Although a mostly small, rural farming community, Windom is host to several parks including adisc golf course at Mayflower Park. TheDes Moines River flows through Windom and serves as a gentle, rapid-freecanoeing spot.
Windom lies 1,362 feet (415 m) above sea level. According to theUnited 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.[11] Windom is on the Coteau des Prairies, a ridge extending fromSouth Dakota toIowa separating Cottonwood County into twowatersheds.[12] The watersheds drain into theMinnesota andMississippi rivers.[12] The Des Moines River flows through Windom.[13]
The record high in Windom was set on August 1, 1988, at 105 °F (41 °C). The record low was set on January 7, 1988, at −36 °F (−38 °C).[14] The maximum precipitation was 8.84 inches (225 mm), on September 23, 2010.[14]
Climate data for Windom, Minnesota, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1905–present
As of thecensus of 2010, there were 4,646 people, 1,994 households, and 1,201 families residing in the city. Thepopulation 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% fromother races, and 1.1% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino 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% weremarried 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.
As of thecensus 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 inhabitants per square mile (487.9/km2). There were 2,089 housing units at an average density of 587.9 per square mile (227.0/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% fromother races, and 0.60% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino 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% weremarried 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. Theper capita income for the city was $17,155. About 5.7% of families and 9.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.
Windom operates under aMayor-Council plan.[18] The council consists of 5 members representing twowards that are each separated into twoprecincts.[18] Four of the council members represent an individual precinct and serve four-year terms; the fifth is anat-large candidate and serves a two-year term.[18] Before a new city charter was introduced on June 20, 1984,[19] council members in Windom were calledalderpersons.[20]
On December 1, 1987, Windom adopted the Minnesota "Star City" program to promote economic development and pursue the "Star City" designation.[21][22] The city received the designation in August 1988.[22]
Windom's largest employers areToro, Windom Public Schools-ISD 177, and Fortune Transportation with 600, 176, and 175 employees respectively.[23] 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]
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 is the main Middle/Highschool in Windom,MN. Windom Area Middle/High School was 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. Now it houses 5-12 again starting in 2020. Roughly 300 students attend the high school (grades 9-12) and 350 attend the middle school (grades 5-8).[31] The school is led by Principal Bryan Joyce and Superintendent Jamie Frank.[32]
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.[citation needed]
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]
Brown, John A.History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota: Their People, Industries, and Institutions. B.F. Bowen & Co.: Indianapolis, 1916.