Rogers is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 8,597 at the 2010 census. The center of population of Minnesota is located in Rogers. The city is on the northwestern tier of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.
Located on either side of Interstate 94, with Minnesota State Highway 101 running north, Rogers has been teeming with growth the past 20 years. The 2000-2010 (8,597) population rate was +139.6%.
History - In the 1880s John Rogers sold an acre of his land (then part of Hassan township) to Great Northern Railroad for a dollar. The new depot provided a convenient stop for the rich timber resources of the area, and served as the beginning ground of a new community. When St. Martin Catholic Church and school were added, Rogers grew in local importance, consequently causing new businesses to be built and the town to be regarded as more of a local hub than other nearby communities such as Fletcher. In 1914 the city was incorporated.
Throughout the years the town grew slowly until, in 1972, Interstate 94 was constructed. Running right through Rogers, the new freeway provided easy access to Minneapolis and St. Paul, causing additional businesses such as Graco, CDI, Dept. 56 and Reinhart FoodService to add operations. The additional jobs created new population growth. As growth occurred, additional land was required, causing Rogers to annex more and more land from the surrounding Hassan Township. Hassan is likely to be completely annexed into Rogers sometime in 2012.
Early founding families names still serve as key contributors to the community. Otto Scharber was a prominent local businessman, owning a grocery store, hardware store and a John Deere implement dealership, which is still in family operation today.
Tornado
On September 16, 2006, an F2 tornado damaged homes in Rogers, killing one person.
Schools - Rogers has multiple schools within its borders, including four public schools, Rogers Elementary, Hassan Elementary, Rogers Middle School, and Rogers High School, with the mascot being the Rogers' Royal. Numerous private schools have also cropped up over the city's history.
Festival - Rockin' Rogers Days is held annually the last weekend of June. It is a city-wide celebration complete with a carnival, softball tournament, classic car show, parade, and many other annual activities.
