Albert Lea, Minnesota
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| Albert Lea, Minnesota | |
| Motto: Land Between the Lakes | |
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  Albert Lea, Minnesota
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Freeborn |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Randy Erdman |
| - City Manager | Victoria Simonsen |
| Area | |
| - Total | 12.6 sq mi (32.5 km²) |
| - Land | 10.8 sq mi (27.9 km²) |
| - Water | 1.8 sq mi (4.6 km²) 14.17%% |
| Elevation | 1,243 ft (379 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 18,356 |
| - Density | 1,702.5/sq mi (657.4/km²) |
| Time zone | Central (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | Central (UTC-5) |
| ZIP Code | 56007 |
| Area code(s) | 507 |
| FIPS code | 27-00694[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0639247[2] |
| Website: http://www.albertlea.gov | |
Albert Lea is a city in and the county seat of Freeborn County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota.[3] The population was 18,356 at the 2000 census.
The city is at the junction of Interstates 35 and 90, about 90 miles south of the Twin Cities. It is on the shores of Fountain Lake, Pickerel Lake, Albert Lea Lake, Goose Lake, School Lake, and Lake Chapeau. Fountain Lake is part of the Shell Rock River flowage and Albert Lea Lake.
The city's early growth was based upon agriculture, farming support services and manufacturing. At one time it was the site of Cargill's headquarters. Other manufacturing included Edwards Manufacturing, Scotsman Ice Machines, Streater Store fixtures, and Universal Milking Machines. Like many U.S. towns much of the manufacturing base has diminished. A long-time center of the city's job opportunity was the Wilson & Company meat packing plant, later known as Farmstead and Farmland. This facility was destroyed by fire. The largest employer is currently Albert Lea Medical Center/Mayo with over 1,500 jobs.
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[edit] History
The city is named after Albert Miller Lea, a topographer with the United States Dragoons, who surveyed southern Minnesota and northern Iowa in 1835, including the current site of Albert Lea.[4] Captain Nathan Boone, a son of Daniel Boone, was the scout for Lea's unit.
Albert Lea received national attention in 1959 after Local 6 of the United 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.[5] When Wilson & Co. attempted to operate the plant with replacement workers, violence erupted and split the town. During the 109-day strike, Governor Orville Freeman acted to quell the violence by closing the plant, calling in the Minnesota National Guard, and declaring martial law. Although widely criticized in the editorial press, a Federal district court in Minneapolis upheld the Governor's decision but ordered the plant turned back to Wilson & Co. just days later.[6]
[edit] Government
The city hall is located at 221 East Clark St, Albert Lea, MN 56007. Albert Lea is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Mankato educator Tim Walz, a Democrat (DFL). The Minnesota State Senate District is 27, represented by State Senator Dan Sparks, a member of the DFL. It is in Minnesota's House District 27A, represented in the Minnesota House of Representatives by Robin Brown, a member of the DFL.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.6 square miles (32.5 km²), of which, 10.8 square miles (27.9 km²) of it is land and 1.8 square miles (4.6 km²) of it is water. The total area is 14.17% water. Myre-Big Island State Park is nearby. Coordinates:
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 1,966 |
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| 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% | |
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 18,356 people, 7,785 households, and 4,826 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,702.5 people per square mile (657.4/km²). There were 8,133 housing units at an average density of 754.3/sq mi (291.3/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% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 9.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 7,785 households, 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married 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. The per capita income for the city was $17,979. 10.2% of the population and 6.9% of families were below the poverty line. 10.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
[edit] Education
- School District 241
- Elementary schools
- Middle schools
- High school
- Higher education
- Riverland Community College
- Lea College, operated 1966-1973
- Community education
[edit] Notable natives
- Rockabilly musician Eddie Cochran (composer of "Summertime Blues")
- Conceptual artist Mary Kelly
- Actress Marion Ross (Happy Days)
- Washington Redskins General Manager Vinny Cerrato
- Former St.Cloud State Hockey Coach Craig Dahl
- 2x NCAA and 2x NAIA Wrestling National Champion Chuck Jean
- Comedian and liberal commentator Al Franken briefly lived in Albert Lea during elementary school.
- American model and actress Audra Lynn. She was Miss October 2003 in Playboy magazine.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ The Early Settlement of Albert Lea. Sequicentennial History. City of Albert Lea. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.
- ^ Register,Cheri (2001) Packinghouse Daughter, HarperCollins. ISBN 0060936843
- ^ Frost, Richard T. (1961) Cases in State and Local Government, Prentice-Hall LCCR: 61008224
[edit] External links
- Albert Lea News and Info Website
- Albert Lea official website
- Albert Lea Area Schools website
- Riverland Community College website
- Albert Lea Tribune website
- Albert Lea Journal website
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