gov/media/5gcldksy/2023-city-of-duluth-annual-comprehensive-financial-report.pdf|title=City of Duluth 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report|page=177|date=December 31, 2023}}</ref> Duluth's ten largest employers are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! Type of Business
! # of Employees
|-
|1
|[[Essentia Health]] (St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic)
|Healthcare / hospital
|9,004
|-
|2
|[[St. Luke's Hospital (Duluth, Minnesota)|St. Luke's Hospital]]
|Healthcare / hospital
|3,573
|-
|3
|[[St. Louis County, Minnesota|St. Louis County]]
|Government
|2,161
|-
|4
|[[Allete]] (Minnesota Power)
|Electric utility
|1,810
|-
|5
|[[Cirrus Aircraft]]
|Aviation
|1,600
|-
|6
|[[Duluth Public Schools]] ISD No. 709
|Education
|1,026
|-
|7
|[[Duluth Air National Guard Base]]
|Military
|1,019
|-
|8
|''[[Forum Communications Company|Pine Journal]]''
|Newspaper
|1,000
|-
|9
|[[University of Minnesota Duluth]]
|Education
|985
|-
|10
|[[UnitedHealth Group|United Healthcare]]
|Insurance
|900
|}

===Aviation===
[[File:CirrusDuluth.jpg|thumb|[[Cirrus Aircraft|Cirrus]]'s Duluth headquarters and main manufacturing facilities]]

Several multinational aviation corporations operate near Duluth. Since 1994, the city has been home to the headquarters and main manufacturing facilities of [[Cirrus Aircraft]], whose nearly 1,600 Duluth employees (as of 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.startribune.com/duluth-based-cirrus-aircraft-opens-20-million-innovation-center/600307928/ |title=Duluth-based Cirrus Aircraft opens $20 million innovation center|website=Star Tribune |access-date=November 27, 2023|date=September 27, 2023}}</ref>) build the world's best-selling [[general aviation]] aircraft, the [[Cirrus SR22|SR22]], and the world's first single-engine [[personal jet]], the [[Cirrus Vision SF50|Vision SF50]].<ref name="Durden21Feb13">{{Cite news |last=Durden |first=Rick |date=February 21, 2014 |title=2013: A Good Year For Cirrus |work=AVweb |url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/2013-a-Good-Year-for-Cirrus221478-1.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010052658/http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/2013-a-Good-Year-for-Cirrus221478-1.html |archive-date=October 10, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Renalls |first=Candace |date=January 10, 2016 |title=Cirrus jet nears certification |work=Duluth News Tribune |url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/3921253-cirrus-jet-nears-certification |url-status=dead |access-date=April 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307071442/http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/3921253-cirrus-jet-nears-certification |archive-date=March 7, 2016}}</ref> [[James Fallows]], national correspondent for ''[[The Atlantic]]'', said that Cirrus' rapid growth in Duluth over the years "was a major, major factor in the town's modern emergence".<ref name="CBSNews">{{Cite news |last=Hudspeth |first=Mark |date=May 2, 2018 |title=Small town America in renewal |work=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-small-town-america-in-renewal/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511081618/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-small-town-america-in-renewal/ |archive-date=May 11, 2018}}</ref> Former mayor [[Gary Doty]] called the arrival of Cirrus in the mid-1990s a "crucial turning point" for Duluth, and said it was "the catalyst for more positive attitudes about the city... If that hadn't happened, then we might really have been in a tailspin."<ref name="OurTowns">{{Cite book |last=Fallows |first=James |title=Our Towns: a 100,000-mile journey into the heart of America |date=2018 |publisher=Pantheon Books |isbn=978-1-101-87184-3 |location=New York |page=205 |author-link=James Fallows}}</ref> As of 2024, the company is Duluth's largest manufacturer and third-largest employer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Passi |first=Peter |date=March 5, 2021 |title=Duluth's Cirrus Aircraft rebuilds production, despite turbulent year |work=Duluth News Tribune |url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/manufacturing/6912403-Duluths-Cirrus-Aircraft-rebuilds-production-despite-turbulent-year |url-status=live |access-date=March 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310015102/https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/manufacturing/6912403-Duluths-Cirrus-Aircraft-rebuilds-production-despite-turbulent-year |archive-date=March 10, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://senatedfl.mn/senator-hauschild-champions-bills-supporting-minnesotas-aerospace-industry-in-senate-taxes-committee-wednesday/|publisher=Minnesota Senate DFL|title=Senator Hauschild Champions Bills Supporting Minnesota's Aerospace Industry in Senate Taxes Committee Wednesday|date=April 3, 2024}}</ref> In January 2012, another aircraft manufacturer, [[Kestrel Aircraft]], maker of the [[Kestrel K-350|K-350]] [[turboprop]] plane and later known as [[One Aviation|ONE Aviation]], moved to the Twin Ports;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duluth Minnesota Newspaper – Wisconsin Newspaper Online – Business North – Business North – The Daily Briefing – Business Newspaper Online<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=http://www.businessnorth.com/briefing.asp?RID=4420 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222014632/http://www.businessnorth.com/briefing.asp?RID=4420 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=March 9, 2013}}</ref> and in October of that year, [[AAR Corp]] opened an aircraft repair and maintenance facility at the Duluth airport.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAR Corp. Seeks 200 New Employees for Duluth Facility &#124; KBJR 6 & Range 11 &#124; KDLH 3: News, Weather, Sports for Duluth MN / Superior WI / Northland &#124; Local News |url=http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/AAR-Corp-Seeks-200-New-Employees-For-Duluth-Facility-176527051.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114132109/http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/AAR-Corp-Seeks-200-New-Employees-For-Duluth-Facility-176527051.html |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=October 31, 2015 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Both companies ceased operations in the region during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 21, 2020 |title=AAR closing Duluth airline maintenance facility, costing hundreds of jobs |publisher=Star Tribune |url=https://www.startribune.com/aar-closing-duluth-airline-maintenance-facility-costing-hundreds-of-jobs/570656972/ |access-date=May 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 19, 2021 |title=Court Converts One Aviation Bankruptcy Case to Liquidation |publisher=Aviation International News |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-02-19/court-converts-one-aviation-bankruptcy-case-liquidation |access-date=May 4, 2022}}</ref>

In January 2013, the [[Duluth International Airport]] opened a new terminal, now named the "U.S. Representative James L. Oberstar Terminal" after the late [[Jim Oberstar]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Terminal Updates Archives - Duluth International Airport |url=http://duluthairport.com/category/new-terminal-updates/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612210818/http://duluthairport.com/category/new-terminal-updates/ |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |access-date=April 6, 2018 |website=Duluth International Airport |language=en-US |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The [[Air National Guard]]'s [[148th Fighter Wing]] is at the [[Duluth Air National Guard Base]] and is the city's sixth-largest employer as of 2022. It is one of a handful of National Guard units with an active association, which in the 148th's case means having the capability to provide training for Air Force pilots.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ewer |first=Master Sgt. Daniel |title=Minnesota National Guard Units |url=http://www.minnesotanationalguard.org/units/unit_template.php?unit=148HQ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930220511/http://www.minnesotanationalguard.org/units/unit_template.php?unit=148HQ |archive-date=September 30, 2018 |access-date=March 9, 2013 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The [[179th Fighter Squadron]] is a unit of the 148th.

Minnesota's largest airshow, the [http://www.duluthairshow.com Duluth Air & Aviation Expo], takes place each year on the grounds of Duluth International Airport.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.blueangels.navy.mil/show/ | title=U.S. Navy Blue Angels &#124; Show Information }}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Duluth Central High School (1892).jpg|thumb|right|[[Historic Old Central High School]]]]

The [[Historic Old Central High School]], built in 1892 of locally quarried sandstone at a cost of $460,000, now houses an 1890s classroom museum. It features a {{convert|230|ft|m|adj=on}} clock tower with chimes patterned after [[Big Ben]] in London; the clock faces are each {{convert|10+1/2|ft|m}} in diameter, overlooking the Duluth harbor. It is listed with the [[National Register of Historic Places]]; they begin the listing writing, "Old Central is a very fine example of that traditionally rich architectural style known as [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] and is certainly the most outstanding structure of its kind to be found in northern Minnesota."<ref name="Cavin">{{Cite web |last=Cavin |first=Brooks |date=June 20, 1972 |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form: Duluth Central High School |url={{NRHP url|id=72001488}} |access-date=June 2, 2019 |publisher=National Park Service}} With {{NRHP url|id=72001488|photos=y|title=two accompanying photographs}}</ref>

Other museums include the Duluth Children's Museum in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Founded in 1930, it is the fifth-oldest of its kind in the nation. It features interactive exhibits, educational programs, and opportunities for creative play designed for children, their families and caregivers, and school field trips. The museum also curates an artifact collection of over 25,000 objects drawn from the lives and cultures of people who have resided in the region, particularly American Indians and immigrants. Other museums include the [[Tweed Museum of Art]] at the [[University of Minnesota Duluth]] and the [[Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum]].

The premier community art center is the [[Duluth Art Institute]], with galleries, a fiber studio and darkroom in the [[Duluth Depot|Depot]] downtown and ceramic and multi-purpose studios in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. A number of local art galleries are also located downtown and in Canal Park. The [[Duluth Public Library]] has three locations. Duluth is also home to a professional [[ballet company]], the [[Minnesota Ballet]]. Duluth shares a symphony orchestra—the [[Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra]]—with Superior, Wisconsin. In summer free concerts are often held in Chester Park, where local musicians play for crowds. The Bayfront Blues Festival is held in early August.

Duluth is home to several local theater companies, including The Duluth Playhouse, one of the oldest operating community theaters in the United States. Founded in 1914, the Playhouse's main offices and two of its theaters are housed in the historic Depot Building on Michigan Street. The Playhouse has a comprehensive theatrical season across multiple stages, including Duluth's [[Nor Shor Theater]] as of April 2018. It also has a renowned education program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Duluth Playhouse &#124; Since 1914 |url=http://www.duluthplayhouse.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408002105/https://duluthplayhouse.org/ |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |access-date=May 22, 2019}}</ref>

The [[NorShor Theatre]] is a historic [[movie palace]] on Superior Street that was restored for use as a performance venue. The century-old venue is generally considered a local landmark. After 19 months of construction and renovations, the Norshor opened in 2018 with a 600-seat, stadium-style, balconied, live-performance auditorium, a bar, and a lounge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Theatre Historical Society of America |url=http://www.historictheatres.org/orpheum-norshortheatreduluth-mn/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140620082814/http://www.historictheatres.org/orpheum-norshortheatreduluth-mn/ |archive-date=June 20, 2014 |access-date=June 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NorShor Website |url=http://www.norshortheatre.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811004604/http://www.norshortheatre.com/ |archive-date=August 11, 2014 |access-date=June 20, 2014}}</ref>

Since 2004, Duluth has celebrated [[Gay Pride]] with a [[Gay Pride Parade|parade]] on [[Labor Day]] weekend. Since 1998, the city has held the [[Homegrown Music Festival (Duluth)|Homegrown Music Festival]] the first week in May. The festival features over 170 local musical acts performing across the city. The Junior Achievement High School ROCKS – Battle of the Bands showcases middle school and high school bands from central Minnesota to the Canada–US border and northern Wisconsin and takes place at the DECC in mid-April. Duluth also hosts the [[Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards]], honoring books about the region.

===Attractions===
[[File:Duluth Canal Park Lakewalk.jpg|thumb|left|Duluth [[Canal Park (Duluth)|Canal Park]] Lakewalk]]

[[Canal Park (Duluth)|Canal Park]] is a district with recreation activities, restaurants, cafés, hotels, and shops, especially those dealing in antiques. Formerly a warehouse district, the area converted to a recreation-oriented district following the decline in manufacturing in the 1980s. A {{convert|2.6|mi|km|adj=on}} walking path offers views of Park Point's sand dunes and swimming beaches and the lighthouse pier. The path passes under the Aerial Lift Bridge, a vertical [[lift bridge]] spanning the [[Duluth Ship Canal]] into Duluth's harbor. It was originally an exceedingly rare [[Transporter bridge|aerial transfer bridge]]—a bridge that slides a basketlike "gondola" back and forth to transfer people and vehicles from one side to the other. The wreck of the [[SS Thomas Wilson|''Thomas Wilson'']], a classic early-20th-century [[whaleback]] ore boat, lies underwater less than {{one2a|{{convert|1|mi|km}}}} outside the Duluth harbor ship canal.

The Duluth Lakewalk, expanded and improved beginning in the 1980s, is a seven-mile walking/biking path that begins in Canal Park and follows the lakeshore, crossing through Leif Erikson Park and the Duluth Rose Garden, and ending at the Bayfront Festival Park, an area with a covered pavilion where festivals, concerts, and other events are held.

Duluth is the starting point for the [[North Shore (Lake Superior)|North Shore of Lake Superior]] scenic route that runs from Duluth, at the southwestern end of the lake, to [[Thunder Bay]] and [[Nipigon]] in the north and [[Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario|Sault Ste. Marie]] in the east. The route was already a popular tourist destination after 1855 when the Great Lakes lock system first allowed steamboats onto the lake and eastern tourists began to travel onto Lake Superior for recreational purposes. By the mid-1870s, many excursion boats, coastal steamers, and ferries ran along the North Shore, primarily out of Duluth and Thunder Bay. After docking in Duluth they canoed or were ferried up the North Shore, staying in hunting and fishing camps, and later hotels and small cabins.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Minnesota's Lake Superior |url=http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/shipwrecks/mpdf/mpdf1.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218045534/http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/shipwrecks/mpdf/mpdf1.php |archive-date=February 18, 2020 |access-date=March 16, 2020 |website=Minnesota Historical Society}}</ref>

====Great Lakes Aquarium====
[[File:GreatLakesAquarium.jpg|thumb|right|[[Great Lakes Aquarium]] with lift bridge in background]]

The [[Great Lakes Aquarium]] is in the Duluth Waterfront Park. A freshwater [[public aquarium|aquarium]], it features animals and habitats found in the Great Lakes Basin and other freshwater ecosystems such as the [[Amazon River]]. The aquarium houses 205 different species of fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. It is one of the few aquariums in the United States to focus on freshwater exhibits.

====Lake Superior Maritime Museum and Visitor Center====
The Great Lakes Maritime Museum and Visitor Center contains historical exhibits, maritime artifacts, and a recreation of a ship's pilot house, cabins, and staterooms with life-size mannequins that speak to the visitors. In the pilot house children can pretend to command the ship using a ship's steering wheel and other instruments. The exhibits contain artifacts from the many sunken ships in the Duluth harbor. One exhibit tells the story of the {{SS|Edmund Fitzgerald}}, which sank in a November gale after departing from the Duluth Superior port. There is a small movie theater and a viewing room where visitors can watch the ships arriving in the harbor and find arrival times of the ships that will arrive throughout the day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2015 |title=Lake Superior Maritime Museum and Visitor Center |url=http://www.goduluthmn.com/best-duluth-attractions/maritime-museum/ |access-date=January 18, 2022 |website=Duluth MN.com}}</ref>

====William A. Irvin Ship Museum====
After transporting coal and iron in the Great Lakes for more than 40 years, the {{SS|William A. Irvin}} was docked in Duluth and serves as a preserved example of the shipping history of the Great Lakes. As the [[flagship]] of U.S. Steel's Great Lakes Fleet, she provided what has been called the "comfort and elegance to dignitaries and guests who traveled the Lakes with her" while hauling materials from Two Harbors and Duluth to U.S. Steel's mills of Lakes Michigan and Erie in Ohio and Indiana.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2019 |title=Vintage Duluth |url=https://dplreference.wordpress.com/2019/04/26/ss-william-a-irvin/ |access-date=January 29, 2022 |website=Duluth Public Library}}</ref>

====Lake Superior Railroad Museum====
[[File:Duluth Depot.jpg|thumb|[[Duluth Depot]]]]
The [[Lake Superior Railroad Museum]] is in the [[Duluth Union Depot]]. It has seven steam, 14 diesel, and two electric locomotives, and over 40 other pieces of rolling stock. The collection includes the [[William Crooks (locomotive)|William Crooks]], the first locomotive to operate in the state of Minnesota, and the [[Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway]] Number 227, a [[2-8-8-4|"Yellowstone"]] locomotive that was among the largest steam engines ever. Only 18 Yellowstones were ever built, and Duluth exhibits one of the three that remain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE LOCOMOTIVE WILLIAM CROOKS |url=http://zenithcity.com/archive/historic-industry/the-locomotive-william-crooks/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523181731/http://zenithcity.com/archive/historic-industry/the-locomotive-william-crooks/ |archive-date=May 23, 2018 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |website=Zenith City Online}}</ref>

====North Shore Scenic Railroad====
The [[North Shore Scenic Railroad]] is a [[heritage railway|heritage railroad]] that operates between Duluth and [[Two Harbors, Minnesota]]. It is owned by the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and offers several different types of passenger excursion trains between May 28 and October 15 each year. The railroad was started in 1990, using the Lakefront Line once owned by the [[Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway]].

====Fitger's Brewery====
[[File:Fitger's Brewery Museum 02.jpg|thumb|Copper brew kettle installed in 1901, at the [[Fitger's Brewing Company|Fitger Brewery Museum]]]]

The [[Fitger's Brewing Company|original brewery]] was built in 1857 on a stream that came to be known as Brewery Creek; it was purchased by Michael Fink in 1881 and moved downstream to its present location on Superior Street. [[Fitger Brewing Company|Fink's Lake Superior Brewery]] hired a new [[brewmaster]], August Fitger, a graduate of one of Germany's premier brewing schools, and the brewery was renamed A. Fitger & Co. / Lake Superior Brewery. The brewery was successful and stayed in operation even through prohibition but finally closed in 1972 after 115 years of continual operation, making it the oldest business in Duluth. The complex was reopened in 1984 and contains a [[Microbrewery|craft brewery]], several restaurants, hotels, shops, and a museum. Fitger's Brewery Complex is listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fitger's |url=http://fitgers.com/fitgers-history/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710133750/http://fitgers.com/fitgers-history/ |archive-date=July 10, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2017}}</ref>

====Glensheen Mansion====
[[File:Glensheen Mansion.jpg|thumb|[[Glensheen Mansion]]]]

The [[Glensheen Historic Estate]], on the shore of Lake Superior, was built as the family home for wealthy businessman [[Chester Adgate Congdon]]. Glensheen sits on {{convert|7.6|acre}} of lakefront property, has 38 rooms and is built in the [[Jacobean architecture|Jacobean]] architectural tradition, inspired by the [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] styles of the era. The building was designed by Minnesota architect [[Clarence H. Johnston Sr.]], with interiors designed by William French. The formal terraced garden and English-style landscape was designed by the [[Charles Wellford Leavitt]] firm of New York. Construction began in 1905 at a cost of $854,000 (about ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US|854000|1905}}}} in {{inflation-year|US}} dollars), and was completed in 1908. Aside from its architectural significance, Glensheen is noteworthy for the murders of [[Elisabeth Congdon]] and her nurse on June 27, 1977. The mansion is open to tours year-round.

====Lake Superior Zoo====
The 16-acre [[Lake Superior Zoo]] offers year-round recreational activities and features animals from around the world, including Amur tigers, snow leopards, African lions, brown bears, kangaroos, gray wolves, and a variety of birds, reptiles, primates and barnyard animals. The zoo offers learning programs and regularly features special events.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lake Superior Zoo - Among Top Duluth, MN, Attractions |url=http://www.lszoo.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530025500/http://www.lszoo.org/ |archive-date=May 30, 2013 |access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref>

====Enger Tower====
[[File:Enger Tower.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Enger Tower]]]]

[[Enger Tower]] is an {{convert|80|ft|m|adj=on}}, five-story blue stone observation tower atop Enger Hill in Duluth. The tower provides panoramic views of the Twin Ports from lookouts accessible by stairs, and a green beacon is mounted atop the tower.

====Hawk Ridge fall raptor count====
Duluth is in the path of many avian [[flyway]]s and migratory birds, which pass over the area in great numbers. [[Hawk Ridge, Duluth|Hawk Ridge]], on [[Skyline Parkway]], is ideal for viewing migratory [[Bird of prey|raptors]]. According to the [[Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]], Hawk Ridge has attracted visitors from all 50 states and 40 countries, from Labor Day through October. Volunteers and licensed bird banders capture raptors in nets and band them while large crowds gather to observe the capture and release.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bird Monitoring Fall & Spring Bird Migration Counts |url=https://www.hawkridge.org/research/bird-monitoring/ |access-date=January 27, 2022 |website=Hawk Ridge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bird Banding |url=https://www.hawkridge.org/research/bird-banding/ |access-date=January 27, 2022 |website=Hawk Ridge}}</ref>

====Gichi-Ode' Akiing====
Just off the Lakewalk is a park named Gichi-Ode' Akiing, Ojibwe for "a grand heart place."<ref>{{Cite news |last=News Tribune |date=May 30, 2019 |title=Ceremony Friday to rename Lake Place Park as Gichi-ode' Akiing |work=Duluth News Tribune |publisher=Duluth News Tribune and Forum Communications Company |url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/incoming/1354590-Ceremony-Friday-to-rename-Lake-Place-Park-as-Gichi-ode%E2%80%99-Akiing |url-status=live |access-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308130812/https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/incoming/1354590-Ceremony-Friday-to-rename-Lake-Place-Park-as-Gichi-ode%E2%80%99-Akiing |archive-date=March 8, 2021}}</ref> The [[Duluth City Council]] approved the name change from Lake Place Park in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kraker, Dan |date=June 1, 2019 |title=Duluth renames city park in the Ojibwe language |publisher=Minnesota Public Radio |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/06/01/duluth-renames-city-park-ojibwe-language |url-status=live |access-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305200957/https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/06/01/duluth-renames-city-park-ojibwe-language |archive-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> A memorial to [[Kechewaishke]], also known as Chief Buffalo, honors his symbolic petition carried to president [[Millard Fillmore]] in 1849.<ref name="WIHS">{{Cite web |date=December 2003 |title=Symbolic Petition of the Chippewa Chiefs |url=https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM1871 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927134605/https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM1871 |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=April 4, 2020 |publisher=Wisconsin Historical Society}}</ref> Kechewaishke signed the [[Treaty of La Pointe#1854 Treaty of La Pointe|1854 Treaty of La Pointe]] a year before his death, with the provision that {{convert|1|sqmi|km2|spell=in}} of land at the corner of Lake Superior be given to his adopted son [[Benjamin G. Armstrong]].<ref name="Justia">{{Cite web |date=March 2, 1885 |title=Prentice v. Stearns, 113 U.S. 435 (1885) |url=https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/113/435/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927020225/https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/113/435/ |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2020 |publisher=Justia}}</ref> Known as the Buffalo Tract, Armstrong's land comprised part of today's downtown Duluth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gichi-Ode' Akiing (Lake Place Park) |url=https://duluthmn.gov/parks/parks-listing/lake-place-park/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017064059/https://duluthmn.gov/parks/parks-listing/lake-place-park/ |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |access-date=April 3, 2020 |publisher=City of Duluth}}</ref>

===Events===
====Duluth Airshow====
The Duluth Airshow, founded in 2001, is held each summer at the [[Duluth International Airport]], and is Minnesota's largest airshow.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duluth Airshow - Duluth, MN : Duluth Airshow |url=https://www.duluthairshow.com/ |access-date=March 27, 2023 |website=www.duluthairshow.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Participants have included the [[Blue Angels]], [[United States Air Force Thunderbirds|US Air Force Thunderbirds]], [[F-22 Raptor Demo Team]], and [[Snowbirds (aerobatic team)|Canadian Forces Snowbirds]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drew |first=David|title=Duluth Airshow Earns Another Industry Award |url=https://b105country.com/duluth-airshow-earns-another-industry-award/ |access-date=March 27, 2023 |website=B105 |date=January 28, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

====John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon====
{{Main|John Beargrease Dog Sled Race}}
[[File:John Beargrease Dogsled Marathon - Two Harbors Minnesota (32708009705).jpg|thumb|2017 [[John Beargrease Dog Sled Race|John Beargrease Dogsled Marathon]]]]

The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, named for winter mail carrier [[John Beargrease]], is an annual sled dog race that runs from Duluth to [[Grand Portage]]. Beargrease and his brothers were among the first to carry mail between Two Harbors and [[Grand Marais, Minnesota|Grand Marais]], going by dogsled, boat, and horse for almost 20 years before the towns were connected by road. Competitors can choose between two distances: a {{convert|400|mi|km|adj=on|0}} round trip between Duluth and the [[Boundary Waters Canoe Area]], and a {{convert|150|mi|km|adj=on|0}} course from Duluth to [[Tofte Township, Minnesota|Tofte]]. The race begins at Billy's Bar in northeastern Duluth.<ref>[https://www.startribune.com/john-beargrease-sled-dog-marathon-starts-with-wide-open-field/600141327/ Beargrease sled dog marathon starts with wide field of contenders] ''Star Tribune''. January 2022</ref><ref>[https://www.wdio.com/news/beargrease-sled-dog-marathon-ryan-anderson-colleen-ero-wallin/6378259/ Looking back at the Beargrease: A recap of the 38th running] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203185803/https://www.wdio.com/news/beargrease-sled-dog-marathon-ryan-anderson-colleen-ero-wallin/6378259/ |date=February 3, 2022 }} WDIO</ref><ref>[https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/ryan-anderson-wins-his-fourth-beargrease-sled-dog-marathon Ryan Anderson wins his fourth Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon] ''Duluth News Tribune''</ref><ref>[https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2022/02/02/the-grueling-300-mile-beargrease-sled-dog-race-is-a-family-tradition-for-colleen-wallin For Colleen Wallin, the grueling, 300-mile Beargrease sled dog race is a family affair], ''Mprnews.org''</ref> Run every January since 1980, it is regarded as a training ground for Alaska's larger and more elite [[Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE JOHN BEARGREASE SLED DOG MARATHON |url=https://beargrease.com/ |access-date=December 9, 2021 |website=Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon}}</ref>

====Magic Smelt Parade====
In May, Duluthians celebrate the annual [[Smelt (fish)|smelt]] run with the Magic Smelt Parade along the city's lakewalk. It is a family-oriented affair conducted in the manner of a New Orleans [[Second line (parades)|Second Line Parade]], with a "Main Line" led by a small brass band followed by the "second liners", who walk and dance behind the band. The Smelt Parade's second liners wear silver hats, capes, and other costumes related to smelt. A Smelt King and Smelt Queens also take part in the parade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kraker |first=Dan |title=Lake Superior smelting tradition continues, despite new pollution concerns |url=https://www.mprnews.org///2022/05/12/lake-superior-smelting-tradition-continues-despite-new-pollution-concerns |access-date=September 4, 2022 |website=MPR News|date=May 13, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Magic Smelt Parade |url=https://magicsmelt.com/ |access-date=September 4, 2022 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gabler |first=Jay |date=May 3, 2022 |title=Smelt Parade returning to Duluth's Lakewalk after 2-year hiatus |url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/lifestyle/arts-and-entertainment/smelt-parade-returning-to-duluths-lakewalk-after-2-year-hiatus |access-date=September 4, 2022 |website=Duluth News Tribune}}</ref>

====Grandma's Marathon====
{{Main|Grandma's Marathon}}
[[File:Al Franken and Wesley Ngetich Kimutai in the 2007 Grandma's Marathon.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Al Franken]] and [[Wesley Ngetich Kimutai]] in the 2007 [[Grandma's Marathon]]]]

Since 1977, Duluth has played host to Grandma's Marathon, held annually in June. Named after its original sponsor, Grandma's Restaurant, it draws runners from all over the world. The course starts just outside [[Two Harbors, Minnesota]], runs down [[County Road 61 (St. Louis County, Minnesota)|Old Highway 61]] (the former route of [[Minnesota State Highway 61|Highway 61]] along the [[North Shore (Lake Superior)|North Shore]] of [[Lake Superior]]), and finishes in one of Duluth's tourism neighborhoods, [[Canal Park (Duluth)|Canal Park]]. The same route is also taken during the North Shore Inline Marathon, held in September and also drawing racers from all over the world.

====Christmas City of the North Parade====
Each year in November, the Christmas City of the North Parade takes place in Duluth. The parade dates to 1957, when the holiday shopping season ran particularly short. Wanting to extend Christmas shopping days, Bob Rich, who at the time owned the former WDSM-TV, now [[KBJR-TV]], came up with the idea. Since then, the parade has marched through downtown Duluth annually on the Friday night before Thanksgiving. The event has survived pouring rain, snow and frigid cold. Even in years when instruments were too cold to produce music, the bands became choirs, using their voices to entertain the crowd. Recorded by [[Merv Griffin]] in 1962, the "Christmas City" song is the parade's signature sound. According to Rich's grandson, the song was written by a local resident and his grandfather asked his friend Griffin, at that time not the well-known TV personality he later became, if he would sing the song and put it to music.<ref>[http://christmascityparade.com/ Christmas City of the North Parade:<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904072214/http://christmascityparade.com/ |date=September 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>[http://christmascityparade.com/2010/11/grandson-of-christmas-city-parade-creator-shares-history/ Grandson of Christmas City Parade Creator Shares History | Christmas City of the North Parade<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902015321/http://christmascityparade.com/2010/11/grandson-of-christmas-city-parade-creator-shares-history/ |date=September 2, 2013}}</ref>

====Bentleyville Tour of Lights====
{{Main|Bentleyville Tour of Lights}}

Since 2009, the Bentleyville Tour of Lights decorates the Bayfront Festival Park during November and December with over 5,000,000 lights. A free lighting display, it has been called the United States' "largest display of Christmas lights" that patrons can walk through.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tour of Lights |url=https://www.bentleyvilleusa.org/visitor-guide/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=2022 Bentleyville Visitor Guide}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nissen |first=Jack |date=November 15, 2018 |title=Duluth traditions return: Bentleyville Tour of Lights and the Christmas City of the North Parade |url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/community/duluth-traditions-return-bentleyville-tour-of-lights-and-the-christmas-city-of-the-north-parade |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=Duluth News Tribune}}</ref>

==Sports==

===Professional sports history===
====Football====
<div style="float:left; clear:left; margin-right: 1em;">
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan=5 | Duluth in the [[National Football League|NFL]]
|-
! Year !! W !! L !! T !! Finish
|-
| colspan="5" | '''Kelleys'''
|-
| 1923 || 4 || 3 || 0 || 7th
|-
| 1924 || 5 || 1 || 0 || 4th
|-
| 1925 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 16th
|-
| colspan="5" | '''Eskimos'''
|-
| 1926 || 6 || 5 || 3 || 8th
|-
| 1927 || 1 || 8 || 0 || 11th
|}
</div>
Duluth fielded a [[National Football League]] team called the [[Duluth Kelleys/Eskimos|Kelleys]] (officially the Kelley Duluths after the Kelley-Duluth Hardware Store) from 1923 to 1925 and the Eskimos (officially<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hickoksports.com/history/dulutheskimos.shtml|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130125080713/http://www.hickoksports.com/history/dulutheskimos.shtml|url-status=dead|title=HickokSports.com – History – Duluth Kelleys 1923–25; Duluth Eskimos 1926–27<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=January 25, 2013|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> [[Ernie Nevers]]' Eskimos after the early NFL great, their star player) from 1926 to 1927. The Eskimos were then sold and became the [[Orange Tornadoes]] ([[Orange, New Jersey]]). This bit of history became the basis for the 2008 George Clooney/Renée Zellweger movie, ''[[Leatherheads]]''.

====Baseball====
The [[Duluth–Superior Dukes]] of the [[Northern League (baseball, 1993–2010)|Northern League Independent Professional Baseball]] played in West Duluth's [[Wade Stadium]] from the league's inception in 1993 until 2002 when the team moved to Kansas City, Kansas, and became the [[Kansas City T-Bones]]. The Dukes were Northern League champions in 1997. [[Northern League (baseball, 1902–71)|An earlier Northern League]], based in the Midwest, was also in operation off and on from 1902 to 1971, the longest stint being 1932–1971. The Dukes were a farm team for the Detroit Tigers from 1960 to 1964 and several other teams in later years before the Northern League folded in 1971. The Dukes produced notable players such as Denny McLain, Bill Freehan, Gates Brown, Ray Oyler, Jim Northrup, Mickey Stanley, John Hiller, and Willie Horton, all of whom were members of the 1968 world champion Detroit Tigers.

====Boxing====
Duluth is also home to Horton's Gym, the home gym of professional [[Boxing|boxers]] [[Zach Walters|Zach "Jungle Boy" Walters]] and [[Andy Kolle]], as well as a number of other professional prizefighters. Horton's Gym was run by Chuck Horton from 1994 to 2011. During that time, Horton trained some of the most recognized professional and amateur boxers in Minnesota such as Walters, Kolle, RJ Lasse, Gary Eyer and Wayne Putnam. In 2011, Horton turned the gym over to Zach Walters so that Horton could concentrate solely on training professional boxers; Walters changed the gym's name to Jungle Boy Boxing Gym. Horton is currently the trainer of Al Sands; Sands won the [[North American Boxing Association]]'s U.S. Cruiserweight title in April 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sports |first=Eyewitness |date=April 20, 2014 |title=Two Titles for Duluth's Al Sands |url=http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/s3406046.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714131011/http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/s3406046.shtml |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=July 10, 2014 |publisher=wdio.com}}</ref>

====Indoor football====
The [[Duluth-Superior Lumberjacks]] played in the [[Indoor Football League (1999-2000)|IFL]] for 2 seasons (1999–2000). The Jacks' home games were played at the DECC Arena.

On April 5, 2023, Duluth was announced as the second of four teams to be in [[The Arena League]], an indoor football league, to start play in 2024. The [[Duluth Entertainment Convention Center|DECC Arena]] will be the host venue for the [[Duluth Harbor Monsters]].

===Amateur sports===

====Hockey====
{{Main|Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey|Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs women's ice hockey}}
[[File:SaaraT1.JPG|thumb|[[Saara Niemi]] playing with the [[Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs women's ice hockey|Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs]] in 2010]]

The [[University of Minnesota Duluth]] [[Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs|Bulldog]] [[ice hockey|hockey]] games are televised nationally and attended by thousands in person at the [[Duluth Entertainment Center|DECC Arena]]. A new hockey arena, [[Amsoil Arena]], opened December 30, 2010, adjacent to the DECC. Several Bulldogs, including hockey great [[Brett Hull]] and [[Matt Niskanen]] have gone on to success in the [[National Hockey League]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 23, 1985 |title=Slap Shot II: Brett Hull |work=CNN |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1123051/index.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=June 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105023025/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1123051/index.htm |archive-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref> On April 9, 2011, the Bulldog [[Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey|men's team]] defeated [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] to win their first national championship in school history. They won the championship again in 2018 and 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=4c2k0 |date=April 20, 2011 |title=The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs - 2011 NCAA Hockey Champions |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq8IPjNUc1A |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220070547/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq8IPjNUc1A |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=December 1, 2016 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

The [[Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs women's ice hockey|UMD women's ice hockey team]] has won five NCAA Division I national championships (2001–03, 2008, 2010).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umdbulldogs.com/teams-womens-hockey.php?page=145|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602200210/http://www.umdbulldogs.com/teams-womens-hockey.php?page=145|url-status=dead|title=CHAMPIONSHIP FACTS – Women's Hockey<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=June 2, 2012|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> The 2010 title game against Cornell University lasted through nearly three full overtimes and was the longest women's ice hockey championship game in NCAA history. The 2003 women's Frozen Four tournament was played at the DECC with the Bulldogs claiming their third consecutive national title by defeating Harvard University via a dramatic double-overtime goal by [[Nora Tallus]] in front of a sellout home crowd. The 2008 Frozen Four tournament was also held at the DECC and saw the Bulldogs claim their fourth national title with a 4–0 shutout of the Wisconsin Badgers. The Women's Frozen Four was held in Amsoil Arena in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 15, 2012 |title=Previewing the Women's Frozen Four |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/icehockey-women/article/2012-03-15/previewing-women-s-frozen-four |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627144316/https://www.ncaa.com/news/icehockey-women/article/2012-03-15/previewing-women-s-frozen-four |archive-date=June 27, 2018 |access-date=December 5, 2018 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

====Baseball====
The [[Duluth Dukes]] were an amateur baseball team that played its home games at Bulldog Park on the campus of the [[University of Minnesota Duluth]] and at [[Wade Stadium]]. The Dukes were composed of current and former college players and former professional players. The Dukes competed in two leagues: the Arrowhead League of the Minnesota Baseball Association, and the Upper 13 League of the Wisconsin Baseball Association.

The Duluth Xpress are an amateur baseball team that plays its games at the Ordean Middle School baseball field. The team is made up of current and former college players and former professional players. The Xpress compete in the Arrowhead League, a class B league in Minnesota [[Town Team Baseball|town team baseball]].

The [[Duluth Huskies]] are a college summer wood bat league baseball team based in Duluth and playing in the [[Northwoods League]]. The team plays its home games at Wade Stadium. The roster includes some of the top college baseball players in the country. The Huskies play 34 home games each summer between June and August.

The Twin Ports North Stars are an amateur baseball team that plays its games at Ordean Field at Duluth East High School. The North Stars are composed of current and former college and professional baseball players who reside in the Twin Ports area. As of 2013, the North Stars compete out of the Arrowhead League, a Class B league in the Minnesota Baseball Association.

High school teams in the Duluth area include Denfeld High School, Duluth East High School, and Duluth Marshall School.

====Rowing====
[[File:Duluth Boat Club Senior Quad LOC 14360639805.jpg|thumb|Duluth Boat Club Senior Quad, ca. 1915–1920]]

Rowing has a long history in Duluth. The Duluth Boat Club was established in 1886 near the site of the present-day Great Lakes Aquarium. Between 1911 and 1923, Duluth won 20 national championships with several players going on to win perfect scores and remain undefeated in national and international competitions. Today, club membership remains strong, with members competing in regional and national regattas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://duluthrowing.org/about/history/ |access-date=September 5, 2022 |website=The Duluth Boat Club}}</ref>

====Soccer====
The [[National Premier Soccer League]] team [[Duluth FC]] plays its home games at [[Denfeld High School]]'s Public Schools Stadium.

====Bandy====
[[Bandy]] is a team sport similar to ice hockey. All [[American Bandy League]] matches are played at [[Guidant John Rose Minnesota Oval]] in [[Roseville, Minnesota|Roseville]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Bandy Association |url=http://www.usabandy.com/home.php?pg=team&d=D1&tid=13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717202635/http://www.usabandy.com/home.php?pg=team&d=D1&tid=13 |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |access-date=August 12, 2011 |publisher=Usabandy.com}}</ref> In 2012, the Duluth team Dynamo Duluth finished second in the league.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://usabandy.com/home.php?pg=news&newsId=113|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729174824/http://usabandy.com/home.php?pg=news&newsId=113|url-status=dead|title=USA BANDY CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE BOOKS|archive-date=July 29, 2012|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> and in 2013 they became champions for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SportsEngine |url=http://www.usabandy.com/page/show/615106-division%20i%20(2012-2013)?subseason=83598 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105022750/http://www.usabandy.com/page/show/615106-division%20i%20(2012-2013)?subseason=83598 |archive-date=January 5, 2014 |access-date=January 4, 2014}}</ref> In 2009 they won North American Cup, which is [[rink bandy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://usabandy.com/home.php?p=news&newsId=67|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720210424/http://usabandy.com/home.php?p=news&newsId=67|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 20, 2012|title=American Bandy Association|date=July 20, 2012|website=Archive.ph|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref>

====Roller derby====
[[Roller derby]] is a contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating in the same direction (counter-clockwise) around a track. The [[Harbor City Roller Derby]], an 18+ league,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.harborcityrollerderby.com/about |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027040949/https://www.harborcityrollerderby.com/about |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |access-date=January 6, 2020 |website=Harbor City Roller Derby}}</ref> was founded in 2007 and is Duluth–Superior's first women's flat-track [[roller derby]] league.

====Curling====
The [[Duluth Curling Club]] was founded in 1891 and has met in the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center since 1976.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Club History |url=https://duluthcurlingclub.org/about-the-club/club-history/ |access-date=May 17, 2022 |website=Duluth Curling Club}}</ref> The club fielded the [[Curling at the 2018 Winter Olympics|2018 men's Olympic curling]] gold medal team.

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:Lake freighter Algoma Quebecois - Duluth, Minnesota, USA - 11 July 2012 - (2).jpg|thumb|left|Lake freighter ''[[Algoma Quebecois]]'' exiting the Duluth harbor]]

Duluth has numerous parks,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parks & Recreation : City of Duluth, MN |url=http://www.duluthmn.gov/parks/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703013207/http://www.duluthmn.gov/parks/ |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> including six parks on Lake Superior: Leif Erikson Park, which includes a lakeside rose garden; Brighton Beach Park; Canal Park, on Park Point; the Lakewalk (connecting Canal Park and Leif Erikson Park via the lakeshore); and Lafayette Park, on Park Point. The Park Point Recreation Area near the end of Park Point has a community center, numerous pavilions, a swimming beach, sand volleyball court, picnic tables and grills, and a boat launch. Park Point Pine Forest, at the tip of Park Point, is popular for bird-watching in the spring and fall when shorebirds use the area as a resting point during their migration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scientific and Natural Area sites: Minnesota DNR |url=http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/detail.html?id=sna02000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106041011/http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/detail.html?id=sna02000 |archive-date=January 6, 2014 |access-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref> A shipping schedule of ships entering the harbor is available as well as five live cams including a cam of the canal, the lift bridge, and the beach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duluth Ship Schedule |url=https://canalpark.com/duluth-ship-schedule/ |access-date=February 8, 2022 |website=Canal Park}}</ref>
[[File:LesterRiver Duluth.jpg|thumb|[[Lester River]], one of 28 rivers and streams that run through Duluth]]

Other parks include historic Lester Park, one of Duluth's most popular parks. Just upstream from where Amity Creek joins the Lester River, a large, deep pool has formed that attracts cliff diving.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 18, 2017 |title=Lester Park |url=http://zenithcity.com/archive/parks-landmarks/lester-park/2/ |access-date=February 5, 2022 |website=Zenith City Online}}</ref> Amity Creek is the site of The Seven Bridges Road, a four-mile section of Skyline Parkway where it follows Amity Creek from the top of the bluffs down to Lake Superior. The 400-foot drop has resulted in a long cascade of waterfalls.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Seven Bridges Road |url=https://www.johnweeks.com/miscbridges/pages/br7.html#:~:text=The%20Seven%20Bridges%20Road%20is%20a%20four%20mile,top%20of%20the%20bluffs%20down%20to%20Lake%20Superior. |access-date=February 5, 2022 |website=John A. Weeks III |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205171303/https://www.johnweeks.com/miscbridges/pages/br7.html#:~:text=The%20Seven%20Bridges%20Road%20is%20a%20four%20mile,top%20of%20the%20bluffs%20down%20to%20Lake%20Superior. |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Duluth's other parks include Congdon Park, Hartley Park, Chester Park, Bayfront Festival Park, Cascade Park, Enger Park, Lincoln Park, Brewer Park, Fairmount Park, Indian Point Park, Magney–Snively Park, and Fond du Lac Park, as well as some small neighborhood parks and athletic fields. Lester Park, Congdon Park, Hartley Park, and Chester Park have trail systems, and three of these parks—all but Hartley—also have waterfalls, as does Lincoln Park. Hartley Park also has a nature center. Lester Park and Enger Park have public golf courses. Fairmount Park has the Lake Superior Zoo. [[Jay Cooke State Park]] is a [[List of Minnesota state parks|Minnesota state park]] about {{convert|10|mi|spell=in}} southwest of Duluth. The park is along the [[Saint Louis River (Lake Superior tributary)|Saint Louis River]] and is one of Minnesota's ten most visited state parks.

===Leif Erikson Park===
[[File:North Shore Scenic Drive - Ship Over Rose Garden - NARA - 7720685.jpg|thumb|upright|Duluth Rose Garden in Leif Erikson Park, with [[lake freighter]] passing]]
For many years, the ''[[Leif Erikson (ship)|Leif Erikson]]'', a [[Viking ship]] that was built in Norway by local boat builders to replicate the type of ship sailed by [[Leif Erikson]] who arrived in North America around 997 A.D. was on display in the Leif Erikson park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Origin |url=http://www.leiferiksonvikingship.com/origin.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629063735/http://www.leiferiksonvikingship.com/origin.htm |archive-date=June 29, 2014 |access-date=November 26, 2012}}</ref> The vessel is {{convert|42|ft|m}} long, has a {{convert|12|ft|9|in|m|0|adj=on}} beam and draws {{convert|4|ft|m}} of water. The Dragon's Head and Tail are considered by architects to be masterpieces. The ship was invited to Duluth by Norwegian-American immigrant and businessman H.H. Borgen. When the crew landed in Duluth on June 23, 1927, they had traveled a distance of {{convert|6700|mi|km}}, the greatest distance for a ship of its size in modern history. Hundreds of people lined the dock to greet the ship as it sailed into the Duluth harbor.

Duluthian Emil Olson purchased the ship soon after the voyage and donated the ''Leif Erikson'' to the City of Duluth. The ship was placed on display in Duluth's Lake Park, which was later named Leif Erikson Park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Information |url=http://www.leiferiksonvikingship.com/information.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916114502/http://leiferiksonvikingship.com/information.htm |archive-date=September 16, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2018 |title=Lake Shore Park Gets a New Name |url=http://zenithcity.com/thisday/september-8-1929-lake-shore-park-gets-a-new-name/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126000649/http://zenithcity.com/thisday/september-8-1929-lake-shore-park-gets-a-new-name/ |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |access-date=January 25, 2020 |website=Zenith City Press}}</ref>

The ''Leif Erikson'' steadily deteriorated after years of neglect and vandalism, and by 1980 was in such poor condition that it was even considered that the ship be burned in the traditional Viking manner of putting a ship to rest. This suggestion inspired Emil Olson's grandson, Will Borg, to bring volunteers together and begin fundraising efforts to restore the ship. Through donations, festivals and other endeavors, the group raised $100,000. Boatbuilders began the restoration in 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Restoration |url=http://www.leiferiksonvikingship.com/restoration.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916112123/http://leiferiksonvikingship.com/restoration.htm |archive-date=September 16, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2012}}</ref> Restoration went slowly with starts and stops due to lack of funding. In 2015 it was announced that restoration had been completed and plans were in place to build a glass structure to house the ship, however as of 2022 the ship remains in storage.<ref name="KBJR News 1">{{Cite web |date=March 23, 2015 |title=Leif Erickson Viking replica set to be on public display |url=http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Leif-Erickson-Viking-Ship-Could-Make-Comeback-297332981.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705085921/http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Leif-Erickson-Viking-Ship-Could-Make-Comeback-297332981.html |archive-date=July 5, 2015 |access-date=June 7, 2015 |publisher=Mediacom |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Located within Leif Erikson Park and overlooking Lake Superior, the Duluth Rose Garden is a formal English style garden with more than 3,000 rose bushes and 12,000 non-rose plantings, including day lilies, evergreen shrubs, mixed perennials and an herb garden. The rose varieties are labeled and there are signs that give information on the rose's history and culture. The six-acre garden grows in soil resting over a highway tunnel that encloses the termination point of the freeway entering Duluth. Brick walkways connect all of the beds and there are many benches in the garden that resemble stone sofas. There is an antique horse fountain and a marble gazebo. The garden is a popular place for summer outdoor weddings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Duluth Rose Garden |url=https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/duluth-rose-garden |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423151543/https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/duluth-rose-garden |archive-date=April 23, 2017 |access-date=April 23, 2017 |website=Public Gardens of Minnesota |publisher=University of Minnesota}}</ref>

In August 1956, a bronze statue of Leif Erikson by [[John Karl Daniels]] was added to the park. The statue was donated by the Norwegian American League and members of the community.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://duluthmn.gov/media/11315/dpac-artist-directory_2014_final.pdf |title=Duluth Public Art and Artist Directory |last=Henrik |first=Joan |date=2013–2014 |website=duluthmn.gov |publisher=The Duluth Public Arts Commission |access-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref>

===Recreation===
Duluth offers numerous outdoor activities including fishing, hiking, skiing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, surfing,<ref name=TwinCities.com/> [[trail running]] and [[mountain biking]]. In addition to the two public golf courses at Lester and Enger Park, golfers can play at the Northland Country Club and the Ridgeview Country Club. Duluth has five public tennis courts and 63 private tennis club courts. The city has many indoor and outdoor ice rinks, including [[curling]] facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duluth Curling Club |url=http://www.duluthcurlingclub.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081026010929/http://www.duluthcurlingclub.org/ |archive-date=October 26, 2008 |access-date=August 25, 2008}}</ref>

The University of Minnesota Duluth Recreational Sport Outdoor Program offers classes in kayak, stand-up paddleboarding, or canoe whitewater river running, and they hold the Annual St. Louis River Whitewater Rendezvous Slalom & Sprint Races in July. The program also provides sea kayaking and rock climbing lessons for individuals and families.<ref name="University of Minnesota Duluth Recreational Sport Outdoor Program">{{Cite web |title=University of Minnesota Duluth Recreational Sport Outdoor Program Catalog |url=http://www.umdrsop.org/(RSOP%20Web)/catalog_pdfs/Bro96408_V2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114164233/http://www.umdrsop.org/(RSOP%20Web)/catalog_pdfs/Bro96408_V2.pdf |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=July 4, 2015 |publisher=University of Minnesota Duluth |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

====Superior Hiking and Piedmont Mountain Biking trails====
Duluth hosts a {{convert|39|mi|km|adj=on}} segment of the [[Superior Hiking Trail]], which is also part of the [[North Country National Scenic Trail]] – the nation's longest hiking trail. This trail segment passes through Jay Cooke State Park, Ely Peak, [[Bardon Peak]], the Magney–Snively old growth forest, Spirit Mountain, Enger Park, Point of Rocks, the Lakewalk, Chester Park, UMD's Bagley nature trails, and Hartley Park. It features views of the Saint Louis River, the Twin Ports, the Aerial Bridge, and Lake Superior.

The hilly, {{convert|10|mi|km|adj=on}} Piedmont [[mountain biking]] trail crosses numerous bridges and offers scenic views of Duluth and the bay. The trail is recommended for both beginner and intermediate riders.<ref name="Minnesota Off - Road Cyclists">{{Cite web |title=Piedmont Trail System - Duluth |url=http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?26952-Piedmont-Trail-System-Duluth |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100910/http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?26952-Piedmont-Trail-System-Duluth |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |access-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref>

====Skiing====
[[File:Spirit Mountain ski area aerial.jpg|thumb|[[Spirit Mountain (ski area)|Spirit Mountain]] aerial photograph]]
With a vertical elevation of approximately {{convert|700|ft|m}}, [[Spirit Mountain (ski area)|Spirit Mountain]] is Minnesota's second-highest ski hill. The park includes jumps ranging from {{convert|15|ft|m}} to over {{convert|60|ft|m}}, and numerous rails, boxes, and other jibs. Spirit Mountain opened an alpine coaster in 2010 and in 2011 announced plans to add a zip line, miniature golf, and snow tubing. In 1995 the mountain completed its first [[NORBA]] application and in 2012 work began on downhill mountain bike trails.

The Duluth area also has a large and active [[Nordic skiing]] community, with many parks providing excellent Nordic skate skiing as well as classic cross-country skiing opportunities.

Chester Bowl, off Skyline Parkway in [[Chester Park, Duluth|Chester Park]], is a city-owned park with a chairlift, and has the lowest daily lift ticket prices in the nation, at only $6. For decades, Chester Bowl was also known for its ski jumps, which were removed due to safety concerns in 2015.<ref name="MPR News">{{Cite web |last=Olsen, Dan |date=January 27, 2014 |title=In Duluth, community steps up to preserve Chester Bowl ski hill |url=http://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/01/27/news/chester-bowl-ski-hill |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424010401/http://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/01/27/news/chester-bowl-ski-hill |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |access-date=April 13, 2016 |publisher=MPR News}}</ref>

====Sailing and rowing====
[[File:Gull-Duluth-Superior.jpg|thumb|Sailboat in Duluth harbor]]

Duluth has both a [[yacht]] and [[rowing]] club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Duluth Boat Club |url=https://www.duluthboatclub.com/ |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref> Since 1969, the Trans Superior Race has run every other year from [[Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario]], to Duluth. At a distance of almost {{convert|390|mi|km|abbr=on}}, it is said to be "the world's longest known freshwater sailboat race".{{Clarify|date=February 2022|reason=One of the two sources cited says it is "one of the longest" races}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2009 |title=The Trans Superior Race: Sailing from the Sault to Duluth |url=https://www.lakesuperior.com/the-lake/maritime/313-trans-superior-race-sailing-sault-to-duluth/ |access-date=February 6, 2022 |website=Lake Superior Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History of the Trans Superior International Yacht Race |url=https://www.transsuperior.com/the-race |access-date=February 6, 2022 |website=Trans Superior |archive-date=February 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206215032/https://www.transsuperior.com/the-race |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Duluth has been holding the Tall Ships festivals since 2008. The events are held every three years and estimates of 250,000 have crowded the shoreline to watch the vintage ships enter the harbor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harlow |first=Tim |title=Tall Ships festival moves from Duluth to Two Harbors for 2022 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/tall-ships-festival-moves-duluth-214000707.html |access-date=February 8, 2022 |website=Yahoo News|date=November 29, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sailing Lake Superior on General Patton's yacht |url=https://www.startribune.com/sailing-lake-superior-on-general-patton-s-yacht/397021621/?refresh=true |access-date=February 6, 2022 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harlow |first=Tim |title=Tall Ships festival moves from Duluth to Two Harbors for 2022 |url=https://www.msn.com/en-US/news/tripideas/tall-ships-festival-moves-from-duluth-to-two-harbors-for-2022/ar-AARh3qB |access-date=February 6, 2022 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>

====Surfing====
[[Surfing]] is a popular Duluth recreation on Lake Superior shores when conditions are right for producing high waves.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 12, 2021 |title=Surfers Take On Lake Superior's Big Waves In Duluth |url=https://www.fox21online.com/2021/11/11/surfers-take-on-lake-superiors-big-waves-in-duluth/ |access-date=February 8, 2022 |website=Fox 21 Local News}}</ref>
A new documentary film will premiere in 2022 about Duluth's surfing community.<ref name="TwinCities.com">{{Cite web |last=Cadeau |first=Terri |date=January 10, 2022 |title=Duluth surfing community chronicled in new documentary |url=https://www.twincities.com/2022/01/10/duluth-surfing-community-chronicled-in-new-documentary/ |access-date=February 7, 2022 |website=Twin Cities Pioneer Press}}</ref> UMD offers a course on learning to surf as part of their Recreational Sports Outdoor Program. The instructors say that when the wind blows from the Northeast "Duluth becomes a legitimate surf town." They list Park Point, Lester River and Stoney Point as "local hot spots."<ref>{{Cite web |title=University of Minnesota Duluth |url=https://umdrsop.d.umn.edu/programs/paddle-surf-kite/surfing-school-year |access-date=February 8, 2022}}</ref>

====Hunting for agates====
The Minnesota state gem, the [[Lake Superior agate]], can be found on the shores of Lake Superior, in the streams that run into it, and in gravel pits and road cuts. Duluth's Park Point is an excellent area for hunting. Shorelines and beaches are replenished each year because winter ice and storms push new material up on the shores. Books are available in Duluth to help amateur [[rock hound]]s learn more about agates and how to locate them.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hunting for Agates Along Lake Superior &#124; Northland's NewsCenter: News, Weather, Sports &#124; NBC, CBS, MyNetworkTV, and the CW for Duluth MN / Superior WI &#124; Outdoors |url=http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/outdoors/Hunting-For-Agates-Along-Lake-Superior.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105061427/http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/outdoors/Hunting-For-Agates-Along-Lake-Superior.html |archive-date=January 5, 2014 |access-date=January 5, 2014 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rock Hound Guide Agates, Rock Picking Lake Superior |url=http://www.superiortrails.com/rock-hound2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328234444/http://www.superiortrails.com/rock-hound2.html |archive-date=March 28, 2014 |access-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lake Superior agate - Digging into MN Minerals: Minnesota DNR |url=http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/education/geology/digging/agate.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207100013/http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/education/geology/digging/agate.html |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |access-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref>

==Government==
[[File:MN-Duluth 1930 1 Ref.jpg|thumb|The [[Duluth Civic Center Historic District|Gerald W. Heaney Federal Building-Courthouse and Custom House]] near the Saint Louis County Courthouse, 1930]]{{See also|List of mayors of Duluth, Minnesota|Duluth, Minnesota City Council}}

Duluth is in [[Minnesota's 8th congressional district]], represented by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Pete Stauber]]. It has a [[Mayor–council government|mayor–council]] form of government. The mayor is [[Roger Reinert]], who took office in 2024 after defeating incumbent [[Emily Larson]]. The [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party]] has controlled the mayor's office continuously since 1975. Duluth's longest-serving mayor was [[Samuel F. Snively]], serving from 1921 to 1937. He is remembered for his initiatives creating parks and boulevards, such as the Seven Bridges Road and [[Skyline Parkway]]. 

The City Administration makes policy proposals to a nine-member City Council. Duluth's five representational districts are divided into 36 precincts. Each district elects its own councilor. There are also four at-large councilors, representing the entire city. The City Council elects a president who presides over meetings.

Duluth is the heart of the state's 8th legislative district, represented in the [[Minnesota Senate]] by [[Jen McEwen]] and in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] by [[Alicia Kozlowski]] (District 8B) and [[Liz Olson]] (District 8A), all members of the [[Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party]], which has long dominated the city's politics.

{{Hidden begin|titlestyle=background:#ccccff|title=Presidential election results 1960–2024}}
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
|+ Precinct General Election Results<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State - Election Results |url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222230838/https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results |archive-date=February 22, 2021 |access-date=February 22, 2021}}</ref>
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Third Party (United States)|Third parties]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2024 United States presidential election|2024]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|29.5% ''14,786''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''68.2%''' ''34,172''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.4% ''1,180''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|29.0% ''14,560''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''68.4%''' ''34,384''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.6% ''1,329''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|30.5% ''14,764''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''59.6%''' ''28,845''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|9.9% ''4,807''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|29.7% ''14,842''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''67.4%''' ''33,660''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.9% ''1,459''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|29.4% ''15,253''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''68.6%''' ''35,611''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.0% ''1,087''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|31.5% ''16,463''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''67.3%''' ''35,177''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.2% ''550''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|31.2% ''14,082''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''61.7%''' ''27,362''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|7.1% ''3,595''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|27.8% ''11,326''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''62.3%''' ''25,335''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|9.9% ''4,035''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|25.5% ''11,836''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.6%''' ''25,794''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|18.9% ''8,754''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|34.5% ''14,716''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''65.5%''' ''27,879''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|33.2% ''15,451''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''66.8%''' ''31,152''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|30.6% ''14,265''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''56.7%''' ''26,411''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|12.7% ''5,928''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|37.7% ''17,686''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''59.8%''' ''28,000''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.5% ''1,168''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|45.2% ''20,957''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''53.2%''' ''24,626''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.6% ''739''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|30.1% ''13,638''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''66.8%''' ''30,313''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.1% ''1,412''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|28.2% ''13,411''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''71.3%''' ''33,965''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.5% ''235''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.1% ''21,498''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''56.1%''' ''27,965''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.8% ''417''
|}
{{Hidden end}}

==Education==
{{See also|List of schools in Duluth, Minnesota}}
[[File:College of St Scholastica.JPG|thumb|Tower Hall at [[College of St. Scholastica|The College of St. Scholastica]]]]
Local colleges and universities include the [[University of Minnesota Duluth]] (UMD); the UMD campus includes a [[medical school]]. The [[Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey|UMD Bulldogs]] won the Division I National Hockey Championship in 2011, 2018 and 2019. Other schools include [[College of St. Scholastica|The College of St. Scholastica]], [[Lake Superior College]], and [[Duluth Business University]]. The [[University of Wisconsin–Superior]] and [[Northwood Technical College]] are in nearby [[Superior, Wisconsin]].

Most public schools are administered by [[Duluth Public Schools]]. The schools have open enrollment. ISD 709 (Independent School District number 709) is now undertaking a reconstruction of all area schools under a program called the "Red Plan." The Red Plan's goals are the reconstruction of some older schools to meet new educational guidelines, and the construction of four new school buildings. The new schools will result in the redistricting of many students. As of 2009, the Red Plan was and is being contested in court by some citizens because of the cost of implementing the plan and because of the choice of construction management contractor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duluth Home – Duluth Home |url=http://www.duluth.k12.mn.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectionid=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722151012/http://www.duluth.k12.mn.us/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectionid=1 |archive-date=July 22, 2012}}</ref>
[[File:2009-0617-UMD-Weber.jpg|thumb|right|Weber Music Hall at the [[University of Minnesota Duluth]]]]
Several independent and [[Charter school|public charter schools]] also serve Duluth students. The largest is Duluth Edison Charter Schools, a public charter school covering grades K-8. Marshall School, a private college preparatory school founded as Duluth Cathedral in 1904, covers grades 4–12. Duluth's Catholic school system, Stella Maris Academy, has four campuses providing Catholic education from early childhood to high school. There are also two Protestant schools, two Montessori schools, and six other charter and private schools.

Due to its proximity to the Great Lakes, Duluth is the location for the [[Large Lakes Observatory]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=jyoungbl |date=July 15, 2016 |title=Large Lakes Observatory |url=http://www.d.umn.edu/llo/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602090746/http://www.d.umn.edu/llo/ |archive-date=June 2, 2012 |access-date=June 24, 2012 |publisher=d.umn.edu}}</ref> The Large Lakes Observatory operates the largest university-owned research vessel in the Great Lakes, the R/V Blue Heron. Built in 1985 for fishing on the Grand Banks, the Blue Heron was purchased by the University of Minnesota in 1997, sailed from Portland, Maine, up the St. Lawrence Seaway to Duluth, and converted into a limnological research vessel during the winter of 1997–98. The Blue Heron is part of the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System and is available for charter by research scientists on any of the Great Lakes.
{{Clear}}

==Media==
{{Main|Media in Duluth, Minnesota}}
Local newspapers include the monthly ''BusinessNorth'' and the twice-weekly ''[[Duluth News Tribune]]''. Free newspapers include the ''Transistor'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=TRANSISTOR: Duluth, MN & Superior, WI - ART · MUSIC · SWEARING · - Entertainment & Events Calendar |url=http://www.transistormag.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224210138/http://www.transistormag.com/ |archive-date=December 24, 2007 |access-date=November 20, 2007}}</ref> ''The Zenith'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zenith News - 04 October, 2016 - SCCU |url=http://www.zenithcitynews.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920022602/http://www.zenithcitynews.com/ |archive-date=September 20, 2008 |access-date=October 3, 2008}}</ref> and ''The Reader Weekly''.

Locally based nationally distributed magazines include ''Lake Superior Magazine'' and ''[[New Moon Magazine]]''.

Major television affiliates serving the area include [[KBJR-TV]] and [[KDLH]], [[WDIO-DT]], and [[KQDS-TV]].

==Infrastructure==
[[File:20160124 06 DTA bus, Duluth, Minnesota.jpg|thumb|[[Duluth Transit Authority]] bus]]
===Public transportation===
The local bus system is run by the [[Duluth Transit Authority]], which serves Duluth, [[Hermantown, Minnesota|Hermantown]], [[Proctor, Minnesota|Proctor]], [[Rice Lake, Minnesota|Rice Lake]], and [[Superior, Wisconsin]]. The DTA runs a system of buses manufactured by [[Gillig]] and [[Proterra (bus manufacturer)|Proterra]], including new hybrids and [[Battery electric bus|battery electric busses]]. Duluth is also served by [[Skyline Shuttle]], with daily service to the [[Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport]], [[Jefferson Lines]], with daily service to the [[Minneapolis–St. Paul|Twin Cities]], and [[Indian Trails]], with service to Michigan's [[Upper Peninsula]].

===Railways===
Duluth was connected to Minneapolis by the ''[[North Star (Amtrak train)|North Star]]'' passenger train from 1978 to 1985. A proposal to restore service between the Twin Cities and the Twin Ports, the [[Northern Lights Express]], was first made in 2000 and detailed plans and environmental assessments have been completed, but the project has yet to be fully funded. The [[North Shore Scenic Railroad]] operated seasonal excursion trains on its line to [[Two Harbors, Minnesota|Two Harbors]]. The former [[Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway]], now part of the [[Canadian National Railway]], operates taconite-hauling trains in the area. Duluth is also served by the [[BNSF Railway]], the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]], and the [[Union Pacific Railroad]].

===Air Transport===
[[Duluth International Airport]] serves the city and surrounding region with daily flights to [[Minneapolis]] and [[Chicago]]. Nearby municipal airports are [[Sky Harbor Airport (Minnesota)|Duluth Sky Harbor]] on Minnesota Point and the [[Richard I. Bong Airport]] in Superior. Both the Bong Airport and Bong Bridge are named for famed World War II pilot and highest-scoring American World War II air ace [[Richard Bong|Major Richard Ira "Dick" Bong]], a native of nearby [[Poplar, Wisconsin]].

===Highways===
The Duluth area marks the northern endpoint of [[Interstate 35 in Minnesota|Interstate Highway 35]], which stretches south to [[Laredo, Texas]]. [[U.S. highway|U.S. Highways]] that serve the area are [[U.S. Route 53|U.S. Highway 53]], which stretches from [[La Crosse, Wisconsin]], to [[International Falls, Minnesota|International Falls]], and [[U.S. Route 2 in Minnesota|U.S. Highway 2]], which stretches from [[Everett, Washington]], to [[St. Ignace, Michigan|St. Ignace]], in the [[Upper Peninsula of Michigan]]. The southwestern part of the city has Thompson Hill, where travelers entering Duluth on I-35 can see most of Duluth, including the [[Aerial Lift Bridge]] and the waterfront. There are two freeway connections from Duluth to Superior. U.S. 2 provides a connection into Superior via the [[Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge]]; and [[Interstate 535]] runs [[Concurrency (road)|concurrently]] with U.S. 53 over the [[John A. Blatnik Bridge|John Blatnik Bridge]].

Many state highways serve the area. [[Minnesota State Highway 23|Highway 23]] runs diagonally across Minnesota, indirectly connecting Duluth to [[Sioux Falls, South Dakota]]. [[Minnesota State Highway 33|Highway 33]] provides a western bypass of Duluth connecting [[Interstate 35 in Minnesota|Interstate 35]], which comes up from the Twin Cities to U.S. 53, which leads to Iron Range cities and International Falls. [[Minnesota State Highway 61|Highway 61]] provides access to [[Thunder Bay]], [[Ontario]], via the [[North Shore (Lake Superior)|North Shore]] of Lake Superior. [[Minnesota State Highway 194|Highway 194]] provides a [[spur route]] into the city of Duluth known as "Central Entrance" and Mesaba Avenue. [[Wisconsin Highway 13]] reaches along Lake Superior's [[South Shore (Lake Superior)|South Shore]]. [[Wisconsin Highway 35]] runs along Wisconsin's western border for {{convert|412|mi|km}} to its southern terminus at the [[Wisconsin]]–[[Illinois]] border ({{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in|disp=or}} north of [[East Dubuque, Illinois|East Dubuque]]).
Highway 61 and parts of Highways 2 and 53 are segments of the [[Lake Superior Circle Tour]] route that follows Lake Superior through Minnesota, Ontario, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

====Major highways====
* [[File:I-35.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 35]]
* [[File:I-535.svg|24px]] [[Interstate 535]]
* [[File:US 2.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 2]]
* [[File:US 53.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 53]]
* [[File:MN-23.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 23]]
* [[File:MN-61.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 61]] – North Shore
* [[File:MN-194.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 194]] – Central Entrance – Mesaba Avenue
* [[File:MN-210.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 210]]
* [[File:St Louis County Route 4 MN.svg|20px]] [[St. Louis County Road 4|Saint Louis County Road 4]] – Rice Lake Road

{{wide image|John A. Blatnik Bridge (2006).jpg|900px|[[Blatnik Bridge]] looking east}}

===Port of Duluth-Superior===
At the western end of the [[Saint Lawrence Seaway]], the Duluth–Superior [[port]] is North America's largest and farthest-inland freshwater port.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galioto|first=Katie |title=Is Duluth the most inland seaport in North America? |url=https://www.startribune.com/is-duluth-the-most-inland-seaport-in-north-america/510139371/ |access-date=July 15, 2024 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref> The port handles an average of {{convert|46|e6ST|tonne}} of cargo and over 1,100 visits each year from domestic and international vessels. With {{convert|49|mi|km}} of waterfront, it is one of North America's leading bulk cargo ports and ranks among the top 20 ports in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duluth Seaway Port Authority |url=http://www.duluthport.com/port.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903124353/http://www.duluthport.com/port.php |archive-date=September 3, 2011 |access-date=August 12, 2011 |publisher=Duluthport.com}}</ref> Duluth is a major shipping port for [[taconite]] pellets, made from concentrated low-grade iron ore and destined for midwestern and eastern steel mills. The arrival schedule of the ships that pass under the bridge is available, and locals and visitors gather to watch them enter the harbor. Despite their size, large sections of the Great Lakes freeze over in winter, interrupting most shipping from January to March.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Duluth Ship Schedule |url=https://canalpark.com/duluth-ship-schedule/ |access-date=January 23, 2022 |website=Canal Park.com}}</ref>

[[File:Duluth Trip - May 2015 - MV Apollon (17462719176).jpg|thumb|MV ''Apollon'', registered in Greece]]

Two types of ships regularly enter the port, the lakers and the salties. The lakers, which comprise over 90% of the port traffic, are the larger cargo ships built specially to sail the Great Lakes, with the largest ones over 1,000 feet long. They are mostly self-unloaders, with a long boom mounted on the upper deck. Their traffic is limited to the Great Lakes because they are too large to fit through the [[St. Lawrence Seaway]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Philip R. Clarke |url=http://duluthshippingnews.com/ship0189/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123091644/http://duluthshippingnews.com/ship0189/ |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |access-date=January 23, 2022 |website=Duluth Shipping News}}</ref>

The salties are smaller ships with a maximum size of 740 feet. Typically, they have sharply cutaway bows as compared to the lakers' vertical bows, and a series of cranes rising above their decks. They are small enough to navigate the St. Lawrence Seaway. Other than their size they can also be identified by their color, often blue, red, or green, while the lakers are generally black or rust.

===Utilities===
Duluth gets electric power from Duluth-based [[Minnesota Power]], a subsidiary of ALLETE Corporation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Businesses - ALLETE, Inc. |url=http://www.allete.com/our_businesses/minnesota_power.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309052003/http://www.allete.com/our_businesses/minnesota_power.php |archive-date=March 9, 2012 |access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> Minnesota Power produces energy at generation facilities located throughout northern Minnesota and a generation plant in North Dakota. The latter supplies electricity into the MP system by the [[Square Butte (transmission line)|Square Butte]] [[HVDC]] line, which ends near the town.

Minnesota Power primarily uses western coal to generate electricity, but also has a number of small hydroelectric facilities, the largest of which is the [[Thomson Dam (Minnesota)|Thomson Dam]] southwest of Duluth on the Saint Louis River.

In December 2006, Minnesota Power began purchasing all the energy generated from the new 50-MW Oliver Wind I Energy Center built by NextEra Resources near Center, N.D. In 2007, Minnesota Power entered into a second 25-year wind [[power purchase agreement]] with NextEra. A 48-MW facility was built adjacent to the initial Oliver County wind farm, and the new generators began commercial operation in November 2007.

Construction began in 2010 on the 76-MW Bison Wind I Energy Center near New Salem, N.D. Bison I represents the first wave of Minnesota Power-constructed wind farms that will be built in south central North Dakota and linked to Minnesota. by way of a {{convert|465|mi|km|adj=on}} direct current (DC) transmission line. ALLETE finalized an agreement January 1, 2010 to purchase a 250-kilovolt DC line between Center, N.D. and Hermantown, Minn. (near ALLETE headquarters in Duluth) and phase out a long-term contract to buy coal-generated electricity now transmitted over the line.
[[File:Lakewood Pumphouse Duluth 1915.jpg|alt=Black-and-white photo of a Romanesque revival building along a lakeshore with pine trees|thumb|Duluth's Lakewood [[Pumping station|Pumphouse]], built in 1896 and pictured in 1915, is still in use today]]
Because of wind energy demand, Duluth has recently become a port for wind energy parts shipments from overseas and the Midwestern hub for shipments out to various wind energy sites.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Brooks |date=November 19, 2020 |title=Another record season for wind turbine shipments at Duluth port |url=https://www.startribune.com/another-record-season-for-wind-turbine-shipments-at-duluth-port/573132121/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423033459/https://www.startribune.com/another-record-season-for-wind-turbine-shipments-at-duluth-port/573132121/ |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |access-date=May 18, 2021 |website=[[Star Tribune]]}}</ref>

Duluth's water supply is sourced from Lake Superior and treated at the Lakewood Water Treatment Plant. The plant's oldest structure, the Lakewood Pumphouse, was built in 1896 in [[Romanesque Revival architecture|Romanesque Revival]] style, replacing older facilities that had been unable to prevent a [[Typhoid fever|typhoid]] epidemic. It was designed by William Patton. A 42-inch original [[Water distribution system|main]] from 1896, one of two leaving the facility with clean, treated water, is still in use today. The system supplies approximately 100,000 people in Duluth and nearby towns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boone |first=Robert |date=February 18, 2016 |title=The water of Duluth |url=https://duluthreader.com/articles/2016/02/18/106014-the-water-of-duluth |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518123128/https://duluthreader.com/articles/2016/02/18/106014-the-water-of-duluth |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |access-date=May 18, 2021 |website=Duluth Reader |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dierckins |first=Tony |date=April 21, 2017 |title=Lakewood Pump House |url=http://zenithcity.com/archive/historic-architecture/lakewood-pump-house/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116220050/http://zenithcity.com/archive/historic-architecture/lakewood-pump-house/ |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |access-date=May 18, 2021 |website=Zenith City Online |language=en-US}}</ref>

Throughout its history, Duluth's sewers have overflowed when it rained, causing untreated sewage to flow into Lake Superior and the Saint Louis River. For example, in 2001 alone the overflow amounted to over {{convert|6.9|e6USgal|L impgal}}. Over the past five years the City of Duluth has taken extraordinary measures to eliminate sewage overflows and in 2013, the improvements are three years ahead of schedule.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

===Fire department===
The city of Duluth is protected by 132 paid, professional firefighters of the city of [[Duluth Fire Department]].<ref name=DuluthFDStudy2012-03/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fire Department : City of Duluth, MN |url=http://www.duluthmn.gov/fire/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321223935/http://www.duluthmn.gov/fire/ |archive-date=March 21, 2013 |access-date=February 19, 2013}}</ref> The Duluth Fire Department responded to 12,231 fire and emergency medical calls in 2015.

The Duluth Fire Department operates out of eight fire stations throughout the city, under the command of an Assistant Chief, Squad 251. The department also operates a fire apparatus fleet of six engines, one tower ladder, two quints, one heavy-duty rescue, two light medical response vehicles, and numerous other special, support, and reserve units.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Duluth, Minnesota}}

==Duluth innovations==
Notable innovations established in Duluth include:
*[[Duluth pack]], patented in 1882, a [[portage pack]] used for canoe travel.
*[[Pie à la Mode]], invented in 1885, a slice of pie topped with a scoop of ice cream.
*[[Alexander Miles]]'s electric elevator, invented in 1887 as a method of opening and closing [[elevator]] doors.
*''[[Lark of Duluth]]'', launched as the first [[airline]] service in the United States and first heavier-than-air airline in the world, carrying joyriders over the Duluth–Superior harbor from 1913 to 1914.
*[[Lake View Store]], the first indoor [[shopping mall]] in the United States, opened in Duluth's [[Morgan Park, Duluth, Minnesota|Morgan Park]] in 1916.
*[[Pizza snack rolls]], created by Duluth food industry magnate [[Jeno Paulucci]] and trademarked in 1967.
*[[Aerostich|Aerostich Roadcrafter suit]], the first synthetic textile armored [[Motorcycle personal protective equipment#Clothing|riding suit]] for motorcyclists, created by [[Andy Goldfine]] in 1982.
*[[Cirrus Airframe Parachute System]], developed by the [[Klapmeier brothers]] and tested by [[Scott D. Anderson|Scott Anderson]] in 1998 as the first whole-plane parachute recovery system on a line of aircraft.

==In popular culture==
* [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]]'s novel ''[[The Great Gatsby]]'' (1925) has scenes that take place in Duluth and on the shores of Lake Superior.<ref>[http://www.jimheffernan.org/2013/05/great-gatsby-got-his-start-in-duluth.html "Great Gatsby got his start in Duluth ..."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022154814/http://www.jimheffernan.org/2013/05/great-gatsby-got-his-start-in-duluth.html |date=October 22, 2016 }} Jim Heffernan's Blog</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071020014946/http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/f/fitzgerald/f_scott/gatsby/chapter6.html Chapter 6]  ''The Great Gatsby''</ref>
* ''Minnesota: Land of Plenty'' (1942) – documentary short film by [[James A. FitzPatrick]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298442/|title=Minnesota: 'Land of Plenty'|date=January 31, 1942|access-date=August 8, 2024|website=IMDb.com}}</ref>
* ''[[You'll Like My Mother]]'' (1972) – feature film shot in and around Duluth, principally at [[Glensheen Historic Estate]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068005/|title=You'll Like My Mother|date=October 13, 1972|access-date=August 8, 2024|website=IMDb.com}}</ref>
* ''[[Far North (1988 film)|Far North]]'' (1988) – feature film, directed by [[Sam Shepard]] and starring [[Jessica Lange]], shot in and around Duluth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095135/|title=Far North|date=November 11, 1988|access-date=August 8, 2024|website=IMDb.com}}</ref>
* ''[[Iron Will]]'' (1994) – [[Walt Disney Pictures]] movie filmed in Duluth substituting for 1917 [[Winnipeg]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110157/|title=Iron Will|date=January 14, 1994|access-date=August 8, 2024|website=IMDb.com}}</ref>
* The short-lived television sitcom ''[[The Louie Show]]'' (1996), starring comedian [[Louie Anderson]], is set in Duluth and features downtown Duluth buildings in its opening title sequence.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=TV Guide |title=The Louie Show Cast and Details |url=https://tvguide.com/tvshows/the-louie-show/cast/202777 |url-status=dead |magazine=TV Guide |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307023339/http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-louie-show/cast/202777 |archive-date=March 7, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2011 |title=The Louie Show (a Titles & Air Dates Guide) |url=http://epguides.com/LouieShow/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811182154/http://epguides.com/LouieShow/ |archive-date=August 11, 2011 |access-date=August 12, 2011 |publisher=Epguides.com}}</ref>
* A series of suspense novels by author [[Brian Freeman (psychological suspense author)|Brian Freeman]] (starting with ''Immoral'' in 2005) take place in and around Duluth and feature real locations from the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Books by Brian Freeman |url=http://www.bfreemanbooks.com/books-by-brian-freeman.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314022229/http://www.bfreemanbooks.com/books-by-brian-freeman.html |archive-date=March 14, 2014 |access-date=April 30, 2014}}</ref>
* The sports comedy film ''[[Leatherheads]]'' (2008), co-starring [[George Clooney]] and [[Renée Zellweger]], is set in Duluth and features a fictitious 1920s pro football team partially based on the [[Duluth Eskimos]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelleher |first=Bob |date=March 24, 2008 |title=Hundreds of fans welcome Clooney, Zellweger to Duluth |publisher=Minnesota Public Radio |url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/24/duluthvisit/ |access-date=December 13, 2022}}</ref>
* The first season of the FX television series ''[[Fargo (TV series)|Fargo]]'' (2014), inspired by the [[Fargo (1996 film)|1996 film of the same name]], is mainly set in and around [[Bemidji]] and Duluth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bemidji is 'Fargo' |url=http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/content/bemidji-fargo-characters-large-and-small-town-itself-fictional-bemidji-plays-large-role-new |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805015048/https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/content/bemidji-fargo-characters-large-and-small-town-itself-fictional-bemidji-plays-large-role-new |archive-date=August 5, 2019 |access-date=October 10, 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Merry Kiss Cam]]'' (2022) – romantic comedy film set and shot entirely in Duluth.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Turtinen |first=Melissa |date=November 24, 2022 |title='Merry Kiss Cam' — Christmas movie filmed in Duluth — is now streaming |work=FOX 9 |url=https://www.fox9.com/news/merry-kiss-cam-christmas-movie-filmed-duluth-hulu-streaming |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125013151/https://www.fox9.com/news/merry-kiss-cam-christmas-movie-filmed-duluth-hulu-streaming |archive-date=November 25, 2022}}</ref>

==Sister cities==
Duluth has five [[sister cities]]:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Sister Cities |url=https://www.duluthmnsistercities.org/our-sister-cities/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621160046/https://www.duluthmnsistercities.org/our-sister-cities/ |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |access-date=June 20, 2020 |publisher=City of Duluth}}</ref>

* {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Isumi]], [[Chiba Prefecture]], Japan
* {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Petrozavodsk]], [[Republic of Karelia|Karelia]], Russia
* {{flagicon|Iraq}} [[Ranya]], [[Kurdistan Region]], Iraq
* {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Thunder Bay]], [[Ontario]], Canada
* {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Växjö Municipality|Växjö]], [[Kronoberg]], Sweden

==See also==
{{Portal|United States|Minnesota}}
* [[Darling's Observatory]]
* [[Duluth model]]
* [[Federal Prison Camp, Duluth]]
* [[Oliver G. Traphagen House]]
* [[USS Duluth|USS ''Duluth'']], 2 ships

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist| refs = <ref name="DuluthFDStudy2012-03">{{Cite news |last=Philip Schaenman |year=2012 |title=FINAL REPORT: Comprehensive Study of the Duluth Fire Department |publisher=TriData Division, System Planning Corporation |url=http://www.duluthmn.gov/media/542436/comp-study-2012.pdf |url-status=dead |access-date=May 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518025848/http://www.duluthmn.gov/media/542436/comp-study-2012.pdf |archive-date=May 18, 2019}}</ref>
}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* Bartlett, Elizabeth Ann. ''Making Waves: Grassroots Feminism in Duluth and Superior'' (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2016). xvi, 325 pp.
* {{Cite book |last=Frederick, Chuck |title=Duluth: The City and the People |publisher=American & World Geographic Publishing |year=1994 |isbn=1-56037-068-8}}
* Macdonald, Dora Mary (1950). ''This is Duluth''. Central High School Printing Department. Reprinted by Paradigm Press (1999). {{ISBN|1-889924-03-2}}
* {{Cite web |year=2003 |title=Duluth Lynchings Online Resource |url=http://collections.mnhs.org/duluthlynchings/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060221224830/http://collections.mnhs.org/DuluthLynchings/ |archive-date=February 21, 2006 |access-date=August 18, 2007 |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society}}
* {{Cite web |year=2015 |title=Flying High, Our Aviation Industry Takes Off |url=https://www.lakesuperior.com/travel/flying-high-our-aviation-industry-takes-off/ |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423175828/https://www.lakesuperior.com/travel/flying-high-our-aviation-industry-takes-off/|archive-date=April 23, 2021|access-date=October 21, 2024 |publisher=Lake Superior Magazine}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|Duluth, Minnesota|wikt=Duluth|c=Duluth, Minnesota|voy=Duluth (Minnesota)|d=y}}
* [https://duluthmn.gov/ City of Duluth – official website]
* [https://duluthchamber.com/ Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://www.visitduluth.com/ Visit Duluth]
* [https://www.destinationduluth.org/ Destination Duluth]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Duluth}}

{{City of Duluth, Minnesota}}
{{Duluth, Minnesota}}
{{St. Louis County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Duluth, Minnesota| ]]
[[Category:Duluth–Superior metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Cities in St. Louis County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:County seats in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Minnesota populated places on Lake Superior]]
[[Category:Inland port cities and towns of the United States]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 1850s]]
[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]