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Lake City, Minnesota facts for kids

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Lake City
Historic wing of the Lake City City Hall, built in 1899
Historic wing of the Lake City City Hall, built in 1899
Motto(s): 
"What You Need When You Need It"
Location of Lake Citywithin Wabasha County in the state of Minnesota
Location of Lake City
within Wabasha County
in the state of Minnesota
Country United States
State Minnesota
Counties Wabasha, Goodhue
Area
 • Total 4.50 sq mi (11.64 km2)
 • Land 4.48 sq mi (11.60 km2)
 • Water 0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation
690 ft (210 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 5,063
 • Estimate 
(2019)
5,122
 • Density 1,143.56/sq mi (441.53/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
55041
Area code(s) 651
FIPS code 27-34172
GNIS feature ID 0646338
Website City Website
LakeCityMNmarinasign2006
Gate at the Lake City Marina

Lake City is a city in Goodhue and Wabasha counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It lies along Lake Pepin, a wide portion of the Mississippi River. The population was 5,063 at the 2010 census. Most of Lake City is located within Wabasha County with only a small portion in Goodhue County. Lake City is part of the Rochester, Minnesota Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The city of Lake City is located 65 miles (105 km) southeast of the Twin Cities at the intersection of U.S. Highways 61 and 63 on the Mississippi River at Lake Pepin. Lac de Pleurs (Lake of Tears) was the name given to Lake Pepin by Father Louis Hennepin, who camped on the shore of the lake in 1680. He christened the large body of water Lac de Pleurs after observing his Sioux captors weeping near the lake over the death of a chief's son. The war party of Isanti Sioux had captured Hennepin and his two companions several miles south along the Mississippi and were camping near the lake on their return north to their Sioux villages near present-day Mille Lacs.

The first known settler was Jacob Boody, who arrived in 1853. In the years to follow, several explorers passed through this area. The town was platted in 1855. The town supervisors were given special powers by the State Legislature in 1864 to create a port market for grain. At Lake City the waters of Lake Pepin were deep enough to allow for such a port. Soon the town became noted as a profitable market with the volume of trade for the year 1866 bringing in a little over a million and a half dollars.

The city of Lake City became incorporated in 1872 and since has continued to thrive in its location on beautiful Lake Pepin. It is widely known for its attractive surroundings and bountiful fishing for every fresh water species. Lake City was the home of the inventor of waterskiing, Ralph Samuelson, and is thus known as "The Birthplace of Waterskiing."

The Sea Wing disaster occurred on July 13, 1890 when a strong squall line overturned the excursion vessel Sea Wing on Lake Pepin near Lake City. Over 200 people were aboard the vessel when it was overturned, and as a result 98 people drowned.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.56 square miles (11.81 km2); 4.50 square miles (11.65 km2) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 km2) is water. U.S. Highways 61 and 63 are two of the main routes in the community.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 2,596
1890 2,128 −18.0%
1900 2,744 28.9%
1910 3,142 14.5%
1920 2,846 −9.4%
1930 3,210 12.8%
1940 3,204 −0.2%
1950 3,457 7.9%
1960 3,494 1.1%
1970 3,594 2.9%
1980 4,505 25.3%
1990 4,391 −2.5%
2000 4,950 12.7%
2010 5,063 2.3%
2019 (est.) 5,122 1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 112
U.S. Census for Central Point

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,063 people, 2,238 households, and 1,428 families living in the city. The population density was 1,125.1 inhabitants per square mile (434.4/km2). There were 2,687 housing units at an average density of 597.1 per square mile (230.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.3% White, 0.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.2% of the population.

There were 2,238 households, of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.2% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.72.

The median age in the city was 46.2 years. 20.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 23.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

Education

Lake City is the home of Bluffview Elementary, a K–6 public elementary school, Lincoln High School for grades 7–12 (public), and St. John's Lutheran School, a K–8 Lutheran School of the WELS. Previously, the town also was home to a Catholic School named St. Mary's.

Notable people

  • Randy Breuer, NBA Player
  • Fritz Cronin, NFL Player
  • Mary Pat Gleason, Actress
  • Taylor Heise, Ice hockey player
  • John Kobs, College Coach
  • Mark McKenzie, Movie Composer
  • Ralph Samuelson, Inventor of Water Skiing
  • Mark Tomforde, Mathematician

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Lake City (Minnesota) para niños

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