Glenwood was platted in 1866, and named for the glen and woods near the original town site.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.86 square miles (15.18 km2), all land.

[8] Glenwood is located at the east end of Lake Minnewaska at the junction of Minnesota State Highways 28, 29, 55, and 104.

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,564 people, 1,185 households, and 656 families living in the city.

40.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 1,202 housing units at an average density of 83.3 inhabitants per square kilometre (216 inhabitants/sq mi).

40.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.