Becker, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Becker
|
|
|---|---|
Location of the city of Becker
within Sherburne County, Minnesota |
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Sherburne |
| Area | |
| • Total | 12.10 sq mi (31.33 km2) |
| • Land | 11.57 sq mi (29.97 km2) |
| • Water | 0.52 sq mi (1.35 km2) |
| Elevation | 971 ft (296 m) |
| Population
(2010)
|
|
| • Total | 4,538 |
| • Estimate
(2019)
|
4,954 |
| • Density | 428.07/sq mi (165.28/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
55308
|
| Area code(s) | 763 |
| FIPS code | 27-04618 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0639848 |
| Website | www.ci.becker.mn.us |
Becker is a city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States, between the Mississippi and Elk Rivers. The population was 4,538 at the 2010 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.
Contents
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 square miles (23.57 km2); 9.1sq.m is land and 0.45 square miles (1.17 km2) is water.
Xcel Energy operates the Sherburne County Generating Station (Sherco) within the city. This plant is the largest coal-fired power plant in Minnesota. The power plant no longer pays its historical share of property taxes; therefore Becker residents pay similar property taxes as nearby communities. This changed in 2003.
Becker has 27 hole golf course named Pebble Creek Country Club. It was designed by Joel Goldstrand.
Football: The high school football program was started up in 1970, by the only head coach in Becker history, Dwight Lundeen. It has been considered one of the top high school programs in the state and is always very competitive year in and year out. They 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 Granite Ridge conference. They have 19 conference championships, 14 section championship, 16 state tournament appearances, and have also appeared in 7 prep bowls.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 210 | — | |
| 1920 | 210 | 0.0% | |
| 1930 | 214 | 1.9% | |
| 1940 | 239 | 11.7% | |
| 1950 | 264 | 10.5% | |
| 1960 | 279 | 5.7% | |
| 1970 | 365 | 30.8% | |
| 1980 | 601 | 64.7% | |
| 1990 | 902 | 50.1% | |
| 2000 | 2,673 | 196.3% | |
| 2010 | 4,538 | 69.8% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 4,954 | 9.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
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 inhabitants per square mile (166.1/km2). There were 1,644 housing units at an average density of 155.8 per square mile (60.2/km2). 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.
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.
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.
Sports
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 Granite Ridge 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.
Education
Becker is served by the Independent School District 726. The four schools, listed below, have a total enrollment of 2,697 students. [1]
- Becker Primary School (K-2)
- Becker Intermediate School (3-5)
- Becker Middle School (6-8)
- Becker High School (9-12)
