Written by AI Claude Sonnet 5.5 wrote this on 23 October 2026 from the figures here, a list of nearby places and what it knows. It can be wrong or out of date.

What it’s like

The place. Gilman is a very small city in Benton County, Minnesota, with a population smaller than most towns people think of as small. Its residents are younger than in many rural communities, and few live below the poverty line. Homes here sit at a typical value well within reach of what many Minnesota towns ask. Winters are cold and snowy, with January the coldest month, while July brings warm summer days and the year ends up fairly wet once rain and melted snow are counted.

Work. Many residents work in schools, hospitals and social care, with manufacturing, the building trades and professional and business services also employing a good share. Fewer adults here hold a four-year degree than across much of the country, and a typical commute takes a fair stretch of time behind the wheel, though some people work from home. Across Benton County, some of the largest workplaces are Sauk Rapids-rice Public Schools, Foundation for healthcare Continuums and J-Berd Mechanical Contractors. Unemployment across the county has risen a little over the past year, and the county has fewer jobs than it did the year before.

Things to do. The Elk River is a short drive away and suits anyone who likes to spend time beside moving water. A longer drive brings Donovan Lake, a lake for fishing and relaxing on the shore, and Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, a protected area of open country and wildlife. Rum River State Forest, also a longer drive away, offers wooded ground for walking.