Lester Prairie, Minnesota
Lester Prairie is a city in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States, along the South Fork of the Crow River. The population was 1,730 at the 2010 census.[4] Noted composer and conductor of The Concordia Choir, Rene Clausen was raised in Lester Prairie.
Lester Prairie | |
---|---|
![]() Location of Lester Prairie within McLeod County, Minnesota | |
Coordinates: 44°53′01″N 94°02′14″W | |
Country | United States |
State | Minnesota |
County | McLeod |
Area | |
• Total | 0.90 sq mi (2.32 km2) |
• Land | 0.90 sq mi (2.32 km2) |
• Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
Elevation | 981 ft (299 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,894 |
• Density | 2,116.20/sq mi (817.36/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP code | 55354 |
Area code | 320 |
FIPS code | 27-36728[3] |
GNIS feature ID | 2395687[2] |
Website | www.lesterprairiemn.us |
History
![](../I/German_gravestone_in_Lester_Prairie%252C_MN.jpg.webp)
Lester Prairie was platted in 1886, and named for John N. Lester, an original owner of the town site.[5] A post office has been in operation at Lester Prairie since 1888.[6] Lester Prairie was incorporated in 1888.[5]
![](../I/Lester_Prairie_fire_department_and_water_tower.jpg.webp)
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.86 square miles (2.23 km2), all land.[7] McLeod County Roads 1, 9, and 23 are the main routes in the community. Minnesota State Highway 7 is in close proximity to the city. A bike trail running east–west through the middle of town, the Dakota Rail Regional Trail, connects Lester Prairie to the Twin cities.
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1890 | 189 | — | |
1900 | 418 | 121.2% | |
1910 | 420 | 0.5% | |
1920 | 434 | 3.3% | |
1930 | 442 | 1.8% | |
1940 | 423 | −4.3% | |
1950 | 663 | 56.7% | |
1960 | 966 | 45.7% | |
1970 | 1,162 | 20.3% | |
1980 | 1,229 | 5.8% | |
1990 | 1,180 | −4.0% | |
2000 | 1,377 | 16.7% | |
2010 | 1,730 | 25.6% | |
2020 | 1,894 | 9.5% | |
U.S. Decennial Census |
![](../I/Lester_Prairie_city_hall.jpg.webp)
![](../I/Veterans_memorial_Lester_Prairie_MN.jpg.webp)
2010 census
As of the census[8] of 2010, there were 1,730 people, 654 households, and 463 families living in the city. The population density was 2,011.6 inhabitants per square mile (776.7/km2). There were 704 housing units at an average density of 818.6 per square mile (316.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.9% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 3.8% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.3% of the population.
There were 654 households, of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.2% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.11.
The median age in the city was 33.8 years. 28% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.5% were from 45 to 64; and 11.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.
2000 census
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,377 people, 516 households, and 379 families living in the city. The population density was 1,910.4 inhabitants per square mile (737.6/km2). There were 531 housing units at an average density of 736.7 per square mile (284.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.68% White, 0.07% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 1.89% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.94% of the population.
There were 516 households, out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.2% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.9% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,271, and the median income for a family was $52,417. Males had a median income of $35,463 versus $25,313 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,223. About 2.9% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | 72.7% 719 | 26.1% 258 | 1.2% 12 |
2016 | 69.8% 615 | 22.6% 199 | 7.6% 67 |
2012 | 63.0% 539 | 34.5% 295 | 2.5% 22 |
2008 | 59.8% 515 | 36.9% 318 | 3.3% 28 |
2004 | 68.8% 529 | 29.8% 229 | 1.4% 11 |
2000 | 58.6% 360 | 31.3% 192 | 10.1% 62 |
1996 | 38.4% 222 | 43.4% 251 | 18.2% 105 |
1992 | 39.1% 245 | 30.4% 190 | 30.5% 191 |
1988 | 61.4% 344 | 38.6% 216 | 0.0% 0 |
1984 | 70.5% 404 | 29.5% 169 | 0.0% 0 |
1980 | 61.8% 375 | 30.0% 176 | 9.2% 56 |
1976 | 53.2% 268 | 44.2% 223 | 2.6% 13 |
1968 | 68.3% 319 | 29.1% 136 | 2.6% 12 |
1964 | 62.6% 278 | 37.4% 166 | 0.0% 0 |
1960 | 82.8% 362 | 16.9% 74 | 0.3% 1 |
Lester Prairie Schools
Lester Prairie is home to ISD #424 Lester Prairie Schools. The school is a K-12 school with both elementary and high school located in one building. There are approximately 400 students enrolled. Dr. Melissa Radeke is the district's superintendent. Mike Lee is the K-12 principal.
References
- "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lester Prairie, Minnesota
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
- Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 318.
- "McLeod County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
- "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
- "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2016 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
- "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2012 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
- "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2008 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
- "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2004 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
- "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2000 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
- (PDF) https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1996-11-05-g-sec.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
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(help) - (PDF) https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1992-11-03-g-sec.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
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(help) - (PDF) https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1988-11-08-g-sec.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
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(help) - (PDF) https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1984-11-06-g-sec.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
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(help) - (PDF) https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1980-11-04-g-sec.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
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(help) - (PDF) https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1976-11-02-g-sec.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
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(help) - (PDF) https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1968-11-05-g-man.pdf.
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(help) - (PDF) https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1964-11-03-g-man.pdf.
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(help) - (PDF) https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1960-11-08-g-man.pdf. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
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