Located 75 miles north of Duluth and the coast of Lake Superior, the city of Hibbing was founded on the rich iron ore of the Mesabi Iron Range. Nicknamed the “Iron Capital of the World,” Hibbing’s origins actually began with the 19th-century logging industry. “Our founder, Frank Hibbing, discovered there was iron beneath the trees. Within five years, we were a booming mining town,” says Kate Wagenbach, a staffer at the Hibbing Public Library. Today, the city is home to over 16,000 residents and the largest iron ore mine in the country. “It’s still very old world here, but you won’t find any old world hang-ups,” she continues. Known as the hometown of renowned folk singer Bob Dylan, the city has welcomed a new wave of tourists and onlookers over the last 50 years. Much like Dylan, Hibbing finds its place at a crossroads between tradition and progress. “We’re small, but we’re forward-thinking," Wagenbach concludes.
The Iron Man statue is an 85-foot tall figure of an iron minor that honors the minors of the Iron Capital of the World.
The Hull–Rust–Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine in Hibbing, is the largest operating open-pit iron mine in Minnesota.
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The Hull-Rust-Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine
The Hibbing Taconite Company has been the largest employer in Hibbing for over a century. The longstanding corporation actually owns the Hull–Rust–Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine, the largest of its kind in the U.S. “Everything is centered around mining. If it’s not the mining itself, it’s the production and shipping of it,” Wagenbach says. “They even mined themselves into a corner back in the 1920s, and everyone had to move south. So, the north side of town is now our industrial area.” Residents can view the mines recreationally from the Hull Rust Mine View, a historic public overlook and visitor center on the outer rim of a green-blue-and-red landscape that some call "The Grand Canyon of the North."
The Hibbing Taconite Company is the largest employer in Hibbing and owns the Hull-Rust-Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine.
The Hibbing Hull Rust Pit uses 240 ton trucks with a 41 cubic-yard capacity.
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The Mesabi Range is a hub for year-round recreation
Named for the Ojibwe word for the Giants Range Batholith — a mountainous ridge in northern Minnesota – the Mesabi Range has plenty to offer for year-round recreation. In particular, the paved, 10-foot-wide Mesabi Trail stretches from Grand Rapids to Ely, passing through the heart of Hibbing along the way. “There’s lots of snowmobiling on the trail in the winter,” Wagenbach says. “And people travel from all over the country to ski at Giants Ridge. It’s a 40-minute drive, but that’s pretty standard for us.” She notes a similar commute to Side Lake, a popular campsite just north of the city. “I mean, it’s Minnesota. We have lakes. But everybody talks about Carey Lake and the trails around it. A lot of people spend time there in the summer.”
Locals enjoy the fishing pier at Carey Lake Park during the summer.
Explore 150+ Miles of Paved Trail Paradise on MN's Mesabi Trail, which runs through Hibbing.
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Historic homes date back to the region’s first mines
While Hibbing is the largest city in the Mesabi Range, its compact residential streets only occupy a few blocks between 5th and 17th Avenues. Closer to Howard Street, properties date between the early to mid-20th century. Many of these Cape Cod cottages and bungalows were a product of the city’s transplants in the 1920s, when residents relocated to make room for the iron mines. Thus, homebuyers will find more midcentury ranch-style homes and new traditional builds farther south. Large estates and acres of land comprise the outskirts, where two-lane country roads often branch into winding driveways.
Overall, the median price in Hibbing is $165,000—below the national median and that of nearby Grand Rapids. Similarly, property and violent crime rates are well below national averages, according to FBI crime data.
Early to mid-20th century homes can be found on the north end of Hibbing near Howard Street.
Homebuyers will find mid-century style homes in the southern end of Hibbing.
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Bob Dylan’s famous “North Country” hometown
Summertime in Hibbing often looks like Monday night strolls downtown. “We do this thing called Hibbing on Howard, which is a reference to Howard Street—our version of Main Street,” Wagenbach says. “On Monday nights, they close off the street and have vendors and bouncy castles for the kids. It’s kind of like a Fourth of July festival but without the fireworks, and it's held regularly.” In July, the Hibbing Jubilee is a communitywide celebration. “We always get a huge influx of alumni around that time, and everyone paints the school logo in their driveway,” she adds.
As the hometown of Bob Dylan, it's no surprise that Hibbing honors the famed musician with displays and walking tours throughout the city. “He's probably our only tourist attraction here,” Wagenbach jokes. “They renamed 7th Avenue ‘Bob Dylan Way.’ There are tours of his home and a bit of a shrine to him at the high school. He’s even been known to come back once in a while.”
Inside the Hibbing Public Library, you'll find a carefully curated room full of various Bob Dylan ephemera.
Stop and see Hibbing native Bob Dylan's childhood home while on the Bob Dylan walking tour.
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Downtown Hibbing offers Mesabi Range staples
Beyond summer festivities on Howard Street, downtown Hibbing is a year-round haunt packed with small businesses. “It’s a ‘Leave it to Beaver’ kind of small-town vibe, so all the little hometown shops are highly walkable,” Wagenbach says. She cites Sportsmen’s Restaurant & Taverna as a go-to American spot that’s been around since the early 1900s. Similarly, Sunrise Deli is known for its homemade Mesabi Range classics, like Porketta, a pork roast delicacy introduced by the region’s earliest Italian immigrants. Fraboni's is also a destination for Porketta fans. The company's cash and carry shop on E. 13th Street sells to individuals and businesses.
Route 169 and the East Beltline each offer an array of grocers and retailers. From Super One Foods and Walmart Supercenter to fast food chains and drugstores, residents typical head south for the essentials. Commuters also rely on these routes when navigating the area. On Route 169, University Medical Center Mesabi sits across the street from the Hibbing Family Medical Clinic. Route 53 heads 75 miles south to Duluth, where travelers fly commercially from Duluth International Airport.
Downtown Hibbing is packed with small businesses and restaurants.
Sunrise Deli is known for its homemade Iron Range classics, like sarmas, porketta, and pasties.
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The historic Hibbing High School
Local students attend the Hibbing Public School District, which earns a B-minus on Niche. Hibbing High School, in particular, is a historic building with notable quirks. The auditorium dates back to 1924, complete with glass-cut chandeliers and a Barton vaudeville organ—one of two remaining in the U.S. today. The school even offers historic tours, one of which welcomed Oscar-nominee Timothee Chalamet in preparation for his role as Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.” The city is also home to Minnesota North College – Hibbing, one of six campuses across the Mesabi Range.
Hibbing High School serves students in grades 7-12.
Minnesota North College in Hibbing, one of six campuses across the northern MN Iron Range.
Hi there! My name is Bridger Hopkins and I am a real estate agent with Grand Properties Real Estate. I grew up in Northern Minnesota and I live here with my family. I enjoy the outdoor activities in our area: gardening, hunting, wild foraging, swimming, and being in the woods. I love to build things and tinker with projects. In recent years I started growing hops and grapes!
My schooling background is in Mechanical Engineering. Through engineering, I have worked in both mining and papermaking, so I have a good feel for the importance of our natural resources. I apply the same problem-solving ability and management skills to real estate. I am ready to help you with your real estate needs.
I understand what a huge investment your home, cabin, land, or rental is. Let me help you find your next property. If you are selling, trust me as someone who will manage your sale as I would manage my own. Professional photography, drone photography, home warranties, 360tours, social media marketing, and more are just the start.
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