Portions of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation are located within and adjacent to Hinckley.

Hinckley is generally considered the halfway point on Interstate 35 between Minneapolis–Saint Paul and Duluth.

Camp Nathanael is located 16 miles (26 km) east of Hinckley on Highway 48.

The Ojibwe Indians were the first people to settle the Hinckley area.

Surrounding Hinckley Township was known as Central Station by the railroads because of its position halfway between the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior as well as the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

By 1894, Hinckley was a prosperous community that had everything needed to serve residents and the fast-expanding lumber industry.

On September 1, 1894, everything changed with a firestorm wiping out Hinckley and many northeastern Minnesota towns.

After the fire, the burned stumps of the forests were cleared to take advantage of the now nutrient-rich soil.

Abundant clover helped feed milk cows for a brisk dairy industry.

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe opened Grand Casino Hinckley in 1992.

35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

34.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.