Perham | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Location of Perham, Minnesota | |
| Coordinates:46°36′00″N95°34′38″W / 46.60000°N 95.57722°W /46.60000; -95.57722 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Otter Tail |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Tim Meehl |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.58 sq mi (9.27 km2) |
| • Land | 3.58 sq mi (9.27 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,368 ft (417 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 3,512 |
• Estimate (2021)[4] | 3,572 |
| • Density | 981.7/sq mi (379.04/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 56573 |
| Area code | 218 |
| FIPS code | 27-50470 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396181[2] |
| Website | ci.perham.mn.us |
Perham (/ˈpɜːrm/PURM) is a city inOtter Tail County,Minnesota. The population was 3,512 at the time of the2020 census.[3]
Perham wasplatted in 1873 and named for Josiah Perham, first president of theNorthern Pacific Railway.[5] As the village grew in economic importance, the surrounding township was renamedPerham Township in 1877. Perham was incorporated in 1881.[5]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 3.18 square miles (8.24 km2), all land.[6]
U.S. Route 10 and Minnesota State Highways78 and108 are three of the main routes in the community.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 269 | — | |
| 1890 | 761 | 182.9% | |
| 1900 | 1,182 | 55.3% | |
| 1910 | 1,376 | 16.4% | |
| 1920 | 1,370 | −0.4% | |
| 1930 | 1,411 | 3.0% | |
| 1940 | 1,534 | 8.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,926 | 25.6% | |
| 1960 | 2,019 | 4.8% | |
| 1970 | 1,933 | −4.3% | |
| 1980 | 2,086 | 7.9% | |
| 1990 | 2,075 | −0.5% | |
| 2000 | 2,559 | 23.3% | |
| 2010 | 2,985 | 16.6% | |
| 2020 | 3,512 | 17.7% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 3,572 | [4] | 1.7% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 2020 Census[3] | |||
As of thecensus of 2010, there were 2,985 people, 1,304 households, and 722 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 938.7 inhabitants per square mile (362.4/km2). There were 1,388 housing units at an average density of 436.5 per square mile (168.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.1%White, 1.1%African American, 0.5%Native American, 0.5%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 2.3% fromother races, and 1.5% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 4.8% of the population.
There were 1,304 households, of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% weremarried couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.6% were non-families. 38.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.89.
The median age in the city was 41.5 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.1% were from 25 to 44; 22.7% were from 45 to 64; and 23.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.5% male and 53.5% female.
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 2,559 people, 1,104 households, and 642 families living in the city. The population density was 976.2 inhabitants per square mile (376.9/km2). There were 1,167 housing units at an average density of 445.2 per square mile (171.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.99%White, 0.35%African American, 1.02%Native American, 0.27%Asian, 0.66% fromother races, and 0.70% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.13% of the population. 50.3% were ofGerman and 14.8%Norwegian ancestry.
There were 1,104 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% weremarried couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,397, while the median income for a family was $40,184. Males had a median income of $29,087 versus $20,817 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $16,444. About 8.1% of families and 13.2% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
ThePerham Focus is based in Perham, and serves Otter Tail County and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and online news.
Amtrak’sEmpire Builder, which operates betweenSeattle/Portland andChicago, passes through the town onBNSF tracks but does not stop. Thenearest station is inDetroit Lakes, 21 miles (34 km) to the northwest.
Municipalities and communities ofOtter Tail County, Minnesota,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Townships |
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Indian reservation | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
