Winona, Minnesota | |
|---|---|
| Nickname: The Island City[1] | |
 | |
| Coordinates:44°03′02″N91°40′06″W / 44.05056°N 91.66833°W /44.05056; -91.66833 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Winona |
| Founded | 1851 |
| Incorporated | March 6, 1857 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor - Council |
| • Mayor | Scott Sherman[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 24.32 sq mi (62.98 km2) |
| • Land | 19.03 sq mi (49.29 km2) |
| • Water | 5.29 sq mi (13.70 km2) |
| Elevation | 659 ft (201 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 25,948 |
• Estimate (2022)[6] | 25,842 |
| • Density | 1,363.5/sq mi (526.46/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC–6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC–5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 55987 |
| Area code | 507 |
| FIPS code | 27-71032 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2397348[4] |
| Website | cityofwinona.com |
Winona (/wɪnˈoʊnə/win-OH-nə) is a city in and thecounty seat ofWinona County, Minnesota, United States.[7] The population was 25,948 at the2020 census.[5] Located in bluff country, otherwise known as the Driftless Area on theMississippi River, its most noticeable physical landmark isSugar Loaf. Winona is known as the home ofWinona State University,Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, and theMinnesota Marine Art Museum.
The site was of the village of Keoxa ofDakota people.[8] The city is named afterWinona, a figure in aSioux legend.[9]
European immigrants settled the area in 1851 and laid out the town into lots in 1852 and 1853. The original settlers were immigrants fromNew England.[10][11] The population increased from 815 in December 1855, to 3,000 in December 1856. In 1856,German immigrants arrived as well.[11] The Germans and theYankees worked together planting trees and building businesses based on lumber, wheat, steamboating and railroads. Between 1859 and 1900, some 5,000Poles and closely relatedKashubians emigrated to Winona, making up one quarter of the population. Since 80% of them were Kashubians, Winona became known as the "Kashubian Capital of America". As a result of the influx of PolishCatholic immigrants, theChurch of St. Stanislaus (now Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka) was built.[12] For a time, Winona had more millionaires than any other city of its size in the United States.[11]
The railroad andsteamboat transportation industries helped Winona grow into a small city that diversified intowheat milling, and lumber production. In 1856, more than 1,300 steamboats stopped at Winona.[13] TheWinona and St. Peter Railroad first segment of 11 miles (18 km) from Winona toStockton, Minnesota was completed by the end of 1862. Winona then had the second operational railroad in Minnesota, after the St. Paul and Pacific Line fromSaint Paul toSt. Anthony Falls.[14] In December 1870, theMississippi River was bridged at Winona by theWinona Rail Bridge.[15] In 1892, awagon toll-bridge over the Mississippi, a steel high-bridge, was completed and remained in service until the opening of theMain Channel Bridge in 1942.
Winona has two historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places that combine into a single local historic district administered by the city's Heritage Preservation Commission.
Abandshell was completed in 1924 for outdoor musical performances and events.[16] The Winona Municipal Band holds concerts there during the summer.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.32 square miles (62.99 km2); 19.03 square miles (49.29 km2) is land and 5.29 square miles (13.70 km2) is water.[17] Lock and Dam 5A spans the Mississippi River in Winona. The highway bridge connecting Winona to the Wisconsin side of the river is at approximately River Mile 726 (USACE map 31[18]).
Winona's primary suburbs areGoodview,Stockton,Minnesota City andRollingstone to the west,Homer to the southeast andBluff Siding is 3 miles directly across the interstate bridge to the north andFountain City to the north.Rochester is 44 miles to the west of Winona,La Crescent is 21 miles to the south, andLa Crosse is 30 miles to the southeast.
Winona is part of thedriftless area, a region never covered by ice during thelast ice age, that includes southeasternMinnesota, northeasternIowa, southwesternWisconsin and northwesternIllinois.
Just northeast of the city, connected to Winona via a number of bridges, isLatsch Island. Officially part of the city since 1998, Latsch Island has been home to a unique community ofhouseboat ("Boathouse") residents for several decades.
The United StatesOffice of Management and Budget has designated Winona as the principal city of theWinona, MN Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA).[19]
Winona's weather station records the warmest climate of any in Minnesota, with a normal year-round average (1971–2000) temperature of 48.9 °F (9.4 °C)[20] compared to 43.2 °F (6.2 °C) inAustin to the city's southwest or 45.4 °F (7.4 °C) inMinneapolis, to the northwest, which experiences a strongurban heat island effect. Temperatures are generally very mild by Minnesota standards year-round; the January mean is 17.6 °F (−8.0 °C), while that of July is 75.8 °F (24.3 °C). Winona has ahumid continental climate (Dfa) with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
| Climate data for Winona Dam 5 A, Minnesota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 64 (18) | 73 (23) | 88 (31) | 96 (36) | 107 (42) | 106 (41) | 108 (42) | 103 (39) | 102 (39) | 93 (34) | 84 (29) | 66 (19) | 108 (42) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 44.8 (7.1) | 50.2 (10.1) | 65.8 (18.8) | 78.9 (26.1) | 86.9 (30.5) | 92.4 (33.6) | 93.6 (34.2) | 92.0 (33.3) | 87.9 (31.1) | 81.4 (27.4) | 64.1 (17.8) | 49.9 (9.9) | 95.7 (35.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 25.0 (−3.9) | 30.2 (−1.0) | 42.3 (5.7) | 56.4 (13.6) | 68.7 (20.4) | 78.4 (25.8) | 82.5 (28.1) | 80.6 (27.0) | 73.2 (22.9) | 59.4 (15.2) | 43.5 (6.4) | 30.7 (−0.7) | 55.9 (13.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 16.5 (−8.6) | 20.7 (−6.3) | 33.0 (0.6) | 46.5 (8.1) | 58.4 (14.7) | 68.5 (20.3) | 72.8 (22.7) | 71.0 (21.7) | 63.4 (17.4) | 50.4 (10.2) | 36.3 (2.4) | 23.5 (−4.7) | 46.7 (8.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 8.0 (−13.3) | 11.1 (−11.6) | 23.8 (−4.6) | 36.5 (2.5) | 48.0 (8.9) | 58.6 (14.8) | 63.0 (17.2) | 61.4 (16.3) | 53.6 (12.0) | 41.4 (5.2) | 29.2 (−1.6) | 16.3 (−8.7) | 37.6 (3.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −15.3 (−26.3) | −12.1 (−24.5) | 1.3 (−17.1) | 23.4 (−4.8) | 36.0 (2.2) | 46.5 (8.1) | 54.1 (12.3) | 52.3 (11.3) | 40.5 (4.7) | 27.8 (−2.3) | 13.2 (−10.4) | −6.1 (−21.2) | −18.9 (−28.3) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −35 (−37) | −38 (−39) | −28 (−33) | 4 (−16) | 21 (−6) | 35 (2) | 43 (6) | 33 (1) | 25 (−4) | 7 (−14) | −11 (−24) | −31 (−35) | −38 (−39) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 1.06 (27) | 1.02 (26) | 1.91 (49) | 3.65 (93) | 4.14 (105) | 4.83 (123) | 4.11 (104) | 4.55 (116) | 3.57 (91) | 2.53 (64) | 1.85 (47) | 1.22 (31) | 34.44 (875) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 9.8 (25) | 9.3 (24) | 5.7 (14) | 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) | 1.4 (3.6) | 9.5 (24) | 37.6 (96) |
| Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 9.6 (24) | 11.4 (29) | 7.7 (20) | 1.1 (2.8) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 1.0 (2.5) | 7.1 (18) | 14.1 (36) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 8.6 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 11.8 | 13.0 | 12.2 | 10.1 | 9.4 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 7.5 | 9.0 | 117.3 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 5.3 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 4.7 | 18.6 |
| Source:NOAA[21][22][23] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 2,464 | — | |
| 1870 | 7,192 | 191.9% | |
| 1880 | 10,208 | 41.9% | |
| 1890 | 18,208 | 78.4% | |
| 1900 | 19,714 | 8.3% | |
| 1910 | 18,583 | −5.7% | |
| 1920 | 19,143 | 3.0% | |
| 1930 | 20,850 | 8.9% | |
| 1940 | 22,490 | 7.9% | |
| 1950 | 25,031 | 11.3% | |
| 1960 | 24,895 | −0.5% | |
| 1970 | 26,438 | 6.2% | |
| 1980 | 25,075 | −5.2% | |
| 1990 | 25,399 | 1.3% | |
| 2000 | 27,069 | 6.6% | |
| 2010 | 27,592 | 1.9% | |
| 2020 | 25,948 | −6.0% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 25,842 | [6] | −0.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[24] 2020 Census[5] | |||
As of thecensus of 2020,[25] the population was 25,948. Thepopulation density was 1,363.5 inhabitants per square mile (526.5/km2). There were 11,525 housing units at an average density of 605.6 per square mile (233.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 89.3%White, 2.8%Black orAfrican American, 2.2%Asian, 0.3%Native American, 1.3% fromother races, and 4.2% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 3.2%Hispanic orLatino of any race.
As of thecensus of 2010, there were 27,592 people, 10,449 households, and 5,022 families residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,464.5 inhabitants per square mile (565.4/km2). There were 10,989 housing units at an average density of 583.3 per square mile (225.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.0%White, 1.9%African American, 0.3%Native American, 2.9%Asian, 0.5% fromother races, and 1.3% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.7% of the population.
There were 10,449 households, of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.4% weremarried couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 51.9% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.84.
The median age in the city was 26.7 years. 14.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 33.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.5% were from 25 to 44; 20.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 27,069 residents. The population density was 1,485.0 inhabitants per square mile (573.4/km2). There were 10,666 housing units at an average density of 585.1 per square mile (225.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.47%White, 1.13%African American, 0.23%Native American, 2.65%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 0.47% fromother races, and 1.03% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.35% of the population.
Ancestries: German (43.2%), Norwegian (15.5%), Polish (14.8%), Irish (13.0%), English (5.5%), French (3.6%).
There were 10,301 households, out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% weremarried couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.3% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 18.0% under the age of 18, 27.5% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,845, and the median income for a family was $48,413. Males had a median income of $31,047 versus $23,302 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $16,783. About 6.5% of families and 17.3% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.
Winona is home to the headquarters to many companies includingFastenal, Thern Inc., Knitcraft Corporation, RTP Company, We-No-Nah Canoe,[26]United Building Centers, Badger Equipment Company,[27] Winona Lighting, Hal Leonard Music, WinCraft Sports, and Winona Pattern & Mold.[28] Bay State Milling operates a grain processing facility in Winona and was founded there in 1899.[citation needed]
Watkins Incorporated, a manufacturer of health remedies, baking products, and household goods, was founded in 1868 by J.R. Watkins in Plainview, Minnesota. The company relocated to Winona in 1885. By the early 20th century, J.R. Watkins had become one of the largest direct-sales companies in the United States. The company headquarters, a complex of seven buildings, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Winona is also known as thestained glass capital of the United States.[29]Willet Hauser Architectural Glass, Inc is a North American stained glass firm located in Winona, Minnesota that specializes in the design, fabrication, preservation and restoration of leaded stained glass and faceted glass windows. The studio is one of the oldest in North America.
Fastenal, headquartered in Winona.,[30] ranked number 479 in the 2021 Fortune 500 based on its 2020 revenues. In 2023 Fastenal fell to number 514.https://tcbmag.com/minnesota-now-has-15-fortune-500-companies/ Its stock is a component of the Nasdaq 100 index.
According to the City's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[31] the largest employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | Type of Business | # of Employees | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fastenal Company | Commercial/Industrial | 1,618 | 5.00% |
| 2 | Winona State University | Post-secondary education | 1,050 | 4.19% |
| 3 | Winona Health | Hospital/Clinic/Health Care | 975 | 3.59% |
| 4 | Winona Area Public Schools ISD 861 | K-12 education | 684 | 2.20% |
| 5 | WinCraft | Promotional materials | 500 | 1.75% |
| 6 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Post-secondary education | 450 | 1.57% |
| 7 | TRW Automotive Electronics | Industrial machinery | 400 | 1.40% |
| 8 | RTP Company | Industrial | 375 | 1.31% |
| 9 | County of Winona | County Government | 300 | 1.05% |
| 10 | Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company | Electronic Control manufacturer | 289 | 1.01% |
| — | Total principal employers | — | 6,606 | 23.07% |
| — | Other employers | — | 22,019 | 76.93% |
| — | Total employers | — | 28,625 | 100.00% |
In addition to the two NRHP historic districts, Winona has multiple buildings of architectural significance
The city offers artistic venues and historical experiences. The city earned the nickname "Stained Glass Capital of the United States" for its stunning religious and secular stained glass pieces.[32][33] The Great River Shakespeare Festival stages professional productions of Shakespeare's plays each summer, while the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts provides a full spectrum of artistic training and performances.[34] The River Arts Alliance organizes educational programs, community events, and public art projects while fostering a collaborative artist community. Projects include poetry etched into sidewalks on the Winona Poetry Walk.[35] TheWinona County History Center, made up of two buildings, the historic Winona Armory and the modern Laird Norton Addition, offers exhibits in its museum and art gallery, and exploration of the region's history in their Laird Lucas Library and Archives.
Winona is located inMinnesota's 1st congressional district, represented byBrad Finstad, aRepublican.[39] At the state level, Winona is located inSenate District 28, represented by RepublicanJeremy Miller, and inHouse District 26A, represented by RepublicanAaron Repinski. NearbyHouse District 28B is represented byGreg Davids, a Republican. Scott Sherman is mayor.[40]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 37.4%5,040 | 60.0%8,077 | 2.6%354 |
| 2016 | 37.6%5,188 | 51.6%7,120 | 10.8%1,489 |
| 2012 | 36.5%5,455 | 60.4%9,015 | 3.1%467 |
| 2008 | 34.2%5,223 | 63.7%9,738 | 2.1%328 |
| 2004 | 41.0%6,074 | 57.1%8,448 | 1.9%281 |
| 2000 | 39.7%5,186 | 49.5%6,465 | 10.8%1,418 |
Winona became the site of the firstnormal school west of the Mississippi in 1858 with the establishment of Winona Normal School (nowWinona State University). This was the beginning of Winona's tradition as a center of higher education. In 2018-2019, Winona State University (WSU) had approximately 7,200 undergraduate students and 560 graduate students.[47] WSU is part of the Minnesota State college system.[48]
Saint Mary's College (nowSaint Mary's University) was founded as a privateCatholic,Lasallian school in 1912.[49] Later, as the necessary opportunity of higher education for women became apparent, theCollege of Saint Teresa was created. After Saint Mary's became co-ed in 1969,[49] Saint Teresa closed down in 1988, and its facilities are now used, owned, and/or operated bySaint Mary's University of Minnesota,Winona State University, andCotter High School.Minnesota State College Southeast also has a campus in Winona.[50]
There is a diverse variety of K-12 educational opportunities. Run byIndependent School District 861, the local public school system includes five elementary schools (three in the city of Winona), theWinona Middle School, and theWinona Senior High School. The Winona Area Catholic Schools system includes St. Nicholas Hall Primary School, St. Luke Elementary School, Cotter Junior High School, andCotter Senior High School. St. Martin's School,[51] St. Matthew's School,[52] andHope Lutheran High School are privateLutheran schools in Winona. Two charter schools, Winona Riverway Learning Community (PreK-12) l,[53] and Bluffview Montessori Charter School (K-8) are located in the city. Bluffview is notable as the firstcharterMontessori and the second charter school overall in the United States.[54]
Main Square Montessori (MSM) is a nonprofit Montessori learning center for children from the ages of 16 months to six years old in a partnership between the Hiawatha Education Foundation and Cotter Schools.[55]
Several organizations also provide community education. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts offers community classes for early childhood through 55+ adult programs in the areas of dance, music, theater, and visual arts.[56] Winona Area Public Schools,[57][58] Winona State University,[59] The City of Winona Parks and Recreation,[60] and Winona Arts Center[61] offer additional community learning opportunities.
Winona has two newspapers: theWinona Daily News, a daily morning paper; and theWinona Post, a weekly paper with a Wednesday edition.
Winona receives TV signals from neighboring cities, including several channels each fromLa Crosse,Rochester,Eau Claire, and the Twin Cities, although what can be received depends on the location within the area, as the extensive system ofvalleys andridges may block any or all signals. There is one localpublic broadcasting TV network, HBCI, which is available only to subscribers of the HBC cable company.
| FM radio stations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Call sign | Name | Format | Owner |
| 88.5 FM | K203BR (KFSI Translator) | Christian | Faith Sound Incorporated | |
| 89.5 FM | KQAL | College | Winona State University | |
| 92.5 FM | KSMR | Christian | Real Presence Radio | |
| 94.3 FM | K232CZ (KSMR Translator) | |||
| 95.3 FM | KGSL | KG-95.3 | Hot AC | Leighton Broadcasting |
| 98.7 FM | W274BW (KWNO-AM Translator) | News/Talk | ||
| 99.3 FM | KWMN | Winona Sports Network | Sports | |
| 101.1 FM | KRIV | 101.1 The River | Classic Hits | |
| 101.9 FM | K270AB (KZSE Translator) | MPR News | Public Radio | Minnesota Public Radio |
| 103.9 FM | K280EL (KQYB Translator) | KQ98 | Country | Family Radio, Inc. |
| 107.3 FM | W297AW (KLSE Translator) | Classical MPR | Classical | Minnesota Public Radio |
| AM radio stations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Call sign | Name | Format | Owner |
| 1230 AM | KWNO | News/Talk | Leighton Broadcasting | |
| 1380 AM | KHWK | Country | ||
U.S. Highway 14,U.S. Highway 61,Minnesota Highway 43 andWisconsin State Highway 54 are the main routes into the city.Interstate Highway 90 is located a short distance south of the city.
Winona was once served by four railroads;Milwaukee Road,Chicago & North Western,Chicago Great Western andGreen Bay & Western, with the Burlington Route trains stopping at a station across the river in Wisconsin. Only the former Milwaukee Roadstation remains and is now served byAmtrak'sEmpire Builder daily in each direction betweenChicago andSeattle andPortland, as well as the dailyBorealis running betweenSaint Paul, Minnesota andChicago. The Milwaukee Road is now owned byCanadian Pacific, as is theDakota, Minnesota & Eastern, which operates the formerChicago & North Western line from Winona to the west.
TheWinona Transit Service provides public bus transportation six days per week.[62] The city is also located along theMississippi River Trail, and the Flyway Trail connects the city to nearby trail systems in Wisconsin.[63]Winona Municipal Airport - Max Conrad Field servesgeneral aviation in the area. It was once served by one passenger airliner,Mississippi Valley Airlines until the mid-1970s.
Known as the Island City, Winona...
Municipalities and communities ofWinona County, Minnesota,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Townships | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
