Sauk Rapids (/sɔːk/ SAWK)[4] is a city in Benton County, Minnesota, United States.

Sauk Rapids was originally little more than a forest of oak, maple and basswood trees along the Mississippi River until the first home was constructed there in 1851, a large mansion named Lynden Terrace erected by W.H.

Settlers from as far away as the Red River Valley brought their produce there to ship it.

A six-horse stage coach made biweekly trips between St.

In 1856, the county seat moved to Watab, then returned to Sauk Rapids in 1859.

Sauk Rapids was one of Minnesota's most important cities until 1886, when, on April 14 at approximately 4:00 p.m., a tornado struck the town.

Some sidewalks were repaved with cobblestone and the medians were filled with granite blocks.

26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

City recreational facilities include 22 parks, nature preserves, paved walking paths, playgrounds, tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, a golf course, public splash pad, and a wading pool.

[16][17] Sauk Rapids's city council consists of a mayor and four city council members elected at large to represent the community and legislate citywide policy.

The mayor is Kurt Hunstiger, and the council members are Steve Heinen, Nick Sauer, Jason Ellering, and Ellen Thronson.

They have the authority to pass and enforce ordinances, establish public and administrative policies, create advisory boards and commissions, and limit the number of garbage trucks traversing the city streets.

The Sauk Rapids Herald is a weekly newspaper published on Saturday.