Cokato, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cokato
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Downtown Cokato
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| Motto(s):
"In the midst of opportunity"
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Location of the city of Cokato
within Wright County, Minnesota |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Wright |
| Founded | 1869 |
| Incorporated | 1878 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.56 sq mi (4.03 km2) |
| • Land | 1.55 sq mi (4.03 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,056 ft (322 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,799 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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2,775 |
| • Density | 1,800.00/sq mi (695.06/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
55321
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| Area code(s) | 320 |
| FIPS code | 27-12430 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0641381 |
Cokato (pronounced koh-KAY-toh) is a city in Wright County, Minnesota, in the United States. It is a small community known for its friendly atmosphere. In 2020, about 2,799 people lived there.
Contents
History of Cokato
Cokato was started in 1869. This happened when a railroad line, the First Division of the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, reached the area. The city's name comes from a Siouan word. This word means 'amid' or 'in the middle'. Cokato officially became a village in 1878.
Geography of Cokato
Cokato is located in Minnesota. The city covers an area of about 1.56 square miles (4.03 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 274 | — | |
| 1890 | 363 | 32.5% | |
| 1900 | 684 | 88.4% | |
| 1910 | 718 | 5.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,014 | 41.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,125 | 10.9% | |
| 1940 | 1,175 | 4.4% | |
| 1950 | 1,403 | 19.4% | |
| 1960 | 1,356 | −3.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,735 | 27.9% | |
| 1980 | 2,056 | 18.5% | |
| 1990 | 2,180 | 6.0% | |
| 2000 | 2,727 | 25.1% | |
| 2010 | 2,694 | −1.2% | |
| 2020 | 2,799 | 3.9% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 2,775 | 3.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Cokato has grown quite a bit over the years. In 1880, only 274 people lived there. By 2020, the population had grown to 2,799 people.
Cokato's Community in 2010
In 2010, there were 2,694 people living in Cokato. They lived in 1,000 different homes. Many of these homes were families. About 37% of homes had kids under 18. The average age of people in Cokato was about 32.5 years old.
Fun Things to Do in Cokato
Cokato has some interesting places and events.
Cokato Museum and Gust Akerlund Studio
You can visit the Cokato Museum & Gust Akerlund Studio. This museum tells the story of Cokato's past. It shows how people lived and worked in the area. The Akerlund Studio is a special part of the museum. It's a restored photography studio. A photographer named Gust Akerlund used it in the early 1900s.
Cokato Corn Carnival
Every year since 1950, Cokato hosts the Cokato Corn Carnival. This fun festival happens in August at Peterson Park. The best part is that they serve free corn-on-the-cob! There's also a parade, carnival rides, music, and other exciting events.
Miss Cokato Royalty Program
The Miss Cokato Royalty program is for girls aged 16-18. It helps them learn about leadership and volunteering. It also encourages pride in their community. Winners can even compete in the Minneapolis Aquatennial program. Several young women from Cokato have won titles there.
Aho Family Football Story
The Aho family from Cokato became famous in 2012. A TV show featured them because they had 12 sons. All 12 sons played football for the local high school over many years!
Education in Cokato
Students in Cokato attend schools in the Dassel-Cokato School District. This is known as ISD #466.
Transportation and Roads
U.S. Highway 12 is a main road that goes through Cokato. The BNSF Railway also serves the city. This railway is part of the Wayzata Subdivision.
Famous People from Cokato
Cokato is the hometown of several notable people.
- Sydney Eckman Ahlstrom – He was a university professor and historian. He taught at Yale University for many years. In 1972, he wrote a famous book called A Religious History of the American People. This book won a major award. He was born in Cokato in 1919.
- David Bromstad – He is a well-known interior designer and TV personality. He won the first season of HGTV Design Star. He also hosts popular shows like Color Splash and My Lottery Dream Home on HGTV. He was born in Cokato in 1973.
- George August Borg – He was a businessman and a state legislator in Minnesota.
- Steve Knapp – He is a race car driver. He competed in the Indianapolis 500 race several times. In 1998, he finished third and won the "rookie of the year" award. He graduated from Dassel-Cokato High School.
See also
In Spanish: Cokato (Minnesota) para niños
