Chatfield, Minnesota

Chatfield, Minnesota
City
Motto: "The Gateway to Bluff Country" and "The Chosen Valley"

Location of Chatfield, Minnesota (Olmsted County)

Location of Chatfield, Minnesota (Fillmore County)
Coordinates: 43°50′46″N 92°11′13″W / 43.84611°N 92.18694°W
Country United States
State Minnesota
Counties Fillmore, Olmsted
Area[1] =
 • Total 2.64 sq mi (6.84 km2)
 • Land 2.64 sq mi (6.84 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 1,010 ft (308 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 2,779
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 2,777
 • Density 1,052.7/sq mi (406.4/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 55923
Area code(s) 507
FIPS code 27-11008[4]
GNIS feature ID 0641133[5]

Chatfield is a city in Fillmore and Olmsted counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 2,779 at the 2010 census.[6] The city's area is split almost equally between the two counties. Chatfield is known as "The Gateway to Bluff Country" and "The Chosen Valley".

History

The city was named after Judge Andrew G. Chatfield.[7] It was founded in 1853 by Andrew Twiford, and originally served as the Fillmore county seat prior to the county being further divided. The founding population was overwhelmingly from New England. The New Englanders who founded Chatfield built a community that became so successful it was dubbed "the Chosen Valley".[8] During the American Civil War, the Chatfield Guards militia distinguished themselves as Company A of the 2nd Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and their commander, former engineer and newspaperman Captain (later promoted to Colonel) Judson W. Bishop, later commanded the entire regiment.[9]

Geography

Main Street.
Chatfield Public Library (also home to the Chatfield Historical Museum), originally built as a Carnegie library.
St. Mary's Catholic Church.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.64 square miles (6.84 km2).[1] It is also the home of the only stop light in Fillmore County, at the intersection of 3rd Street (Fillmore County Road 2) and Main Street. Chatfield has two waterways within its borders, the North Branch of the Root River and a tributary, Mill Creek.[10]

U.S. Highway 52, State Highway 30, State Highway 74, and Fillmore County Road 2 are four of the main routes in the city.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,779 people, 1,092 households, and 741 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,052.7 inhabitants per square mile (406.4/km2). There were 1,174 housing units at an average density of 444.7 per square mile (171.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 72.1% White, 27.5% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 1,092 households of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.1% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the city was 36.9 years. 28.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.6% were from 25 to 44; 22% were from 45 to 64; and 16.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 2,394 people, 930 households, and 633 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,201.8 people per square mile (464.5/km²). There were 959 housing units at an average density of 481.4 per square mile (186.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.66% White, 0.46% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4% of the population.

There were 930 households out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,023, and the median income for a family was $53,625. Males had a median income of $32,174 versus $27,697 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,145. About 4.9% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.

Entertainment

Because Chatfield is not connected to the Blufflands State Trail it does not have many tourist attractions like many of the neighboring towns such as Harmony and Lanesboro. However, once a year on the second weekend in August the town holds its annual "Western Days" celebration. Chatfield also has a bed and breakfast known as "Oakenwald Terrace". Oakenwald Terrace, built in 1897, is one of the oldest standing houses in the area. Another unique feature of Chatfield is the Chatfield Brass Band & Music Lending Library, a public institution dedicated to the preservation and use of sheet music from the brass band era.

Athletics

The Chatfield community has enjoyed tremendous success in athletics in recent years. In addition to having a community that rallies around athletics at Chatfield High School, recreational sports among community members have been very competitive as of late. In 2013, the Chatfield High School football team claimed its fourth state championship, and 1st since they won back to back to back from 1994-1996. The Gophers absolutely trounced through the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, destroying all teams who opposed them. A few months later, the Gopher Wrestling Team was back in the Xcel Energy Center, competing for a state championship. They were successful in claiming the state title, Chatfield High School's second major title in a matter of months. In the same sports season, the Lady Gophers basketball team had an undefeated regular season. But the Gophers weren't done. In the first year of the team's existence, the Chatfield Hockey absolutely mopped the floor with their opponents, out scoring them 102-9. The Gophers were conference champions, and were invited to the White House. With a very deep and well built athletic program, Chatfield has a very bright future in athletics. Also, the Chatfield Men's Soccer program is just kicking off this spring for the first time in school history. They are looking to be a force in the Three Rivers Conference Women's Division this year. With the athletic and mobile class they have coming in this year, we could see them up at the state meet this fall. Rugbee is now being introduced in the new conference, along with football, cross country, volleyball, and soccer Rugbee will be new to the 2015 season

References

[11]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  3. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  7. ↑ "Profile for Chatfield, Minnesota, MN". ePodunk. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
  8. ↑ Minnesota: A History of the State By Theodore Christian Blegen page 202
  9. ↑ "About Chatfield". Chatfield, Minnesota. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
  10. ↑ "Root River State Water Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
  11. ↑ http://www.bluffcountryhikingclub.org/the-trail

External links

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Coordinates: 43°50′44″N 92°11′21″W / 43.84556°N 92.18917°W