Luverne, MN

Luverne, Minnesota
Location of Luverne, Minnesota
Coordinates: 43°39′21″N 96°12′37″W / 43.65583, -96.21028
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Rock
Area
- City	sq mi (km²)
- Land	sq mi ( km²)
- Water	sq mi ( km²)
Elevation	ft ( m)
Population (2000)
- City
- Density	/sq mi (/km²)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	56156
Area code(s)	507
FIPS code	27-385642
GNIS feature ID	06473103

Luverne is a city in Rock County, Minnesota, along the Rock River. The population was 4,617 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rock County⁶.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.9 km² (3.4 mi²). 8.8 km² (3.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.29% is water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 4,617 people, 1,968 households, and 1,247 families residing in the city. The population density was 524.3/km² (1,356.1/mi²). There were 2,161 housing units at an average density of 245.4/km² (634.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.27% White, 0.67% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.58% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.56% of the population.

There were 1,968 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males The median income for a household in the city was $36,271, and the median income for a family was $46,745. Males had a median income of $30,549 versus $22,660 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,692. About 5.7% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions

• Blue Mounds State Park is north of Luverne. A bison herd is among the beautiful park's unique attractions.
• The Blue Mound Biking & Hiking Trail is a six-mile path that stretches from Main Street in downtown Luverne to the lower lake parking lot at Blue Mounds State Park. Along the path visitors can see open scenery and agricultural fields, tree-lined shade, and a beautiful view of the Blue Mound cliff line. A portion of the trail branches off and goes to the top of the 90 foot cliff line for a panoramic view of the community.
• In addition to the large City Park, Luverne maintains 10 neighborhood parks.
• Rock County Pool and Fitness Center
• Quentin Aanenson Airfield - Luverne Municipal Airport
• Ice Arena
• The Palace Theater on Main Street just underwent a $1 million renovation. On Sept. 6, 2007, the historic movie theater hosted the world premiere of Ken Burns' epic 15-hour PBS documentary, The War--which first aired on PBS Sept. 23, 2007. Luverne is one of four U.S. cities that serve as anchor points for The War. The series tells the story of WWII from the perspective of "so-called ordinary Americans" who fought and lived through the global cataclysm. The six-year project is acclaimed as the best work yet from legendary filmmaker Ken Burns who attended the Luverne premiere and a special showing for veterans, both held at the Palace Theater.
• Green Earth Players theater troupe
• Verne's Drive In Movie Theater
• Rock County Veterans Memorial, dedicated May 28, 2007, is located on the south lawn of the historic and refurbished Rock County Courthouse. Many have likened the quality of the Memorial to what would be seen in Washington, D.C. The Memorial was built by K.A.H.R.--a family foundation--and supplemented by paver stones honoring individual Rock County veterans of all services.

Famous Area Residents

• Cedric Adams - 1930s-1950s-era WCCO AM radio personailty, TV broadcaster and daily newspaper columnist in the Twin Cities. Upper Midwest pilots saw lights flicker out at the end of his 10 p.m. radio news broadcasts. [Pavek Museum of Broadcasting.]
• Jim Brandenburg - Award-winning wildlife photographer for National Geographic and other leading publications. Twice named Magazine Photographer of the Year and in 1988 Wildlife Photographer of the Year by the British Museum. Co-founder of Brandenburg Prairie Foundation. The Brandenburg Gallery on Main Street in Luverne displays some of his striking photographs and books.
• Jerilyn Britz - U.S. Women's Open Golf Champion in 1979. Winner of the 1980 LPGA Mary Kay Classic. Finished second-place at two other major championships. Played on LPGA tour 1974-1999.
• Al McIntosh - Editor and publisher of The Rock County Star Herald, president of (forerunner to) the National Newspaper Association and the Minnesota Newspaper Association. The Al McIntosh Distinguished Service to Journalism Award is presented by the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Stirring excerpts from his "More or Less Personal Chaff" weekly columns during WWII are voiced by actor Tom Hanks in The War---a 15-hour PBS documentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick which held its world premiere Sept. 6, 2007, at Luverne's Palace Theatre. McIntosh's wartime columns were published September, 2007, in Zenith Press' SELECTED CHAFF. Celebrated filmmaker Ken Burns said the columns were his greatest archival discovery in over 30 years of filmmaking.
• Frederick Manfred - Novelist and writer on universal themes mostly set in the Great Plains and West, including the regional area he named as Siouxland. His 1957 novel, RIDERS OF JUDGMENT, was adapted by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana into a 2002 Hallmark Channel movie, "Johnson County War". Father of poet and author Freya Manfred. [Frederick Manfred Information Page]
• John Rodman - Internationally recognized leader in the science of individualizing dosages of life-saving drugs for children with cancer and HIV. Founding member and past president of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. He led the national Pediatric Aids Clinical Trials Group core pharmacology lab for many years. Led the establishment of pharmacotherapy as a specialty in pharmacy. Cited by peers as "a pioneer in his profession." Directed one of the largest patient care divisions at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
• Lloyd Voss - 1964 Green Bay Packers first-round draft pick, member of a Vince Lombardi-coached Packers Super Bowl winner. Pittsburgh Steelers six-year defensive end starter. Missed only three games in nine NFL seasons. Enshrined in Nebraska Football Hall of Fame 1966.
• James Russell Wiggins - Executive editor of The Washington Post. Ambassador to the United Nations, appointed by LBJ. President of the American Society of Newspaper Editors 1959-60. Published The Ellsworth American in Maine until retirement at age 95.
• Dick Wildung - Associated Press Football All-American 1941 and 1942, played tackle for 1940 and 1941 national champion University of Minnesota, four-year captain of Green Bay Packers, College Football Hall of Fame inductee in 1957.

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