Sunburg, Minnesota

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Sunburg is a city in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 110 at the 2000 census. The community is famous for its celebration of its Norwegian-American heritage. The local Sunburg Creamery Cafe serves Norwegian dishes including Klub and Lutefisk. The community is home to Hope Lutheran Church and Sunburg Community Bible Church. There are also several smaller Lutheran congregations within a few miles of the city. Originally, Sunburg was established in hopes that a planned railroad line would travel through the community; however the plans for the railroad never materialized. Nevertheless, Sunburg became an important part of the local farming economy. An elementary school existed from 1955 to 1989, as part of the Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg School District. The school closed due to shrinking enrollment. The school was later sold to the community of Sunburg for $1, which uses it as a community center and fire hall. The fire hall was expanded due to proceeds from a $1 million estate bequeathment. Many local residents were angered that the bequeathment was misappropriated from its intended purpose of being used only for senior housing; controversy still exists within the community regarding this issue (the degree of the current controversy could be debated due to the fact that a new senior housing facility has been built and is operational near the cafe). Despite its small size, Sunburg is home to several businesses including a hardware store, gas station, grocery store, bank, used car delearship, and the aforementioned cafe.

Monson Lake State Park is just west of the town.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²). 1.2 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (4.00%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 110 people, 51 households, and 32 families residing in the city. The population density was 88.5/km² (227.9/mi²). There were 55 housing units at an average density of 44.2/km² (114.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White.

There were 51 households out of which 17.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 31.4% 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 2.16 and the average family size was 2.73.

In the city the population was spread out with 15.5% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 26.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 139.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 144.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,500, and the median income for a family was $28,750. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $18,333 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,654. There were 13.3% of families and 17.8% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 17.6% of those over 64.