Waconia, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Waconia
|
|
|---|---|
View of Lake Waconia
|
|
Location of the city of Waconia
within Carver County, Minnesota |
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Carver |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.31 sq mi (13.76 km2) |
| • Land | 5.28 sq mi (13.67 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.09 km2) |
| Elevation | 981 ft (299 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 13,033 |
| • Density | 2,468.84/sq mi (953.23/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
55387
|
| Area code(s) | 952 |
| FIPS code | 27-67432 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2397159 |
Waconia (say "wuh-KOHN-yuh") is a city located in Carver County, Minnesota, United States. It's a popular spot for visitors because of nearby Lake Waconia. This lake is well-known for its great fishing and fun activities.
In 2020, the city of Waconia had a population of 13,033 people.
Contents
Exploring Waconia's Location
Waconia covers an area of about 4.39 square miles (11.37 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
The main roads that go through Waconia are Minnesota State Highway 5, Minnesota State Highway 284, and Carver County Highway 10. These roads help people travel in and out of the city.
Who Lives in Waconia?
The number of people living in Waconia has grown a lot over the years. Here's how the population has changed:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 218 | — | |
| 1890 | 441 | 102.3% | |
| 1900 | 728 | 65.1% | |
| 1910 | 817 | 12.2% | |
| 1920 | 901 | 10.3% | |
| 1930 | 1,291 | 43.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,315 | 1.9% | |
| 1950 | 1,569 | 19.3% | |
| 1960 | 2,048 | 30.5% | |
| 1970 | 2,445 | 19.4% | |
| 1980 | 2,638 | 7.9% | |
| 1990 | 3,498 | 32.6% | |
| 2000 | 6,814 | 94.8% | |
| 2010 | 10,697 | 57.0% | |
| 2020 | 13,033 | 21.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Waconia's Population in 2010
In 2010, there were 10,697 people living in Waconia. These people lived in 3,909 homes, and 2,748 of those were families. The city had about 2,465 people per square mile (952 people per square kilometer).
Most of the people in Waconia were White (95.7%). Other groups included African American (1.1%), Native American (0.3%), and Asian (1.1%). About 2.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Many homes (45.2%) had children under 18 living there. Most homes (60.1%) were married couples. The average home had 2.70 people, and the average family had 3.31 people.
The average age in Waconia was 34.9 years old. About 32.5% of residents were under 18, and 11.3% were 65 or older. The city had slightly more females (51.6%) than males (48.4%).
Waconia's Economy and Jobs
Waconia has many businesses that provide jobs for its residents.
Top Employers in Waconia
Here are some of the biggest employers in Waconia, based on a 2019 report:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgeview Medical Center | 1,623 |
| 2 | Strom Aviation | 1,001 |
| 3 | I.S.D. No. 110 (Waconia Schools) | 969 |
| 4 | ACPI Products | 500 |
| 5 | Mackenthun's Fine Foods | 200 |
| 6 | Physicians Service Network | 200 |
| 7 | Good Samaritan Society Waconia | 158 |
| 8 | Target | 150 |
| 9 | Lakeview Clinic | 120 |
| 10 | UFC Farm Supply | 120 |
Learning in Waconia: Schools
Waconia Public Schools manages five schools in the city. There are also two private schools, making a total of seven schools for students.
- Southview Elementary, for grades K–5
- Bayview Elementary, for grades K–5
- Laketown Elementary, for grades K-5
- Waconia Middle School, for grades 6–8
- St. Joseph Catholic Education Center, for grades PreK–8
- Trinity Lutheran School, for grades K–8
- Waconia High School, for grades 9–12
Waconia's Past: A Brief History
Waconia got its name from Lake Waconia. The city has had a post office since 1860.
Historic Places in Waconia
Waconia has several buildings and places that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These places are important because they tell us about the city's history. You can find more details in the National Register of Historic Places listings in Carver County, Minnesota.
One famous historic spot is Coney Island of the West on Lake Waconia. From 1884 to the late 1920s, this island had cottages, boathouses, and hotels. It was a popular vacation spot, especially for people from far away. However, when cars became common, people started traveling to places even farther away for their summer trips.
-
Waconia City Hall
-
West Main Street Houses, from left to right 417, 429, and 453 W. Main St.
-
Emile Amblard Guest House
-
Coney Island of the West on Lake Waconia across from Waconia
-
Mock Cigar Factory and House
-
Charles Maiser House
Famous People from Waconia
Many notable people have connections to Waconia:
- Robert O. Ashbach, a Minnesota state legislator and businessman.
- Jenn Bostic, a talented singer and songwriter.
- Bill Diessner, a Minnesota state legislator and doctor.
- Aaron Elling, a football player.
- Don Herbert, also known as Mr. Wizard, who hosted the TV show Mr. Wizard's World.
- Noah McCourt, a politician and advocate for people with disabilities.
- Susie Schmitt Hanson, a milliner, dressmaker, and entrepreneur (1860–1956).
- Bob Stinson, a musician and lead guitarist for the band The Replacements.
- Henry Wagener, a Minnesota state legislator and farmer.
- Maxx Williams, an NFL tight end for the Arizona Cardinals, was born in Waconia.
- Shane Wiskus, an artistic gymnast who represented Team USA at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
See also
In Spanish: Waconia (Minnesota) para niños
