Big Lake, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 6,063 people, 2,117 households, and 1,570 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,688.4 people per square mile (652.1/km²). There were 2,206 housing units at an average density of 614.3 per square mile (237.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.70% White, 0.13% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.89% from other races
, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.80% of the population. 38.6% were of German
, 15.2% Norwegian, 7.5% Irish
, 7.5% Swedish and 5.9% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 2,117 households out of which 44.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the city the population was spread out with 32.5% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 37.3% from 25 to 44, 14.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $50,658, and the median income for a family was $54,038. Males had a median income of $35,279 versus $26,601 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $18,931. About 3.5% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
The median house/condo value in 2005 was estimated to be $207,400 (67% increase from 2000).
The lake for which the town is named was once an important part of the Twin Cities economy, as in the days before modern refrigerators, much of the ice for metropolitan iceboxes was harvested from Big Lake.
Big Lake is currently the northernmost terminus
of the Northstar Commuter Rail line connecting the northwest suburbs and downtown Minneapolis
; there are plans for the line to be extended to St. Cloud
by 2015.
Big Lake also was the home of the Great Northern Railroad and Northern Pacific Railroad .
Big Lake is also home to the area famous ice auger company, Strike Master.
The mascot for Big Lake Schools is the Hornet.
The local newspaper is the West Sherburne Tribune.
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,063 people, 2,117 households, and 1,570 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,688.4 people per square mile (652.1/km²). There were 2,206 housing units at an average density of 614.3 per square mile (237.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.70% White, 0.13% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.89% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.80% of the population. 38.6% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 15.2% Norwegian, 7.5% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 7.5% Swedish and 5.9% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 2,117 households out of which 44.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the city the population was spread out with 32.5% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 37.3% from 25 to 44, 14.8% from 45 to 64, and 5.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $50,658, and the median income for a family was $54,038. Males had a median income of $35,279 versus $26,601 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $18,931. About 3.5% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
The median house/condo value in 2005 was estimated to be $207,400 (67% increase from 2000).
History
Located about 40 miles northwest of the Twin Cities, Big Lake was once a popular location for escapes from the city, its lakes dotted with summer cabins. Now it is considered a suburb of the metro area, with a significant portion of residents commuting into the Cities daily.The lake for which the town is named was once an important part of the Twin Cities economy, as in the days before modern refrigerators, much of the ice for metropolitan iceboxes was harvested from Big Lake.
Big Lake is currently the northernmost terminus
Big Lake (Metro Transit station)
Big Lake Station is a Northstar Line commuter rail station in Big Lake, Minnesota, located at 19691 County Road 43. The station features bicycle lockers and a park and ride lot with capacity for 518 vehicles. Commute time to downtown Minneapolis from this station is about 50 minutes...
of the Northstar Commuter Rail line connecting the northwest suburbs and downtown Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
; there are plans for the line to be extended to St. Cloud
St. Cloud, Minnesota
St. Cloud is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the largest population center in the state's central region. The population was 65,842 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Stearns County...
by 2015.
Big Lake also was the home of the Great Northern Railroad and Northern Pacific Railroad .
Culture
Big Lake is known locally for its annual summer festival "Spud Fest," which celebrates all things potato-related. The festival is also known for its large softball tournament, attracting teams from all over the state.Big Lake is also home to the area famous ice auger company, Strike Master.
The mascot for Big Lake Schools is the Hornet.
The local newspaper is the West Sherburne Tribune.