Walnut Grove, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walnut Grove, Minnesota
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U.S. Post Office, First State Bank Building, and water tower in Walnut Grove
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Location of Walnut Grove, Minnesota
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Redwood |
| Founded | 1874 |
| Incorporated | 1879 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.09 sq mi (2.82 km2) |
| • Land | 1.09 sq mi (2.82 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,211 ft (369 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 751 |
| • Density | 688.36/sq mi (265.89/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
56180
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| Area code(s) | 507 |
| FIPS code | 27-67846 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2397182 |
Walnut Grove is a small city located in Redwood County, Minnesota, in the United States. In 2020, about 751 people lived there. The area was once known as Walnut Station.
Contents
History of Walnut Grove
Walnut Grove was officially planned in 1874. It got its name from a group of black walnut trees growing nearby. The town became an official city in 1879.
Laura Ingalls Wilder's Connection
Walnut Grove is famous for being home to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. This museum is dedicated to the author of the popular Little House on the Prairie books. Laura Ingalls Wilder lived here with her family. Her younger brother, Charles Frederic 'Freddy' Ingalls, was born in Walnut Grove in 1875.
New Residents in Walnut Grove
Between 2001 and 2006, Walnut Grove welcomed more than 250 new residents. These new people were Hmong immigrants and their families. This increase in population brought the city's total to almost 900 people. Hmong students now make up 42 percent of the students in the Westbrook-Walnut Grove School District.
Geography of Walnut Grove
Walnut Grove covers about 1.06 square miles (2.82 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the city limits.
The city is located along U.S. Route 14. This road connects Walnut Grove to Tracy to the west and Revere to the east.
People of Walnut Grove
In 2010, Walnut Grove had 871 people living in 313 households. About 210 of these households were families. The city's population density was about 821.7 people per square mile.
Who Lives Here?
Most of the people in Walnut Grove are White (63.4%). A significant part of the population, 35.0%, is Asian. There are also smaller numbers of Native American and other racial groups. About 2.1% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.
Families and Ages
About 30.7% of households in Walnut Grove had children under 18 years old. Most households (55.9%) were married couples living together. The average household had 2.78 people, and the average family had 3.53 people.
The average age of people in Walnut Grove was 36.8 years. About 31.3% of the population was under 18. About 19.3% of residents were 65 years old or older. The city's population was almost evenly split between males (50.3%) and females (49.7%).
Education in Walnut Grove
Walnut Grove is part of the Westbrook-Walnut Grove School District. In the late 1990s, the school districts of Westbrook (the Wildcats) and Walnut Grove (the Loggers) joined together. They formed the Westbrook-Walnut Grove Chargers.
- Schools:
- One high school in Westbrook for grades 7–12.
- One elementary school in Walnut Grove for grades K–6.
- School Mascot: Chargers
- School Colors: Red and silver
Famous People from Walnut Grove
Several notable people have connections to Walnut Grove:
- Norman R. DeBlieck: A farmer and Minnesota state legislator.
- Lester Mondale: A Unitarian minister.
- Leo Thorsness: A recipient of the Medal of Honor.
- Laura Ingalls Wilder: The famous author of the Little House on the Prairie books.
Sister Cities
Walnut Grove has two sister cities:
- Westbrook, Minnesota: These two cities are considered sister cities because their public schools, Westbrook-Walnut Grove (WWG) Public Schools, serve both towns.
- De Smet, South Dakota: This city is a sister city to Walnut Grove because of the strong connection both places have to the author Laura Ingalls Wilder.
