Carlton is a city and the county seat of Carlton County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 948 at the 2020 census. The town sits on the northwestern edge of Jay Cooke State Park.
Minnesota State Highways 45 and 210 and County Roads 1 and 3 are four of Carlton's main routes. It is five miles south of Cloquet and 21 miles southwest of Duluth.
History
In 1870, the Northern Pacific Railroad finished a stretch of track that linked Duluth to St. Paul. Temporary shacks were erected for the workmen at the place that was soon known as "Northern Pacific Junction". In 1881, this settlement was incorporated as Carlton. It takes its name from former State Senator Reuben B. Carlton.
Carlton absorbed the city of Thomson in 2015, with the approval of a majority of voters in both cities.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of , of which is land and is water.
The Saint Louis River is nearby. Carlton is the home of Black Bear Casino Resort.
Thomson Dam, Thomson Reservoir, and Jay Cooke State Park are also nearby, and the Willard Munger Bicycle Trail runs through the city of Carlton.