Area Code 612
Where Is Area Code 612?
Updated: March 23rd 2024
Area code 612 serves Minneapolis, Minnesota and a few neighboring areas such as Richfield, St. Anthony, and Mound. Area code 612 covers Hennepin County and is the smallest area code in Minnesota. Area code 612 was put into use on January 1, 1947, and was one of Minnesota’s original two area codes.
Minneapolis is located in Minnesota and is the county seat of Hennepin County. Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota and together with Saint Paul, makes up an area commonly known as the Twin Cities. Going back in history, Minneapolis was incorporated as a city in 1867. The city developed around Saint Anthony Falls, the highest waterfall on the Mississippi River, which was important to the early settlers of Minneapolis. Between 1880 and 1930, Minneapolis was a center for timber and was the world’s flour milling capital.
Water is Minneapolis’s defining physical characteristic; the history and economic growth of the city revolved around water. Minneapolis is abundantly rich in water, with the Mississippi River, thirteen lakes, ponds, and wetlands. The city has a humid continental climate, meaning hot summers and cold winters.
Minneapolis has a population of 382,578 and the racial makeup of the city is 60.3% White, 18.6% African American, 10.5% Hispanic, and 5.6% Asian (2010 Census). Unfortunately Minneapolis ranks as one of the most dangerous cities in both Minnesota and in the United States. While the violent crime rate dropped, homicides and rape were at the highest rates among large cities.
When it comes to the economy, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, commonly known as the Twin Cities, is the second largest economic center in the Midwest. Minneapolis’s economy is mainly based around commerce, finance, health care, and rail and trucking services. Other sectors of the economy include publishing, milling, graphic arts, and education. Five Fortune 500 corporations also have their headquarters in Minneapolis.
In terms of culture, Minneapolis is known for being a city of visual art, theater, writing, and music. The city is home to numerous art museums such as the Walker Art Center, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Weisman Art Museum, and the Museum of Russian Art. Since the mid 1800s, Minneapolis has been a cultural hub for theatrical performances. The city places second in terms of live theater per capita. The award winning Guthrie Theater is Minneapolis’s largest theater company. Minneapolis was the birthplace of the legendary musician Prince; Prince and local musicians made First Avenue and 7th St Entry important venues for both musicians and audiences. Known as the center for printing and publishing, Minneapolis is ranked as the third most literate city in the United States. In addition to the city’ rich culture, the residents of Minneapolis are known for their philanthropy and charitable giving. When it comes to cuisine, the city prides itself on its award winning restaurants and chefs. Minneapolis is also home to five professional sports teams, such as the Minnesota Lynx, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Minnesota Twins. Located in the Downtown East section of Minneapolis is the U.S. Bank Stadium, a fixed-roof stadium that cost around $1.122 billion to build.
Major Cities In Area Code 612
It is estimated that about half of Minneapolis-Saint Paul residents work in the city where they live. The majority of residents drive their car to work but the city encourages alternative transportation; the city currently has two light rail lines and one commuter rail line. Minneapolis has a high percentage of commuters who travel by bicycle; an estimated ten thousand cyclists use the bike lanes every day. The city is also home to the Minneapolis Skyway System, a collection of enclosed pedestrian bridges, which allow people to get around the downtown area in climate-controlled comfort. The park system in Minneapolis has been referred to as the greatest designed, greatest financed, and greatest maintained park system in the United States. Geographical landmarks were preserved and linked with parkways and boulevards. The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary is the country’s oldest public wildflower garden. Some of the most popular parks in the city are Minnehaha Park, Loring Park, Mill Ruins Park, and Theodore Wirth Park. Points of interest in Minneapolis include the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Guthrie Theater, the Mill City Museum, the American Swedish Institute, and the Weisman Art Museum.
