Waconia, Minnesota

Waconia
City
View of Lake Waconia
View of Lake Waconia
Location of the city of Waconia within Carver County, Minnesota
Location of the city of Waconia
within Carver County, Minnesota
Coordinates: 44°50′29″N 93°47′24″W / 44.84139°N 93.79000°W / 44.84139; -93.79000
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyCarver
Government
 • MayorNicole Waldron[1]
Area
[2]
 • Total
5.31 sq mi (13.76 km2)
 • Land5.28 sq mi (13.67 km2)
 • Water0.04 sq mi (0.09 km2)
Elevation
[3]
981 ft (299 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
13,033
 • Density2,468.84/sq mi (953.23/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
55387
Area code952
FIPS code27-67432
GNIS feature ID2397159[3]
Websitewww.waconia.org

Waconia (/wəˈkoʊnjə/ wə-KOHN-yə or /wəˈkoʊniə/ wə-KOH-nee-ə)[4] is a city in Carver County, Minnesota, United States. Waconia attracts visitors to nearby Lake Waconia, a lake locally renowned for its fishing and recreation opportunities.

The city's population was 13,033 at the 2020 census.[5]

Geography

Sunset behind a water tower in Waconia

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 4.39 square miles (11.37 km2), of which 4.34 square miles (11.24 km2) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) is water.[6]

Minnesota State Highways 5 and 284 and Carver County Highway 10 are the main routes in Waconia.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880218—
1890441102.3%
190072865.1%
191081712.2%
192090110.3%
19301,29143.3%
19401,3151.9%
19501,56919.3%
19602,04830.5%
19702,44519.4%
19802,6387.9%
19903,49832.6%
20006,81494.8%
201010,69757.0%
202013,03321.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
Carver County Historical Society Museum

2000 census

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 6,814 people, 2,568 households, and 1,848 families living in the city. The population density was 2,432.0 inhabitants per square mile (939.0/km2). There were 2,646 housing units at an average density of 944.4 per square mile (364.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.06% White, 0.34% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.00% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population.

There were 2,568 households, out of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were occupied by one person and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.12.

The city population had a wide age variety; with 29.9% being under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 35.5% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $55,705, and the median income for a family was $67,703. Males had a median income of $43,535 versus $29,488 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,996. About 2.9% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census[9] of 2010, there were 10,697 people, 3,909 households, and 2,748 families living in the city. The population density was 2,464.7 inhabitants per square mile (951.6/km2). There were 4,112 housing units at an average density of 947.5 per square mile (365.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 1.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 3,909 households, of which 45.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.7% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.31.

The median age in the city was 34.9 years. 32.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.7% were from 25 to 44; 20.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

Economy

Top employers

According to the city's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR),[10] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Ridgeview Medical Center 1,623
2 Strom Aviation 1,001
3 I.S.D. No. 110 (Waconia Schools) 969
4 ACPI Products 500
5 Mackenthun's Fine Foods 200
6 Physicians Service Network 200
7 Good Samaritan Society Waconia 158
8 Target 150
9 Lakeview Clinic 120
10 UFC Farm Supply 120

Politics

Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2024 53.8% 4,656 43.6% 3,778 2.6% 225
2020 52.3% 4,132 45.3% 3,580 2.4% 186
2016 53.9% 3,501 36.7% 2,383 9.4% 609
2012 59.1% 3,548 39.0% 2,342 1.9% 110
2008 57.2% 3,177 41.3% 2,292 1.5% 82
2004 62.8% 3,073 36.5% 1,788 0.7% 34
2000 48.7% 1,341 45.5% 1,254 5.8% 160
1996 41.8% 924 45.3% 1,002 12.8% 287
1992 40.5% 833 32.1% 661 27.4% 562
1988 58.2% 939 41.8% 675 0.0% 0
1984 65.5% 865 34.5% 455 0.0% 0
1980 52.2% 751 39.7% 571 8.1% 117
1976 54.5% 727 43.3% 577 2.2% 30
1968 52.5% 627 44.3% 529 3.2% 38
1964 52.4% 582 47.4% 527 0.2% 2
1960 58.5% 614 41.5% 435 0.0% 0

Education

Waconia Public Schools operates five schools. There are also two private schools within Waconia to make seven total:

  • Southview Elementary, grades K–5
  • Bayview Elementary, grades K–5
  • Laketown Elementary, grades K-5
  • Waconia Middle School, grades 6–8
  • St. Joseph Catholic Education Center, grades PreK–8
  • Trinity Lutheran School, grades K–8
  • Waconia High School, grades 9–12

History

A post office has been in operation at Waconia since 1860.[12] The city took its name from Lake Waconia.[13]

Waconia has several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places (see: National Register of Historic Places listings in Carver County, Minnesota). One of the more prominent listings is for Coney Island of the West on Lake Waconia, where cottages, boathouses and resort hotels attracted tourists, especially from 1884 until the late 1920s, when the rise of the automobile allowed people to travel farther away for summer vacations.[14]

  • Waconia City Hall
    Waconia City Hall
  • West Main Street Houses, from left to right 417, 429, and 453 W. Main St.
    West Main Street Houses, from left to right 417, 429, and 453 W. Main St.
  • Emile Amblard Guest House
    Emile Amblard Guest House
  • Coney Island of the West on Lake Waconia across from Waconia
    Coney Island of the West on Lake Waconia across from Waconia
  • Mock Cigar Factory and House
    Mock Cigar Factory and House
  • Charles Maiser House
    Charles Maiser House
  • In the film Drop Dead Gorgeous, 1st Street near St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Waconia is used when the swan float explodes in the parade.[15][16]

Notable people

References

  1. ^ "Metro briefs: Washington County buys land to expand regional park in Denmark Township". Star Tribune.
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Waconia, Minnesota
  4. ^ "Minnesota Pronunciation Guide". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  5. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau". Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  7. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  10. ^ "Audited Financial Statement 2019 (PDF)". City of Waconia, Minnesota. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  11. ^ "Minnesota Elections: Dates and Vote Totals". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  12. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Waconia Post Office
  13. ^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 84.
  14. ^ "Coney Island of the West, 1884–1960," Minnesota Historical Society
  15. ^ Tschida, Mary Kate (April 24, 2018). "The Best MN-Made Flicks and Where They Were Filmed". MinnesotaMonthly.com. The Spirit of Minnesota. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  16. ^ "Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) Filming & Production". IMDb.com. IMDb. Retrieved June 9, 2021.