Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,569 people, 3,864 households, and 2,093 families residing in the city. The population density was 838.5 inhabitants per square mile (323.7/km²). There were 4,535 housing units at an average density of 443.7 per square mile (171.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.6% White, 0.7% African American, 4.4% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 3,864 households, of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.8% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 41.6 years. 22% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 24.6% were from 45 to 64; and 21.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,348 people, 3,319 households, and 1,845 families permanently residing in the city. The population density was 980.4 inhabitants per square mile (378.5/km²). There were 3,782 housing units at an average density of 504.6 per square mile (194.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.98% White, 4.50% Native American, 0.53% Asian American, 0.42% African American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.

There were 3,319 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% were non-families. 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,264, and the median income for a family was $42,267. Males had a median income of $28,939 versus $21,439 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,509. About 9.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

The Detroit Lakes campus of the Minnesota State Community and Technical College system is one of four campus locations (others are in Moorhead, Fergus Falls, and Wadena). The Detroit Lakes campus, located on Minnesota Highway 34, enrolls approximately 650 students in 25 different degree programs. The college offers both classroom and online distance education programs and grants AAS, AS, diploma, certificate, and AFA degrees.[13]

• Rossman Elementary School (K–5)
• Roosevelt Elementary School (K–4)
• Detroit Lakes Middle School (5–8) (Only 5th grade from Roosevelt)
• Detroit Lakes High School (9–12)
• Lakes Area Learning Center Alternative High School (ALC) (9–12)
• Holy Rosary Catholic School (K–8) (Private)
• Faith Christian School (K–8) (Private)
• Adventist Christian School (K–8) (Private)

Carnegie Library, the Detroit Lakes Public Library was built in 1913 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Built in 1913 with a $10,000 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, the Detroit Lakes Public Library is a branch of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library Network (LARL). Originally 4,142 square feet (384.8 m²) on two floors, the library was designed by the architectural firm of Claude and Starck of Madison, Wisconsin. The building today is on the National Register of Historic Places. Most notably, the building features a Louis Sullivan exterior frieze, lead and stained glass windows and doors, and a completely open and unobstructed interior. The building, designed in the prairie school architectural style popularized by such architects as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, is also noted for its orange clay-tiled hip roof that defies regional construction convention. In 1985, due to space issues, the original Carnegie building was expanded.[14]

Historic Detroit Lakes Amtrak Depot in winter

Numerous works of architecture and engineering in Detroit Lakes have been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Detroit Lakes Carnegie Library of the Prairie School architectural style, by architects Claude and Starck and significant of the period from 1900 to 1924, was added to the Register in 1976. The Graystone Hotel, significant of the periods 1900–1924 and 1925–1949, was added in 1999. The Amtrak Depot, formerly the Northern Pacific Passenger Depot and later the Burlington Northern Depot, significant of the periods 1900–1924 and 1925–1949, now primarily serving as a small shop and eatery, was added in 1988. The Homer E. Sargent House on Lake Avenue, currently a privately owned domestic dwelling of the Queen Anne architectural style and significant of the periods 1875–1899 and 1900–1924, was added to the Register in 1988. The Edgewater Beach Cottages, also known as Stovewood Cottages, by architects George Jewell and Frederick Wright and significant of the period 1925–1949, were added in 1989. Fairyland Cottages Historic District on W. Lake Shore Drive, significant of the period 1925–1949, were added to the National Register in 1989. Finally, the Holmes Block (also known as the Opera House Block), including downtown commercial buildings occupying addresses 710–718 Washington Avenue, are significant of various historical periods ranging from 1875 to 1974. The downtown block was added to the National Register in 2001.[15]

Main entrance to the Historic Holmes Theatre in winter

The Historic Holmes Theatre, a physical and organizational branch of the Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center complex, is a recently renovated Art Deco theatre that hosts year-round music, drama and dance performances. With seating for nearly 1,000, the theatre features a wide variety of professional national and international touring shows (including Arlo Guthrie, the Chinese Golden Acrobats, the New York Theatre Ballet, and the Guthrie Theater), local performing groups (Playhouse 412, Fargo/Moorhead Jazz Arts Group, Wadena Madhatters) and events (wedding receptions, business meetings, and Detroit Lakes' Annual Festival of the Birds).[16]

Each August since 1983, the city has hosted WE Fest, a prominent camping and country music festival. Campgrounds packed with tents surround a large stage, and the three-day concert attracts around 50,000 music-lovers each summer. In 2007, the attendance reached a record high of 83,000 people over the weekend at the themed "Heavin in '07" concert. The music festival is held annually at the Soo Pass Ranch on Highway 59 south of Detroit Lakes.

Formerly held in July each year at the Soo Pass Ranch venue, the 10,000 Lakes Festival was put on hiatus as of December 18, 2009. According to 10KLF.com the festival could not grow to financial success.[17]

A recently built Community & Cultural Center serves Detroit Lakes, incorporating a new fitness center with the completely renovated brick building that once was the Holmes School. The fitness and aquatic area features an 8-lane Olympic regulation pool, an indoor track, a fieldhouse featuring 2 basketball courts, a weight room, cardio fitness center, racquetball courts, and a golf driving/putting range. The old 1931 school building houses the renovated 837-seat Historic Holmes Theatre featuring orchestra and balcony level seating, and conference rooms. When completed in 2001, a building of 105,000 square feet (9,800 m²) was the result of $9.5 million in expenses.[18]

FM

• TV3: Lakes Area Television (News/Local Programming)

TV3 is a "commercial supported Public-access television cable TV station" that broadcasts out of Detroit Lakes for the regional Arvig Communication Cable System.

The Forum Communications Company of Fargo, North Dakota, owns and operates the Detroit Lakes Tribune (twice weekly publication) and also provides the regional daily newspaper, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, with coverage spanning the Fargo–Moorhead metropolitan area and much of northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota.[19]

• The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead (daily)
• The Detroit Lakes Tribune (published on Wednesdays and Saturdays)
• White Earth - Anishinaabeg Today