Lester Prairie, Minnesota

Lester Prairie is a city in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States, along the South Fork of the Crow River. The population was 1,894 at the 2020 census.[3]

Lester Prairie, Minnesota
Location in McLeod County and the state of Minnesota
Location in McLeod County and the state of Minnesota
Coordinates: 44°53′01″N 94°02′14″W / 44.88361°N 94.03722°W / 44.88361; -94.03722
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyMcLeod
Area
 • Total
1.00 sq mi (2.32 km2)
 • Land1.00 sq mi (2.32 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation981 ft (299 m)
Population
 • Total
1,894
 • Density2,116.20/sq mi (817.36/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
55354
Area code320
FIPS code27-36728[4]
GNIS feature ID2395687[2]
Websitewww.lesterprairiemn.us

History

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Gravestone carved in German, from days when there was a large German population in Lester Prairie

Lester Prairie was platted in 1886 and named for John N. Lester, an original owner of the town site.[5] A post office has been in operation at Lester Prairie since 1888.[6] Lester Prairie was incorporated in 1888.[5]

Geography

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The city is in eastern McLeod County. Minnesota State Highway 7 passes 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the city, leading west 16 miles (26 km) to Hutchinson and east 42 miles (68 km) to Minneapolis. Glencoe, the McLeod county seat, is 13 miles (21 km) to the southwest. McLeod County Roads 1, 9, and 23 are the main local routes in the community. A bike trail running east–west through the middle of town, the Dakota Rail Regional Trail, connects Lester Prairie to the Twin Cities.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Lester Prairie has a total area of 1.00 square mile (2.59 km2), of which 0.001 square miles (0.003 km2), or 0.1%, are water.[1] The South Fork of the Crow River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, flows past the southeast corner of the city.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1890189
1900418121.2%
19104200.5%
19204343.3%
19304421.8%
1940423−4.3%
195066356.7%
196096645.7%
19701,16220.3%
19801,2295.8%
19901,180−4.0%
20001,37716.7%
20101,73025.6%
20201,8949.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
 
Veterans memorial in city park

2010 census

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As of the census[7] of 2010, there were 1,730 people, 654 households, and 463 families living in the city. The population density was 2,011.6 inhabitants per square mile (776.7/km2). There were 704 housing units at an average density of 818.6 per square mile (316.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.9% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 3.8% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.3% of the population.

There were 654 households, of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.2% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the city was 33.8 years. 28% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.5% were from 45 to 64; and 11.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

2000 census

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As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 1,377 people, 516 households, and 379 families living in the city. The population density was 1,910.4 inhabitants per square mile (737.6/km2). There were 531 housing units at an average density of 736.7 per square mile (284.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.68% White, 0.07% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 1.89% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.94% of the population.

There were 516 households, out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.2% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.9% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,271, and the median income for a family was $52,417. Males had a median income of $35,463 versus $25,313 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,223. About 2.9% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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City Hall
Presidential election results
2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[8] 2016 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[9] 2012 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[10] 2008 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[11] 2004 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[12] 2000 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[13] 1996 Precinct Results[14] 1992 Precinct Results[15] 1988 Precinct Results[16] 1984 Precinct Results[17] 1980 Precinct Results[18] 1976 Precinct Results[19] 1968 Precinct Results[20] 1964 Precinct Results[21] 1960 Precinct Results[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 72.7% 719 26.1% 258 1.2% 12
2016 69.8% 615 22.6% 199 7.6% 67
2012 63.0% 539 34.5% 295 2.5% 22
2008 59.8% 515 36.9% 318 3.3% 28
2004 68.8% 529 29.8% 229 1.4% 11
2000 58.6% 360 31.3% 192 10.1% 62
1996 38.4% 222 43.4% 251 18.2% 105
1992 39.1% 245 30.4% 190 30.5% 191
1988 61.4% 344 38.6% 216 0.0% 0
1984 70.5% 404 29.5% 169 0.0% 0
1980 61.8% 375 30.0% 176 9.2% 56
1976 53.2% 268 44.2% 223 2.6% 13
1968 68.3% 319 29.1% 136 2.6% 12
1964 62.6% 278 37.4% 166 0.0% 0
1960 82.8% 362 16.9% 74 0.3% 1

Lester Prairie Schools

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Lester Prairie is home to ISD #424 Lester Prairie Schools. The school is a K-12 school with both elementary and high school located in one building. There are approximately 400 students enrolled. Dr. Melissa Radeke is the district's superintendent. Mike Lee is the K-12 principal.

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ a b "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lester Prairie, Minnesota
  3. ^ a b "P1. Race – Lester Prairie city, Minnesota: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ a b Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 318.
  6. ^ "McLeod County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  7. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  8. ^ "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  9. ^ "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2016 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  10. ^ "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2012 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  11. ^ "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2008 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  12. ^ "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2004 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  13. ^ "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2000 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  14. ^ https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1996-11-05-g-sec.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ^ https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1992-11-03-g-sec.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ^ https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1988-11-08-g-sec.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ^ https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1984-11-06-g-sec.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ^ https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1980-11-04-g-sec.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. ^ https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1976-11-02-g-sec.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ^ https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1968-11-05-g-man.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ^ https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1964-11-03-g-man.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. ^ https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1960-11-08-g-man.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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