Population within city limits (1990): 3,826 Extended Population (1990): 6,532 Economic Foundation: Aluminum & Plastic Manufacturing, Electronic Assembly, Silica Sand Mining, Pet Food, Publishing, Dairy Bi-Products, Agriculture, Veterinary Products. Situated 30 miles south of The Twin Cities Metro Area (Minneapolis / St Paul) and 30 miles north of Mankato, Minnesota, Le Sueur is served by 4-lane Federal Highway 169. The community was named after Pierre Le Sueur, a French explorer in the late 1700's who is believed to be the first European to travel up the Minnesota River. Le Sueur, located along the Minnesota River, is one of Minnesota's older communities. It was one of the stopping places for steamboats, which at one time used the Minnesota River. Despite its size, Le Sueur has gained wide name recognition as a result of the successful advertising program featuring the Jolly Green Giant and the great river valley with its fine group of Le Sueur brand vegetables. The Green Giant Company was founded in Le Sueur in 1903 as the Minnesota Valley Canning Company.