Bemidji is located in Beltrami County (of which it is the county seat), in the Woods and Waters Region between Grand Rapids and Crookston on US 2 on the banks of the Mississippi River near Chippewa National Forest. State parks and sporting events, inside or outside activities are offered, including many trails to hike, bike, snowmobile or ski; rent a canoe, golf, bowl, fish or just sail away on beautiful Lake Bemidji.
The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 12,591, an increase of 1,426 since 1990.
