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Duluth is a port city of approximately 90,000 people on dramatic bluffs at the western tip of Lake Superior in Saint Louis County, Minnesota. The city is home to the University of Minnesota Duluth and Lake Superior College, giving it a notable student presence relative to its size. Duluth is known for its scenic natural setting, outdoor recreation culture, and a revitalized downtown anchored by the Canal Park waterfront district. The city has a genuine four-season character, with harsh winters offering skiing and snowshoeing, and warm seasons defined by hiking, kayaking, and cycling along the Lakewalk. Duluth offers students an affordable, scenically distinctive college-city experience with a strong local identity.
Along Woodland Avenue and College Street, the most convenient, with apartments and houses within walking distance of academic buildings.
Significant residential development with newer apartments at competitive rents for students willing to commute.
On the bluffs between downtown and campus, a middle-ground option with older housing and lower rents.
In the western city, with a growing arts and food scene, though a longer commute to UMD.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Duluth.
Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) operates the city's bus network, with routes connecting the UMD campus area to downtown Duluth, Canal Park, and other neighborhoods. The fixed-route system covers the main corridors students need, though service frequency is limited compared to larger metro areas and can be infrequent during evenings and weekends. Students relying on DTA should plan around published schedules, as headways on less-traveled routes can reach 30 to 60 minutes. A monthly pass or stored-value card is the most economical way to ride regularly.
Duluth's dramatic topography makes walking and biking highly dependent on where you live and where you travel. The Lakewalk along the Lake Superior shoreline is a well-maintained multi-use trail running through Canal Park and into eastern residential neighborhoods near UMD, popular for cycling and jogging. On-campus and along flat lake-level stretches, biking is practical and enjoyable, but steep grade changes throughout much of the city make cycling between ridge neighborhoods and downtown a significant challenge. E-bikes have become increasingly popular with students navigating Duluth's hills.
Parking is generally available and affordable in Duluth relative to larger cities, and most off-campus apartments include at least one parking space. UMD provides student parking permits for on-campus lots, though lots closest to academic buildings fill quickly. Downtown Duluth has surface lots and ramps at reasonable rates. A car is very useful in Duluth given the spread-out layout and hilly terrain, and most off-campus students who can afford one choose to have a vehicle.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Duluth is an affordable rental market by college-city standards. One-bedroom apartments near UMD typically range from $750 to $1,100 per month, and shared two- or three-bedroom units commonly work out to $500 to $800 per person. Downtown Duluth has newer buildings with comparable or slightly lower rents depending on the unit.
Browse student housing near each Duluth-area university.