Ranier, Minnesota

Ranier
Location of the city of Ranier
within Koochiching County, Minnesota
Coordinates: 48°36′44″N 93°20′53″W / 48.61222°N 93.34806°W / 48.61222; -93.34806
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyKoochiching
Area
  Total
1.08 sq mi (2.80 km2)
  Land1.07 sq mi (2.76 km2)
  Water0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation
1,122 ft (342 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
569
  Density533.77/sq mi (206.03/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
56668
Area code218
FIPS code27-53134
GNIS feature ID0657979
Websitehttps://raniermn.govoffice2.com/index.asp?SEC=8C7F4705-6004-4012-A933-82546C0F4F96&Type=B_LOC

Ranier /rəˈnɪər/ rə-NEER) is a city in Koochiching County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 569 at the 2020 census.

Ranier is located east of the city of International Falls, along State Highway 11 (MN 11). Fort Frances, Ontario is located directly across the river.

Incorporated in 1908, the small village of Ranier began as a lively pioneer town filled with people eager to make their mark in the northland. Businesses sprang up all over Ranier, including hotels, grocers, saloons, and brothels. During prohibition, this little boom town gained a gnarly reputation. Illegal booze was the name of the game and everyone in Ranier was playing. Being the port of entry into Canada and being situated on Rainy Lake made for a prime playing field for bootleggers.