Perham, MN Community Guide

Welcome to Perham — or welcome back. This guide is designed to help new residents and visitors quickly understand what Perham has to offer and how to plug into this thriving small-town community.

Quick Facts About Perham, MN

• Population: ~3,700
• County: Otter Tail County
• Founded: 1871
• Known for: Lake country, walleye fishing, community spirit
• Nickname: “The Lakes Area City”

Community Resources

Government & Services

The City of Perham provides core municipal services including water, sewer, streets, parks, and public safety. View all city services →

Healthcare

Perham Health serves as the area’s regional medical center with:

• Primary care and specialty clinics
• 24/7 emergency services
• Long-term care and rehabilitation
• Mental health services

Utilities

• Arvig — Fiber internet and telecommunications (one of Perham’s key advantages for remote workers)
• Otter Tail Power Company — Electricity
• City of Perham — Water and sewer

Churches in Perham, MN

Perham has an active faith community with churches representing multiple denominations. See all Perham churches →

Community Organizations

From civic groups to sports leagues, Perham has organizations for every interest. Explore Perham organizations →

Key organizations include:

• Perham Area Chamber of Commerce
• Perham Lions Club
• American Legion Post
• PACC (Perham Area Community Center)
• Perham Area Food Shelf

Parks and Recreation

Perham offers multiple parks and recreation areas. See all parks →

Highlights:

• City Park — playground, picnic areas, lake access
• Perham Lakeside Golf Club — 18-hole public course
• PACC Aquatic Center — indoor pools and waterpark features

Upcoming Events

Perham has a packed community calendar year-round. See upcoming events →

Annual highlights:

• Perham Turtle Races (summer)
• Community festivals and holiday events
• School sports seasons
• PACC programming and leagues

Stay Connected

• Perham Focus — Local newspaper (print and online)
• Perham Area Chamber — Community events and business directory
• City of Perham — Municipal news and updates
• perh.am — You’re here! Your community portal

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Last updated: 2026-03-15