The quality of life is unsurpassed in Lake City.

A relaxed river town with 4500 residents, it is located on the Mississippi River, 65 miles southeast of the Twin Cities. Situated among the beautiful scenic river bluffs, Lake City rests on the western shores of Lake Pepin, the widest spot on the Mississippi River.

There is a strong sense of community here, a place families choose to raise their children, and retired people live the dreams of their golden years.

Lake City is perfect for those who love the relaxed atmosphere of a small town, the amenities of a big town, and the beauty of nature. The style of living is enhanced by an abundance of recreational opportunities with over 400 acres of parks and beaches.

Follow The Great River Road through spectacular sites as it leads you into Lake City, and takes you on a trip back in time. Spend a day visiting an old fashioned candy shop, browse through an antique store, share a cup of coffee with friends and neighbors before you take a stroll along the three-mile Riverwalk.

If you are looking for a wonderful place to call home, come see what Lake City has to offer. We know you will be taken in by the town, the scenery and the people.

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Lake City is governed by a city council of six elected council members and the mayor. Lake City is located in both Wabasha and Goodhue Counties. Our city administrator and dedicated staff oversee the daily operations of City Hall. The government of Lake City is made up of many boards and commissions that support the work of the city council.

Our city hall is an historic building which the city has attempted to keep as original as possible while still making the building functional for city government. The city operates its own electric utility to provide the best possible service to our citizens.

The utility department also provides sewer and water services. Our sewage disposal plant has been updated periodically to keep pace with the growth of the community. Lake City is served by a professional police force, and well-trained and equipped volunteer fire and ambulance services.

The Lake City Marina is one of the largest and finest marinas on the Mississippi, housing over 625 boats including sailboats and powerboats up to 55 feet in length.

Lake City is home to many manufacturing plants that provide jobs for our people and the people in surrounding areas. These enterprises are promoted by the Economic Development Authority with a full-time director. The downtown business district is made up of a wide range of stores and service businesses.

School District 813 provides our young people with an outstanding school system. Dedicated teachers and staff provide the latest in education for our young people. There is also a parochial grade school for those parents interested in this type of education.

All of these things and more make Lake City a very pleasant place to live, one we are proud to call home.

Willard Bremer
Mayor

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Thank you for your interest in Lake City. Here, you will discover the many opportunities and activities that Lake City has to offer. Located just 65 miles southeast of the Twin Cities, Lake City rests on the shores of beautiful Lake Pepin.

If you are considering a visit to our city, you will find a variety of recreational activities sure to make any vacation memorable. If you are relocating to Lake City, you will come to discover the strong economic base, industrial interests, and business opportunities available here. The Chamber of Commerce hosts three festivals every year which draw thousands of visitors to our area. We welcome you, hope you enjoy your visit, and are confident that you will find everything you are looking for in Lake City.

Robert Kemp
President, Lake City Area Chamber of Commerce

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The public services in Lake City are exemplary for a town of our size.

Our public library is located downtown and offers a wide variety of services including a summer reading program, computer stations, meeting areas, book clubs, and Internet access. Just one block away is the historic Post Office, built in 1914, offering full postal service.

Hiawathaland Transit offers a full door-to-door shuttle service throughout Lake City, providing convenient, inexpensive transportation.

The emergency services for the City of Lake City respond as a well-integrated unit to the public safety needs of the community. Although they are separate departments, each department is well-trained in their own area of expertise and often train each other.

The police department, which started in the mid-1800’s, is located across from city hall in the public safety building. The department has six full-time officers, plus the chief and sergeant, along with two civilian employees and several part-time and reserve officers. All of the officers are active in different areas of the community. They promote the D.A.R.E. program with the local elementary school, encourage residents to participate in neighborhood watch, and assist local businesses with theft prevention techniques. Whenever possible, the department encourages the philosophy of community oriented policing. The department boasts an above average clearance rate for solved crimes. All officers are state-certified Medical First Responders and the squad cars are equipped with a Heartstream Defibrillator and Medical Bag. Two of the officers are EMTs with the ambulance service.

The ambulance service, founded in 1972, shares the public safety building with the police department. The service is staffed by 30 volunteers and an ambulance director who are state-certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). They provide emergency medical assistance to the community and surrounding area with two fully-equipped ambulances. They also have a disaster trailer stocked with additional supplies to effectively respond to a natural or man-made disaster. The EMTs provide First Responder training to the police department and sheriff’s office. They also teach CPR and first aid to the fire department, along with holding CPR courses for the general public.

The fire department, founded in 1875, has 22 volunteer firemen. The fire station, centrally located adjacent to city hall, houses three pumper trucks, an 85’ ladder truck, rescue truck, tanker truck, rescue boat (for water rescues and boat fires) and a rescue sled (for off-road winter rescues). The department’s fire insurance rating of 5, the highest a volunteer department can have, clearly demonstrates the dedication of the volunteers. The members spend time in the elementary schools teaching the students about fire prevention. They also train the ambulance service in car extrication and rappelling.

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