Albert Lea (/ˌælbərt ˈliː/ AL-bərt LEE)[5] is a city in Freeborn County, in southern Minnesota.

The city's early growth was based on agriculture, farming support services and manufacturing, and it was a significant rail center.

A major employer was the Wilson & Company meatpacking plant, later known as Farmstead and Farmland.

The city received national attention in 1959 after Local 6 of the United Packinghouse Workers of America went on strike against Wilson & Co., one of the Big Four meatpacking plants at the time, over issues involving mandatory overtime requirements.

[9] When Wilson & Co. attempted to operate the plant with replacement workers, violence erupted and split the town.

During the 109-day strike, Governor Orville Freeman acted to quell the violence by closing the plant, calling in the Minnesota National Guard, and declaring martial law on December 11.

[10] A federal district court in Minneapolis ruled against Freeman on December 23, and the plant turned back to Wilson & Co. just days later.

Albert Lea has a humid continental climate of the hot-summer subtype (Köppen Dfa).

Albert Lea varies from cold winters to hot summers, with significant contrasts between seasons.

An exception to this rule is the urban core of Minneapolis - St. Paul, which sees higher temperatures typical of an urban heat island, but Albert Lea is significantly warmer than locations such as Duluth.

The Marion Ross Performing Arts Center is a historic building in downtown Albert Lea.

A number of well-known and popular Country and Western bands have appeared at the Fair, including Kelly Pickler, Jason Aldean, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Statler Brothers, among many others.

[21] It is in Minnesota State Senate District 23, represented by State Senator Gene Dornink, a Republican from Brownsdale, and in Minnesota's House District 23A, represented by Peggy Bennett, a Republican.