Pierz, Minnesota

Pierz, Minnesota
City
Nickname(s): Haggle-Dorfen
Location of Pierz, Minnesota
Coordinates: 45°59′N 94°6′W / 45.983°N 94.100°W / 45.983; -94.100
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Morrison
Founded	1869
Government
• Mayor	Toby Eagan
Area[1]
• Total	1.35 sq mi (3.50 km2)
• Land	1.35 sq mi (3.50 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	1,175 ft (358 m)
Population (2010)[2]
• Total	1,393
• Estimate (2012[3])	1,389
• Density	1,031.9/sq mi (398.4/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	56364
Area code(s)	320
FIPS code	27-50776[4]
GNIS feature ID	0649394[5]
Website	www.pierzmn.org

Pierz is a city in Morrison County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,393 at the 2010 census.^[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.35 square miles (3.50 km²), all of it land.^[1]

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

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census^[2] of 2010, there were 1,393 people, 1585 households, and 339 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,031.9 inhabitants per square mile (398.4/km²). There were 605 housing units at an average density of 448.1 per square mile (173.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.6% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 585 households of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.1% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 25.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 42.5 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.2% were from 25 to 44; 19.8% were from 45 to 64; and 27.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 41.3% male and 58.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[4] 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 per square mile (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.

History

Pierz was named for Father Francis Xavier Pierz (Slov.: Franc Pirc), a Slovenian born Catholic priest who came to Minnesota during the early 1850s as a missionary to the native Ojibwe people.^[8] The town was incorporated on January 12, 1892 under the name "Rich Prairie", however on August 15, 1894, residents voted to change the name of the town to Pierz, in honor of Father Pierz.^[9]

Arts and culture

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 $500 "Pierz Bucks" from local businesses to spend within the town. There is also a parade and festival at the city park plus other events, including live Oktoberfest music and plenty of games for young children.

During the summer, Pierz is the host to the Commercial Club's Rock, Roll, & Stroll event. This event takes place on Main Street in Pierz on the first Thursday of June, July, August, and September. During the R.R.S. classic cars roll-in to the town of Pierz to park. These cars are works of art and are admired by many. Car owners, admirers, and street walkers can find local food stands, business specials, and entertainment throughout town. The Pierz Commercial Club sponsors the event and provides prizes for classic car owners. In 2015, the prizes totaled over $1,000 thanks to the Commercial Club and local donations.

Notable people

• Joey Browner, Minnesota Vikings (Former resident)
• Mary Kiffmeyer, Minnesota Secretary of State (1999–2007)
• John Stumpf, CEO, Wells Fargo Bank

References

External links

• City website
• Pierz Schools site

Municipalities and communities of Morrison County, Minnesota, United States County seat: Little Falls Cities Bowlus Buckman Elmdale Flensburg Genola Harding Hillman Lastrup Little Falls Motley‡ Pierz Royalton‡ Randall Sobieski Swanville‡ Upsala Townships Agram Belle Prairie Bellevue Buckman Buh Culdrum Cushing Darling Elmdale Granite Green Prairie Hillman Lakin Leigh Little Falls Morrill Motley Mount Morris Parker Pierz Pike Creek Platte Pulaski Richardson Ripley Rosing Scandia Valley Swan River Swanville Two Rivers Unincorporated communities Cushing Freedhem Gregory Lincoln Little Rock Morrill North Prairie Platte Ramey Vawter Indian reservation Mille Lacs‡ Footnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

Coordinates: 45°59′N 94°6′W / 45.983°N 94.100°W / 45.983; -94.100