Windom is a city in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,490 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cottonwood County.[3] Windom has been assigned ZIP code 56101 by the USPS.
Although it is a small, rural farming community, Windom is host to several parks including a newly installed disc golf course at Mayflower Park. The Des Moines River flows through Windom, and serves as a gentle, rapid-free canoeing spot. Windom is the birthplace of composer Maria Schneider, game show announcer Johnny Olson, and professional football player Larry Buhler. While Windom is known to be quite wild, common consensus agrees the next town is Wilder.
Geography
Windom is located at 43°51′59″N 95°07′01″W / 43.86639°N 95.11694°W / 43.86639; -95.11694 (43.866346, -95.116937).[2] It lies 1,362 feet (415 m) above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.7 km² (3.7 mi²). 9.2 km² (3.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (5.08%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 4,490 people, 1,910 households, and 1,195 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,263.6 people per square mile (488.3/km²). There were 2,089 housing units at an average density of 587.9/sq mi (227.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.15% White, 0.24% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.58% of the population.
There were 1,910 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% 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 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,744, and the median income for a family was $43,350. Males had a median income of $30,053 versus $21,270 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,155. About 5.7% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Windom is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Mankato educator Tim Walz, a Democrat. At the state level, Windom is located in Senate District 22, represented by Democrat Jim Vickerman, and in House District 22B, represented by Republican Rod Hamilton.
Transportation
U.S. Highway 71, Minnesota Highway 60, and Minnesota Highway 62 are three of the main routes in the city.
Communications
The local paper is the Cottonwood County Citizen.[1] The local radio station is KDOM Radio.[2]
Riverfest
Windom holds an annual summer festival called Riverfest during the second weekend of June. A pageant corresponds to this celebration which crowns a Miss Riverfest, a First Runner-Up, Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality and a Little Miss Riverfest. Other activities in this weekend celebration include: fireworks, Vickie Schendel 5K Walk/Run, tennis tourney, fishing tourney, turtle races, kiddie tractor pull, street dance, grand parade, and many more.
References
- Brown, John A. History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota: Their People, Industries, and Institutions. B.F. Bowen & Co.: Indianapolis, 1916.
Coordinates: 43°51′59″N 95°07′01″W / 43.86639°N 95.11694°W / 43.86639; -95.11694
