Austin, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 23,314 people, 9,897 households, and 6,076 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,168.2 people per square mile (837.4/km²). There were 10,261 housing units at an average density of 954.3 per square mile (368.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.6% White, 0.81% African American, 0.18% Native American, 2.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.09% from other races
, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 6.12% of the population.
There were 9,897 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18, 48.6% were married couples
living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29; the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $42,691. Males had a median income of $31,787 versus $23,158 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $20,651. About 7.5% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
's corporate headquarters and main production facility located in Austin, food processing plays a dominant role in the city's economy. Hormel and Quality Pork Processors, a contract food processing firm serving Hormel, are by far the largest private employers in Austin.
The government, education, hospitality, and retail sectors comprise much of the remainder of Austin's employment base.
Austin area businesses and community leaders continue to support the application to participate as a test community in the Google Fiber
project, started in 2010.
Austin is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district
, represented by Mankato
educator Tim Walz
, a Democrat.
are a North American Hockey League
team that began play during the 2010-11 season. Austin previously was represented in Junior hockey by the Austin Mavericks, a team that first participated in the Midwest Junior Hockey League from 1974–1977 and following a league merger competed in the United States Hockey League
from 1977-1985.
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 23,314 people, 9,897 households, and 6,076 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 2,168.2 people per square mile (837.4/km²). There were 10,261 housing units at an average density of 954.3 per square mile (368.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.6% White, 0.81% African American, 0.18% Native American, 2.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.09% 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 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 6.12% of the population.
There were 9,897 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18, 48.6% 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, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29; the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $42,691. Males had a median income of $31,787 versus $23,158 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 $20,651. About 7.5% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
With HormelHormel
Hormel Foods Corporation is a food company based in southeastern Minnesota , perhaps best known as the producer of Spam luncheon meat. The company was founded as George A. Hormel & Company in Austin, Minnesota, U.S., by George A. Hormel in 1891. The company changed its name to Hormel Foods...
's corporate headquarters and main production facility located in Austin, food processing plays a dominant role in the city's economy. Hormel and Quality Pork Processors, a contract food processing firm serving Hormel, are by far the largest private employers in Austin.
The government, education, hospitality, and retail sectors comprise much of the remainder of Austin's employment base.
Austin area businesses and community leaders continue to support the application to participate as a test community in the Google Fiber
Google Fiber
Google Fiber is a project to build an experimental broadband internet network in Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, following a selection process. Over 1,100 communities applied to be the first recipient of the technology....
project, started in 2010.
Government
- Tom Stiehm - Mayor
- City Council
- Janet Anderson - Council Member-At-Large
- Brian McAlister - Council Member, First Ward
- Jeffrey Austin - Council Member, First Ward
- Richard Pacholl - Council Member Second Ward
- Steve King - Council Member Second Ward
- Marian J. Clennon - Council Member Third Ward
- John P. Martin - Council Member Third Ward
Austin is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district
Minnesota's 1st congressional district
Minnesota's 1st congressional district extends across southern Minnesota from the border with South Dakota to the border with Wisconsin. The First District is primarily a rural district built on a strong history of agriculture, although this is changing rapidly due to strong population growth in...
, represented by Mankato
Mankato, Minnesota
Mankato is a city in Blue Earth, Nicollet, and Le Sueur counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 39,309 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest city in Minnesota outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The county seat of Blue Earth County, it is located...
educator Tim Walz
Tim Walz
Timothy James Walz is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party .The district comprises the state's southern end, running along the entire border with Iowa...
, a Democrat.
Education
- CollegeCollegeA college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
s- Riverland Community CollegeRiverland Community CollegeRiverland Community College is a community college that is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. It has campuses in:*Albert Lea, Minnesota**Previously Albert Lea Technical College.*Austin, Minnesota...
- Riverland Community College
- High SchoolHigh schoolHigh school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
s (Grades 9-12)- Austin High SchoolAustin High School (Austin, Minnesota)Austin High School is a public high school in Austin in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Established in 1857, Austin High is one of the oldest high schools in Minnesota. The home of the Packers, the school has 1,390 students; AHS prides itself on having strong academics, athletics, and fine arts...
- Pacelli High SchoolPacelli High School (Austin, Minnesota)Pacelli High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Austin, Minnesota. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona.-Mission statement:...
(Grades 6-12)
- Austin High School
- Middle SchoolMiddle schoolMiddle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
s (Junior High) (Grades 6-8)- Ellis Middle SchoolEllis Middle SchoolEllis Middle School is a public middle school located in Austin, Minnesota.- Layout :There is one floor at Ellis Middle School. The school is divided into the music department, athletic department, sixth grade hall, seventh and eighth grade hall, multi-purpose room, computer labs, and science...
- Pacelli High SchoolPacelli High School (Austin, Minnesota)Pacelli High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Austin, Minnesota. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona.-Mission statement:...
(Grades 6-12)
- Ellis Middle School
- Elementary SchoolElementary schoolAn elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
s (Grammar) (K-5)- Pacelli Elementary School
- Banfield Elementary School
- Neveln Elementary School
- Shaw Elementary School (last year of operation: 1992)
- Southgate Elementary School
- Sumner Elementary School
- Woodson School (KindergartenKindergartenA kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
only)
Sports Teams
The Austin BruinsAustin Bruins
The Austin Bruins are a Junior A Tier II ice hockey team based in Austin, Minnesota. The team began play during the 2010-11 season. A member of the North American Hockey League in the Central Division, the Bruins play their home games in the Riverside Arena. On March 1, 2010, the Bruins announced...
are a North American Hockey League
North American Hockey League
The North American Hockey League is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is enterting its 36th season in 2011-12. It is currently the only Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League...
team that began play during the 2010-11 season. Austin previously was represented in Junior hockey by the Austin Mavericks, a team that first participated in the Midwest Junior Hockey League from 1974–1977 and following a league merger competed in the United States Hockey League
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger...
from 1977-1985.
Notable residents and natives
- Josh BraatenJosh BraatenJosh Braaten is an American actor. He grew up in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota and graduated from Blooming Prairie High in 1995...
, actor - Trace BundyTrace BundyTrace Bundy is an instrumental acoustic guitar player who lives and performs in Boulder, Colorado. He is known to fans as "The Acoustic Ninja" for his legato and finger tapping skills. His playing style features him playing with both hands on the fretboard, intricate finger picking arpeggios and...
, instrumental acoustic guitar player - Shannon Frid, violinist for Cloud CultCloud CultCloud Cult is an experimental indie rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota led by singer/songwriter Craig Minowa. The name originated from the ancient prophecies of indigenous North Americans.-History:...
- Richard EberhartRichard EberhartRichard Ghormley Eberhart was an American poet who published more than a dozen books of poetry and approximately twenty works in total...
, United States Poet Laureate - Amanda HockingAmanda HockingAmanda Hocking is an American writer of paranormal romance young-adult fiction.-Career:Hocking lives in Austin, Minnesota. Employed as an assisted living worker until 2010, she wrote 17 novels in her spare time. In April 2010, she began self-publishing them as e-books...
, writer of paranormal romanceParanormal romanceParanormal romance is a sub-genre of the romance novel. A type of speculative fiction, paranormal romance focuses on romance and includes elements beyond the range of scientific explanation, blending together themes from the genres of traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror...
young-adult fiction - Lee JanzenLee JanzenLee McLeod Janzen is an American golfer who is best known for twice winning the U.S. Open, in 1993 and 1998.-Early years and amateur career:...
, professional golfer - Tom LehmanTom LehmanThomas Edward Lehman is an American professional golfer.Lehman was born in Austin, Minnesota, but Alexandria, Minnesota is credited as his official Minnesota hometown. He attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in Business/Accounting and turned professional in 1982. It took...
, professional golfer - John MaddenJohn Madden (American football)John Earl Madden is a former American professional football player in the National Football League, a former Super Bowl-winning head coach with the Oakland Raiders in the American Football League and later the NFL, and a former color commentator for NFL telecasts. In 2006, he was inducted into...
, retired Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
head coach, NFL commentator, and member of the Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees... - John MausJohn MausJohn Maus is an American composer. He grew up in Austin, Minnesota, and studied music at the California Institute of the Arts. He later went on to study philosophy at the European Graduate School, in Saas Fee Switzerland, and in 2011 is working towards a PhD in political philosophy...
, musician - Bob MotzkoBob MotzkoBob Motzko is the head coach of the St. Cloud State University Huskies hockey team in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was named the WCHA Coach of the Year in 2006 and again in 2007. He has guided the Huskies to four WCHA Final Five appearances , and three NCAA Division I tournament appearances in 2007,...
, St. Cloud State UniversitySt. Cloud State UniversitySt. Cloud State University is a four-year public university founded in 1869 on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. The university is the largest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system which is the largest single provider of higher...
head men's ice hockey coach - Tim O'BrienTim O'Brien (author)Tim O'Brien is an American novelist who often writes about his experiences in the Vietnam War and the impact the war had on the American servicemen who fought there...
, novelist - Charlie ParrCharlie ParrCharlie Parr is an American country blues musician, born in Austin, Minnesota, United States. He started his music career in Duluth, Minnesota. His influences include Charlie Patton, Bukka White, Reverend Gary Davis, and Dave Van Ronk. He plays a National resonator guitar, a fretless open-back...
, Musician - Michael WuertzMichael WuertzMichael James Wuertz is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is known for his slider, which had the most strikeouts per swing in 2009.- Chicago Cubs :...
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
PitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
previously with the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and currently with the Oakland A's - Rick ZomboRick ZomboRichard J. Zombo is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the NHL for 12 seasons between 1984 and 1996...
, Retired Defenseman for 12 seasons in the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
Further reading
- Mill on the Willow: A History of Mower County, Minnesota by various authors. Library of Congress No. 84-062356