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Prior Lake, Minnesota

Prior Lake is an exurban city 20 mi southwest of Minneapolis, next to Savage and Shakopee in Scott County in the state of Minnesota. Surrounding the shores of Lower and Upper Prior Lake, the city is south of the Minnesota River in an area known as RiverSouth and establishes the urban fringe of the south-southwest portion of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the 16th-largest metropolitan area in the United States. The population was 27,617 at the 2020 census.

Prior Lake was incorporated as a village in 1891. It is one of the oldest cities in the south metro area. The city's modern rapid growth is due in part to the ease of access for commuters to the rest of the region, via the upgraded State Highway 13.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 18.33 sqmi; 15.44 sqmi is land and 2.89 sqmi is water.

Upper Prior Lake and Lower Prior Lake sit at the city's center in an elongated shape to the southwest to Spring Lake. Prior Lake as a whole is the southern metro area's largest lake.

Lakes
The nearby Dakota people called Prior Lake Bdé Mayá Thó ("Lake of the Blue Banks").

Prior Lake (renamed after Charles Prior, of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad) is made up of two sections, Upper Prior Lake and Lower Prior Lake. The area of each is 354 and 810 acre, respectively. Upper Prior Lake flows northerly, draining into the larger Lower Prior Lake via a navigable channel that runs under Eagle Creek Avenue (Scott County Highway 21). The lake is popular for fishing, water sports, and snowmobiling, and is accessible by the Scott County Snowmobile Trail and other designated trails. In 2009, zebra mussel shells were discovered on the shore of Lower Prior Lake and the DNR confirmed that they were also in Upper Prior Lake.

The eastern part of Spring Lake along Scott County Road 12 is also within the city of Prior Lake. Spring Lake, with 290 acres, offers similar recreational opportunities as Upper Prior Lake with a more rural character and less traffic. Several feet higher in elevation, Spring Lake flows north into Upper Prior Lake via a non-navigable spillway and culvert under County Road 12.

2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 27,617 people, 10,845 households.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 22,796 people, 8,447 households, and 6,211 families residing in the city. The population density was 1476.4 PD/sqmi. There were 8,882 housing units at an average density of 575.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 91.0% White, 1.5% African American, 1.6% Native American, 3.0% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 8,447 households, of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.5% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.14.

The median age in the city was 37.8 years. 28.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.4% were from 45 to 64; and 9.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

Government
Prior Lake is governed by a mayor and four council members serving at large. These offices are nonpartisan. The mayor is Kirt Briggs. He succeeded Ken Hedberg, who won an uncontested election in 2012, succeeding Mike Myser. The council members are Kevin Burkart, Zach Braid, Kim Churchill and Victor Lake. The city is run by a city manager, Jason Wedel. Prior Lake is in Minnesota Legislative District 54B. The State Senate District 54 senator is Eric Pratt. The district 54B representative is Ben Bakeberg.

Prior Lake is in Minnesota's 2nd congressional district, represented by Angie Craig.

Parts of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) tribal lands are within the boundary of the City of Prior Lake as annexed in 1972. The SMSC is a federally recognized, sovereign Native American tribe of Mdewakanton Dakota people. The overlap of a Minnesota Statutory City with federally recognized tribal lands resulted in litigation to clarify the boundary and voting rights. In 1984, the United States District Court affirmed that Prior Lake's municipal boundary did include the tribal lands in question. The Court further clarified that the tribal residents were thus residents of the city and entitled to vote in municipal elections and to emergency police, fire, and rescue services. The Court ordered the city to provide equal emergency services to the tribal residents even though the tribal lands' federal trust status deprives the city of the authority to tax the lands. In recent years, the SMSC has voluntarily contributed funds to the City of Prior Lake in support of public safety services.

Arts and culture
The Prior Lake American was the main city newspaper, but ceased publication after its final issue on April 27, 2024. The Savage Pacer is commonly read in Prior Lake. The Star Tribune South Edition also offers some coverage.

The Mystic Showroom at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake is an entertainment venue that frequently features A-list musical and comedy performers.

Education
After the 1999 Columbine High School Massacre, journalist Elinor Burkett spent a year following students and teachers at Prior Lake High School. She chose Prior Lake because it was virtually identical to Columbine demographically. She documented her experience in the book Another Planet: A Year in the Life of a Suburban High School (ISBN 0-06-050585-0).

The City of Prior Lake is within the Prior Lake-Savage School District. Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (PLSAS) serve students in Prior Lake, Savage, Credit River Township, Spring Lake Township, Sand Creek Township, and Cedar Lake Township.
 * Prior Lake High School
 * Bridges Alternative Learning Center
 * Hidden Oaks Middle School
 * Twin Oaks Middle School
 * Edgewood School
 * Five Hawks Elementary
 * Glendale Elementary
 * Grainwood Elementary
 * Hamilton Ridge Elementary
 * Jeffers Pond Elementary
 * Westwood Elementary
 * Redtail Ridge Elementary
 * SAGE Academy
 * La Ola De Lago (Spanish immersion school in Edgewood school)

Prior Lake also has a private Roman Catholic parochial school, St. Michael Catholic School, which serves grades PreK through 8, and a Missouri Synod Lutheran church parochial school, St. Paul's Lutheran School Prior Lake, which serves children from infants through grade 8.

Notable people

 * Brock Boeser, professional hockey player
 * Kylie Bunbury, model and actress
 * Teal Bunbury, professional soccer player
 * Thomas Fluharty, illustrator
 * Terry D. Johnston, businesswoman and Minnesota state senator
 * Becca Kufrin, television personality
 * Richard J. Menke, lawyer and Minnesota state legislator
 * Eric Pratt, Minnesota state senator
 * John Robert Roach, archbishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis (1975–1995), born in Prior Lake
 * Jessica Scheu, Miss Minnesota 2015
 * Jordan Schroeder, professional hockey player
 * Tiffany Stratton, professional wrestler
 * Heath Voss, professional motocross racer
 * Erik Westrum, professional hockey player

title: Prior Lake, Minnesota


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Sand Creek Township, Scott County, Minnesota

Sand Creek Township is a township in Scott County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,551 at the 2000 census.

History
Sand Creek Township was originally called Douglas Township, and under the latter name was organized in 1858. Several months later it was renamed St. Mary Township. The name was again changed in 1859, after the Sand Creek.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 32.9 square miles (85.2 km$2$), of which 32.4 square miles (84.0 km$2$) is land and 0.5 square mile (1.2 km$2$) (1.40%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,551 people, 478 households, and 391 families residing in the township. The population density was 47.8 PD/sqmi. There were 488 housing units at an average density of 15.1/sq mi (5.8/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 97.16% White, 1.42% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races, and 0.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.10% of the population.

There were 478 households, out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.1% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 121.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 127.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $65,370, and the median income for a family was $67,000. Males had a median income of $41,591 versus $27,784 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,029. About 1.2% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


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Savage, Minnesota

Savage is a suburban city 15 mi south-southwest of downtown Minneapolis in Scott County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city is on the south bank of the Minnesota River in a region commonly called South of the River, comprising the southern portion of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the 16th-largest metropolitan area in the United States. The population of Savage was 32,465 at the 2020 census.

Minnesota State Highway 13 and County Road 42 are two of the main routes in Savage. Interstate 35W and U.S. Highway 169 are in close proximity to the city.

The landing point for Irish and Scottish immigrants in 1800, Savage has grown into a developing bedroom community, absorbing population growth from Burnsville, its larger neighbor to the east. Once a shipbuilding port for the U.S. Navy, Savage is now an industrial manufacturing job center in the southern metro. The city is still relatively undeveloped, with sections of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve within its borders.

Previously named Hamilton after the city in Ontario, Canada, the town was renamed Savage after Marion Willis Savage, who owned and trained the nationally celebrated racing horse Dan Patch.

History
In the 17th century, French fur traders and explorers explored the Minnesota River valley. After 1750, Mdewakanton Dakota then settled at Chief Black Dog's camp—near what is now Black Dog Lake in Burnsville. Dakota used the Minnesota River valley region including present-day Savage for fish, game, boating and camping.

In 1852, traders established a small post at the confluence of the Credit River and the Minnesota River. William Byrne, who immigrated from County Kilkenny, Ireland, to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1840, arrived in the area shortly after, via steamboat from Fort Snelling. Already established in business and trade, he and other Irish and Scottish settlers built Hamilton Landing, a port for boats, named after the city he immigrated to in Canada. The town incorporated in 1892 as the village of Hamilton. Byrne later settled another nearby area which became Burnsville.

The Chicago & North Western (present day Union Pacific Railroad) railway line reached the site in 1865, and in 1866 the town gained a post office. Hamilton became the crossroads of trade and service in the region with the Credit River, Minnesota River, the valley's wagon and road trails, and the rail line.

The post office was later renamed Glendale Post Station in 1894 and formed Glendale Township to the west of Hamilton, but was later consolidated with Savage in 1969. The roughly 17 blocks of the late 19th-century town remain as Savage's downtown along Highway 13 (Minnesota).

In 1902, Minneapolis entrepreneur Marion Willis Savage purchased racing horse Dan Patch and trained and raced him at his farm in the limits of Hamilton. Dan Patch's notoriety grew as the horse began breaking speed records, and with it grew the town's prestige. In 1904 the townspeople renamed the community after Savage with the post office officially confirming. In 1906 at the Minnesota State Fair, Dan Patch broke the world pacing mile record at 1 minute and 55 seconds, a record that remained unsurpassed for 54 years.

During World War II, Savage was home to Camp Savage, a Military Intelligence School (MIS) language program, which taught Japanese to American military personnel. Established in 1942, the school trained with niseis and improved military intelligence of the time. It was later relocated to Fort Snelling and is commemorated at Normandale College's Japanese garden. At about the same time, Cargill, Incorporated, began building ships for the U.S. Navy at the newly constructed Meadowland Shipyard, renamed Port Cargill (former site of Hamilton Landing). To launch the ships, 14 mi of the Minnesota River were dredged down to 9 ft from Savage to the Mississippi River confluence. About 3,500 people were employed during peak production resulting in 18 auxiliary oil and gas carriers and 4 tugboats constructed. After World War II the port began shipping agricultural commodities.

Savage remained undeveloped in the postwar housing boom, isolated by the Minnesota River and without a direct interstate connection. Lack of available construction materials in the immediate area also prevented development. By the 1980s, with the upgrade of Highway 13 and construction of the Highway 169 Bloomington Ferry Bridge in 1996 across the Minnesota River, Savage finally boomed as one of the growing exurbs with low-cost greenfield land in the metropolitan area. The citizens of Savage reclaimed some of their history in the early 21st century, when it relocated the displaced Savage Depot built in 1880 by the then Chicago, Minneapolis and Omaha Rail Road.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 16.45 sqmi; 15.63 sqmi is land and 0.82 sqmi is water. The city's northern boundary is the Minnesota River; its tributary the Credit River flows northward through the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 26,911 people, 9,116 households, and 7,222 families living in the city. The population density was 1721.8 PD/sqmi. There were 9,429 housing units at an average density of 603.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 82.6% White, 4.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 8.4% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 1.4% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.4% of the population."

There were 9,116 households, of which 47.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.3% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 20.8% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.95 and the average family size was 3.31.

The median age in the city was 34.6 years. 31.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 5.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.1% male and 49.9% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,115 people, 6,807 households, and 5,717 families living in the city. The population density was 1,326.9 PD/sqmi. There were 6,994 housing units at an average density of 439.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 90.65% White, 1.59% African American, 0.25% Native American, 5.39% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.66% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.63% of the population.

There were 6,807 households, out of which 56.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.0% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.0% were non-families. 11.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 35.6% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 43.5% from 25 to 44, 13.7% from 45 to 64, and 2.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $75,097, and the median income for a family was $79,244 (these figures had risen to $92,571 and $99,814 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $50,884 versus $35,824 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,858. About 1.9% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.

Schools
Three school districts serve the city of Savage:

 * Prior Lake-Savage District 719
 * Burnsville-Eagan-Savage District 191
 * Shakopee School District 720

A portion of Savage is in the Bloomington School District, but no households are in this area.

Students of the schools in the Prior Lake-Savage District that are in Savage (Redtail Ridge Elementary School and Glendale Elementary School) go on to Prior Lake High School.

Students of the schools in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District that are in Savage (Harriet Bishop Elementary School, Hidden Valley Elementary School, and Eagle Ridge Middle School) go on to Burnsville High School.

Government and politics
The current mayor is Janet Williams, and the city's four city council members are Gene Abbott, Matthew Johnson, Bob Coughlan, and Christine Kelly.

Savage is in Minnesota's 2nd congressional district, represented by Angie Craig, a Democrat. The city is in Minnesota Legislative District 56A, represented in the Minnesota House of Representatives by Jessica Hanson and in the Minnesota Senate by Lindsey Port.

title: Savage, Minnesota


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Spring Lake Township, Scott County, Minnesota

Spring Lake Township is a township in Scott County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,681 at the 2000 census.

History
Spring Lake Township was organized in 1858, and named after Spring Lake.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 32.0 square miles (83.0 km$2$), of which 30.3 square miles (78.5 km$2$) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.6 km$2$)  (5.49%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,681 people, 1,217 households, and 1,023 families residing in the township. The population density was 121.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,254 housing units at an average density of 41.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.23% White, 0.30% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.60% of the population.

There were 1,217 households, out of which 43.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.0% were married couples living together, 3.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.9% were non-families. 11.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the township the population was spread out, with 30.8% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $80,141, and the median income for a family was $83,736. Males had a median income of $52,388 versus $36,313 for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,562. About 1.3% of families and 1.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.


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St. Lawrence Township, Scott County, Minnesota

St. Lawrence Township is a township in Scott County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 472 at the 2000 census.

History
St. Lawrence Township was organized in 1858.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has an area of 14.9 square miles (38.6 km$2$), of which 14.4 square miles (37.3 km$2$) is land and 0.5 square mile (1.2 km$2$)  (3.16%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, the township had 472 people, 144 households, and 128 families. The population density was 32.7 PD/sqmi. There were 147 housing units at an average density of 10.2/sq mi (3.9/km$2$). The township's racial makeup was 96.61% White, 1.06% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 1.06% from other races, and 0.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.

There were 144 households, of which 45.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 82.6% were married couples living together, 2.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.1% were non-families. 8.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.28 and the average family size was 3.45.

32.6% of the township's population was under age 18, 5.1% was from age 18 to 24, 32.6% was from age 25 to 44, 25.4% was from age 45 to 64, and 4.2% was age 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.0 males.

The township's median household income was $66,750, and the median family income was $67,375. Males had a median income of $43,625 versus $32,708 for females. The township's per capita income was $23,825. None of the families and 0.8% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no one under age 18 or over age 64.


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Baldwin Township, Sherburne County, Minnesota

Baldwin Township is a township in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,672 at the 2000 census.

History
Baldwin Township was organized in 1858, and named for Francis Eugene Baldwin, a county official and afterward state senator.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 34.9 sqmi of which 33.6 sqmi is land and 1.2 sqmi (3.56%) is water.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 4,672 people, 1,573 households and 1,267 families residing in the township. The population density was 139.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,650 housing units at an average density of 49.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.37% White, 0.13% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.

There were 1,573 households, of which 45.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.7% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.4% were non-families. 13.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.27.

32.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 35.5% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.7 males.

The median household income was $60,607 and the family median income was $62,951. Males had a median income of $41,803 compared with $26,615 for females. The per capita income was $20,798. About 0.5% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.


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Becker, Minnesota

Becker is a city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, between the Mississippi and Elk Rivers. The population was 4,877 at the 2020 census.

Becker is located 46 miles northwest of Minneapolis and 19 miles southeast of St. Cloud. U.S. Highway 10 serves as a main route in Becker.

The city is home to the Sherburne County Generating Station (Sherco) which accounted for 77% of the city's tax base in 2019 and two thirds of taxes generated for the city in 2023. Homeowners have considerable lower property taxes than surrounding communities due to taxes paid by the power plant.

History
Becker was platted in 1867, and named for George Loomis Becker, a state legislator. A post office called Becker has been in operation since 1870.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.1 sqmi; 9.1sq. mi is land and 0.45 sqmi is water.

Business
Xcel Energy operates the Sherburne County Generating Station (Sherco) within the city. This plant is the largest coal-fired power plant in Minnesota. Because the power plant pays a large amount in property taxes, Becker residents pay considerably less in property taxes than in nearby communities. The city has relied on property taxes from the power plant with about 2/3 of the cities taxes coming from the plant. There have been proposals to close portions of the power plant since 2015 and the city has worked to develop plans should that property tax revenue fall. In 2023, Becker successfully lobbied the Minnesota legislature for aid in expectation of reduced taxes.

Becker Minnesota's zip code, 55308, was listed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in 2020 as the state's largest single source of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent emissions from 'air permitted facilities'. Sherco operator Excel Energy has announced plans to close the plants by the end of the decade.

Google originally planned to build a data center in Becker, the company would've become one of Xcel Energy's largest customers. Although Google ended up backing out in late 2022. Instead on February 12th 2024 Microsoft ended up buying 300 acres of land originally planned for the Google site. Microsoft will be building a data center in this area, the time period is unknown at this time.

In late February 2020, firefighters responded to a report of a fire at Northern Metals Recycling in Becker. Northern Metals Recycling moved its operations from Minneapolis to Becker the year before, after being ordered to shut down by the Pollution Control Agency due to high levels of air pollution. The fire was reported to have started under a pile of cars. The fire lasted several days, and caused schools to close in order to conduct air quality testing. More than three dozen fire departments were reported to have been on scene. Eventually, it was decided in tandem with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Health that the best course of action would be to let the fire burn out. This decision was also influenced by the fact that water resources were being quickly depleted from Becker and the neighboring vicinity.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,538 people, 1,526 households, and 1,164 families residing in the city. The population density was 430.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,644 housing units at an average density of 155.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% White, 0.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 1,526 households, of which 50.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 23.7% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.35.

The median age in the city was 30.7 years. 34.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 32.2% were from 25 to 44; 17% were from 45 to 64; and 9.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,673 people, 929 households, and 728 families residing in the city. The population density was 308.6 PD/sqmi. There were 967 housing units at an average density of 111.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.20% White, 0.34% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.79% of the population.

There were 929 households, out of which 49.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 15.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 34.0% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 35.7% from 25 to 44, 13.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $50,714, and the median income for a family was $51,940. Males had a median income of $37,038 versus $26,622 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,333. About 3.4% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Becker is represented by Andrew Mathews in the Minnesota Senate and Shane Mekeland in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Both are members of the Republican Party of Minnesota. On a federal level, Becker is located in Minnesota's 6th congressional district, represented by Tom Emmer.

Parks
Becker contains nine city parks, including the Becker City Park which sits on over 100 acres. In 2020 a dog park was added onto the City Park.

The other city parks include the Becker Athletic Complex (BAC), the Becker Community Center, Carl E. Johnson park, Kolbinger Park, Pleasant Valley park, River's Edge Park, Snuffy's Landing, and the Tot Lot.

Golf Course
Becker is home to Pebble Creek Golf Course, a 27-hole course which is open to the public.

Public Library
The Becker Public Library is a branch of Great River Regional Library. The library is located within the community center on County Road 23 (Sherburne Avenue).

Transportation
U.S. Highway 10 (co-signed and Minnesota State Highway 25) are the primary highway routes through Becker. U.S. Highway 10 plays a considerable role in the economy of the city, as many of Becker's businesses are located along it.

County Road 23 (Sherburne Avenue) also makes its starting point in Becker.

Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which operates between Seattle/Portland and Chicago, passes through the town on BNSF tracks, but makes no stop. The nearest station is located in St. Cloud, 20 mi to the northwest.

The proposed extension of the Northstar Commuter Rail to St. Cloud would include a stop in Becker. It is currently served by Northstar Link Commuter Bus between Big Lake and St. Cloud.

Media
Becker is home to one newspaper, the Patriot. Previously the Citizen-Tribune, the Patriot is a self-described "full-service medium to avid readers in Central Minnesota." It is also served by the Saint Cloud Times and the Star Tribune.

Education
Becker is served by the Independent School District 726. The four schools, listed below, have a total enrollment of 2,697 students. Search for Schools and Colleges
 * Becker Primary School (K-2)
 * Becker Intermediate School (3-5)
 * Becker Middle School (6-8)
 * Becker High School (9-12)

Football
The Becker High School Football program was started by Dwight Lundeen in 1970. Coach Lundeen remains the only head coach in the history of the program. The Becker program won the class AAA championship in 2005 and class AAAA championships in 2014 and 2015. They are now currently in class AAAA and in the Mississippi 8 conference. They have 19 conference championships, 14 section championship, 16 state tournament appearances, and have also appeared in seven prep bowls, making Becker Football one of the most successful football programs in Minnesota.

Robotics
Becker is home to FRC 4607 Coalition of Independent Students (CIS) which competes in the FIRST Robotics Competition.

title: Becker, Minnesota


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Becker Township, Sherburne County, Minnesota

Becker Township is a township in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,605 at the 2000 census.

History
Becker Township was organized in 1871, and named for George Loomis Becker, a state legislator.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 55.8 sqmi, of which 55.5 sqmi is land and 0.3 sqmi (0.63%) is water.

Becker Township is bordered on the southwest by the Mississippi River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,605 people, 1,099 households, and 974 families residing in the township. The population density was 65.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,285 housing units at an average density of 23.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.25% White, 0.11% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population.

There were 1,099 households, out of which 53.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.0% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.3% were non-families. 7.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.28 and the average family size was 3.45.

In the township the population was spread out, with 35.8% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 18.1% from 45 to 64, and 3.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $65,089, and the median income for a family was $65,960. Males had a median income of $48,150 versus $26,581 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,015. About 1.8% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.


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Big Lake, Minnesota

Big Lake is a city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 11,686 at the 2020 census.

Facts
In 2019 it was named the safest city to live in, and the second safest city in 2021 with the lowest property crime rate in the state.

U.S. Highway 10 and Minnesota State Highway 25 are two of the main routes in Big Lake.

Big Lake is located 41 miles northwest of Minneapolis; and 27 miles southeast of St. Cloud.

It was originally called Humboldt until 1867.

Has a population of 11,226, with 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

It houses the tallest structure in Minnesota, the KPXM Tower.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.92 sqmi; 2.11 sqmi is land and 0.81 sqmi is water. A portion of the city lies along the Elk River.

Located about forty-one miles northwest of the Twin Cities, Big Lake was once a popular location for escapes from the city, its lakes dotted with summer cabins. Now it is considered an exurb of the metro area, with a significant portion of residents commuting into the Cities daily.

The lake for which the town is named was once an important part of the Twin Cities economy, as in the days before modern refrigerators, much of the ice for metropolitan iceboxes was harvested from Big Lake.

There is a connection to Mitchell Lake by a small channel on the north side of Big Lake.

Big Lake station is currently the northernmost terminus of the Northstar Commuter Rail line connecting the northwest suburbs and downtown Minneapolis; the line will be extended to St. Cloud at some point in the future.

Currently, commuters can use the Northstar Link Commuter Bus to reach St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Demographics
The median house/condo value in 2005 was estimated to be $207,400 (67% increase from 2000).

2020 census
As of the census of 2020 there were 11,686 people, and 3,846 households. The racial makeup of the city was 89.0% White, 3.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latinos of any race made up 5.6% of the population.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 10,060 people, 3,377 households, and 2,500 families living in the city. The population density was 4767.8 PD/sqmi. There were 3,640 housing units at an average density of 1725.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.4% White, 1.7% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 1.6% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7% of the population.

There were 3,377 households, of which 50.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.0% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.38.

The median age in the city was 29.5 years. 34.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 35.7% were from 25 to 44; 17.1% were from 45 to 64; and 5.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.4% male and 49.6% female.

2013 Estimated Population is 10,298

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,063 people, 2,117 households, and 1,570 families living in the city. The population density was 1,688.4 PD/sqmi. There were 2,206 housing units at an average density of 614.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.70% White, 0.13% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.89% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.80% of the population. 38.6% were of German, 15.2% Norwegian, 7.5% Irish, 7.5% Swedish and 5.9% Polish ancestry.

There were 2,117 households, out of which 44.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 32.5% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 37.3% from 25 to 44, 14.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $50,658, and the median income for a family was $54,038. Males had a median income of $35,279 versus $26,601 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,931. About 3.5% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

History
Big Lake was originally called Humboldt until 1867.

Big Lake was originally established to harvest ice in both of its towns' lakes (Big and Mitchell Lakes). Due to the rich amount of ice Big Lake provided, it needed to be transported quickly, enabling Big Lake to be suitable for a railway station which was built in 1871. Big Lake was served by both the Great Northern Railway and Northern Pacific Railroad, later Burlington Northern Railroad, now BNSF Railway.

The city was host to a station of both GN and NP railways until the NP station burned in 1918, in later years both railroads shared a depot. The depot no longer stands.

Culture
Big Lake is known locally for its annual summer festival "Spud Fest," which celebrates all things potato-related. The festival is also known for its large softball tournament, attracting teams from all over the state.

Big Lake is also home to the area famous ice auger company, Strike Master.

The local newspaper is the Patriot Newspaper The local youth baseball league is the Big Lake Baseball Association.

Big Lake is also host to the largest youth football tournament in the Upper Midwest.

Transportation
Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which operates between Seattle/Portland and Chicago, passes through the town on BNSF tracks, but makes no stop. The nearest station is located in St. Cloud, 28 mi to the northwest.

Education
The city hosts ISD #727, which includes Big Lake High School.

title: Big Lake, Minnesota


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Big Lake Township, Sherburne County, Minnesota

Big Lake Township is a township in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 6,785 at the 2000 census.

Big Lake Township was organized in 1858.

Geography
Big Lake's geographical location is in a corridor placing it 30 minutes from St. Cloud and 35 minutes from Minneapolis. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 43.8 sqmi, of which 42.3 sqmi is land and 1.5 sqmi  (3.45%) is water.

It is bordered on the south by the Mississippi River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,785 people, 2,106 households, and 1,821 families residing in the township. The population density was 160.4 PD/sqmi. There were 2,165 housing units at an average density of 51.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.31% White, 0.18% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.90% of the population.

There were 2,106 households, out of which 51.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.5% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.5% were non-families. 8.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 3.42.

In the township the population was spread out, with 33.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 35.2% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $65,185, and the median income for a family was $66,096. Males had a median income of $42,437 versus $29,884 for females. The per capita income for the township was $22,418. About 0.4% of families and 1.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.


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Blue Hill Township, Sherburne County, Minnesota

Blue Hill Township is a township in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 762 at the 2000 census.

Blue Hill Township was organized in 1877, and named after a feature called Blue Mound.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.4 sqmi, of which 35.7 sqmi is land and 0.7 sqmi  (1.89%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 762 people, 257 households, and 199 families residing in the township. The population density was 21.3 PD/sqmi. There were 267 housing units at an average density of 7.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.03% White, 0.39% African American, 1.05% Native American, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.26% of the population.

There were 257 households, out of which 45.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.1% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 15.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the township the population was spread out, with 32.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 3.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $57,321, and the median income for a family was $65,000. Males had a median income of $37,188 versus $27,813 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,609. About 2.1% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.


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Clear Lake, Minnesota

Clear Lake is a city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 641 at the 2020 census.

U.S. Highway 10 and Minnesota State Highway 24 are two of the main routes in Clear Lake. Clear Lake is 13 miles southeast of St. Cloud and 24 miles northwest of Elk River.

History
Clear Lake was platted in 1879.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.08 sqmi; 1.03 sqmi is land and 0.05 sqmi is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 545 people, 205 households, and 151 families residing in the city. The population density was 529.1 PD/sqmi. There were 222 housing units at an average density of215.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.3% White, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.2% of the population.

There were 205 households, of which 43.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.3% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.05.

The median age in the city was 31.1 years. 30.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 35.7% were from 25 to 44; 18.5% were from 45 to 64; and 8.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 266 people, 102 households, and 68 families residing in the city. The population density was 335.4 PD/sqmi. There were 103 housing units at an average density of 129.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.37% White, 0.75% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.38% Asian, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.

There were 102 households, of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,625, and the median income for a family was $54,375. Males had a median income of $36,071 versus $22,813 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,894. None of the families and 3.1% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 13.3% of those over 64.

Transportation
U.S. Highway 10 and Minnesota State Highway 24 are two of the main routes in Clear Lake.

Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which operates between Seattle/Portland and Chicago, passes through the town on BNSF tracks, but makes no stop. The nearest station is located in St. Cloud, 12 mi to the northwest.

Education
The majority portion of Clear Lake is in the St. Cloud Area School District. A discontinuous part of Clear Lake lies in the Becker Public School District.

The majority portion of Clear Lake is zoned to Clear View Elementary School, South Middle School, and Technical Senior High School.

title: Clear Lake, Minnesota


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Clear Lake Township, Sherburne County, Minnesota

Clear Lake Township is a township in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,630 at the 2000 census.

Clear Lake Township was organized in 1858.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 37.1 sqmi, of which 33.7 sqmi is land and 3.4 sqmi  (9.27%) is water.

Clear lake is bordered on the southwest by the Mississippi River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,630 people, 574 households, and 478 families residing in the township. The population density was 48.4 PD/sqmi. There were 821 housing units at an average density of 24.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.53% White, 0.25% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.80% from other races, and 0.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.

There were 574 households, out of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 79.3% were married couples living together, 2.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.6% were non-families. 13.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $63,229, and the median income for a family was $67,500. Males had a median income of $45,735 versus $31,136 for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,599. None of the families and 0.5% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 4.0% of those over 64.


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Elk River, Minnesota

Elk River is a city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States, approximately 34 miles northwest of Minneapolis. It is situated at the confluence of the Mississippi and Elk Rivers. The population was 25,835 at the 2020 census, making Elk River the second largest city with an area of 42.33 square miles in the Central Minnesota region after St. Cloud. It is the county seat. U.S. Highways 10 and 169 and State Highway 101 are three of the main routes in Elk River, and a station on the Northstar Commuter Rail line to downtown Minneapolis is located in the city. Elk River is located 33.2 miles northwest of Minneapolis and 37.4 miles southeast of St. Cloud.

History
The last glacier to traverse Minnesota is responsible for the creation of the hardwood-forested hills where Elk River is nestled. These hills are made up of coarse materials which is the reason gravel mining is so prevalent in Elk River, and also the reason much of the area is not considered good farmland for culture and agriculture use.

To the south of Elk River lies the prairie. This natural boundary between the prairie and woods was also a boundary between Indian nations. Two battles between the Dakota and Ojibwe took place where the Elk River meets the Mississippi in 1772 and 1773.

Rivers
Zebulon Pike passed through the area on his 1805 exploration of the Upper Mississippi River and named the Elk River after the herds of elk he saw in the area. David Frederic Faribault, son of French-Canadian fur trader Jean-Baptiste Faribault built a trading post near the confluence of the Elk and Mississippi Rivers in 1846, which he later sold, in 1848, to H.M. Rice and S.P. Folsom. Folsom moved his family to the place and built a log cabin. French fur trader and guide Pierre Bottineau bought the post and cabin from Folsom. The trading post stood on a bluff just north of the present day bridge across the Elk River on main street. Bottineau also built a hotel in 1850 on the bank of the Mississippi about a half mile below the mouth of the Elk. The two rivers and the Red River Trail, which passed nearby, made this area a good location for commerce.

Silas Lane opened up a farm near the old trading post site, making his claim in section 33 in 1850. A large number of early settlers came from Maine and nearly all of them were experts in lumbering. In 1851, Ard Godfrey and John C. Jamieson, a native of Orono, Maine, saw the potential of the water power of the Elk River and purchased the claim from Lane. They built a dam and a sawmill. Their dam created the first lobe of Lake Orono (called the Mill Pond), which extended from the present day dam to Orono Cemetery Point. In 1855, the area by the dam was platted and the town of Orono (known as Upper Town) was created.

In the latter half of the 19th century, agriculture and dairy farming replaced lumber as the base of Elk River's economy. Grist mills and a starch factory, which took advantage of the potato fields to the west, were built.

The Orono-Elk River area continued to grow until by 1860 it had reached a population of 723 people. These early settlers typically came from New England. Elk River's population continued to grow following a slow period caused by the civil war. The majority of people moving to Elk River by that time were from Northern Europe.

The village of Elk River was platted in 1865, replatted in 1868, and when incorporated in the winter of 1880–1881, included both Orono and Elk River. By 1870, Elk River swelled to a population of 2,050 and became the county seat in 1872. Around this same time, the railroads replaced the rivers as the main focus of transportation and the Lower Town (the present day historic downtown area) replaced Upper Town as the focus of commerce.

The Orono Dam was destroyed by an ice storm in 1912, but hydropower gave a new incentive to dam the Elk River in 1915. This new dam created the four lobes of Lake Orono as we know it today. In 1916, the Village of Elk River received electricity for the first time. The entire township of Elk River would not get electricity until after World War II.

Road transportation
Travis Babcock, a native son of Elk River and the first Commissioner of Highways for the state, had a visionary plan to "get Minnesota out of the mud." His plan to create a network of paved roads became a model for the rest of the nation and the Jefferson Highway (now Highway 10) became one of the first paved roads in the state. Highway 10 used to cross the Elk River over the dam bridge, but was rerouted to its present location shortly after World War II.

Jackson Avenue used to be Highway 169. For years, the intersection of this road and Highway 10 was the only one with a stoplight in Elk River and on major travel weekends, traffic would back up halfway to Anoka. Work on Highway 169 to bypass Elk River began in 1961. Work on a new route for Highway 101 between Rogers and Elk River began in 1968.

In 1974, the Village of Elk River changed to the City of Elk River. In 1978, the City of Elk River and the township of Elk River were consolidated to create one unit known as the City of Elk River as it exists today. The result was one of the largest land-based cities in the state of Minnesota, at 44 square miles.

Besides transportation, energy has always played a significant role in shaping Elk River. The first rural nuclear power plant in the United States went online in 1960 as Great River Energy's (GRE) site in Elk River. It was meant only as a demonstration site and was dismantled after several successful years of operation.

Energy City
In the late 1980s, GRE's power plant was converted to burn refuse-derived fuel. This innovative source of energy was one factor that helped Elk River receive the designation of "Energy City" by the Minnesota Environmental Initiative in October 1997. As Energy City, Minnesota's energy industries demonstrate cutting edge renewable and energy efficient technologies in Elk River.

By the 1990s, Elk River and Sherburne County were in one of the fastest growing corridors in the state and in the country. This population growth and the area's high commuter rate factored into the ultimate approval and implementation of the Northstar Commuter Rail service from Minneapolis to Big Lake, which began service on November 16, 2009.

Attractions
The City of Elk River offers many amenities to its, offering a small-town feel but close enough to the Twin Cities and St. Cloud.

Handke Stadium
Also known as the Elkhi Stadium, it started its construction in 1921. It became a playing field for football and hockey rink in the winter. In 1939 workers built steps, stone retaining walls and a warming house with a fireplace. After a couple years, the Handke Stadium began to deteriorate and had to be shut down. The Elk River Rotary Club fundraised enough money that in 2000 they repaired the stadium. New warming house, wiring and the steps and stone have either been replaced or repaired. Since being newly reconstructed it had been included into the National Register of Historic Places.

Downtown Murals
In 1991, K.S. "Bud" Houlton commissioned the painting of the first downtown mural. The mural, depicting the former buildings on the south side of Main Street circa 1960, captured the spirit when downtown was the center of the business community. Mr. Houlton had a great interest in local history and created the mural as a gift to the community. Mr. Houlton's son, John, clearly remembers the businesses depicted in the painting. He stated the bakery and barber shop are still in operation today, but the business names have changed. The artist is Michael Russell.

In 2001, the Three Rivers Community Theater applied for a grant to assist in providing monies towards the painting of a mural of an artistic and historical significance on the building adjacent to the River's Edge Park, located at the intersection of Main Street and Jackson Avenue. This effort to have a mural painted was inspired by numerous community members, business owners, and public entities interested in downtown beautification and continuing to recognize the arts community of Elk River. This project enhanced the social, cultural, and leisure of downtown Elk River. The desire was to draw attention to the Mississippi River for its beauty and solace as well as its historical significance to Elk River. Local artist Frank Gosiak created and painted the mural.'

Whimsical Windmill
The "Whimsical Windmill" is the art piece that was chosen in the Elk River Powered by Nature Art Contest. Artist Carl Zachmann from Fergus Falls created the piece in reminiscence of the windmills on farms that pump water. The gears and representing colors stand for the rivers, the confluence of both rivers, forest and lumber that helped build Elk River, and a reminder of the prairie that help the area's agriculture to flourish. The base of the windmill is designed to represent the river. The windmill is located on the grounds of the Elk River Library.

Art
Elk River has always been a town energized by its local artists, showcasing talented residents. The Elk River Area Arts Alliance, founded in 1989, is a nonprofit organization that works with area businesses, government agencies, local schools, other arts organizations, and individual artists to provide quality arts experiences for area residents. The Arts Alliance is known for ArtSoup, Strings for Youth, and Arts in Harmony. They provide access to professional concerts, theater, dance, and visual arts experiences through Arts Explorations motor coach trips. The Arts Alliance also provides various workshops and have a family and arts center with attractive community gathering space, classrooms, studios, gallery. They are also able to offer professional concerts in a state-of-the-art theater at Elk River Area High School.

Furniture and Things Community Event Center
Completed in 2019, the Furniture and Things Community Event Center is located near the Elk River High School and offers skating to youth and adults, as well as a Spring and Fall Arts and Craft Fair, an arena walking track, and much more.

ERX Motor Park
ERX Motor Park is an all-season motorsports and events facility located in Elk River, MN, off of US Highway 169. It houses Grassroots Snocross, Beatercross, cross country snowmobile and dirt bike racing, off-road, concerts, corporate events, monster trucks, rodeo and more.

Golf courses
The city boasts two golf courses: Pinewood Golf Course, a municipal nine-hole course, and Elk River Country Club, an 18-hole course.

Parks
The City of Elk River has 41 parks and one conservation area with a total of 1,388 maintained acres.

Public library
The Elk River Public Library is part of the Great River Regional Library and it is a LEED Gold Certified building.

Transportation
The City of Elk River is a busy city when it comes to traffic, particularly on weekends in the summer and fall as vacationers and hunters head north to their cabins.

U.S. Highways 10 and 169 have their northwest juncture in Elk River, with the two highways concurrent for 12 miles until Anoka to the southeast. U.S. 10 continues northwesterly toward St. Cloud, and U.S. 169 continues due north toward Mille Lacs Lake from Elk River.

Minnesota Highway 101 has its northern terminus at the U.S. 10 / U.S. 169 split in Elk River and is a major route connecting these highways with Interstate 94, seven miles to the south.

Many residents of Elk River commute to the Twin Cities daily for work; it is roughly a 40-mile drive to Minneapolis. Elk River Station is served by the Northstar Commuter Rail line connecting the northwest suburbs and downtown Minneapolis; the line opened in November 2009.

Major highways
The following routes are located within the city of Elk River.

 * [[Image:US 10.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 10
 * [[Image:US 169 (MN).svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 169
 * [[Image:MN-101.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 101

Education
Elk River is in the Independent 728 School District.

Elk River is served by two grade 9-12 public high schools, Elk River High School and Ivan Sand Community High School, and one grade 6–12 school, Spectrum High School. Two middle schools, Salk Middle School and VandenBerge Middle School, both of which serve grade 6–8. Lincoln Elementary, Parker Elementary, Meadowvale Elementary and Twin Lakes Elementary serve kindergarten to grade 5. Elk River is also served by a private school, St. Andrew's Catholic School, which currently teaches kindergarten through grade 5 and is paid for mostly by parishioners. Handke Center is a school that teaches kindergarten through grade 8 or community education. Solid Rock Christian Academy is a private school committed to Christian education which teaches grades Pre-K–12.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 42.33 sqmi; 41.4 sqmi is land and 1.53 sqmi is water. The city's latitude and longitude are 45.313601° N and 93.5814° W.

Elk River is bordered to the south by the Mississippi River. The Elk River meanders through Sherburne County to its terminus at the Mississippi River through the western side of Elk River, pausing at Lake Orono, created by a dam not far from its conjunction with the Mississippi River.

Climate
Elk River has a hot summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa).

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 22,974 people, 8,080 households, and 6,050 families residing in the city. The population density was 543.2 PD/sqmi. There were 8,542 housing units at an average density of 202.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 93.4% White, 1.8% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.

There were 8,080 households, of which 42.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.1% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.18.

The median age in the city was 34.9 years. 28.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.9% were from 45 to 64; and 9.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.2% male and 49.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,447 people, 5,664 households, and 4,400 families residing in the city. The population density was 385.5 PD/sqmi. There were 5,782 housing units at an average density of 135.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.18% White, 0.43% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population. 39.0% were of German, 14.7% Norwegian, 7.7% Swedish, and 6.8% Irish ancestry.

There were 5,664 households, out of which 45.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.7% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 33.9% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $58,114, and the median income for a family was $65,471. Males had a median income of $43,230 versus $30,023 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,808. About 2.5% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Emma Bates, professional marathoner for Team Boss
 * Dorothy Brady – Mathematician and economist, former professor of economics at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
 * Margaret Frazer, historical novelist (1946-2013)
 * Dan Hinote – Former professional ice hockey player for the Colorado Avalanche, Modo Hockey Club (Swedish Elitserien), and St. Louis Blues
 * Stephanie Klinzing – Minnesota state legislator and former mayor of Elk River
 * Mark Larson - Prominent Aikido instructor who learned at the birthplace of Aikido in Iwama, Ibaraki, Japan.
 * Paul Martin – Former professional ice hockey player for the San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, and the Pittsburgh Penguins
 * Dave Mordal – Contestant on the first and third seasons of Last Comic Standing and host of the Discovery Channel's Wreckreation Nation
 * Nancy Mudge – Former professional baseball player in the AAGPBL
 * Joel Otto – Former professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames and the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
 * Nate Prosser – Professional hockey player for the Minnesota Wild (NHL)
 * Laura Ryan – International competitive diver
 * Michael Kurilla - US Army general and commander of the United States Central Command

In popular culture
The 2007 coming-of-age film Juno is set in Elk River. The film was initially going to be filmed in Minnesota, but was ultimately filmed in and around Vancouver, Canada.

title: Elk River, Minnesota


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Haven Township, Sherburne County, Minnesota

Haven Township is a township in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,024 at the 2000 census.

Haven Township was organized in 1872, and named for John Ormsbee Haven, a state legislator.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has an area of 34.3 sqmi; 33.5 sqmi is land and 0.8 sqmi (2.33%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,024 people, 666 households, and 582 families residing in the township. The population density was 60.5 PD/sqmi. There were 675 housing units at an average density of 20.2/sq mi (7.8/km$2$). The township's racial makeup was 97.73% White, 0.35% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.94% of the population.

Of the 666 households, 45.3% included children under 18, 80.8% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.5% were non-families. 10.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.26.

30.4% of the township's population was under 18, 7.0% between 18 and 24, 26.6% between 25 and 44, 28.1% between 45 and 64, and 7.9% over 64. The median age was 38. For every 100 females, there were 108.4 males. For every 100 females over 18, there were 105.2 males over 18.

The township's median household income was $63,906, and its median family income $68,250. Males had a median income of $45,577 versus $27,424 for females. The township's per capita income was $23,065. About 2.1% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under 18 and 1.4% of over 64.


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Livonia Township, Sherburne County, Minnesota

Livonia Township is a township in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,917 at the 2000 census.

Livonia Township was organized in 1866.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 32.8 square miles (84.9 km2), of which 31.8 square miles (82.5 km2) is land and 0.9 square mile (2.4 km2)  (2.84%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,917 people, 1,222 households, and 1,050 families residing in the township. The population density was 123.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,241 housing units at an average density of 39.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.29% White, 0.15% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.

There were 1,222 households, out of which 52.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.2% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.0% were non-families. 9.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 3.43.

In the township the population was spread out, with 34.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 37.2% from 25 to 44, 17.9% from 45 to 64, and 4.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $63,381, and the median income for a family was $66,458. Males had a median income of $47,353 versus $28,052 for females. The per capita income for the township was $22,902. About 1.5% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.


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Orrock Township, Sherburne County, Minnesota

Orrock Township is a township in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,764 at the 2000 census.

Orrock Township was organized in 1875, and named for Robert Orrock, a pioneer settler.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.2 sqmi of which 34.9 sqmi (93.9%) is land and 1.4 sqmi (3.72%) is water.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 2,764 people, 892 households and 753 families residing in the township. The population density was 79.2 /sqmi. There were 952 housing units at an average density of 27.3 /sqmi. The racial make-up was 97.72% White, 0.11% African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.51% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.

There were 892 households, of which 48.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.7% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.5% were non-families. 10.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10 and the average family size was 3.36.

32.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 36.2% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64 and 3.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.4 males.

The median household income was $60,168 and the median family income was $61,599. Males had a median income of $42,593 and females $31,357. The per capita income was $22,540. About 2.7% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.


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Palmer Township, Sherburne County, Minnesota

Palmer Township is a township in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,414 at the 2000 census.

History
Palmer Township was originally called Briggs Township, for settler Joshua Briggs, and under the latter name was organized in 1858. The present name of Palmer was adopted a few years later, the maiden name of Joshua Briggs' wife.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.5 square miles (94.6 km$2$), of which 34.9 square miles (90.4 km$2$) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km$2$)  (4.36%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,414 people, 829 households, and 679 families residing in the township. The population density was 69.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,040 housing units at an average density of 29.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.59% White, 0.25% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.

There were 829 households, out of which 41.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.5% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.0% were non-families. 14.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the township the population was spread out, with 29.3% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $61,125, and the median income for a family was $67,321. Males had a median income of $42,692 versus $30,259 for females. The per capita income for the township was $22,254. About 1.5% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.


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Santiago Township, Sherburne County, Minnesota

Santiago Township is a township in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,555 at the 2000 census.

History
Santiago Township was organized in 1868.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.3 square miles (94.1 km$2$), of which 36.1 square miles (93.5 km$2$) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.6 km$2$)  (0.63%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,555 people, 477 households, and 395 families residing in the township. The population density was 43.1 PD/sqmi. There were 483 housing units at an average density of 13.4/sq mi (5.2/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 98.39% White, 0.26% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.26% of the population.

There were 477 households, out of which 53.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.2% were married couples living together, 3.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.0% were non-families. 12.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.18 and the average family size was 3.46.

In the township the population was spread out, with 35.0% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 37.4% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 5.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $58,688, and the median income for a family was $60,962. Males had a median income of $40,982 versus $26,587 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,029. About 5.2% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.


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Zimmerman, Minnesota

Zimmerman is a city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 6,189 at the 2020 census.

Zimmerman is a predominantly rural community. U.S. Highway 169 serves as a main route in the area. The community is 42 miles north-northwest of Minneapolis and 33 miles east-southeast of St. Cloud.

History
The Village of Lake Fremont was incorporated in 1910. In 1967, the town was renamed the City of Zimmerman. Lake Fremont was named for the western explorer, John C. Frémont, and the name Zimmerman derives from Moses Zimmerman, a local farmer who was influential in promoting the idea of the Great Northern Railway coming through the area.

Events
Every year on Memorial Day weekend Zimmerman holds a community event called the "Wild West Days". This includes a carnival in Lion's Park, a softball tournament, a 5k charity run, a fireworks show, a parade, and many other activities. The parade usually includes the Elk River School District's marching band cadets, the fire department from Zimmerman, and floats from some of the businesses in the area. Also, the weekend after Labor Day, the Zimmerman/Livonia Fire Dept. has its annual open house with tours of the fire station, safety demonstrations and other activities, followed by a street dance in front of the station. This event is usually complemented by events involving many of the area's churches and organizations.

Points of interest
Zimmerman is close to many lakes. Lake Fremont is a spring-fed lake on the city's eastern boundary. It offers fishing, boating and swimming. Zimmerman is also the gateway to the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, one of the few natural oak savannas in the country. Zimmerman is also near the Sand Dunes State Forest, which features many miles of horse and snowmobile trails, camping, fishing, hiking, and swimming.

Schools
There are three school buildings in Zimmerman. The oldest is Zimmerman Elementary School. It celebrated its 50th anniversary of operation in 2007 and underwent a renovation in 2009. It houses grades K-3. The other elementary school is Westwood Elementary School. It is one of the most energy-efficient schools in the country. It has earned many awards for this, and news coverage for its extremely low energy bills. It contains a very efficient air filtration system, and the lighting is adjusted automatically. This school houses grades 3-5 and was completed in 2004. The other school is the combined Middle/High School. It was a middle school, with high school students attending Elk River High School, until 2005, when the addition for the high school was completed. The high school sports teams are called the Thunder.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.56 sqmi; 3.42 sqmi is land and 0.14 sqmi is water.

Major highway

 * [[Image:US 169 (MN).svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 169

2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 6,189 people, and 1,988 households residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 82.1% White, 0.8% African American, 3.5% Asian, and 11.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latinos of any race made up 7.7% of the population.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,228 people, 1,802 households, and 1,344 families residing in the city. The population density was 1528.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,944 housing units at an average density of 568.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.4% White, 1.0% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 1,802 households, of which 52.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.4% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.28.

The median age in the city was 29.7 years. 33.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 36.9% were from 25 to 44; 16.9% were from 45 to 64; and 4.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,851 people, 963 households, and 722 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,026.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,018 housing units at an average density of 366.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.61% White, 0.11% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% of the population.

There were 963 households, out of which 49.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.39.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 36.0% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 37.0% from 25 to 44, 13.2% from 45 to 64, and 4.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $49,332, and the median income for a family was $51,275. Males had a median income of $37,298 versus $24,918 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,528. About 4.3% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable person

 * Lisa Fobbe, former member of the Minnesota Senate
 * Cavalry Scout, retired here US Army

Political Districts
Minnesota's 6th Congressional District, represented by Tom Emmer.

title: Zimmerman, Minnesota


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Alfsborg Township, Sibley County, Minnesota

Alfsborg Township is a township in Sibley County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 356 at the 2000 census.

History
Alfsborg Township was organized on January 26, 1869, and named after Älvsborg County in Sweden.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.1 sqmi, of which 35.0 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (0.17%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 356 people, 126 households, and 108 families residing in the township. The population density was 10.2 people per square mile (3.9/km$2$). There were 134 housing units at an average density of 3.8/sq mi (1.5/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 98.88% White, 0.28% Asian, 0.84% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 126 households, out of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.0% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.5% were non-families. 10.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 0.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the township the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.4 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $42,250, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $30,865 versus $21,786 for females. The per capita income for the township was $16,517. About 6.9% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.


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Talk:Perceptions of Columbus

The text in Perceptions of Columbus is very similar to the "Perceptions of Columbus" section of the Christopher Columbus article.

 * Yes, it was moved there, I think it's now been incorporated successfully into the main article, so I'll now change Perceptions of Columbus to a redirect page to Christopher Columbus.  Below is the latest text of the Subject article before this change, followed by the remainder of the Talk page.  -- Infrogmation 19:46 Oct 23, 2002 (UTC)

Christopher Columbus has had a cultural significance beyond his actual achievements and actions as an individual; he also became a symbol, a figure of legend. The mythology of Columbus has cast him as an archetype for both good and for evil.

The casting of Columbus as a figure of "good" or of "evil" often depends on people's perspectives as to whether the arrival of Europeans to the New World and the introduction of Christianity or the Roman Catholic Faith is seen as positive or negative.

Columbus as Hero
Hero worship of Columbus perhaps reached its zenith around 1892, the 400th anniversary of his first arrival in the Americas. Monuments to Columbus were erected throughout the USA and Latin America, extoling him as a hero.

The myth that Columbus thought the world round while his contemporaries believed it flat was often repeated, suggesting that Columbus was enlightened and forward looking. His defiance of convention in sailing west to get to the far east was hailed as a model of "American" style can-do inventiveness.

In the United States the glorification of Columbus was particularly embraced by the Italian-American, Hispanic, and Catholic communities. These groups had been historically marginalized by the USA's dominant culture, so they proudly pointed to Columbus as one of their own to prove that Mediterranean Catholics can and did make great contributions to the USA.

Columbus as Villain
Using Columbus as a symbol for the evils produced by unprincipled Europeans arriving in the New World is not a 20th century innovation. Friar Bartolome de las Casas wrote of his cruelties and suggested that the humiliations Columbus suffered in his later life were part of a just payback for his crimes.

Columbus has been used increasingly from the 1960s on as a symbol of all that was wrong with European Imperialism-- slavery, genocide, the wholesale destruction of indigenous cultures.

See also:
 * Christopher Columbus
 * Talk:Christopher Columbus
 * Columbus Day

Maintain 2 separate articles

 * Yes - perceptions are proxy for a whole other subject: Ed Poor
 * No - say why here...

Complete the incorporation

 * Yes - Makes a smoother read:
 * Yes - Prevents divergence: Ed Poor
 * No - say why here...

Let's get rid of the slash in the title. How about:
 * Incorporate it into Christopher Columbus: 4 - Graft, AxelBoldt, Ed Poor, AN
 * Move it to Perceptions of Columbus: 4 - Ed Poor, Tokerboy, Zoe, Infrogmation
 * Move it to Columbus as Archetype: 2 - Ed Poor, Zoe
 * Move it to Mythology of Christopher Columbus: 2 - Zoe, Slrubenstein
 * Move it to Heroification of Christopher Columbus: 1 - Tokerboy

Vote by putting your name after each acceptable alternative (you can choose more than one!)

 * I moved this article to Perceptions of Columbus just to get rid of the slash. This move is not final, and my being a sysop doesn't give me any more right than anyone else to decide anything. --Ed Poor 21:46 Oct 22, 2002 (UTC)

Why does this get a separate page? Surely the facts can be determined: las Casas records plenty of what happened, as does Columbus himself in his own diary. So why should anything he did be in dispute and require a "Mythology" page of any sort? I don't get it... adding a vote for "Neither, incorporate it into the main page.". Graft 23:22 Oct 21, 2002 (UTC)

 * Putting it into the main Christopher Columbus page would be an option. Yes, many facts can be determined, but I guess my point was that historical facts were largely irrelevent from the Columbus of heroic mythology constucted centuries after the death of the real Columbus. I think it could be argued that the hundreds of Columbus monuments around the USA and Latin America have more to do with the 19th century legend than with the 15th century person. -- Infrogmation

 * I really don't think this belongs on a separate page. Almost all historical figures have some historical mythology which needs to be discussed in the main page for the figure.

 * I mostly agree with the objections to a separate page; however, sometimes dividing a contentious subject into smaller pieces reduces the tension and conflict that feeds edit wars. If someone wants to move this article in with Columbus and delete this article, who am I to object? Whatever works for you all, works for me. --Ed Poor

 * The move to Perceptions of Columbus is fine by me. If people want to move this again, I'd just ask for a bit of discussion first, please.  -- Infrogmation

 * After five centuries, Columbus remains a mysterious and controversial figure who has been variously described as one of the greatest mariners in history, a visionary genius, a mystic, a national hero, a failed administrator, a naive entrepreneur, and a ruthless and greedy imperialist.

title: Talk:Perceptions of Columbus


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Arlington, Minnesota

Arlington is a city in Sibley County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,233 at the 2010 census.

History
The community was platted in 1856, and the name was officially approved on May 11, 1858, the same date that Minnesota became a state. German settlers came to the area to homestead beginning in the 1860s and 1870s. The population of Arlington continues to be of predominately German descent. In 1948, the community was incorporated as a city.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.57 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,233 people, 911 households, and 549 families living in the city. The population density was 1422.3 PD/sqmi. There were 1,018 housing units at an average density of 648.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 94.1% White, 0.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 3.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.4% of the population.

There were 911 households, of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.7% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.06.

The median age in the city was 35.6 years. 26.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 21.3% were from 45 to 64; and 17.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,048 people, 828 households, and 523 families living in the city. The population density was 1,395.1 PD/sqmi. There were 859 housing units at an average density of 585.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.02% White, 0.24% African American, 0.39% Asian, 3.91% from other races, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.05% of the population.

There were 828 households, out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,632, and the median income for a family was $49,231. Males had a median income of $31,603 versus $20,888 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,458. About 3.7% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Arlington is part of the Sibley East Public Schools district. The local public high school is Sibley East High School.

St. Paul's Lutheran School is a Pre-K-8 grade school of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Arlington.

Transportation
Minnesota State Highway 5 serves as a main route in the community.

TrailBlazer Transit serves Arlington and the surrounding area.

The Union Pacific (former Minneapolis & St. Louis, later Chicago & North Western) serves Arlington.

Notable people

 * John McGovern - Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966.
 * August B. Mueller- Minnesota state legislator and farmer
 * Anne Panning - Co-directs the Brockport Writers Forum.
 * Thomas O. Streissguth - Minnesota Supreme Court justice.

title: Arlington, Minnesota


text:
Arlington Township, Sibley County, Minnesota

Arlington Township is a township in Sibley County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 562 at the 2000 census.

History
Arlington Township was organized in 1858.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 34.7 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 562 people, 194 households, and 166 families residing in the township. The population density was 16.2 PD/sqmi. There were 199 housing units at an average density of 5.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 100.00% White.

There were 194 households, out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.4% were married couples living together, 3.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.4% were non-families. 12.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the township the population was spread out, with 28.5% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 123.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 123.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $51,667, and the median income for a family was $55,972. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $21,071 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,144. About 4.2% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.