About Hibbing, Minnesota

A Northern Minnesota city with an extraordinary story

Hibbing sits in St. Louis County on Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range. The community was established in 1893 by Frank Hibbing and grew with the development of iron-ore mining. Few American cities have a history quite like Hibbing’s. As mining expanded beneath the original settlement, much of the town was physically relocated south. The move began in 1919 and continued for years; the City of Hibbing reports that more than 180 homes and 20 businesses were relocated. That history earned Hibbing one of its most enduring nicknames: “The Town That Moved.”

Mining still defines the landscape. The Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine View looks across an enormous open-pit mine complex and helps visitors understand how closely Hibbing’s growth was tied to iron ore. Yet today’s city is more than a mining town. Hibbing serves as a regional center for healthcare, education, government, professional services, retail, transportation and manufacturing, with a labor market that connects communities across the Iron Range.

That regional role can be an advantage for a household considering a move. A person can live in Hibbing while exploring employment in neighboring communities, and a two-worker household does not have to depend on the same employer or even the same industry.

Why people consider moving to Hibbing

Access to a regional job market. Hibbing is positioned near Chisholm, Virginia, Mountain Iron and other Iron Range communities. For candidates willing to consider a regional commute, that can expand the number and type of employers available without requiring a move to a large metropolitan area.

Useful everyday services. Hibbing has healthcare, schools, local government services, shopping, restaurants, parks and community institutions. Minnesota North College provides regional postsecondary and technical education. Range Regional Airport and highway connections support travel outside the area.

A strong sense of place. Hibbing is not a generic suburb. Its streets, civic buildings, mining landscapes and cultural history make the community distinctive. Historic Hibbing High School is a landmark in its own right. The city also has connections to Greyhound, which traces its roots to Hibbing, and to Bob Dylan, who grew up here.

Four-season outdoor life. Residents are close to lakes, forests, trails and public lands. The wider Iron Range supports fishing, boating, hunting, hiking, bicycling, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hockey, curling and other winter activities. For people who want recreation to be part of everyday life rather than a once-a-year trip, the location is a major benefit.