WASECA, MN

Waseca is a city in Waseca County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 9,410 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat.

Transportation

U.S. Highway 14 and Minnesota Highway 13 are two of the main routes in the city. U.S. 14 runs as an east–west freeway bypass just south of the city, while Minnesota Highway 13 passes through the city as State Street, running north–south.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of ; is land and is water.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 9,410 people, 3,504 households, and 2,150 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 3,818 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 89.0% White, 3.7% African American, 1.5% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 2.3% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.0% of the population.

There were 3,504 households, of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.6% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 36.5 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 42.6% male and 57.4% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 8,493 people, 3,388 households, and 2,219 families living in the city. The population density was 2,215.6 people per square mile (856.2/km). There were 3,563 housing units at an average density of 929.5 per square mile (359.2/km). The racial makeup of the city was 94.24% White, 1.39% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.50% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.10% of the population.

The ancestral makeup of the city is 44.6% German, 21.3% Norwegian, 13.2% Irish, 5.2% English, 5.1% Swedish, and 4.6% French.

There were 3,388 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,554, and the median income for a family was $49,163. Males had a median income of $35,701 versus $22,837 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,439. About 6.5% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Waseca is home to many schools. The school colors are blue and gold and the school mascot is the Bluejay.

Hartley Elementary School has kindergarten through 3rd grade.

Waseca Intermediate School (WIS), formally Central Immediate School (CIS), name changed starting with the 2012–2013 school year, holds 4th grade through 6th grade.

Also starting with the 2012–2013 school year, Waseca High School (WHS) became the Waseca Junior and Senior High School (WJSHS), housing grades 7 through 12 instead of only 9 through 12, as it was in the past.

The Waseca Alternative High School (WALC), also known as the Alternative Learning Center (ALC), has an alternative learning program for students junior high age through adult.

Sacred Heart School is a private Catholic elementary school, ranging from kindergarten through fourth grade, located in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Sacred Heart also has a Montessori preschool. There is also another preschool, Hansel & Gretel, which is located at Faith United Methodist Church as well as other preschools such as Waseca County Head Start.

Waseca has a charter school called TEAM Academy, hosting students from kindergarten-6th grade. Until recently, TEAM Academy was sponsored by the Public Schools.

Formerly, Waseca was home to the University of Minnesota Waseca a two-year technical college (before it was converted to the Federal Correctional Institution, Waseca) and the Southern School of Agriculture boarding high school.

Economy

Waseca is also home to a frozen-vegetable packing plant for Birds Eye brand, owned by Pinnacle Foods.

Waseca is home to the Federal Correctional Institution, Waseca, a low-security federal prison housing female inmates.

Waseca opened a waterpark in June 2007.

Waseca has finished a new bike path that surrounds Clear Lake.

Waseca is home to the Waseca Medical Center, part of the Mayo Health System.

Waseca is home to many parks and lakes, including Clear Lake, Loon Lake, Maplewood Park, Clear Lake Park, Loon Lake Park, Courthouse Park, Blowers Park and many more.

History

Waseca was platted in 1867. The city took its name from Waseca County, Minnesota. "Waseca" is a Dakota language word meaning "rich in provisions".

A post office has been in operation at Waseca since 1867. Waseca was incorporated as a city in 1881. It contains six properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the 1868 Philo C. Bailey House, the circa-1895 William R. Wolf House, the 1896 Roscoe P. Ward House, the 1897 John W. Aughenbaugh House, the 1897 Waseca County Courthouse, and the circa-1900 W. J. Armstrong Company Wholesale Grocers Building.

thumb|A leveled house from the 1967 tornado

On April 30, 1967, Waseca was severely damaged from the 1967 Iowa–Minnesota tornado outbreak.

Past mayors of Waseca include:

Politics

Notable people