Avon, Minnesota

Avon
City
Businesses on Avon's main street, Avon Avenue.
Motto(s):  "Lakes, Loons, Living" [1]
Location of Avon within Stearns County, Minnesota
Coordinates: 45°36′31″N94°27′02″W / 45.60861°N 94.45056°W / 45.60861; -94.45056
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Stearns
Government
• Type	Mayor-council
• Mayor	Jeff Manthe [2]
Area [3]
• Total	1.70 sq mi (4.41 km2)
• Land	1.70 sq mi (4.41 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [4]	1,132 ft (345 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,618
• Density	950.65/sq mi (367.08/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	56310
Area code	320
FIPS code	27-03070 [5]
GNIS feature ID	2394043 [4]
Website	www.cityofavonmn.com

Avon is a city in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,396 at the 2010 census. ^[6] It is part of the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Avon was laid out in 1873 and founded after the foundation of St.Cloud . ^[7] The community is named after the River Avon, in England. ^[8] A post office has been in operation at Avon since 1873. ^[9] Avon was incorporated in 1900. ^[7] After the foundation of Avon Minnesota the town expanded past the spunk lakes in 1992

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.48 square miles (3.83 km²), all land. ^[10]

Interstate 94/U.S. Highway 52 and Stearns County Road 9 are two of the main routes in the city. Other routes include County Road 54.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1900	162		—
1910	277		71.0%
1920	709		156.0%
1930	362		−48.9%
1940	403		11.3%
1950	386		−4.2%
1960	443		14.8%
1970	725		63.7%
1980	804		10.9%
1990	970		20.6%
2000	1,242		28.0%
2010	1,396		12.4%
2020	1,618		15.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [11]

2010 census

As of the census ^[12] of 2010, there were 1,396 people, 557 households, and 393 families living in the city. The population density was 943.2 inhabitants per square mile (364.2/km²). There were 592 housing units at an average density of 400.0 per square mile (154.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.9% White, 0.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 557 households, of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.4% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.

The median age in the city was 34.2 years. 26.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31% were from 25 to 44; 24.1% were from 45 to 64; and 11.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[5] of 2000, there were 1,242 people, 470 households, and 355 families living in the city. The population density was 1,201.8 inhabitants per square mile (464.0/km²). There were 492 housing units at an average density of 476.1 per square mile (183.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.36% White, 0.08% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.

There were 470 households, out of which 41.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 90% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,721, and the median income for a family was $53,214. Males had a median income of $37,386 versus $25,238 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,980. About 1.3% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.8% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Public beach on Middle Spunk Lake.

Annual cultural events

Within Avon's city boundaries are three lakes which are named Upper Spunk, Middle Spunk, and Lower Spunk Lake. In honor of these lakes, Avon hosts an annual celebration called "Spunktacular Days", "Spunk Days" for short. The word "spunk" ^[13] means material to start a fire, or torchwood, which settlers used to gather in the area. In total there are eight lakes within the city of Avon.

Each May since 2008, the Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon runs through Avon, and relies on many volunteers to staff cheering areas and water stations.

Though small, Avon has seen significant political growth since 2020. In the Avon Estates area, a group called "Revitalize Avon" has emerged, with plans to elect members to the town council and mayoral positions in the coming years. Their mission is to preserve and enhance the town's infrastructure in response to public needs.

Sports teams

Avon is home to the Avon Lakers, whom are part of the Amateur Baseball Victory League. The club was established in July 1979 by the Avon Lions Club when official construction of its baseball park began. The Avon Lions Club purchased land directly south of the old park which at that time consisted of a pasture and a small pond.

The Avon Lakers and the City of Avon sponsor the Region 8C Baseball Tournament.

Founded in Avon, the Albany Minnesota Soccer Club officially became a team in the summer of 2024. In their debut season, they achieved a strong 6-3-3 record, with plans to launch a varsity program in the near future.

References in popular culture

In the 35th anniversary broadcast of the radio variety show, [14] A Prairie Home Companion , which was performed live in Avon on July 4, 2009, radio personality Garrison Keillor referred to Avon as being "about as close to Lake Wobegon as you can get."

Notable person

• Alphonsus Augustus Sowada (1933–2014), Roman Catholic Bishop; born in Avon. ^[15]

References

1. "City of Avon Minnesota". City of Avon Minnesota. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
2. "Mayor and Council - City of Avon, Minnesota" . Retrieved July 26, 2023.
3. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
4. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Avon, Minnesota
5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
6. "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census. Retrieved April 23, 2011.^{[ dead link ]}
7. Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p.  523.
8. "Profile for Avon, Minnesota, MN". ePodunk. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
9. "Stearns County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 13, 2012.
13. Definition of "spunk"
14. A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor | American Public Media, 35th anniversary show announcement
15. 'Bishop Alphose Sowada, an Avon native, dead at 84,' Saint Cloud Times (SCTimes.com), Retrieved January 11, 2014

External links

• City Website