A suburb in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, the city is about 10 miles (16 km) west of downtown Minneapolis.

The Dakota named the lake after a warrior who overturned his canoe and his body was never recovered.

He carried mail from the Red River of the North to points south, trading goods to Native Americans for horses on the way.

LeCounte built the first cabin at what is now East Medicine Lake Boulevard at 29th Avenue North.

[6] Plymouth's beginning as a town occurred in 1855 on the northwest shores of what is now known as Parkers Lake.

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners named the new settlement Plymouth.

On April 19, 1858, a group of townspeople met at Francis Day's home to open elections for town offices.

On May 11, 1858, the group voted to change the town's name to Medicine Lake.

When the Civil War started, Plymouth paid its volunteers $25 to enlist.

[6] About this time, schools and churches were built and a post office was in Plymouth.

By 1863, hotels were being built, with Medicine Lake becoming a local tourist destination.

As the community's character evolved from rural to suburban, so did local government.

Plymouth operates under a council-manager form of government that comprises a mayor and six council members.

Plymouth's state representatives are Ryan Winkler, Ginny Klevorn, and Patty Acomb.

Plymouth is in Minnesota's 3rd congressional district, represented by Dean Phillips.

Most of the city, particularly the western, northwestern, and southern areas, is served by Wayzata Public Schools.