What U.S. state is Marshall Eriksen originally from?

Marshall Eriksen is originally from Minnesota, specifically St. Cloud.

The character was born and raised in St. Cloud, Minnesota, as the youngest of three brothers. His large Scandinavian-American family, strong regional identity, and affection for Minnesota sports are recurring parts of his character throughout the series.

Marshall attends Wesleyan University, where he meets Ted Mosby and Lily Aldrin during their freshman year. After graduation, he moves with Ted to New York City, but his Midwestern background remains central to his personality and family story.

The show returns to Minnesota several times, including the season-one Thanksgiving episode “Belly Full of Turkey,” when Marshall and Lily visit the Eriksen family in St. Cloud. Marshall's enthusiasm for the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins also helps distinguish his home-state identity. His hometown is sometimes blurred with Ted's Ohio upbringing, since the friends are both from the Midwest, but Ted grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio—not Minnesota.