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Montevideo, Minnesota facts for kids

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Montevideo
Artigas Plaza in Montevideo
Artigas Plaza in Montevideo
Location of Montevideowithin Chippewa County, Minnesota
Location of Montevideo
within Chippewa County, Minnesota
Country United States
State Minnesota
County Chippewa
Platted May 25, 1870
Incorporated (village) March 4, 1879
Incorporated (city) June 30, 1908
Government
 • Type Council – Manager
Area
 • Total 4.80 sq mi (12.44 km2)
 • Land 4.71 sq mi (12.20 km2)
 • Water 0.09 sq mi (0.23 km2)
Elevation
1,017 ft (310 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 5,398
 • Estimate 
(2022)
5,300
 • Density 1,145.59/sq mi (442.31/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
56265
Area code(s) 320
FIPS code 27-43720
GNIS feature ID 2395377

Montevideo is a city in Chippewa County, Minnesota, United States. It is also the main city, or county seat, of Chippewa County. In 2020, about 5,398 people lived there.

Before the mid-1800s, Native Americans and fur traders lived in the Montevideo area. After the Dakota War of 1862, the U.S. government allowed new settlers to move in. Railroads were built, bringing many people, including Civil War veterans and families from Norway, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Ireland. Montevideo officially became a village in 1879.

Where is Montevideo Located?

Montevideo is found where the Minnesota and Chippewa rivers meet. This is about 140 miles (225 km) west of Minneapolis. Major roads like U.S. Highways 59 and 212, and Minnesota State Highways 7 and 29, all meet here.

The land around Montevideo is mostly farmland and open prairie. You can also find river valleys with beautiful views and small bluffs. The city covers about 4.85 square miles (12.56 square km), with most of that being land and a small part being water.

What is Montevideo's Climate Like?

Montevideo has a climate with four distinct seasons, just like the rest of Minnesota. This means there are big differences between summer and winter.

  • Summers: July is usually the warmest month, with average high temperatures around 82°F (28°C).
  • Winters: January is the coldest month, with average high temperatures around 22°F (-6°C).

The city has recorded weather data since 1891, showing these temperature changes over the years.

Who Lives in Montevideo?

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 862
1890 1,437 66.7%
1900 2,146 49.3%
1910 3,056 42.4%
1920 4,419 44.6%
1930 4,319 −2.3%
1940 5,220 20.9%
1950 5,459 4.6%
1960 5,693 4.3%
1970 5,661 −0.6%
1980 5,845 3.3%
1990 5,499 −5.9%
2000 5,346 −2.8%
2010 5,383 0.7%
2020 5,398 0.3%
2022 (est.) 5,300 −1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
2020 Census

In 2010, there were 5,383 people living in Montevideo. There were 2,326 households, which are groups of people living together in one home. About 1,404 of these were families.

Most people in the city (92.0%) were White. Other groups included African American (0.6%), Native American (0.7%), and Asian (0.5%). About 8.4% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

About 28% of households had children under 18. Many households (44.5%) were married couples. The average age in the city was 41 years old. About 23.4% of residents were under 18, and 20.3% were 65 or older.

Montevideo's Sister City

Montevideo, Minnesota, has a special connection with Montevideo, Uruguay, a country in South America. This friendship started in 1905 when the mayors of both cities exchanged their national flags.

Local Radio Stations

Montevideo has several local radio stations that serve the community:

  • KDMA
  • KKRC
  • KMGM
  • KRAM-LP

These stations are owned by different companies and provide local news, music, and other programs.

Famous People from Montevideo

Several notable people have come from Montevideo:

  • Wayne Brabender (born 1945): A professional basketball player who played for Real Madrid and the Spanish National Basketball team.
  • Alfred M. Falkenhagen: A farmer and state legislator in Minnesota.
  • Paul Gruchow (1947–2004): A professor who taught at St. Olaf and Concordia colleges.
  • Vernon K. Jensen (1912–1982): A veterinarian and a Minnesota state senator.
  • David Minge (born 1942): A U.S. representative and a judge for the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
  • Molly Schuyler: A well-known competitive eater.

See also

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

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