Aitkin, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 1,984 people, 892 households, and 434 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,150.3 people per square mile (445.4/km²). There were 969 housing units at an average density of 561.8 per square mile (217.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.33% White, 0.15% African American, 1.31% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races
, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.76% of the population. 30.4% were of German
, 16.6% Swedish, 12.3% Norwegian
and 6.5% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 892 households out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.5% were married couples
living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.3% were non-families. 46.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 30.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 32.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 76.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 69.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,574, and the median income for a family was $58,071. Males had a median income of $50,577 versus $31,641 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $26,471. About 7.1% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,984 people, 892 households, and 434 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,150.3 people per square mile (445.4/km²). There were 969 housing units at an average density of 561.8 per square mile (217.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.33% White, 0.15% African American, 1.31% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.76% of the population. 30.4% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 16.6% Swedish, 12.3% Norwegian
Norwegians
Norwegians constitute both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway. They share a common culture and speak the Norwegian language. Norwegian people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in United States, Canada and Brazil.-History:Towards the end of the 3rd...
and 6.5% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 892 households out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.3% were non-families. 46.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 30.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 32.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 76.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 69.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,574, and the median income for a family was $58,071. Males had a median income of $50,577 versus $31,641 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $26,471. About 7.1% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.
History and culture
- The city and county were named for William Alexander Aitkin, a partner of the American Fur Company and chief factor of the company's regional operations in the early 19th century.
- American film actress and singer Judy GarlandJudy GarlandJudy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...
performed at the opera house in Aitkin as a young child. A small display related to Ms. Garland can be found in the converted opera house, now Butler's store, in downtown Aitkin. - Aitkin is home of the World Famous Fish House Parade, which occurs annually on the day after Thanksgiving. This event was noted in a 2003 documentary which aired on the Home and Garden Channel in the USA.
- Warren WilliamWarren WilliamWarren William was a Broadway and Hollywood actor, popular during the early 1930s, who was later nicknamed the "king of Pre-Code". He was born Warren William Krech in Aitkin, Minnesota to parents Freeman E. and Frances Krech. He had a certain physical resemblance to John Barrymore. He attended the...
was a resident of Aitkin.
Festivals
The city's annual festivals include:- Riverboat Heritage Days - in the middle of July. Starting in 2010, it will be in the first week of August.
- The Aitkin County Fair - annually at the middle of July since 2008.
- Moonlight Madness - around Labor Day weekend.
- Festival of Adventures and the Mud River Music Fest - third weekend in September.
- World Famous Fish House Parade takes place on Black FridayBlack Friday (shopping)Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, traditionally the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. On this day, most major retailers open extremely early, often at 4 a.m., or earlier, and offer promotional sales to kick off the shopping season, similar to Boxing...
, the day after Thanksgiving. - County Road Classics Fly-In Drive in takes place on the last Sunday in June.
Notable natives
- Jonathan Edwards: Singer/Songwriter, best known for his hit SunshineSunshine (Jonathan Edwards song)"Sunshine" is a country folk war protest song from 1971 by Jonathan Edwards, released as the first single from his debut album Jonathan Edwards...
- Jean KeeneJean KeeneJean Keene , also known as the Eagle Lady, was a former rodeo trick rider who became the subject of national attention due to her feeding of wild bald eagles on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. Although she had many supporters for the feedings, she was also criticized for drawing a large population...
: known nationwide as the "Eagle Lady" of the Homer SpitHomer SpitThe Homer Spit is a geographical landmark located in Homer, Alaska on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula. The spit is a long piece of land jutting out into Kachemak Bay. The spit is also home to the Homer Boat Harbor. The harbor contains both deep and shallow water docks and serves up to...
. - Warren WilliamWarren WilliamWarren William was a Broadway and Hollywood actor, popular during the early 1930s, who was later nicknamed the "king of Pre-Code". He was born Warren William Krech in Aitkin, Minnesota to parents Freeman E. and Frances Krech. He had a certain physical resemblance to John Barrymore. He attended the...
: Broadway and film actor with star on the Hollywood Walk of FameHollywood Walk of FameThe Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...