Lake Elmo is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 11,335 at the 2020 census. According to 2022 census estimates, the population is 13,449. Lake Elmo's population is rapidly growing. It is projected to be over 21,000 by 2040.
History
The city took its name from nearby Lake Elmo. Lake Elmo began with one farm in 1852 on the southwest corner of the intersection of what is now Manning Avenue and 30th Street, just southeast of downtown Lake Elmo and across the highway from the Lake Elmo Airport (FAA LID: 21D). The barn was built in 1875 and restored as a house in 1998. The 1852 farmhouse was intentionally burned down in 2007.
Government
Lake Elmo has a city council consisting of a mayor and four council members. The council has the legislative authority and determines all matters of policy. The mayor and council members are elected to four-year terms. The city also has a park commission and a planning commission. The park commission advises the city council on issues of development, improvement, and maintenance of the city's parks and trails. The planning commission makes recommendations about the Comprehensive Plan and amendments to the plan, site plans, subdivisions, conditional use permits, planning, zoning and sign regulations, open space preservation developments, and other planning-related issues.
Council members are Mike Charles Cadenhead (mayor), Jeff Holtz, Katrina Beckstrom, Dale Dorschner, and Lisa McGinn. Planning Commission members are Charles Cadenhead (chair), Jeff Holtz, Jordan Graen, Kyle Risner, Brian Steil, Kathy Weeks, and Brandon Mueller. Park Commission members are John Ames, Jean Olinger, Barry Weeks, John Mayek, Isak Nightingale, and Steve Schumacher.
Minnesota State Highway 36 runs east–west along Lake Elmo's northern boundary. Interstate 94 runs east–west along Lake Elmo's southern boundary. County State-Aid Highway 14 serves as the main east-west route and County State-Aid Highway 17 as the main north-south route.
Sports
Cimarron Rowing Club is a grassroots effort to develop the sport in the east metro/Stillwater area. The club trains on Lake Elmo and competes nationally and internationally. Crews and individual scullers compete at events such as the Head of the Charles Regatta, Henley Masters (UK), The Silver Skiff (Turin) and the annual World Masters Regatta.