Pierz, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pierz, Minnesota
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Aerial view of Pierz, note St. Joseph's Church near the center
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Location in Morrison County and the state of Minnesota
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Morrison |
| Founded | 1869 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.38 sq mi (3.57 km2) |
| • Land | 1.38 sq mi (3.57 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,175 ft (358 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 1,418 |
| • Density | 1,028.28/sq mi (397.04/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
56364
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| Area code(s) | 320 |
| FIPS code | 27-50776 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396202 |
Pierz is a friendly city located in Morrison County, Minnesota, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,418 people called Pierz home.
Contents
A Look Back: Pierz's History
Pierz gets its name from a special person named Father Francis Xavier Pierz. He was a Roman Catholic priest from Slovenia. In the early 1850s, he came to Minnesota to work as a missionary. A missionary is someone who travels to share their faith. Father Pierz worked with the native Ojibwe people.
The town officially became a town on January 12, 1892. It was first called "Rich Prairie." But on August 15, 1894, the people living there voted. They decided to change the name to Pierz. This was done to honor Father F. X. Pierz.
Exploring Pierz: Geography and Location
Pierz is located in the eastern part of Morrison County. It is surrounded by Pierz Township on three sides. The city of Genola is also to the south. Buh Township is to the north.
Main Roads and Rivers
Two important roads, Minnesota State Highways 25 and 27, run through Pierz. Highway 25 goes north about 28 miles (45 km) to Brainerd. It goes south about 30 miles (48 km) to Foley. Highway 27 heads west about 13 miles (21 km) to Little Falls. Little Falls is the main city for Morrison County. Highway 27 also goes east-northeast about 26 miles (42 km) to Onamia. Highways 25 and 27 travel together for about 3 miles (5 km) north of Pierz before they split.
The city of Pierz covers about 1.38 square miles (3.57 km²). All of this area is land. The Skunk River flows through the southeast part of Pierz. It then flows south and west to join the Platte River. The Platte River is a river that flows south into the mighty Mississippi River.
Pierz Population: A Look at the Numbers
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 358 | — | |
| 1910 | 545 | 52.2% | |
| 1920 | 624 | 14.5% | |
| 1930 | 634 | 1.6% | |
| 1940 | 714 | 12.6% | |
| 1950 | 856 | 19.9% | |
| 1960 | 816 | −4.7% | |
| 1970 | 893 | 9.4% | |
| 1980 | 1,018 | 14.0% | |
| 1990 | 1,014 | −0.4% | |
| 2000 | 1,277 | 25.9% | |
| 2010 | 1,393 | 9.1% | |
| 2020 | 1,418 | 1.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, the city of Pierz had 1,393 people living there. There were 585 households, which are groups of people living together. About 339 of these were families. The city had about 1,032 people per square mile (398 per km²).
Most people in Pierz are White. A small number of people are Native American or Asian. Some people are from other races or have mixed backgrounds. About 0.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 29.4% of households had children under 18. Many households (42.2%) were married couples. About 25.7% of households had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average age in Pierz was 42.5 years. About 24.5% of residents were under 18.
Fun in Pierz: Arts and Culture
Pierz is a city that loves to celebrate!
Oktoberfest Celebration
Every year, Pierz hosts its own Oktoberfest celebration. This fun event happens during the last weekend of August. One exciting part is a medallion search. Daily clues are given out, and the winner gets $500 in "Pierz Bucks." These bucks can be spent at local businesses in town. There is also a parade and a festival at the city park. You can enjoy live Oktoberfest music and games for kids.
Rock, Roll, & Stroll Event
In the summer, Pierz has an event called Rock, Roll, & Stroll. This happens on Main Street on the first Thursday of June, July, August, and September. During this event, classic cars drive into Pierz and park. These cars are often very old and beautifully restored. People love to admire them. You can also find local food stands, special deals from businesses, and entertainment. The Pierz Commercial Club helps organize this event. They even give prizes to the owners of the classic cars. In 2015, the prizes were worth over $1,000!
Education and Sports
Pierz is home to Independent School District 484. This district serves nearly 1,200 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Students can join many different activities. These include various sports and clubs. In 2017, the school's football team, led by coach Leo Pohlkamp, won the state championship!
Famous Faces: Notable People from Pierz
Some well-known people have connections to Pierz:
- Joey Browner, a former player for the Minnesota Vikings football team.
- Mary Kiffmeyer, who served as Minnesota's Secretary of State from 1999 to 2007.
- John Stumpf, the former CEO of Wells Fargo Bank.
See also
In Spanish: Pierz (Minnesota) para niños
