Windom, Minnesota

Windom is a city in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,646 at the 2010 census.[6] It is the county seat of Cottonwood County[7] and is situated in the Coteau des Prairies.

Windom
City
Shops in downtown Windom
Location of Windom
within Cottonwood County, Minnesota
Coordinates: 43°52′6″N 95°7′7″W
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyCottonwood
Platted1871
Incorporated1875
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
 • MayorDominic Jones (2017)
Area
 • Total4.26 sq mi (11.03 km2)
 • Land4.09 sq mi (10.61 km2)
 • Water0.16 sq mi (0.42 km2)
Elevation
1,362 ft (415 m)
Population
 • Total4,646
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
4,386
 • Density1,071.06/sq mi (413.53/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
56101, 56118
Area code(s)507
FIPS code27-70798[4]
GNIS feature ID0654245[5]
Websitewww.windom-mn.com

Although it is a small, rural farming community, Windom is host to several parks including a disc golf course at Mayflower Park. The Des Moines River flows through Windom and serves as a gentle, rapid-free canoeing spot.

History

Windom was platted on June 20, 1871, by A.L. Beach, an engineer for the Sioux City and St. Paul Railroad.[8][9] Twelve lots were created and sold for $100 on the first day.[10] It was incorporated as a village in 1875 and reincorporated on September 9, 1884.[10] Judson W. Bishop named the city after William Windom, who served as a United States Senator from Minnesota from 1881 to 1883 and was United States Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents James Garfield, Chester Arthur and Benjamin Harrison.[10][11]

Geography

Windom lies 1,362 feet (415 m) above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.33 square miles (11.21 km2), of which, 4.16 square miles (10.77 km2) is land and 0.17 square miles (0.44 km2) is water.[12] Windom is on the Coteau des Prairies, a ridge extending from South Dakota to Iowa separating Cottonwood County into two watersheds.[13] The watersheds drain into the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers.[13] The Des Moines River flows through Windom.[14]

Climate

The average winter temperature in Windom is 16 °F (−9 °C), in spring 44.7 °F (7.1 °C), in summer 69.8 °F (21.0 °C), and in fall 46.1 °F (7.8 °C).[15] The record high in Windom was set on August 1, 1988, at 105 °F (41 °C).[16] The record low was set on January 7, 1988, at −36 °F (−38 °C).[16] The maximum rainfall was 8.84 inches (225 mm), on September 23, 2010.[16]

Climate data for Windom, Minnesota
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 65
(18)		 66
(19)		 84
(29)		 93
(34)		 98
(37)		 103
(39)		 103
(39)		 105
(41)		 100
(38)		 91
(33)		 80
(27)		 64
(18)		 105
(41)
Average high °F (°C) 27
(−3)		 32
(0)		 44
(7)		 60
(16)		 72
(22)		 82
(28)		 85
(29)		 82
(28)		 75
(24)		 61
(16)		 43
(6)		 29
(−2)		 85
(29)
Average low °F (°C) 7
(−14)		 12
(−11)		 24
(−4)		 35
(2)		 47
(8)		 57
(14)		 62
(17)		 59
(15)		 50
(10)		 37
(3)		 24
(−4)		 11
(−12)		 7
(−14)
Record low °F (°C) −36
(−38)		 −31
(−35)		 −25
(−32)		 6
(−14)		 20
(−7)		 33
(1)		 42
(6)		 32
(0)		 22
(−6)		 9
(−13)		 −17
(−27)		 −28
(−33)		 −36
(−38)
Average precipitation inches (mm) .9
(23)		 .75
(19)		 1.97
(50)		 3.24
(82)		 3.55
(90)		 4.56
(116)		 4.05
(103)		 3.52
(89)		 3.29
(84)		 2.18
(55)		 1.67
(42)		 .98
(25)		 30.66
(778)
Source: Weather.com[17]

Demographics
2010 Age distribution census data
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880443—
189083588.5%
19001,944132.8%
19101,749−10.0%
19202,12321.4%
19302,1230.0%
19402,80732.2%
19503,16512.8%
19603,69116.6%
19703,9527.1%
19804,66618.1%
19904,283−8.2%
20004,4904.8%
20104,6463.5%
Est. 20194,386[3]−5.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 4,646 people, 1,994 households, and 1,201 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,116.8 inhabitants per square mile (431.2/km2). There were 2,171 housing units at an average density of 521.9 per square mile (201.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.1% White, 1.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 3.7% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.0% of the population.

There were 1,994 households of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.8% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the city was 42.6 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.8% were from 45 to 64; and 21.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 4,490 people, 1,910 households, and 1,195 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,263.6 people per square mile (488.3/km2). There were 2,089 housing units at an average density of 587.9 per square mile (227.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.15% White, 0.24% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.58% of the population.

There were 1,910 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city, the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,744, and the median income for a family was $43,350. Males had a median income of $30,053 versus $21,270 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,155. About 5.7% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Windom is in Minnesota's 7th congressional district, represented by Collin Peterson, a Democrat. At the state level, Windom is in Senate District 22, represented by Republican Bill Weber, and in House District 22B, represented by Republican Rod Hamilton.[18]

Windom operates under a Mayor-Council plan.[19] The council consists of 5 members representing 2 wards that are each separated into 2 precincts.[19] Four of the council members represent an individual precinct and serve 4-year terms; the fifth is an at-large candidate and serves a 2-year term.[19] Before a new city charter was introduced on June 20, 1984,[20] council members in Windom were called alderpersons.[21]

The mayor of Windom is Dominic Jones.

Infrastructure

Transportation
A view of Minnesota State Highway 60 as it passes through Windom.

U.S. Highway 71, Minnesota Highway 60, and Minnesota Highway 62 are three of the main routes through the city.

Economy

On December 1, 1987, Windom adopted the Minnesota "Star City" program to promote economic development and pursue the "Star City" designation.[22][23] The city received the designation in August 1988.[23]

Windom's largest employers are Toro, Windom Public Schools-ISD 177, and Fortune Transportation with 600, 176, and 175 employees respectively.[15] Windom is home to one of eight Toro manufacturing facilities.[24] It is also the headquarters of Big Game Treestands.[25]

Windom has a labor force of 2,378, of whom 2,295 are employed; 85 are unemployed, creating an unemployment rate of 3.5%.[26] The largest industries are educational services, health care and social assistance, with 26.3% of the employed population, and manufacturing, with 18.6% of the employed population.[26]

Media

The town is served by the Cottonwood County Citizen, a weekly newspaper.[27]

The town is also served by three radio stations licensed to the town, two commercial and one non-commercial.

Callsign Frequency Format Owner Reference
KDOM 1580 Full Service Windom Radio Incorporated [28]
KDOM-FM 94.3 Country Windom Radio Incorporated [29]
KJWR 90.9 Religious Minn-Iowa Christian Broadcasting Inc. [30]
KRLP-FM 88.1 Religious Educational Media Foundation

Education

Windom is home to several schools: Windom Area Middle/High School, Winfair Elementary School, Bridges Preschool and Red Rock Ridge ALC. It also has two private or church preschools: Busy Bees and Sunshine School.

Windom Area Middle/High School

Windom Area Middle/High School is home to students grade 4-12 due to renovations in 2003.[31] The building originally only housed grades 5-12 after the renovations, but had to accommodate 4th-grade students starting in 2011 due to overcrowding in the elementary school building. Roughly 300 students attend the high school (grades 9-12) and 350 attend the middle school (grades 4-8).[31] The school is led by Principal Jake Tietje and Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt.[32]

Entertainment

Riverfest

Windom holds an annual summer festival, Riverfest, during the second weekend of June. A pageant crowns a Miss Riverfest, a First Runner-Up, Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality and a Little Miss Riverfest. Other activities include fireworks, Vickie Schendel 5K Walk/Run, tennis tourney, fishing tourney, turtle races, kiddie tractor pull, street dance, and a grand parade.

Winter-River-Fest

In February 2011 Windom started a new festival, "Winter-River-Fest." Activities included a chili feed, open fires, dodgeball, snow sculpting, and the Darn Cold Croquet Contest.[33]

Notable people
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References
  • Brown, John A. History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota: Their People, Industries, and Institutions. B.F. Bowen & Co.: Indianapolis, 1916.
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  8. "About Windom: Overview & History". City of Windom. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  9. "Hospital History". Windom Area Hospital. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  10. "Windom Minnesota Community Guide". LakesnWoods. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
  11. "Profile for Windom, Minnesota". ePodunk. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
  12. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  13. "Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan 2007-2017" (PDF). Cottonwood County, Minnesota. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  14. "Des Moines River". City of Windom. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  15. "City of Windom" (PDF). Community Profile. Economic Development Authority of Windom. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  16. "Record Extremes for Windom, MN". wunderground. Weather Underground. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  17. "Monthly Averages for Windom, Minnesota". The Weather Channel. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  18. "Who Represents Me?". Legislative Coordinating Commission - Geospatial Information. LCC-GIS Office. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  19. "Charter" (PDF). City of Windom Minnesota. 2003. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  20. City of Windom Resolution #23-84
  21. City of Windom Resolution #15-83
  22. City of Windom Resolution #83-87
  23. City of Windom Resolution #90-09
  24. "NORTH AMERICA". The Toro Company. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  25. "Dealer Services". Big Game Treestands. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  26. "Selected Economic Characteristics 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  27. "Home Page". Citizen. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  28. AM Query Results -- Audio Division (FCC) USA
  29. FM Query Results -- Audio Division (FCC) USA
  30. FM Query Results -- Audio Division (FCC) USA
  31. Windom Area High School, Windom, Minnesota
  32. WAHS Staff Listing
  33. "Outlook bright for Saturday's Winter-River-Fest". Citizen. 10 February 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2012.

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