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Albert Lea, Minnesota

Coordinates: 43°39′18″N 93°21′51″W / 43.65500°N 93.36417°W / 43.65500; -93.36417
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Albert Lea, Minnesota
The historic downtown
The historic downtown
Motto: 
Land Between the Lakes
Location of the city of Albert Lea within Freeborn County in the state of Minnesota
Location of the city of Albert Lea
within Freeborn County
in the state of Minnesota
Coordinates: 43°39′18″N 93°21′51″W / 43.65500°N 93.36417°W / 43.65500; -93.36417
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyFreeborn
Founded1855
Incorporated (village)1859
Incorporated (city)1878
Government
 • MayorRich Murray
 • City ManagerIan Rigg
 • City AttorneyKelly Martinez
 • Public Safety DirectorJD Carlson
Area
 • City15.14 sq mi (39.21 km2)
 • Land13.29 sq mi (34.42 km2)
 • Water1.85 sq mi (4.79 km2)  12.69%
Elevation1,247 ft (380 m)
Population
 • City18,492
 • Estimate 
(2022)[4]
18,396
 • Density1,391.53/sq mi (537.27/km2)
 • Urban
17,992
 • Metro
30,718 (US: 428th)
 • Demonym
Albert Leans
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
56007
Area code507
FIPS code27-00694
GNIS feature ID2393902[2]
Websitecityofalbertlea.org

Albert Lea (/ˌælbərt ˈl/ AL-bərt LEE)[5] is a city in Freeborn County, in southern Minnesota.[6] It is the county seat. Its population was 18,492 at the 2020 census.[3]

The city is at the junction of Interstates 35 and 90, about 90 miles (140 km) south of the Twin Cities. It is on the shores of Fountain Lake, Pickerel Lake, Albert Lea Lake, Goose Lake, School Lake, and Lake Chapeau. Fountain Lake and Albert Lea Lake are part of the Shell Rock River flowage.

The city's early growth was based on agriculture, farming support services and manufacturing, and it was a significant rail center. At one time it was the site of Cargill's headquarters.[7] Other manufacturing included Edwards Manufacturing (barn equipment), Scotsman Ice Machines, Streater Store fixtures, and Universal Milking Machines. As in many U.S. cities, Albert Lea's manufacturing base has substantially diminished. A major employer was the Wilson & Company meatpacking plant, later known as Farmstead and Farmland. This facility was destroyed by fire in July 2001.

History

[edit]
Albert Lea, c. 1862

The city is named after Albert Lea Lake, which was named after Albert Miller Lea, a topographer with the United States Dragoons, who surveyed southern Minnesota and northern Iowa in 1835, including the current site of Albert Lea.[8] Captain Nathan Boone, a son of Daniel Boone, was the scout for Lea's unit.

The city received national attention in 1959 after Local 6 of the United Packinghouse Workers of America went on strike against Wilson & Co., one of the Big Four meatpacking plants at the time, over issues involving mandatory overtime requirements.[9] When Wilson & Co. attempted to operate the plant with replacement workers, violence erupted and split the town. During the 109-day strike, Governor Orville Freeman acted to quell the violence by closing the plant, calling in the Minnesota National Guard, and declaring martial law on December 11.[10] A federal district court in Minneapolis ruled against Freeman on December 23, and the plant turned back to Wilson & Co. just days later.[11]

Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 14.42 square miles (37.35 km2), of which 12.59 square miles (32.61 km2) is land and 1.83 square miles (4.74 km2) is water.[12] Myre-Big Island State Park is nearby. There are three main lakes in Albert Lea: Fountain Lake, Pickerel Lake and Albert Lea Lake.

Albert Lea, Minnesota

Climate

[edit]

Albert Lea has a humid continental climate of the hot-summer subtype (Köppen Dfa). Albert Lea varies from cold winters to hot summers, with significant contrasts between seasons. Its climate type is typical for inland northern United States locations, but due to its southern position in the state, its summers and winters have higher temperatures than other, more northerly regions of the state. An exception to this rule is the urban core of Minneapolis - St. Paul, which sees higher temperatures typical of an urban heat island, but Albert Lea is significantly warmer than locations such as Duluth.

Climate data for Albert Lea, Minnesota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1885–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 64
(18)
64
(18)
84
(29)
94
(34)
104
(40)
104
(40)
104
(40)
101
(38)
103
(39)
94
(34)
79
(26)
67
(19)
104
(40)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 42.1
(5.6)
46.3
(7.9)
64.7
(18.2)
79.7
(26.5)
88.1
(31.2)
92.2
(33.4)
91.8
(33.2)
89.5
(31.9)
87.9
(31.1)
81.8
(27.7)
64.8
(18.2)
46.6
(8.1)
94.5
(34.7)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 22.5
(−5.3)
27.1
(−2.7)
39.6
(4.2)
55.1
(12.8)
68.0
(20.0)
78.3
(25.7)
81.6
(27.6)
79.2
(26.2)
73.0
(22.8)
58.9
(14.9)
42.1
(5.6)
28.3
(−2.1)
54.5
(12.5)
Daily mean °F (°C) 14.2
(−9.9)
18.5
(−7.5)
31.2
(−0.4)
45.3
(7.4)
58.1
(14.5)
68.7
(20.4)
72.0
(22.2)
69.6
(20.9)
62.0
(16.7)
48.3
(9.1)
33.7
(0.9)
20.9
(−6.2)
45.2
(7.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 5.9
(−14.5)
9.8
(−12.3)
22.8
(−5.1)
35.5
(1.9)
48.1
(8.9)
59.0
(15.0)
62.5
(16.9)
59.9
(15.5)
51.1
(10.6)
37.7
(3.2)
25.3
(−3.7)
13.4
(−10.3)
35.9
(2.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −16.2
(−26.8)
−11.1
(−23.9)
−0.2
(−17.9)
20.9
(−6.2)
33.8
(1.0)
46.2
(7.9)
52.2
(11.2)
49.1
(9.5)
35.9
(2.2)
22.6
(−5.2)
7.3
(−13.7)
−8.7
(−22.6)
−18.8
(−28.2)
Record low °F (°C) −41
(−41)
−33
(−36)
−29
(−34)
3
(−16)
21
(−6)
34
(1)
42
(6)
35
(2)
22
(−6)
−6
(−21)
−18
(−28)
−29
(−34)
−41
(−41)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.89
(23)
0.87
(22)
1.94
(49)
3.74
(95)
4.85
(123)
5.44
(138)
4.81
(122)
4.27
(108)
3.71
(94)
2.58
(66)
1.54
(39)
1.13
(29)
35.77
(909)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 8.9
(23)
9.8
(25)
6.6
(17)
2.8
(7.1)
0.3
(0.76)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.3
(0.76)
2.7
(6.9)
8.1
(21)
39.5
(100)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 6.9 6.1 7.9 11.0 12.9 12.4 10.7 10.3 9.1 9.5 6.8 7.2 110.8
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 6.1 5.1 3.3 1.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.9 5.0 22.8
Source: NOAA[13][14]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1860262
18801,966
18903,30568.1%
19004,50036.2%
19106,19237.6%
19208,05630.1%
193010,16926.2%
194012,20020.0%
195013,54511.0%
196017,10826.3%
197019,41813.5%
198019,200−1.1%
199018,310−4.6%
200018,3560.3%
201018,016−1.9%
202018,4922.6%
2022 (est.)18,396[4]−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
2020 Census[3]

2010 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2010, there were 18,016 people, 7,774 households, and 4,644 families living in the city. The population density was 1,431.0 inhabitants per square mile (552.5/km2). There were 8,410 housing units at an average density of 668.0 per square mile (257.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.0% White, 1.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.2% of the population.

There were 7,774 households, of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.3% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the city was 44 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 26.3% were from 45 to 64; and 22.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,356 people, 7,785 households, and 4,826 families living in the city. The population density was 1,702.5 inhabitants per square mile (657.3/km2). There were 8,133 housing units at an average density of 754.3 per square mile (291.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.80% White, 0.37% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.54% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 9.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 7,785 households, 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.88.

23.0% of Albert Lea's population were under the age of 18, 7.9% were 18 to 24, 24.6% were 25 to 44, 23.2% were from 45 to 64, and 21.3% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,841, and the median income for a family was $42,407. Males had a median income of $31,383 versus $21,114 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,979. 10.2% of the population and 6.9% of families were below the poverty line. 10.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Arts and culture

[edit]
Marion Ross Performing Arts Center

The Marion Ross Performing Arts Center is a historic building in downtown Albert Lea. The 255-seat theater is used for the arts, business meetings, and seminars.[16]

The Freeborn County Fair takes place annually in Albert Lea, and includes live entertainment, an antique tractor show, a draft horse show, a small and baby animal show, a midway featuring rides, concessions, and other attractions, and a Sunday church service. A number of well-known and popular Country and Western bands have appeared at the Fair, including Kelly Pickler, Jason Aldean, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Statler Brothers, among many others.[17]

The Albert Lea Art Center hosts public events.[18]

Sports

[edit]

The Albert Lea Thunder was a junior hockey team that played at Albert Lea Ice Arena and was a member of the North American Hockey League. The team operated for two seasons in 2008–10 and folded due to financial difficulties. On May 11, 2010, it was reported that the team had found new owners and would relocate to Texas for the 2010–11 season.[19] Its roster was sold to the expansion Amarillo, Texas, franchise the Amarillo Bulls on May 26, 2010.[20]

Government

[edit]

Albert Lea's city hall is at 221 East Clark St. Albert Lea is in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Brad Finstad, a Republican from New Ulm.[21] It is in Minnesota State Senate District 23, represented by State Senator Gene Dornink, a Republican from Brownsdale, and in Minnesota's House District 23A, represented by Peggy Bennett, a Republican.[22]

Presidential election results
Precinct General Election Results[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 51.4% 4,742 46.5% 4,296 2.1% 192
2016 49.8% 4,316 42.2% 3,657 8.0% 692
2012 39.0% 3,523 58.8% 5,303 2.2% 202
2008 37.9% 3,522 59.8% 5,562 2.3% 211
2004 40.9% 2,801 57.8% 5,377 1.4% 126
2000 39.3% 3,381 55.2% 4,749 5.5% 479
1996 30.6% 2,576 56.7% 4,772 12.7% 1,072
1992 29.0% 2,727 47.5% 4,463 23.5% 2,201
1988 43.7% 3,608 56.3% 4,654 0.0% 0
1984 45.1% 4,158 54.9% 5,060 0.0% 0
1980 45.3% 4,048 49.1% 4,392 5.6% 503
1976 46.9% 4,255 51.9% 4,711 1.2% 110
1972 56.2% 4,825 42.8% 3,679 1.0% 82
1968 42.5% 3,374 54.7% 4,344 2.8% 226
1964 37.0% 2,969 62.9% 5,048 0.1% 14
1960 54.2% 4,231 45.7% 3,563 0.1% 11

Education

[edit]
Albert Lea High School
Albert Lea High School
Albert Lea High School athletic fields

Media

[edit]

The Albert Lea Tribune, founded in 1897, is a newspaper published Monday through Saturday in Albert Lea. It is owned by Boone Newspapers.[24][25]

Radio stations with Albert Lea as the city of license include:

  • KATE an AM radio station broadcasting at 1450 kHz. The station airs news/talk programming and is owned by Alpha Media.[26]
  • KCPI "94.9 The Breeze" an FM radio station broadcasting at 94.9 MHz. The station airs an adult contemporary music programming and is owned by Alpha Media.[27]
  • KQPR "Power 96" an FM radio station broadcasting at 96.1 MHz. The station airs classic rock music programming and is owned by D&Z Media LLC.[28]

Transportation

[edit]
Albert Lea Municipal Airport

Local bus service in Albert Lea is provided by SMART. SMART operates one deviated fixed route and paratransit service.[29]

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Albert Lea, Minnesota
  3. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  5. ^ "Minnesota Pronunciation Guide". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ "Cargill Timeline". cargill.com. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  8. ^ "The Early Settlement of Albert Lea". Sequicentennial History. City of Albert Lea. Archived from the original on June 16, 2007. Retrieved March 26, 2007.
  9. ^ Register, Cheri (2001) Packinghouse Daughter, HarperCollins. ISBN 0-06-093684-3
  10. ^ "Martial Law Ordered in Meat Strike", Oakland Tribune, December 11, 1959, p1
  11. ^ Frost, Richard T. (1961) Cases in State and Local Government, Prentice-Hall LCCR: 61008224
  12. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  13. ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  14. ^ "Station: Albert Lea 3SE, MN". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  15. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  16. ^ "Marion Ross Performing Arts Center". City of Albert Lea.
  17. ^ "Freeborn County Fair | The Six Best Days of Summer". www.freeborncountyfair.com. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  18. ^ "Albert Lea Art Center and Art on Broadway Gift Shop". Explore Minnesota. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  19. ^ "Albert Lea, Mason City Lose NAHL Teams". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
  20. ^ "Albert Lea Thunder rolls into NAHL | North American Hockey League | NAHL". www.nahl.com. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  21. ^ "Republican Rep. Brad Finstad sworn in to finish Hagedorn's House term". August 12, 2022.
  22. ^ Minnesota House of Representatives; Peggy Bennett, District 27A
  23. ^ "Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State - Election Results".
  24. ^ "Albert Lea Tribune". Library of Congress. Archived from the original on June 11, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  25. ^ "Daily Newspaper list" (PDF). Minnesota Newspaper Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  26. ^ "KATE Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  27. ^ "KCPI Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  28. ^ "KQPR Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  29. ^ "SMART Service" (PDF). Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  30. ^ "R. Crumb". Famous Ames residents. AmesHistoricalSociety.org. Archived from the original on August 22, 2007. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
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