Alexandria, Minnesota | |
|---|---|
 Businesses on southwest corner of Broadway Street at 6th Avenue | |
 Logo | |
| Nicknames: Alex, Alec, the Birthplace of America | |
| Motto: "The Runestone City"[1] | |
 Location of the city of Alexandria within Douglas County, Minnesota | |
| Coordinates:45°52′39″N95°22′36″W / 45.87750°N 95.37667°W /45.87750; -95.37667 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Douglas |
| Settled | 1858 |
| Founded | 1859 |
| Incorporated | February 20, 1877 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Bobbie Osterberg |
| Area | |
• City | 17.904 sq mi (46.371 km2) |
| • Land | 17.189 sq mi (44.520 km2) |
| • Water | 0.715 sq mi (1.852 km2) 4.43% |
| Elevation | 1,414 ft (431 m) |
| Population | |
• City | 14,335 |
• Estimate (2023)[5] | 14,943 |
| • Density | 869/sq mi (335.6/km2) |
| • Urban | 18,957 |
| • Metro | 39,953 (US:317th) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code | 56308 |
| Area code | 320 |
| FIPS code | 27-00928 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2393918[3] |
| Sales tax | 7.375%[6] |
| Website | alexandriamn.city |
Alexandria is a city in and thecounty seat ofDouglas County, Minnesota, United States.[7] The population was 14,335 as of the2020 census.[4]I-94 passes through Alexandria, along with Minnesota State Highways27 and29. It is ten miles (16 km) south ofLake Carlos State Park.
First settled in 1858, it was named after brothers Alexander and William Kinkead fromMaryland. The form of the name alludes toAlexandria, Egypt, a center of learning and civilization.[8]
The village of Alexandria was incorporated February 20, 1877. Its city charter was adopted in 1908, and it was incorporated as a city in 1909. W. E. Hicks was pivotal to the town's early development. He purchased the townsite in 1868 and established a mill, hotel, newspaper, and store. He donated property for a courthouse, jail, and two churches: Methodist and Congregational.[citation needed]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 17.904 square miles (46.37 km2), of which 17.189 square miles (44.52 km2) is land and 0.715 square miles (1.85 km2) is water.[2] Many of the people who live in Alexandria are not calculated into the population because they are spread out of the city and live on and around the many lakes.[citation needed]
Alexandria has a dry-winterwarm-summer humid continental climate (KöppenDwb),[9] with cold, snowy winters and warm (sometimes hot and humid) summers. The autumn and spring are generally pleasant. Average annual precipitation (both snow and rain) is about 25 inches.
| Climate data for Alexandria, Minnesota (Alexandria Municipal Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1940–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 58 (14) | 58 (14) | 78 (26) | 95 (35) | 97 (36) | 102 (39) | 101 (38) | 104 (40) | 98 (37) | 91 (33) | 76 (24) | 58 (14) | 104 (40) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 40.1 (4.5) | 43.5 (6.4) | 58.7 (14.8) | 76.8 (24.9) | 87.1 (30.6) | 90.6 (32.6) | 91.3 (32.9) | 89.7 (32.1) | 85.9 (29.9) | 78.3 (25.7) | 59.8 (15.4) | 42.4 (5.8) | 93.7 (34.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 19.0 (−7.2) | 23.7 (−4.6) | 36.6 (2.6) | 52.4 (11.3) | 66.3 (19.1) | 75.7 (24.3) | 80.2 (26.8) | 78.3 (25.7) | 69.9 (21.1) | 54.5 (12.5) | 37.6 (3.1) | 24.2 (−4.3) | 51.5 (10.8) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 10.7 (−11.8) | 14.9 (−9.5) | 28.0 (−2.2) | 42.5 (5.8) | 55.9 (13.3) | 66.0 (18.9) | 70.6 (21.4) | 68.5 (20.3) | 60.0 (15.6) | 45.7 (7.6) | 30.3 (−0.9) | 16.9 (−8.4) | 42.5 (5.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 2.3 (−16.5) | 6.0 (−14.4) | 19.4 (−7.0) | 32.7 (0.4) | 45.5 (7.5) | 56.4 (13.6) | 60.9 (16.1) | 58.7 (14.8) | 50.1 (10.1) | 37.0 (2.8) | 23.0 (−5.0) | 9.6 (−12.4) | 33.5 (0.8) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −20.6 (−29.2) | −16.4 (−26.9) | −5.3 (−20.7) | 17.0 (−8.3) | 32.6 (0.3) | 44.3 (6.8) | 50.6 (10.3) | 48.1 (8.9) | 35.0 (1.7) | 21.6 (−5.8) | 4.4 (−15.3) | −14.3 (−25.7) | −23.3 (−30.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −38 (−39) | −34 (−37) | −34 (−37) | −2 (−19) | 18 (−8) | 33 (1) | 42 (6) | 38 (3) | 21 (−6) | 9 (−13) | −18 (−28) | −32 (−36) | −38 (−39) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 0.38 (9.7) | 0.41 (10) | 1.00 (25) | 2.04 (52) | 3.05 (77) | 3.72 (94) | 4.00 (102) | 3.46 (88) | 2.63 (67) | 2.21 (56) | 0.83 (21) | 0.36 (9.1) | 24.09 (612) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 3.6 | 3.7 | 5.2 | 9.0 | 11.5 | 12.3 | 10.8 | 9.5 | 8.8 | 8.6 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 92.3 |
| Source:NOAA[10][11] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 1,355 | — | |
| 1890 | 2,118 | 56.3% | |
| 1900 | 2,681 | 26.6% | |
| 1910 | 3,001 | 11.9% | |
| 1920 | 3,388 | 12.9% | |
| 1930 | 3,876 | 14.4% | |
| 1940 | 5,051 | 30.3% | |
| 1950 | 6,319 | 25.1% | |
| 1960 | 6,713 | 6.2% | |
| 1970 | 6,973 | 3.9% | |
| 1980 | 7,608 | 9.1% | |
| 1990 | 7,838 | 3.0% | |
| 2000 | 8,820 | 12.5% | |
| 2010 | 11,070 | 25.5% | |
| 2020 | 14,335 | 29.5% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 14,943 | [5] | 4.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[13] 2020 Census[4] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 13,018 | 90.8% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 168 | 1.2% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 47 | 0.3% |
| Asian (NH) | 146 | 1.0% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 7 | 0.0% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 19 | 0.1% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 438 | 3.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 492 | 3.4% |
| Total | 14,335 | 100.0% |
As of the2020 census, there were 14,335 people, 6,566 households, and 3,338 families residing in the city.[15] Thepopulation density was 1,735.0 inhabitants per square mile (669.9/km2). There were 7,321 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 91.9%White, 1.2%African American, 0.5%Native American, 1.0%Asian, 0.0%Pacific Islander, 1.1% fromsome other races and 4.2% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.4% of the population.[16] 20.4% of residents were under the age of 18, 5.9% were under 5 years of age, and 22.3% were 65 and older.
As of the2010 census, there were 11,070 people, 5,298 households, and 2,552 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 693.6 inhabitants per square mile (267.8/km2). There were 5,821 housing units at an average density of 364.7 per square mile (140.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.3%White, 0.8%African American, 0.4%Native American, 0.7%Asian, 0.3% fromother races, and 1.4% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.5% of the population.
There were 5,298 households, of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% weremarried couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 51.8% were non-families. 41.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.74.
The median age in the city was 38.8 years. 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 22.1% were from 45 to 64; and 22% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
As of the2000 census, there were 8,820 people. The census listed 4,047 households and 2,011 families living in the city. The population density was 992.5 inhabitants per square mile (383.2/km2). There were 4,311 housing units at an average density of 485.1 per square mile (187.3/km2). The city's racial makeup was 97.94%White, 0.42%African American, 0.34%Native American, 0.57%Asian, 0.06%Pacific Islander, 0.18% fromother races, and 0.50% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.80% of the population.
There were 4,047 households, of which 23.7% had children under 18 living with them, 36.5% weremarried couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.3% were non-families. 41.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who 65 or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.0% under 18, 15.7% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% over 66. The median age was 37. For every 100 females, there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.
The median income for a household was $26,851, and the median income for a family was $38,245. Males had a median income of $27,871 versus $20,254 for females. Theper capita income was $16,085. About 7.8% of families and 13.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.2% of those under 18 and 15.7% of those 65 or older.
The city is located along a chain of lakes, which makes it a popular resort destination for water and land activities. There are cabin B&Bs and chain hotels along the lakes. Water sporting activities include motorboats, wake surfing, sailing, paddleboarding. Fishing was also historically popular in the city. There arebeaches, like in the Pilgrim Point Park onLake Ida. Other park areas include Lake Brophy County Park and Kensington Rune Stone Park.[17][18]
Local tourism events include:
The city has a museum housing theKensington Runestone. Outside the museum stands Big Ole, a 25-foot-tall statue of a Viking built for the 1965World's Fair inNew York City.[19] Extensive repairs to Big Ole were completed in 2016.[20]Legacy of the Lakes Museum, amaritime museum, is located in the city.
According to the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission,[21][22] the area's top employers are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alomere Health | 868 |
| 2 | Douglas Machine, Inc. | 737 |
| 3 | Alexandria Public Schools | 609 |
| 4 | Knute Nelson | 482 |
| 5 | Alexandria Industries | 437 |
| 6 | 3M | 400 |
| 7 | Central Specialties | 325 |
| 8 | Douglas County | 308 |
| 9 | Brenton Engineering | 265 |
| 10 | Aagard | 264 |
Most children in Alexandria attend school atAlexandria Public Schools, which consists of six kindergarten–5th gradeelementary schools (Lincoln, Voyager, Woodland, Carlos, Miltona, Garfield), one 6th–8th grade junior high school (Discovery Middle School), and one new[when?] 9th–12th grade senior high school (Alexandria Area High School), which replaced Jefferson High School, which was built in the late 1950s. There are also several independent K–8 Christian schools in the area.Alexandria Technical & Community College offers post-secondary education, including certificate programs, 2-year associate degrees and transferable credits towards 4-year degrees.
County Road 82 SE connects Alexandria toNelson,Osakis and western Minnesota.Minnesota State Highway 29 connects Alexandria toGlenwood andParkers Prairie.Interstate 94/U.S. Highway 52 passes through the south end of Alexandria, which allows access toMinneapolis-St. Paul andFargo-Moorhead.
Public transportation in town (and within the surrounding area) is provided by Rainbow Rider.
TheAlexandria Municipal Airport, also known as Chandler Field, is a city-owned public-use airport two nautical miles (3.7 km) southwest of Alexandria's central business district.
Alexandria Echo Press is Alexandria's twice-weekly newspaper, owned by theForum Communications Company.[24]
From 1958 until 2012, Alexandria had at least one local television station, eitherKCCO orKSAX, and both are still satellites ofMinneapolis, MN television stations. KCCO had a presence, first as KCMT, in 1958, as an NBC and ABC affiliate. It switched to CBS affiliation in 1982. Five years later, KSAX regained ABC's presence as a semi-satellite ofKSTP-TV. In that same year, KCCO was bought out and became a semi-satellite ofWCCO-TV. In 1992, KCCO became a CBSO&O when CBS acquired WCCO and its two satellites.
During KCCO and KSAX's time as semi-satellites, they broadcast local news, weather, and sports through ten-minute cut-in segments during their parent station's newscast. In 2002, KCCO removed its local presence and became a full satellite of WCCO. In June 2012, cost-cutting measures at KSAX resulted in the layoff of all but two employees and the ending of local cut-in broadcasts by any Alexandria television station.[25]
The Alexandria area is also served by Selective TV, Inc., a non-profit, viewer-supported organization which transmits several cable channelsfree-to-air over standardUHF television frequencies, viewable in any area home without subscription. Selective TV operates under low power television rules of the FCC and as such was not subject to the analog to digital conversion in 2009. Residents still need a converter box to view KCCO and KSAX on the digital band, though KSAX is still rebroadcast via Selective TV.
| Channel | Callsign | Affiliation | Branding | Subchannels | Owner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Virtual) | Channel | Programming | ||||
| 4.1 | K33DB-D (WCCO Translator) | CBS | WCCO 4 | 4.2 4.3 | Start TV Dabl | Selective TV, Inc. |
| 5.2 | K16CO-D (KSTC Translator) | Ind. | 45 TV | 5.3 5.4 5.6 | Me-TV Antenna TV This TV | Selective TV, Inc. |
| 9.2 | K30AF-D (WFTC Translator) | Ind. | FOX 9 Plus | 9.3 9.1 | Movies! FOX | Selective TV, Inc. |
| 9.9 | K32EB-D (KMSP Translator) | FOX | FOX 9 | 9.4 9.5 9.6 | Buzzr Light TV Decades | Selective TV, Inc. |
| 10.1 | K27KN-D (KWCM Translator) | PBS | Pioneer Public TV | 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 | Create Minnesota Channel World PBS Kids | Selective TV, Inc. |
| 11.1 | K26CL-D (KARE Translator) | NBC | KARE 11 | 11.2 11.3 11.4 | Court TV True Crime Network Quest | Selective TV, Inc. |
| 17.1 | K17NW-D | NASA TV | Selective TV, Inc. | |||
| 18.1 | K18DG-D (KSAX Translator) | ABC | 5 Eyewitness News | Selective TV, Inc. | ||
| 20.1 | K20AC-D | Escape | 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 | Newsmax TV C-SPAN MSNBC Bounce TV | Selective TV, Inc. | |
| 21.1 | K21GN-D | KOOL-TV | 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 | Reelz-TV Grit LALA-TV Laff | Selective TV, Inc. | |
| 22.1 | K36KH-D (KAWB Translator) | PBS | Lakeland PBS | 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 | First Nations Experience PBS Kids Create PBS Encore Minnesota Channel | Selective TV, Inc. |
| 23.1 | K14LZ-D (WUCW Translator) | CW | CW 23 | 23.2 23.3 23.4 | Comet Charge! TBD | Selective TV, Inc. |
| 41.1 | K34AF-D (KPXM Translator) | ION | ION | 41.2 41.3 41.4 41.5 41.6 | Bounce TV Grit Court TV Mystery QVC HSN | Selective TV, Inc. |
| 42.1 | KSAX (KSTP/KSTC Satellite) | ABC | 5 Eyewitness News | 42.2 42.3 | 45TV MeTV | Hubbard Broadcasting |
| 44.1 | K44GH-D | 3ABN | 44.2 44.4 44.5 44.6 44.7 | 3ABN Proclaim 3ABN Spanish 3ABN Radio 3ABN Radio Spanish Radio 74 | Edge Spectrum, Inc. | |
| Frequency | Call sign | Name | Format | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1490 | KXRA | News/Talk | Leighton Media |
| Frequency | Call sign | Name | Format | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90.9 | K215BL (KSJR Translator) | Classical MPR | Classical | Minnesota Public Radio |
| 91.7 | K219FA (WJFM Translator) | SonLife Radio | Christian | Jimmy Swaggart Ministries |
| 92.3 | KXRA | KX92 | Classic rock | Leighton Media |
| 94.3 | KULO | Cool 94.3 | Oldies | Hubbard Broadcasting |
| 97.3 | KRVY | 97.3 The River | Adult Contemporary | Iowa City Broadcasting Company, Inc. |
| 98.5 | KLKX | K-Lakes 98.5 | Adult Standards | Alexandria Community Radio Educational Organization, Inc. |
| 99.3 | KXRZ | Z-99 | Hot AC | Leighton Media |
| 100.3 | K262AT (KXRA-AM Translator) | News/Talk | Leighton Media | |
| 100.7 | KIKV | KIK FM 100.7 | Country | Hubbard Broadcasting |
The city's unofficial mascot "Big Ole" is featured on the cover of the debut album of the National Beekeepers Society.
The city hosts the annualVikingland Band Festival parade marching championship.
A 2018 article inThe Oregonian described Alexandria as "conservative-leaning".[26]
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TheAlexandria Blizzard is aTier III juniorice hockey team in theNorth American 3 Hockey League and play out of theRunestone Community Center. From 2006 to 2012, the organization had a Tier II team in theNorth American Hockey League. The NAHL franchise relocated toBrookings, South Dakota and the current NA3HL franchise took its place.
Viking Speedway hosts weekly Saturday night dirt track racing from April–September and also periodic special, weekend events throughout the year. Five WISSOTA classes run there: Street Stocks, Midwest Modifieds, Super Stocks, Modifieds, and Late Models. Viking Speedway was awarded WISSOTA's "2005 Track of the Year".
One night per summer, aNorthwoods League baseball game is held atKnute Nelson Memorial Park. TheWillmar Stingers become theAlexandria Beetles to pay homage to the time when Alexandria had its own team. The Beetles were in operation from 2001 to 2012 and were renamed theAlexandria Blue Anchors in 2013. The team folded after the 2015 season.
Municipalities and communities ofDouglas County, Minnesota,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
