Anoka, Minnesota is 7 miles NW of Coon Rapids, Minnesota  and 16 miles N of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is in Anoka county. The city is part of the Minneapolis - Saint Paul metro area. The population of Anoka is 18,076.  In 2000, Anoka had a median family income of $55,311.  Anoka real estate is approximately 56% is occupied by their owners.The two rivers, Rum and Mississippi, played an integral part in Anoka's settlement. Father Lewis Hennepin first visited this area in 1680 and settlers came to stay in 1844. Prior to the 1800's, the area surrounding Anoka was claimed by the Dakota, but later the Ojibwa pushed the Dakota westward across the Mississippi. The territory of Anoka then became a neutral ground between the two tribes. The name Anoka was derived from two Indian words, the Dakota word A-NO-KA-TAN-HAN meaning on both sides of the river, and the Ojibwa word ON-O-KAY, meaning working waters.