Albert Lea, Minnesota | |
|---|---|
 The historic downtown | |
| Motto: Land Between the Lakes | |
 | |
| Coordinates:43°39′18″N93°21′51″W / 43.65500°N 93.36417°W /43.65500; -93.36417 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Freeborn |
| Founded | 1855 |
| Incorporated (village) | 1859 |
| Incorporated (city) | 1878 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Rich Murray |
| • City Manager | Ian Rigg |
| • City Attorney | Kelly Martinez |
| • Public Safety Director | JD Carlson |
| Area | |
• City | 15.14 sq mi (39.21 km2) |
| • Land | 13.29 sq mi (34.42 km2) |
| • Water | 1.85 sq mi (4.79 km2) 12.69% |
| Elevation | 1,247 ft (380 m) |
| Population | |
• City | 18,492 |
• Estimate (2023)[4] | 18,269 |
| • Density | 1,391.53/sq mi (537.27/km2) |
| • Urban | 17,992 |
| • Metro | 30,718 (US:428th) |
| Demonym | Albert Leans |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code | 56007 |
| Area code | 507 |
| FIPS code | 27-00694 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2393902[2] |
| Website | cityofalbertlea.org |
Albert Lea (/ˌælbərtˈliː/AL-bərtLEE)[5] is a city inFreeborn County, in southernMinnesota.[6] It is thecounty seat. Its population was 18,492 at the2020 census.[3]
The city is at the junction of Interstates35 and90, about 90 miles (140 km) south of theTwin Cities. It is on the shores of Fountain Lake, Pickerel Lake, Albert Lea Lake, Goose Lake, School Lake, and Lake Chapeau. Fountain Lake and Albert Lea Lake are part of theShell Rock River flowage.
The city's early growth was based onagriculture, farming support services andmanufacturing, and it was a significant rail center. At one time it was the site ofCargill's headquarters.[7] Other manufacturing includedEdwards Manufacturing (barn equipment), Scotsman Ice Machines, Streater Store fixtures, and Universal Milking Machines. As in many U.S. cities, Albert Lea's manufacturing base has substantially diminished. A major employer was theWilson & Company meatpacking plant, later known as Farmstead and Farmland. This facility was destroyed by fire in July 2001.
The city is named after Albert Lea Lake, which was named after Albert Miller Lea, a topographer with the United StatesDragoons, who surveyed southern Minnesota and northernIowa in 1835, including the current site of Albert Lea.[8] CaptainNathan Boone, a son ofDaniel Boone, was the scout for Lea's unit.
The city received national attention in 1959 after Local 6 of theUnited Packinghouse Workers of America went on strike against Wilson & Co., one of the Big Four meatpacking plants at the time, over issues involving mandatory overtime requirements.[9] When Wilson & Co. attempted to operate the plant with replacement workers, violence erupted and split the town. During the 109-day strike, GovernorOrville Freeman acted to quell the violence by closing the plant, calling in theMinnesota National Guard, and declaring martial law on December 11.[10] A federal district court inMinneapolis ruled against Freeman on December 23, and the plant turned back to Wilson & Co. just days later.[11]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 14.42 square miles (37.35 km2), of which 12.59 square miles (32.61 km2) is land and 1.83 square miles (4.74 km2) is water.[12]Myre-Big Island State Park is nearby. There are three main lakes in Albert Lea: Fountain Lake, Pickerel Lake and Albert Lea Lake.
Albert Lea has ahumid continental climate of the hot-summer subtype (KöppenDfa). Albert Lea varies from cold winters to hot summers, with significant contrasts between seasons. Its climate type is typical for inland northern United States locations, but due to its southern position in the state, its summers and winters have higher temperatures than other, more northerly regions of the state. An exception to this rule is the urban core ofMinneapolis -St. Paul, which sees higher temperatures typical of anurban heat island, but Albert Lea is significantly warmer than locations such asDuluth.
| Climate data for Albert Lea, Minnesota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1885–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 64 (18) | 64 (18) | 84 (29) | 94 (34) | 104 (40) | 104 (40) | 104 (40) | 101 (38) | 103 (39) | 94 (34) | 79 (26) | 67 (19) | 104 (40) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 42.1 (5.6) | 46.3 (7.9) | 64.7 (18.2) | 79.7 (26.5) | 88.1 (31.2) | 92.2 (33.4) | 91.8 (33.2) | 89.5 (31.9) | 87.9 (31.1) | 81.8 (27.7) | 64.8 (18.2) | 46.6 (8.1) | 94.5 (34.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 22.5 (−5.3) | 27.1 (−2.7) | 39.6 (4.2) | 55.1 (12.8) | 68.0 (20.0) | 78.3 (25.7) | 81.6 (27.6) | 79.2 (26.2) | 73.0 (22.8) | 58.9 (14.9) | 42.1 (5.6) | 28.3 (−2.1) | 54.5 (12.5) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 14.2 (−9.9) | 18.5 (−7.5) | 31.2 (−0.4) | 45.3 (7.4) | 58.1 (14.5) | 68.7 (20.4) | 72.0 (22.2) | 69.6 (20.9) | 62.0 (16.7) | 48.3 (9.1) | 33.7 (0.9) | 20.9 (−6.2) | 45.2 (7.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 5.9 (−14.5) | 9.8 (−12.3) | 22.8 (−5.1) | 35.5 (1.9) | 48.1 (8.9) | 59.0 (15.0) | 62.5 (16.9) | 59.9 (15.5) | 51.1 (10.6) | 37.7 (3.2) | 25.3 (−3.7) | 13.4 (−10.3) | 35.9 (2.2) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −16.2 (−26.8) | −11.1 (−23.9) | −0.2 (−17.9) | 20.9 (−6.2) | 33.8 (1.0) | 46.2 (7.9) | 52.2 (11.2) | 49.1 (9.5) | 35.9 (2.2) | 22.6 (−5.2) | 7.3 (−13.7) | −8.7 (−22.6) | −18.8 (−28.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −41 (−41) | −33 (−36) | −29 (−34) | 3 (−16) | 21 (−6) | 34 (1) | 42 (6) | 35 (2) | 22 (−6) | −6 (−21) | −18 (−28) | −29 (−34) | −41 (−41) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 0.89 (23) | 0.87 (22) | 1.94 (49) | 3.74 (95) | 4.85 (123) | 5.44 (138) | 4.81 (122) | 4.27 (108) | 3.71 (94) | 2.58 (66) | 1.54 (39) | 1.13 (29) | 35.77 (909) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 8.9 (23) | 9.8 (25) | 6.6 (17) | 2.8 (7.1) | 0.3 (0.76) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.3 (0.76) | 2.7 (6.9) | 8.1 (21) | 39.5 (100) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 6.9 | 6.1 | 7.9 | 11.0 | 12.9 | 12.4 | 10.7 | 10.3 | 9.1 | 9.5 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 110.8 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 6.1 | 5.1 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 5.0 | 22.8 |
| Source:NOAA[13][14] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 262 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,966 | — | |
| 1890 | 3,305 | 68.1% | |
| 1900 | 4,500 | 36.2% | |
| 1910 | 6,192 | 37.6% | |
| 1920 | 8,056 | 30.1% | |
| 1930 | 10,169 | 26.2% | |
| 1940 | 12,200 | 20.0% | |
| 1950 | 13,545 | 11.0% | |
| 1960 | 17,108 | 26.3% | |
| 1970 | 19,418 | 13.5% | |
| 1980 | 19,200 | −1.1% | |
| 1990 | 18,310 | −4.6% | |
| 2000 | 18,356 | 0.3% | |
| 2010 | 18,016 | −1.9% | |
| 2020 | 18,492 | 2.6% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 18,269 | [4] | −1.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[15] 2020 Census[3] | |||
As of thecensus of 2010, there were 18,016 people, 7,774 households, and 4,644 families living in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,431.0 inhabitants per square mile (552.5/km2). There were 8,410 housing units at an average density of 668.0 per square mile (257.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.0%White, 1.1%African American, 0.3%Native American, 1.1%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 5.3% fromother races, and 2.1% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 13.2% of the population.
There were 7,774 households, of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% weremarried couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.3% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% 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 2.85.
The median age in the city was 44 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 26.3% were from 45 to 64; and 22.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 18,356 people, 7,785 households, and 4,826 families living in the city. The population density was 1,702.5 inhabitants per square mile (657.3/km2). There were 8,133 housing units at an average density of 754.3 per square mile (291.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.80%White, 0.37%African American, 0.29%Native American, 0.80%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 4.54% fromother races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 9.48% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
Of the 7,785 households, 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% weremarried couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.88.
23.0% of Albert Lea's population were under the age of 18, 7.9% were 18 to 24, 24.6% were 25 to 44, 23.2% were from 45 to 64, and 21.3% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $32,841, and the median income for a family was $42,407. Males had a median income of $31,383 versus $21,114 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $17,979. 10.2% of the population and 6.9% of families were below thepoverty line. 10.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
The Marion Ross Performing Arts Center is a historic building in downtown Albert Lea. The 255-seat theater is used for the arts, business meetings, and seminars.[16]
The Freeborn County Fair takes place annually in Albert Lea, and includes live entertainment, an antique tractor show, a draft horse show, a small and baby animal show, a midway featuring rides, concessions, and other attractions, and a Sunday church service. A number of well-known and popular Country and Western bands have appeared at the Fair, including Kelly Pickler, Jason Aldean, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Statler Brothers, among many others.[17]
The Albert Lea Art Center hosts public events.[18]
TheAlbert Lea Thunder was ajunior hockey team that played at Albert Lea Ice Arena and was a member of theNorth American Hockey League. The team operated for two seasons in 2008–10 and folded due to financial difficulties. On May 11, 2010, it was reported that the team had found new owners and would relocate to Texas for the 2010–11 season.[19] Its roster was sold to the expansion Amarillo, Texas, franchise the Amarillo Bulls on May 26, 2010.[20]
Albert Lea's city hall is at 221 East Clark St. Albert Lea is inMinnesota's 1st congressional district, represented byBrad Finstad, aRepublican fromNew Ulm.[21] It is in Minnesota State Senate District 23, represented by State SenatorGene Dornink, aRepublican fromBrownsdale, and in Minnesota's House District 23A, represented byPeggy Bennett, a Republican.[22]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 51.4%4,742 | 46.5%4,296 | 2.1%192 |
| 2016 | 49.8%4,316 | 42.2%3,657 | 8.0%692 |
| 2012 | 39.0%3,523 | 58.8%5,303 | 2.2%202 |
| 2008 | 37.9%3,522 | 59.8%5,562 | 2.3%211 |
| 2004 | 40.9%2,801 | 57.8%5,377 | 1.4%126 |
| 2000 | 39.3%3,381 | 55.2%4,749 | 5.5%479 |
| 1996 | 30.6%2,576 | 56.7%4,772 | 12.7%1,072 |
| 1992 | 29.0%2,727 | 47.5%4,463 | 23.5%2,201 |
| 1988 | 43.7%3,608 | 56.3%4,654 | 0.0%0 |
| 1984 | 45.1%4,158 | 54.9%5,060 | 0.0%0 |
| 1980 | 45.3%4,048 | 49.1%4,392 | 5.6%503 |
| 1976 | 46.9%4,255 | 51.9%4,711 | 1.2%110 |
| 1972 | 56.2%4,825 | 42.8%3,679 | 1.0%82 |
| 1968 | 42.5%3,374 | 54.7%4,344 | 2.8%226 |
| 1964 | 37.0%2,969 | 62.9%5,048 | 0.1%14 |
| 1960 | 54.2%4,231 | 45.7%3,563 | 0.1%11 |
TheAlbert Lea Tribune, founded in 1897, is a newspaper published Monday through Saturday in Albert Lea. It is owned byBoone Newspapers.[24][25]
Radio stations with Albert Lea as the city of license include:
Local bus service in Albert Lea is provided bySMART. SMART operates one deviated fixed route and paratransit service.[29]
Municipalities and communities ofFreeborn County, Minnesota,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Authority control databases: Geographic |
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