Faribault | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Nicknames: | |
| Motto(s): "Small Town Pride, Big City Opportunities[3]" | |
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| Coordinates:44°17′40″N93°15′45″W / 44.29444°N 93.26250°W /44.29444; -93.26250 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Rice |
| Founded | February 1855 |
| Incorporated | February 29, 1872 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Thomas Spooner |
| Area | |
• Total | 15.78 sq mi (40.86 km2) |
| • Land | 15.50 sq mi (40.15 km2) |
| • Water | 0.27 sq mi (0.71 km2) |
| Elevation | 981 ft (299 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 24,453 |
• Estimate (2022)[7] | 24,518 |
| • Density | 1,577.4/sq mi (609.03/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 55021 |
| Area code | 507 |
| FIPS code | 27-20546 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394742[5] |
| Sales tax | 7.375%[8] |
| Website | ci.faribault.mn.us |
Faribault (/ˈfɛərboʊ/FAIR-boh)[9] is a city in and thecounty seat ofRice County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 24,453 at the2020 census.[6] Faribault is about 50 miles (80 km) south ofMinneapolis–Saint Paul.
Interstate 35 and Minnesota State Highways3,21, and60 are the principal highways serving the city. Faribault is at the confluence of theCannon andStraight Rivers. It is home to theMinnesota State Academy for the Deaf and theMinnesota State Academy for the Blind.
Faribault is regarded as one of Minnesota's most historic communities, with settlement and commercial activity predating Minnesota's establishment as aU.S. Territory. Until 1745, the area was primarily occupied by theWahpekute band ofDakotah. Shortly thereafter, the tribe was driven south after several clashes with theOjibwe over territory.
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The city's namesake,Alexander Faribault, was the son ofJean-Baptiste Faribault, a French-Canadian fur trader, and Elizabeth Pelagie Kinzie Haines, a Dakotah woman.[10] He is credited with fueling most of the early settlement in the area, beginning in 1826, when he established a fur trading post on the banks of theCannon River. By 1834, the trading post had grown in popularity and was moved to the Straight River, one mile (1.6 km) upstream of its junction with the Cannon River, the site of modern-day Faribault. The young Alexander Faribault used his knowledge ofDakota language and culture to improve relations with the displaced Wahpekute and even helped the tribe resettle in the area. This relationship was instrumental in ensuring the trading post's success and allowing safe travel to the area for settlers. The Dakota in the area called this soon-to-be town "Adek" for Alex (Alexander Faribault).[11]
Another source maintains the city is named forJean-Baptiste Faribault.[12]
TheAlexander Faribault House was built in 1853 by Alexander Faribault at a cost of $4,000, equal to $151,184 today. It is considered the area's oldest frame structure, and stands in its original location near the southern edge of Faribault's downtown district.
The years following the construction of this first building brought unprecedented growth, development, and economic prosperity to the settlement. Spurred by the completion of the area's first steam-powered sawmill in early 1854, the next year took Faribault from a sleepy settlement of 20 buildings to a bustling town with more than 250. Historians attribute Faribault's growth during this period to a number of important milestones in 1855 and 1856, including the creation of roads connecting to other settlements and trading posts inIowa andMinnesota Territory, the availability of mail service, and the construction of schools and churches.
The City of Faribault was platted in 1855 and granted a home-rule charter in 1872.[13]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 15.67 square miles (40.59 km2); 15.32 square miles (39.68 km2) is land and 0.35 square miles (0.91 km2) is water.[14] The confluence of theStraight River and theCannon River is within the city limits.[15]Sakatah Lake State Park andNerstrand-Big Woods State Park are nearby.
Interstate Highway 35 runs along the city's western edge. The city is served by two full interchanges and one partial interchange. Before I-35's completion, traffic was routed through town, generating significant sales revenue for retailers that had a major highway running past their doors. Around 1975, the last portions of I-35 were completed and through traffic started to bypass Faribault. On that same corridor through town, the White Sands Swimming Pool ("Minnesota's Largest Outdoor Swimming Pool") operated from 1964 to 1977. This swimming area is now the White Sands Dog Park, as well as the trailhead of the Sakatah Singing Hills Trail, which runs to Mankato. The Mill Towns Trail is planned to run to Northfield. The site includes parking, restrooms and a shelter.
| Climate data for Faribault, Minnesota, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–2011 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 63 (17) | 65 (18) | 81 (27) | 93 (34) | 108 (42) | 106 (41) | 110 (43) | 105 (41) | 102 (39) | 92 (33) | 79 (26) | 69 (21) | 110 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 42.8 (6.0) | 47.7 (8.7) | 65.8 (18.8) | 79.9 (26.6) | 87.4 (30.8) | 92.3 (33.5) | 93.7 (34.3) | 91.7 (33.2) | 87.4 (30.8) | 79.9 (26.6) | 63.9 (17.7) | 46.1 (7.8) | 95.7 (35.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 23.2 (−4.9) | 28.0 (−2.2) | 40.4 (4.7) | 55.5 (13.1) | 68.2 (20.1) | 78.4 (25.8) | 82.0 (27.8) | 79.9 (26.6) | 72.7 (22.6) | 58.9 (14.9) | 42.4 (5.8) | 28.9 (−1.7) | 54.9 (12.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 14.0 (−10.0) | 18.0 (−7.8) | 30.4 (−0.9) | 44.2 (6.8) | 56.7 (13.7) | 67.8 (19.9) | 71.3 (21.8) | 68.9 (20.5) | 61.2 (16.2) | 47.3 (8.5) | 33.1 (0.6) | 20.7 (−6.3) | 44.5 (6.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 4.8 (−15.1) | 7.9 (−13.4) | 20.4 (−6.4) | 32.9 (0.5) | 45.2 (7.3) | 57.2 (14.0) | 60.6 (15.9) | 57.9 (14.4) | 49.7 (9.8) | 35.7 (2.1) | 23.8 (−4.6) | 12.6 (−10.8) | 34.1 (1.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −18.4 (−28.0) | −14.8 (−26.0) | −1.1 (−18.4) | 17.7 (−7.9) | 30.3 (−0.9) | 41.5 (5.3) | 48.9 (9.4) | 45.9 (7.7) | 33.2 (0.7) | 21.7 (−5.7) | 6.3 (−14.3) | −12.2 (−24.6) | −23.0 (−30.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −40 (−40) | −36 (−38) | −30 (−34) | 0 (−18) | 16 (−9) | 33 (1) | 36 (2) | 33 (1) | 23 (−5) | 4 (−16) | −15 (−26) | −36 (−38) | −40 (−40) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 0.97 (25) | 1.00 (25) | 1.92 (49) | 3.13 (80) | 4.37 (111) | 5.57 (141) | 4.64 (118) | 4.66 (118) | 3.68 (93) | 2.60 (66) | 1.67 (42) | 1.24 (31) | 35.45 (899) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 9.4 (24) | 10.6 (27) | 6.4 (16) | 1.6 (4.1) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 4.9 (12) | 10.1 (26) | 43.3 (109.86) |
| Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 11.0 (28) | 11.5 (29) | 9.6 (24) | 1.6 (4.1) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 2.6 (6.6) | 8.3 (21) | 14.7 (37) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 7.0 | 5.5 | 7.5 | 9.8 | 12.2 | 12.1 | 10.3 | 10.0 | 8.4 | 8.2 | 6.0 | 7.2 | 104.2 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 5.4 | 4.4 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 5.1 | 20.7 |
| Source 1: NOAA[16] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 1981–2010)[17] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 3,045 | — | |
| 1880 | 5,415 | 77.8% | |
| 1890 | 6,520 | 20.4% | |
| 1900 | 7,868 | 20.7% | |
| 1910 | 9,001 | 14.4% | |
| 1920 | 11,089 | 23.2% | |
| 1930 | 12,767 | 15.1% | |
| 1940 | 14,527 | 13.8% | |
| 1950 | 16,028 | 10.3% | |
| 1960 | 16,926 | 5.6% | |
| 1970 | 16,595 | −2.0% | |
| 1980 | 16,241 | −2.1% | |
| 1990 | 17,085 | 5.2% | |
| 2000 | 20,818 | 21.8% | |
| 2010 | 23,352 | 12.2% | |
| 2020 | 24,453 | 4.7% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 24,518 | [7] | 0.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[18] 2020 Census[6] | |||
As of thecensus of 2020, there were 24,453 people and 8,853 households living in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,577.4 inhabitants per square mile (609.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 70.9%White, 14.8%African American, 0.9%Native American, 1.4%Asian, 0.2%Pacific Islander, and 5.4% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 14.5% of the population.
As of thecensus of 2010, there were 23,352 people, 8,317 households, and 5,208 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,524.3 inhabitants per square mile (588.5/km2). There were 8,946 housing units at an average density of 583.9 per square mile (225.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.6%White, 7.6%African American, 0.9%Native American, 2.1%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 4.4% fromother races, and 2.3% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 13.0% of the population.
There were 8,317 households, of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% weremarried couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.4% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.12.
The median age in the city was 35.4 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.5% were from 25 to 44; 23.8% were from 45 to 64; and 13.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 54.1% male and 45.9% female.
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 20,818 people, 7,472 households, and 4,946 families living in the city. The population density was 1,644.8 inhabitants per square mile (635.1/km2). There were 7,668 housing units at an average density of 605.8 per square mile (233.9/km2). The ethnic/racial makeup of the city was 89.87%White, 2.69%African American, 0.67%Native American, 1.83%Asian, 0.06%Pacific Islander, 3.33% fromother races, and 1.53% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 8.90% of the population.
There were 7,472 households, out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% weremarried couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 19.7% 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 106.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,865, and the median income for a family was $49,662. Males had a median income of $32,404 versus $24,046 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $18,610. About 5.8% of families and 9.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.
Faribault has a gamut of retail and service shops. Employers also include an assortment of light manufacturing concerns.
The main street, Central Avenue, is seeing a renaissance of redevelopment, with most of the commercial block listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many buildings are being restored to their original appearance. Among them is theParadise Center for the Arts, a multipurpose art center that is the result of a merger between the Faribault Art Center and the Faribault Area Community Theatre. Two longtime Faribault retailing/shopping institutions have closed. Jim & Joe's Clothiers closed after 125+ years of service due to a number of related factors.[19] Minnick's Food Market, Faribault's lastmom-and-pop grocery store, closed in 2006 after 60+ years of operation.[citation needed]
Herbert Sellner, a woodworker and maker of water slides, invented theTilt-A-Whirl in 1926 at his Faribault home. Over the next year, the first 14 Tilt-A-Whirls were built in his basement and yard. In 1927, Sellner Manufacturing opened its factory in Faribault, and the ride debuted that year at theMinnesota State Fair.[20]
Founded in 1865, theFaribault Woolen Mills stayed in operation until 2009. Reopened in 2011, it is one of the United States' few remaining vertical woolen mills, taking raw wool and producing finished goods.[21]
SAGE Electrochromics, a specialized window glass developer and wholly owned subsidiary ofSaint-Gobain, is based in Faribault.
Faribault is inMinnesota's 1st congressional district, represented byBrad Finstad, aRepublican. On the state level, Faribault is in District 19, represented byRepublican RepresentativeKeith Allen andRepublican SenatorJohn Jasinski.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1992 | 2,504 | 32.12% | 3,357 | 43.06% | 1,935 | 24.82% |
| 1996 | 2,120 | 29.58% | 4,087 | 57.02% | 961 | 13.41% |
| 2000 | 3,264 | 41.20% | 4,079 | 51.49% | 579 | 7.31% |
| 2004 | 4,195 | 45.81% | 4,814 | 52.57% | 148 | 1.62% |
| 2008 | 4,054 | 44.42% | 4,852 | 53.16% | 221 | 2.42% |
| 2012 | 4,109 | 44.71% | 4,857 | 52.85% | 225 | 2.45% |
| 2016 | 4,669 | 50.35% | 3,847 | 41.48% | 758 | 8.17% |
| 2020 | 5,246 | 51.35% | 4,692 | 45.93% | 278 | 2.72% |
Faribault Public Schools, a school district that covers the entire municipality,[23] operates an early childhood center, four elementary schools (one of which is acharter school), a middle school, Faribault High School, the Area Learning Center, and Faribault Education Center, which offers adult education.[24] Students come from Faribault and surrounding communities and rural areas.[25] TheCannon River STEM School, a K-8 charter school, operated from 2009 to 2025.[26]
TheMinnesota State Academies for the Deaf and for the Blind, including the State Library for the Blind, are in southeastern Faribault, above the Straight River. Noyes Hall, aneoclassical building on the campus of Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[27][28] The building is named for Jonathon L. Noyes, the school's longtime administrator.[29]
Shattuck-Saint Mary's is a coeducational college preparatory boarding school especially noted for its Centers of Excellence program in hockey, winning numerous youth national championships andproducing several NHL and Olympic team players.
South Central Community College, aMinnesota State Colleges and Universities System institution, has a campus in Faribault.
TheThomas Scott Buckham Memorial Library is the city library.
TheMinnesota Correctional Facility - Faribault is a state prison on the campus of a former mental hospital (aka "The State Schools").
TheRiver Bend Nature Center is a 750-acre (3.0 km2) nonprofit nature center in Faribault's southeast corner.
The Rice County Historical Society is in Faribault.
The major daily newspaper in the area is theFaribault Daily News.
Municipalities and communities ofRice County, Minnesota,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns/Neighborhoods | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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| Geographic | |
| Other | |
