Woodbury, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
Woodbury is a city in Washington County
, Minnesota
, United States
, and is a suburb
of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. It is situated east of Saint Paul
along Interstate 94
. The population was 61,961 at the 2010 census.
, the first justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
to attend law school, realized that another Red Rock existed in Minnesota.http://www.ci.woodbury.mn.us/GOVT/woodhistory.html When first settled in 1844, the land was mostly wood but was converted to farmland
. The township government was organized in 1858, and the first town hall built in 1876.
The first suburban housing development began in 1955, and the city has seen an increasing level of metropolitan expansion as the farmland has given way to developments and shopping mall
s.
, the city has a total area of 35.6 square miles (92.2 km²), of which, 35.0 square miles (90.6 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (1.74%) is water. The city is bounded on the northern side by I-94, the south by 60th St., the west by Century Avenue, and the east by Manning Ave. The adjoining cities in these directions are, respectively, Oakdale
and Lake Elmo
, Cottage Grove
, Maplewood
, and Afton
.
Woodbury is composed of upland between the valley
s of the Mississippi River
and St. Croix River. Much of Woodbury lies within the watershed
of Valley Creek, one of the few remaining trout
streams in the Twin Cities area. Valley Creek flows eastwards to the St. Croix River at Afton
, Minnesota
. The city also contains several small lake
s, including Powers, Wilmes, Colby, Carver, and Battle Creek. Battle Creek lake is the source of Battle Creek, which flows westwards to the Mississippi River
in Saint Paul
.
, Woodwinds Health Campus, School District 833, EcoWater Systems, and Assurant
. Other important employers include eFunds, Long Term Care Group, Dean Foods
/Land O'Lakes, and the Target Corporation
. State Farm Insurance
was previously a large-scale employer in the city, but the multi-department facility was relocated to Lincoln
, Nebraska
while retaining a smaller work force at another site in Mendota Heights
. There are also many smaller employers, such as the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
and offices for financial corporations. Many Woodbury residents are employed at 3M
, whose headquarters are located a few miles west in Maplewood
.
A large portion of the economy is retail
. The two largest retail centers are Tamarack Village, near the intersection of Radio Drive and I-94, and Woodbury Village, near the intersection of Valley Creek Road and I-494. Woodbury Lakes, an upscale retail development with an open-air mall layout, was completed in 2006.
or the more recently constructed East Ridge High School
. However, small portions of the city attend Tartan Senior High School
in Oakdale
and Stillwater Area High School
in Stillwater
. Some students attend public schools in other school districts chosen by their families under Minnesota's open enrollment statute.
In November 2006, School District 833 selected an 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) site for a third high school, later named East Ridge High School. The site lies between two City-owned properties south of Bailey Road and east of Radio Drive: the 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) Bielenberg Sports Center and the Danner gravel pit. The City also owns an additional 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) south of the sports center to allow for expansion. The new school opened in September 2009. The students attending this new High School came from Woodbury and nearby Cottage Grove
as well as Newport and Saint Paul Park. Aaron Harper now serves as the school's principal. For more details on the new High School visit the school's website : http://www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/ERHS
There are two middle schools in Woodbury, Lake Middle School and Woodbury Middle School. Todd Hochman is the principal at Lake Middle School and their mascot is the "Leopards." Dennis Roos (2008) was the principal, now he is assistant principal at East Ridge High School in Woodbury. Kari Lopez (2009) is the principal and Keith Burcar is the Assistant Principal at Woodbury Middle School and their mascot is the "Wildcats."
Woodbury is also home to the Minnesota Math and Science Academy
, a charter school and New Life Academy, a small private Christian school
Globe University/Minnesota School of Business, a for-profit private career college, offers master's, bachelor's and associate degree programs in business, information technology, health sciences and legal sciences at its Woodbury campus.
s covering 3000 acres (12.1 km²) and approximately 100 miles (160.9 km) of trails.http://www.ci.woodbury.mn.us/parks/parks.html The trail
s, most of which are paved, connect many of the parks. Three of the largest parks encircle Colby, Wilmes, and Powers lakes, respectively. The indoor Central Park is adjacent to the public library
. Bielenberg Sports Center is the primary athletic location, including softball fields, baseball fields, soccer fields, football fields, sand volleyball courts, and an ice arena.
Two golf course
s are located in the city: Prestwick (privately owned) and Eagle Valley (publicly owned). There are many local events year-round. A popular summer event named Woodbury Days is held in Ojibway Park each year. Woodbury Days includes a parade, carnival, live music, fireworks, and many booths for the city's shops, churches, and services. Woodbury Days is also known for its Taste of Woodbury tent located in the parking lot behind Woodbury High School and overlooking the Ojibway Park Band Shell. This tent includes many restaurants in the city.
of 2000, there were 46,463 people, 16,676 households, and 12,657 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,327.7 people per square mile (512.6/km²). There were 17,541 housing units at an average density of 501.2 per square mile (193.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.04% White, 2.51% African American, 0.24% Native American, 5.01% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races
, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.14% of the population.
There were 16,676 households out of which 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.8% were married couples
living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband
present, and 24.1% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% 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 3.20.
In the city the population
was spread out with 30.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 36.9% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $76,109, and the median income for a family was $84,997. Males had a median income of $60,224 versus $37,676 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $32,606. About 0.8% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over.
Washington County, Minnesota
Washington County is a county established in 1849 in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 238,136. Its county seat is Stillwater.-History:...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and is a suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. It is situated east of Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
along Interstate 94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
. The population was 61,961 at the 2010 census.
History
Woodbury was originally named Red Rock, but was renamed Woodbury after Levi WoodburyLevi Woodbury
Levi Woodbury was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, a U.S. Senator, Governor of New Hampshire and cabinet member in three administrations. He was the first Justice to have attended law school....
, the first justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
to attend law school, realized that another Red Rock existed in Minnesota.http://www.ci.woodbury.mn.us/GOVT/woodhistory.html When first settled in 1844, the land was mostly wood but was converted to farmland
Arable land
In geography and agriculture, arable land is land that can be used for growing crops. It includes all land under temporary crops , temporary meadows for mowing or pasture, land under market and kitchen gardens and land temporarily fallow...
. The township government was organized in 1858, and the first town hall built in 1876.
The first suburban housing development began in 1955, and the city has seen an increasing level of metropolitan expansion as the farmland has given way to developments and shopping mall
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
s.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 35.6 square miles (92.2 km²), of which, 35.0 square miles (90.6 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (1.74%) is water. The city is bounded on the northern side by I-94, the south by 60th St., the west by Century Avenue, and the east by Manning Ave. The adjoining cities in these directions are, respectively, Oakdale
Oakdale, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,653 people, 10,243 households, and 7,129 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,408.4 people per square mile . There were 10,394 housing units at an average density of 939.2 per square mile...
and Lake Elmo
Lake Elmo, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,863 people, 2,347 households, and 1,924 families residing in the city. The population density was 300.4 people per square mile . There were 2,389 housing units at an average density of 104.6 per square mile...
, Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,582 people, 9,932 households, and 8,462 families residing in the city. The population density was 899.9 people per square mile . There were 10,024 housing units at an average density of 295.0 per square mile...
, Maplewood
Maplewood, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,947 people, 13,758 households, and 9,190 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,017.5 people per square mile . There were 14,004 housing units at an average density of 808.5 per square mile...
, and Afton
Afton, Minnesota
Afton is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,886 at the 2010 census. It is located on a small bay where Valley Creek empties into the St. Croix River several miles north of the confluence with the Mississippi River....
.
Woodbury is composed of upland between the valley
Valley
In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys...
s of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and St. Croix River. Much of Woodbury lies within the watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
of Valley Creek, one of the few remaining trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
streams in the Twin Cities area. Valley Creek flows eastwards to the St. Croix River at Afton
Afton, Minnesota
Afton is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,886 at the 2010 census. It is located on a small bay where Valley Creek empties into the St. Croix River several miles north of the confluence with the Mississippi River....
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. The city also contains several small lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
s, including Powers, Wilmes, Colby, Carver, and Battle Creek. Battle Creek lake is the source of Battle Creek, which flows westwards to the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
in Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
.
Climate
Economy
The five largest employers located in Woodbury are The HartfordThe Hartford
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. , usually known as The Hartford, is a Fortune 500 company and one of America’s largest investment and insurance companies...
, Woodwinds Health Campus, School District 833, EcoWater Systems, and Assurant
Assurant
Assurant is a specialty insurance company headquartered in New York City. Assurant’s four businesses provide a wide range of insurance products and related services, including creditor-placed homeowners insurance, manufactured housing homeowners insurance, credit insurance, individual health and...
. Other important employers include eFunds, Long Term Care Group, Dean Foods
Dean Foods
Dean Foods is an American food and beverage company with two operating divisions: Fresh Dairy Direct and WhiteWave-Morningstar. The company maintains plants and distributors in the United States and the United Kingdom. Dean Foods products are sold throughout the USA.-History:In 1925, Samuel E...
/Land O'Lakes, and the Target Corporation
Target Corporation
Target Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
. State Farm Insurance
State Farm Insurance
State Farm Insurance is a group of insurance and financial services companies in the United States. The company also has operations in Canada....
was previously a large-scale employer in the city, but the multi-department facility was relocated to Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
while retaining a smaller work force at another site in Mendota Heights
Mendota Heights, Minnesota
At the 2000 census, there were 11,434 people, 4,178 households and 3,237 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,222.2 per square mile . There were 4,252 housing units at an average density of 454.5 per square mile...
. There are also many smaller employers, such as the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology is the international certifying body for allied health personnel in the medical field of ophthalmology, who are collectively termed ophthalmic medical personnel...
and offices for financial corporations. Many Woodbury residents are employed at 3M
3M
3M Company , formerly known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation based in Maplewood, Minnesota, United States....
, whose headquarters are located a few miles west in Maplewood
Maplewood, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,947 people, 13,758 households, and 9,190 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,017.5 people per square mile . There were 14,004 housing units at an average density of 808.5 per square mile...
.
A large portion of the economy is retail
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
. The two largest retail centers are Tamarack Village, near the intersection of Radio Drive and I-94, and Woodbury Village, near the intersection of Valley Creek Road and I-494. Woodbury Lakes, an upscale retail development with an open-air mall layout, was completed in 2006.
Education
Because most of Woodbury lies within the South Washington County School District, the majority of high school students attend either Woodbury High SchoolWoodbury High School (Minnesota)
Woodbury Senior High School is located in Woodbury, Minnesota. In the past, Woodbury High School did consist of grades 10th through 12th, but it recently changed to 9th through 12th grade. It is part of the South Washington County School District. The school colors are royal blue and white, and the...
or the more recently constructed East Ridge High School
East Ridge High School (Minnesota)
East Ridge High School is a high school located in Woodbury, Minnesota, United States.It is operated by South Washington County Schools, also known as ISD 833. The principal is Aaron Harper. The location is near the Bielenberg Sports Center in Woodbury,MN....
. However, small portions of the city attend Tartan Senior High School
Tartan Senior High School
Tartan Senior High School is a public secondary school located in Oakdale, Minnesota. It is a member of Independent School District 622. Since its opening in 1971, Tartan has grown to more than 1,800 students supported by 120 plus teachers, administrators, aides, custodians, administrative...
in Oakdale
Oakdale, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,653 people, 10,243 households, and 7,129 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,408.4 people per square mile . There were 10,394 housing units at an average density of 939.2 per square mile...
and Stillwater Area High School
Stillwater Area High School
Stillwater Area High School is a public school located in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota and is part of the Stillwater Area Public Schools - District 834...
in Stillwater
Stillwater, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,143 people, 5,797 households, and 4,115 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,340.0 people per square mile . There were 5,926 housing units at an average density of 915.7 per square mile...
. Some students attend public schools in other school districts chosen by their families under Minnesota's open enrollment statute.
In November 2006, School District 833 selected an 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) site for a third high school, later named East Ridge High School. The site lies between two City-owned properties south of Bailey Road and east of Radio Drive: the 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) Bielenberg Sports Center and the Danner gravel pit. The City also owns an additional 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) south of the sports center to allow for expansion. The new school opened in September 2009. The students attending this new High School came from Woodbury and nearby Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,582 people, 9,932 households, and 8,462 families residing in the city. The population density was 899.9 people per square mile . There were 10,024 housing units at an average density of 295.0 per square mile...
as well as Newport and Saint Paul Park. Aaron Harper now serves as the school's principal. For more details on the new High School visit the school's website : http://www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/ERHS
There are two middle schools in Woodbury, Lake Middle School and Woodbury Middle School. Todd Hochman is the principal at Lake Middle School and their mascot is the "Leopards." Dennis Roos (2008) was the principal, now he is assistant principal at East Ridge High School in Woodbury. Kari Lopez (2009) is the principal and Keith Burcar is the Assistant Principal at Woodbury Middle School and their mascot is the "Wildcats."
Woodbury is also home to the Minnesota Math and Science Academy
Minnesota Math and Science Academy
The Math and Science Academy is a charter school that serves students in grades 6 through 12. It is located in the City Center neighborhood of Woodbury, Minnesota. MSA is a tuition free public school open to any student in the state of Minnesota.Subject areas include mathematics, science,...
, a charter school and New Life Academy, a small private Christian school
Globe University/Minnesota School of Business, a for-profit private career college, offers master's, bachelor's and associate degree programs in business, information technology, health sciences and legal sciences at its Woodbury campus.
Recreation
Woodbury contains 45 parkPark
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
s covering 3000 acres (12.1 km²) and approximately 100 miles (160.9 km) of trails.http://www.ci.woodbury.mn.us/parks/parks.html The trail
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
s, most of which are paved, connect many of the parks. Three of the largest parks encircle Colby, Wilmes, and Powers lakes, respectively. The indoor Central Park is adjacent to the public library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
. Bielenberg Sports Center is the primary athletic location, including softball fields, baseball fields, soccer fields, football fields, sand volleyball courts, and an ice arena.
Two golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
s are located in the city: Prestwick (privately owned) and Eagle Valley (publicly owned). There are many local events year-round. A popular summer event named Woodbury Days is held in Ojibway Park each year. Woodbury Days includes a parade, carnival, live music, fireworks, and many booths for the city's shops, churches, and services. Woodbury Days is also known for its Taste of Woodbury tent located in the parking lot behind Woodbury High School and overlooking the Ojibway Park Band Shell. This tent includes many restaurants in the city.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 46,463 people, 16,676 households, and 12,657 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 1,327.7 people per square mile (512.6/km²). There were 17,541 housing units at an average density of 501.2 per square mile (193.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.04% White, 2.51% African American, 0.24% Native American, 5.01% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.62% 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 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.14% of the population.
There were 16,676 households out of which 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.8% 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, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband
Husband
A husband is a male participant in a marriage. The rights and obligations of the husband regarding his spouse and others, and his status in the community and in law, vary between cultures and has varied over time...
present, and 24.1% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
size was 3.20.
In the city the population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
was spread out with 30.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 36.9% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $76,109, and the median income for a family was $84,997. Males had a median income of $60,224 versus $37,676 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 $32,606. About 0.8% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over.