Caledonia, Minnesota

Caledonia
City
Motto(s):  "Wild Turkey Capital of Minnesota" and "The Heart of Quilt Country"
Location of Caledonia within Houston County and state of Minnesota
Coordinates: 43°37′59″N91°29′47″W / 43.63306°N 91.49639°W / 43.63306; -91.49639
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Houston
Founded	1854
Government
• Mayor	DeWayne Schroeder
Area [1]
• Total	2.82 sq mi (7.32 km2)
• Land	2.82 sq mi (7.32 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [2]	1,155 ft (352 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,847
• Density	1,008.14/sq mi (389.18/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	55921
Area code	507
FIPS code	27-09226 [3]
GNIS feature ID	2393493 [2]
Website	City website

Houston County Courthouse in Caledonia

Caledonia is a city and the county seat of Houston County, Minnesota, United States and is part of the La Crosse, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,847 at the 2020 census. ^{[4] [5]}

History

Caledonia was platted in 1854–1855. ^[6] The town was named by founder Col. Samuel McPhail for the ancient Roman word for Scotland. ^[7] A post office has been in operation at Caledonia since 1855. ^[8] Caledonia was incorporated in 1870, and was reincorporated in 1889. ^[9]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.84 square miles (7.36 km²), all land. ^[10] Caledonia is located 17 miles southwest of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Minnesota Highway 44 and Minnesota Highway 76 are two of the main routes in the community.

Climate

Climate data for Caledonia, Minnesota, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	58 (14)	68 (20)	82 (28)	93 (34)	93 (34)	97 (36)	104 (40)	102 (39)	96 (36)	91 (33)	75 (24)	66 (19)	104 (40)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	42.5 (5.8)	47.6 (8.7)	64.5 (18.1)	77.5 (25.3)	85.2 (29.6)	89.4 (31.9)	90.6 (32.6)	88.8 (31.6)	85.8 (29.9)	79.8 (26.6)	62.4 (16.9)	47.6 (8.7)	92.4 (33.6)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	24.4 (−4.2)	29.0 (−1.7)	41.3 (5.2)	55.7 (13.2)	67.8 (19.9)	77.3 (25.2)	81.2 (27.3)	79.1 (26.2)	72.1 (22.3)	58.7 (14.8)	42.7 (5.9)	29.8 (−1.2)	54.9 (12.7)
Daily mean °F (°C)	16.1 (−8.8)	20.1 (−6.6)	32.1 (0.1)	45.3 (7.4)	57.6 (14.2)	67.7 (19.8)	71.4 (21.9)	69.2 (20.7)	61.4 (16.3)	48.7 (9.3)	34.5 (1.4)	22.3 (−5.4)	45.5 (7.5)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	7.7 (−13.5)	11.3 (−11.5)	22.9 (−5.1)	35.0 (1.7)	47.4 (8.6)	58.0 (14.4)	61.7 (16.5)	59.3 (15.2)	50.7 (10.4)	38.6 (3.7)	26.4 (−3.1)	14.8 (−9.6)	36.2 (2.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−15.3 (−26.3)	−11.7 (−24.3)	1.1 (−17.2)	20.8 (−6.2)	32.8 (0.4)	45.1 (7.3)	50.7 (10.4)	49.1 (9.5)	35.7 (2.1)	23.9 (−4.5)	9.0 (−12.8)	−8.8 (−22.7)	−19.1 (−28.4)
Record low °F (°C)	−37 (−38)	−35 (−37)	−32 (−36)	2 (−17)	19 (−7)	31 (−1)	41 (5)	35 (2)	20 (−7)	13 (−11)	−16 (−27)	−29 (−34)	−37 (−38)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.12 (28)	1.16 (29)	2.00 (51)	3.96 (101)	4.84 (123)	6.06 (154)	4.31 (109)	4.47 (114)	4.04 (103)	2.96 (75)	1.80 (46)	1.60 (41)	38.32 (974)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	10.4 (26)	10.6 (27)	7.4 (19)	3.2 (8.1)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.3 (0.76)	2.8 (7.1)	10.1 (26)	44.8 (113.96)
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm)	9.2 (23)	9.4 (24)	7.3 (19)	1.4 (3.6)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.1 (0.25)	1.4 (3.6)	6.2 (16)	13.1 (33)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	6.8	5.8	8.2	11.0	13.3	12.5	10.3	10.2	9.6	9.6	7.0	7.4	111.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	6.8	5.9	3.7	1.5	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	2.5	6.7	27.5
Source 1: NOAA [11]
Source 2: National Weather Service [12]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	470		—
1880	894		90.2%
1890	927		3.7%
1900	1,175		26.8%
1910	1,372		16.8%
1920	1,570		14.4%
1930	1,554		−1.0%
1940	1,985		27.7%
1950	2,243		13.0%
1960	2,563		14.3%
1970	2,619		2.2%
1980	2,691		2.7%
1990	2,846		5.8%
2000	2,965		4.2%
2010	2,868		−3.3%
2020	2,847		−0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, ^[4] the population was 2,847. The population density was 1,008.1 inhabitants per square mile (389.2/km²). There were 1,366 housing units at an average density of 483.7 per square mile (186.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.6% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 1.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010 census

As of the census ^[13] of 2010, there were 2,868 people, 1,247 households, and 740 families living in the city. The population density was 1,009.9 inhabitants per square mile (389.9/km²). There were 1,344 housing units at an average density of 473.2 per square mile (182.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.8% White, 1.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 1,247 households, of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.7% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% 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 2.91.

The median age in the city was 40.5 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64; and 20.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[3] of 2000, there were 2,965 people, 1,223 households, and 754 families living in the city. The population density was 1,037.1 inhabitants per square mile (400.4/km²). There were 1,286 housing units at an average density of 449.8 per square mile (173.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.35% White, 0.40% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.03% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54% of the population.

There were 1,223 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.3% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,455, and the median income for a family was $45,679. Males had a median income of $30,302 versus $20,091 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,953. About 5.2% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Caledonia is home to Caledonia High School. St. Mary's Catholic School (K-8) and St. John's Lutheran School (Pre-K-8) are private schools.

Caledonia High School

See also

• Caledonia Public Library

Notable people

• William F. Dunbar, first Minnesota State Auditor.
• Isaac Fruechte, Wide Receiver for the Minnesota Vikings ^[14]
• Karl Klug, Defensive End for the Tennessee Titans ^[15]
• Dave Kunst, First Person to Walk Around the Earth ^[16]
• George Harold Lommen, Minnesota state legislator and lawyer
• Maurice J. McCauley, Minnesota state representative
• Ken Nelson, Country Music Hall of Fame member.
• Samuel A. Rask, Minnesota state senator and businessman

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Caledonia, Minnesota
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "2020 Decennial Census: Caledonia city, Minnesota". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
6. Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p.  238.
7. "Profile for Caledonia, Minnesota, MN". ePodunk. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
8. "Houston County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
9. "Caledonia Minnesota Community Guide". LakesnWoods. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
11. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Caledonia, MN". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
12. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS La Crosse". National Weather Service. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 13, 2012.
14. "Isaac Fruechte Stats, News and Video - WR". NFL.com .
15. "Karl Klug Stats, News and Video - DE". NFL.com .
16. "HBO making film about Caledonia native". April 9, 2013.

External links

• City of Caledonia