In the Glacial Lakes & Prairies Region, Milbank is located in Grant County (of which it is the county seat). It sits where US 12 meets Hwy 15, just west of the Minnesota line.
It was founded in 1880 when the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul first laid rails. Since 1984, it hosts an annual Train Festival offering riding the rails on the Whetstone Valley Express, for short rides, long rides and dinner rides. This is an August event.
The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 3,663, a decrease of 216 since 1990.