Monticello, Minnesota
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Monticello is a city in Wright County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 7,868 at the 2000 census. Monticello is located on the Mississippi River at the northern edge of Wright County. The community is home to Nuclear Management Company's Monticello Nuclear Generation Plant.
During winter, hundreds of trumpeter swans nest near Mississippi Drive Park in Monticello as the Mississippi River is heated from warm water discharged by the Monticello Nuclear Generation Plant.
Rapid population growth has led to numerous retail outlets constructed or being planned during 2002-2005, which includes Wal-Mart Supercenter, Target, Muller Family Movie Theatre, Home Depot, Applebee's, Wendy's, and Arby's. This planned growth also brought new auto dealerships, hotels, and industrial development. Monticello continues to be a draw for more new construction and business opportunities due to the recent annexation agreement with Monticello Township. This plan will sustain Monticello for the next twenty years of growth. Monticello's local newspaper is the Monticello Times.
Monticello prides itself in having nice walking trails and parks. Monticello has one of the most impressive community centers in the outstate area. The facility is widely used by local residents.
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[edit] Major Events
On May 3rd 2006 the Monticello Middle School had an electrical fire from the large amount of rain settling on the roof. The smoke damage to the school caused the school to be closed for the rest of the school year. As a result, middle school and high school students had to share usage of the high school building on an alternate-day schedule. The school year did not get extended and the clean up has been completed and the school district is still under investegation by the Minnesota Education Department. [1] [2]
One of Monticello's largest employers, Sunny Fresh Foods, a Cargill Foods Company, is among a handful of nationwide businesses to be a two time award recipient of the 1999 and 2005 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Sunny Fresh Foods is honored to be the only food company to twice receive the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for business performance excellence. For more information visit www.baldrige.nist.gov.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.1 km² (6.2 mi²), all land. Lake Maria State Park is nearby.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 7,868 people, 2,944 households, and 2,066 families residing in the city. The population density was 488.4/km² (1,264.6/mi²). There were 3,030 housing units at an average density of 188.1/km² (487.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.96% White, 0.33% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.03% of the population.
There were 2,944 households out of which 43.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.4% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 15.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,384, and the median income for a family was $53,566. Males had a median income of $41,057 versus $25,854 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,229. About 4.2% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
Monticello is a fast growing community because of its proximity to I-94 and progressive community planning strategy over the past 10 years. Population and growth are expected to continue at a rapid rate.
[edit] Athletics
The Magic have been plagued with bad football for the last 20 years. Since 2000 Monticello has the least amount of wins by any AAAA school in Minnesota. In 2006 in their homecoming game against Rogers, Monticello won 35-21, their first homecoming win since 1989. The most notable program in MHS athletics is the basketball program. The team made several trips to the state tournament in the 90's and have earned trips the past three years ('04, '05, '06). Despite their frequent visits to the big dance, the team has never finished higher than 4th place, igniting humorous theories of a possible "4th place curse". Two Minnesota high-school basketball Players of the Year have come out of Monticello: Nate Holmstadt and Joel Pryzbilla. The 7-foot Pryzbilla went on to play for the University of Minnesota and is now a starting center in the NBA for the Portland Trailblazers
Monticello residents appreciate and expect a high level of service from their Community Education Department and school recreation programs. Community demand for recreation opportunities is high. Thanks to the vote of some very progressive 2002-2004 City Council members, a proactive City Mayor, and School Board members, the community of Monticello now boasts a new hockey arena. The arena is named after "Moose" Sherrit a former player of the Detroit Red Wings.
Despite not having a hockey arena until 2005 Monticello has had it share of outstanding hockey players. Some of which have gone on to play NCAA Division I: Joe Van Culin at Ferris State, Jay Mendwaldt at Air Force Academy and Eric Nelson at the University of Conneticut.
Monticello High School (1,250 est.) , the third largest school in Wright county main rival is Buffalo High School (1,850), the largest school in the county. The two schools compete on every level generally splitting total games played against one another. As of the 2006 High school athletic season Buffalo holds the all time series 1489-1408.
