Milaca, Minnesota
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Milaca is a city in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,580 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mille Lacs County6. It is also situated on the Rum River.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.3 km² (3.2 mi²), all land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 2,580 people, 1,115 households, and 636 families residing in the city. The population density was 312.3/km² (808.2/mi²). There were 1,164 housing units at an average density of 140.9/km² (364.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.67% White, 0.12% African American, 1.28% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population.
There were 1,115 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% were non-families. 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.82.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 81.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,964, and the median income for a family was $40,739. Males had a median income of $35,250 versus $24,531 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,005. About 10.4% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 21.2% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Notable Natives
Darwin Bruesewitz: The retired High School Vocal Music Director taught in Milaca for 25 years and was single handedly responsible for turning the Milaca Senior High School Vocal Music Program into the success it is now. Bruesewitz is recognized in the “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” and is the recipient of the “Leadership in Educational Excellence” award given to an outstanding teacher in District 912. He was also nominated for "Minnesota Teacher Of The Year". Bruesewitz had the ability to bring out the sweetest sounds from students' vocal chords and directed every concert as though it was the performance of a lifetime. Bruesewitz's passion for the arts is well known and he offered his fellow teachers and staff advice by saying, "Support the arts, you won't regret it." The other bit of advice is to maintain a positive attitude. "If you dwell on the negative, you fall in a hole. Work on that positive attitude." It was Bruesewitz's dedication to Milaca Senior High School's Vocal Music Program that enabled Milaca to be listed as one of the Best 100 Communities For Music Education in America according to the American Music Conference 7th Annual Survey. Bruesewitz's presence at Milaca Senior High School is sadly missed. However his memory lives on and the accomplishments of Bruesewitz during his 25 years of directing Vocal Music at Milaca Senior High School have made him the most notable and beloved teacher who has ever graced the halls of Milaca Senior High School.
