Pierz, Minnesota

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Pierz, Minnesota
Location of Pierz, Minnesota
Location of Pierz, Minnesota
Coordinates: 45°58′41″N 94°6′9″W / 45.97806, -94.1025
Country United States
State Minnesota
County Morrison
Area
 - Total 1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
 - Land 1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
 - Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation 1,175 ft (358 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 1,277
 - Density 945.8/sq mi (365.2/km²)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 56364
Area code(s) 320
FIPS code 27-50776[1]
GNIS feature ID 0649394[2]
Website: www.pierzmn.org

Pierz is a city in Morrison County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,277 at the 2000 census.

Contents

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.5 km²), all of it land.

Minnesota State Highways 25 and 27 are two of the main routes in the city.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,277 people, 512 households, and 321 families residing in the city. The population density was 945.8 people per square mile (365.2/km²). There were 522 housing units at an average density of 386.6/sq mi (149.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.67% White, 0.39% Native American, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.08% of the population.

There were 512 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 15.2% from 45 to 64, and 30.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 79.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,292, and the median income for a family was $34,167. Males had a median income of $29,107 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,638. About 6.0% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 20.8% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Notes

Pierz is also home to the Father Pierz School of Religion. Father Francis Xavier Pierz was a Minnesota pioneer and early missionary. He is responsible in a large part for the German-American migration to central Minnesota in the mid 1800s and his relationship with the natives was unmatched. The city of Pierz, Minnesota is named in his honor.

Father Pierz School of Religion was established by the four parishes in Pierz, Buckman, Lastrup and Harding to offer religious instruction to students attending public school. Hoffman has been a fixture at FPSR since Pioneer Elementary opened in 1991. It is located at 80 South Edward Street in the rear of Holy Trinity School Gym.

[edit] History

Pierz was named for Father Francis Xavier Pierz. Father Pierz, a Slovenian born Catholic priest, came to Minnesota during the early 1850s as a missionary to both the Ojibwe Indians and the German Catholic settlers whom he attracted to the area. The Herman Billig family was first to arrive. The Town was incorporated on 12 January 1892, but with the name of Rich Prairie. On 15 August 1894, the people voted to change the name of the town to Pierz, for Father Francis Xavier Pierz.

[edit] Oktoberfest

Every year Pierz celebrates Oktoberfest during the last weekend in August. There is a medallion search, with daily clues and where the winner gets a prize package from local businesses. There is also a parade and festival at the city park plus other events.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 45°58′54″N, 94°06′17″W