Mankato, Minnesota

Mankato, Minnesota
Nickname: 
Key City
Motto: 
"Leading the way..."
Interactive map of Mankato, Minnesota
Mankato
Location within Minnesota
Mankato
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 44°09′53″N 94°00′50″W / 44.16472°N 94.01389°W / 44.16472; -94.01389
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountiesBlue Earth, Nicollet, Le Sueur
FoundedFebruary 1852
IncorporatedMarch 6, 1868
Government
 • TypeCity charter
 • MayorNajwa Massad
 • City managerSusan Arntz
 • CouncilmembersMike Laven
Michael McLaughlin
Dennis Dieken
Kevin Mettler
Jenn Melby-Kelley
Jessica Hatanpa
Area
 • City
20.229 sq mi (52.393 km2)
 • Land19.879 sq mi (51.487 km2)
 • Water0.349 sq mi (0.905 km2)
Elevation
1,007 ft (307 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City
44,488
 • Estimate 
(2023)
45,742
 • RankUS: 876th
MN: 22nd
 • Density2,299.4/sq mi (887.79/km2)
 • Urban
60,206 (US: 453rd)
 • Metro
104,248 (US: 352nd)
DemonymMankatoans
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
56001, 56002, 56003
Area codes507 and 924
FIPS code27-39878
GNIS feature ID2395831
Sales tax7.875%
Websitemankatomn.gov

Mankato (/mænˈkt/ man-KAY-toh) is a city in Blue Earth, Nicollet, and Le Sueur counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is the county seat of Blue Earth County. It is the 21st-largest city in Minnesota and fourth-largest outside of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area, with a population of 44,488 at the 2020 census. The Mankato–North Mankato metropolitan area has an estimated 105,000 residents.

Mankato lies along a large bend of the Minnesota River at its confluence with the Blue Earth River. The city is home to Minnesota State University, the state's second-largest university by enrollment.