Greater Frogtown >> learn more >> Frogtown facts

History of the Frogtown neighborhoods. Where in the world did we get the name Frogtown? There are competing theories, and it's only the beginning of our interesting history. This link takes you to the Ramsey County Historical Society for more information. You can also check out the Wikipedia entry on Frogtown.

Some information about the Frogtown neighborhoods today:

• The population of the Greater Frogtown community skyrocketed from 14,540 in 1990 to 17,248 in 2000 (an 18.6 percent increase) making it the fastest growing of Saint Paul’s 17 neighborhoods.  2007 estimates show a population of 18,133 adding still another five percent growth.
• The Thomas-Dale neighborhood is also Saint Paul’s most ethnically diverse neighborhood with more than 78 percent of its population identifying themselves as Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic/Latino or American Indian.  Ninety-two percent of Frogtown’s children attending public school are children of color.  English is not the primary language spoken at home for nearly two-thirds of public school children.
• Average household income for the Frogtown neighborhoods is estimated at $38,881per year.
• Frogtown also has a higher ratio of persons per available housing unit (3.43 people per unit) than any other neighborhood in Saint Paul

Many Frogtown residents are recent immigrants to this country.  Recent estimates are that 42 percent of area residents are of Asian decent.  The historic African American community now accounts for over 20 percent of the population. Frogtown’s newer Somali population has grown significantly in recent years.  GFCDC’s previous office space at 689 North Dale Street is now a mosque, and the Islamic Center on University Avenue is growing in size and use. 

More than half of all housing in the area consists of low-cost, mass-produced homes built before 1940 with many built before 1900.  Many of the Victorian middle-class homes were converted into duplexes and triplexes.  The neighborhood population has increased in part because of Frogtown’s low housing costs and central location. Much of this housing, however, is in need of repair or improvements, and this situation has gotten worse as more homes have been boarded up following the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Greater Frogtown CDC is committed to helping maintain and grow our housing stock.

Frogtown has a growing business community, with more than 700 businesses in the area at the most recent estimate. Including such large employers as the State Capitol and Regions Hospital, our community employes more than 16,000 people.