Carlton is a city in Carlton County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 862 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Carlton County.Minnesota State Highways 45 and 210; and County Roads 1 and 3 are four of the main routes in the community. The city of Carlton is located five miles south of the city of Cloquet; and 21 miles southwest of the city of Duluth.