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Blooming Prairie, Minnesota facts for kids

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Blooming Prairie
The Blooming Prairie Commercial Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Blooming Prairie Commercial Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Location of Blooming Prairiewithin Steele and Dodge Countiesin the state of Minnesota
Location of Blooming Prairie
within Steele and Dodge Counties
in the state of Minnesota
Country United States
State Minnesota
Counties Steele, Dodge
Area
 • Total 1.36 sq mi (3.52 km2)
 • Land 1.36 sq mi (3.52 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,296 ft (395 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,974
 • Density 1,451.47/sq mi (560.30/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
55917
Area code(s) 507
FIPS code 27-06580
GNIS feature ID 2394195
Website www.bloomingprairie.com
BloomingPrairieMNtower
Blooming Prairie's original water tower. It was brought down in September 2024.

Blooming Prairie is a small city in the state of Minnesota, USA. It is located in both Dodge and Steele counties. Most of the city is in Steele County, with only a small part extending into Dodge County.

In 2020, about 1,974 people lived in Blooming Prairie. It's a friendly community with a rich history.

History of Blooming Prairie

Blooming Prairie was officially planned and laid out in 1868. It got its name from the surrounding area, Blooming Prairie Township, which was formed a year earlier. A post office opened in the city in 1868, helping people send and receive mail. The city officially became a city in 1874.

The historic downtown area of Blooming Prairie is very special. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized for its important history and architecture.

Early Days and Local Stories

Blooming Prairie was once a busy place because of its location. It was near where four counties met: Mower, Freeborn, Dodge, and Steele. This made it a center for trade and activity.

Local stories say that during a time called the Prohibition Act, people dug tunnels under businesses on Main Street. These tunnels were used for secret activities. This shows how resourceful and creative people were in the past.

Geography and Location

Blooming Prairie covers a total area of about 1.41 square miles (3.52 square kilometers). All of this area is land. There are no large lakes or rivers within the city limits.

Main Roads and Travel

Two important roads pass through Blooming Prairie. These are U.S. Highway 218 and Minnesota State Highway 30. These highways help people travel to and from the city. They connect Blooming Prairie to other towns and cities in Minnesota.

People of Blooming Prairie

Blooming Prairie has seen its population grow and change over many years. Here is a look at how many people have lived in the city since 1880:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 338
1890 808 139.1%
1900 855 5.8%
1910 854 −0.1%
1920 1,012 18.5%
1930 1,046 3.4%
1940 1,205 15.2%
1950 1,442 19.7%
1960 1,778 23.3%
1970 1,804 1.5%
1980 1,969 9.1%
1990 2,043 3.8%
2000 1,933 −5.4%
2010 1,996 3.3%
2020 1,974 −1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

Life in Blooming Prairie (2010 Census)

In 2010, there were 1,996 people living in Blooming Prairie. There were 802 households, which are groups of people living together. About 535 of these were families.

Most people in the city were White (97.1%). A small number of people were from other racial backgrounds. About 6.3% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

The average age of people in Blooming Prairie was about 40.5 years old.

  • About 25.9% of residents were under 18 years old.
  • About 21.2% were 65 years old or older.

This shows that Blooming Prairie is a place where people of all ages live.

Famous People from Blooming Prairie

Some notable people have come from Blooming Prairie:

  • Josh Braaten: He is an actor who has appeared in television shows and movies.
  • John George Lennon (1858-1919): He was a state legislator in Minnesota and a businessman.
  • Samuel A. Rask (1874-1959): He served as a state senator in Minnesota and was also a businessman.

Images for kids

See also

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