Detroit Lakes is a city in and the county seat of Becker County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 9,869 at the 2020 census.[4] Its unofficial population during the summer is higher, estimated by citizens to peak at 13,000, due to seasonal residents and tourists.
U.S. Highways 10 and 59 and Minnesota State Highway 34 are the primary routes through the city. Detroit Lakes is 45 miles east of the Fargo–Moorhead ND-MN statistical metropolitan area. The nearest major metropolitan area with a population over 1 million is Minneapolis–Saint Paul, which is about 205 miles southeast of Detroit Lakes.
Detroit Lakes is a regional summer and winter recreation destination, attracting large numbers of tourists and seasonal residents each year. Tourism is the area's chief industry.
History
Detroit Lakes Amtrak station
Detroit Lakes was founded in 1871 by Colonel George Johnston. It was called Detroit until 1927, when it was renamed to avoid confusion with Detroit, Michigan. The name was given by a French missionary. "Détroit" means "strait" or "narrows", and refers to the sandbar separating Big Detroit lake from Little Detroit lake.[7] In the late 19th century, the sandbar was dredged and partially submerged to make the Pelican River watershed navigable by steamboat.
Detroit Lakes was a resting place on the Red River Oxcart Trails. Its Ojibwe name is Gaiajawangag, meaning a lake with a crossing in a sandy place.[8]
The city grew quickly with the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1877, an election decided that Detroit Lakes, then still known as Detroit, would be the county seat. By 1884, Detroit Lakes had many businesses, including the Hotel Minnesota, the Lakes Hotel, a bank, a newspaper, and an opera house. The first county courthouse was also built in Detroit Lakes that year. Some of the city's historic buildings still stand, such as the 1908 railroad station and the Holmes Theater. The Becker County Museum, near the Holmes Theater, has information and exhibits on the history of the city and the surrounding area.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 17.460 square miles (45.22km2), of which 11.841 square miles (30.67km2) is land and 5.619 square miles (14.55km2) is water.[2] See also Detroit Lake (Minnesota).
Climate
Climate data for Detroit Lakes, Minnesota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–present)
As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 4,485 estimated households in Detroit Lakes with an average of 2.15 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $62,123. Approximately 10.2% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Detroit Lakes has an estimated 60.1% employment rate, with 32.4% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 93.5% holding a high school diploma.[12]
The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were Scandinavian (98.1%), Spanish (0.9%), Indo-European (0.6%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.1%), and Other (0.3%).
The median age in the city was 41.5 years.
2020 census
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota – racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the 2020 census, there were 9,869 people, 4,462 households, and 2,400 families residing in the city.[16] The population density was 887.7 inhabitants per square mile (342.7/km2). There were 5,205 housing units at an average density of 468.2 per square mile (180.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.19% White, 1.26% African American, 4.16% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from some other races and 7.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.42% of the population.[17] 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18, 6.5% were under 5 years of age, and 24.7% were 65 and older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 8,569 people, 3,864 households, and 2,093 families residing in the city. The population density was 838.5 inhabitants per square mile (323.7/km2). There were 4,535 housing units at an average density of 443.7 per square mile (171.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.57% White, 0.72% African American, 4.38% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from some other races and 2.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.63% of the population.
There were 3,864 households, of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.8% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.84.
The median age in the city was 41.6 years. 22% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 24.6% were from 45 to 64; and 21.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 7,348 people, 3,319 households, and 1,845 families residing in the city. The population density was 980.4 inhabitants per square mile (378.5/km2). There were 3,782 housing units at an average density of 504.6 per square mile (194.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.98% White, 4.50% Native American, 0.53% Asian American, 0.42% African American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.20% of the population.
There were 3,319 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% were non-families. 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,264, and the median income for a family was $42,267. Males had a median income of $28,939 versus $21,439 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,509. About 9.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
A nine-member City Council serves the city, with the mayor voting in case of a tie. There are three wards, with two council members serving each and three serving at large.[1]
There are 14 city boards and commissions, including the Park Board, Library Board, Public Utilities Commission, Planning Commission, Police Civil Service Commission, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the Airport Commission, and the Tourism Bureau.[18]
The Detroit Lakes campus of the Minnesota State Community and Technical College system is one of four campus locations (others are in Moorhead, Fergus Falls, and Wadena). The Detroit Lakes campus, on Minnesota Highway 34, has about 650 students in 25 degree programs. The college offers both classroom and online distance education programs and grants AAS, AS, diploma, certificate, and AFA degrees.[21]
Lakes Area Learning Center Alternative High School (ALC) (9–12)
Holy Rosary Catholic School (K–8) (Private)
Faith Christian School (K–8) (Private)
Adventist Christian School (K–8) (Private)
Carnegie Library
Carnegie Public Library
Built in 1913 with a $10,000 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, the Detroit Lakes Public Library is a branch of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library Network (LARL). Originally 4,142 square feet (384.8m2) on two floors, the library was designed by the architectural firm of Claude and Starck of Madison, Wisconsin. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. It features a Louis Sullivan exterior frieze, lead and stained-glass windows and doors, and a completely open and unobstructed interior. Designed in the Prairie School architectural style popularized by such architects as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, it is also noted for its orange clay-tiled hip roof that defies regional construction convention. In 1985, the original building was expanded.[22]
Architecture
National Register of Historic Places
Historic Graystone Hotel
Numerous works of architecture and engineering in Detroit Lakes have been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Detroit Lakes Carnegie Library of the Prairie School architectural style, by architects Claude and Starck, was added to the Register in 1976. The Graystone Hotel was added in 1999. The Amtrak Depot, formerly the Northern Pacific Passenger Depot and later the Burlington Northern Depot, now primarily serving as a small shop and eatery, was added in 1988. The Homer E. Sargent House on Lake Avenue, a privately owned domestic dwelling of the Queen Anne architectural style, was added in 1988. The Edgewater Beach Cottages, also known as Stovewood Cottages, by architects George Jewell and Frederick Wright, were added in 1989. Fairyland Cottages Historic District on W. Lake Shore Drive was added in 1989. The Holmes Block (also known as the Opera House Block), including downtown commercial buildings at 710–718 Washington Avenue, was added in 2001.[23]
Economy
The city's economy is largely driven by summer tourism and seasonal population increases. A variety of health care services, retail stores, and service businesses are available to area residents and tourists. Detroit Lakes has about 15 chain and independent hotels. Numerous resorts in the area provide additional units. The city's downtown has a 135,000-square-foot (12,500m2) shopping center, including Washington Square Mall. Most newer chain retail businesses, including discount and home centers, restaurants, and strip malls, are along Highways 10 and 59. The city is also home to a number of businesses servicing tourism ranging from sporting goods retailers to amusement parks and river tubing companies. With two industrial parks in the city's outskirts, it is also home to many manufacturing and industrial businesses.
Top employers
According to the City's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[24] the city's largest employers are:
In and around Detroit Lakes are several lakes used for fishing, boating, wake sports, sailing, jet-skiing, swimming, and freshwater scuba diving. Most prominent and heavily used is Detroit Lake, which features the mile-long city beach. The beach annually hosts the city's Independence Day celebration and fireworks display. In and around Detroit Lakes are 14 golf courses. The area also features an amusement park, a paintball arena, two river tubing companies, and a horseback riding ranch. The city also hosts the annual Becker County Fair. The Shrine Circus performs in Detroit Lakes each year at the Kent Freeman Arena. In the winter, the area is a popular destination for ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and downhill skiing and snowboarding at the Detroit Mountain Recreation Area. The city is one of perhaps three in the U.S. that have a park dedicated to the Grand Army of the Republic (rededicated on April 15, 2015).
Culture
Historic Holmes Theatre
Main entrance to the Historic Holmes Theatre in winter
The Historic Holmes Theatre, a physical and organizational branch of the Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center complex, is an Art Deco theatre that hosts year-round music, drama, and dance performances. Seating nearly 1,000, the theatre features a wide variety of national and international touring shows (including Arlo Guthrie, the Chinese Golden Acrobats, the New York Theatre Ballet, and the Guthrie Theater), local performing groups (Playhouse 412, Fargo/Moorhead Jazz Arts Group, Wadena Madhatters), and events (wedding receptions, business meetings, and the Annual Festival of the Birds).[25]
Music festivals
Each August since 1983, the city has hosted WE Fest, a three-day camping and country music festival. Campgrounds packed with tents surround a large stage. WE Fest attracts around 50,000 people each year. In 2007, the attendance reached a record high of 83,000 for the themed "Heavin in '07" concert. WE Fest is held at the Soo Pass Ranch, south of Detroit Lakes on Highway 59.
Formerly held in July each year at the Soo Pass Ranch, the 10,000 Lakes Festival was put on hiatus in 2009. According to 10KLF.com, the festival did not succeed financially.[26]
Community & Cultural Center
The Community & Cultural Center is in a completely renovated brick building that once was the Holmes School. Its fitness center features an 8-lane Olympic regulation pool, an indoor track, a fieldhouse with two basketball courts, a weight room, cardio fitness center, racquetball courts, and a golf driving/putting range. The old 1931 school building houses the renovated 837-seat Historic Holmes Theatre featuring orchestra and balcony-level seating and conference rooms. The 105,000 square feet (9,800m2) building was completed in 2001 at a cost of $9.5 million.[27]
TV3: Lakes Area Television (News/Local Programming) TV3 is a "commercial supported Public-access televisioncable TV station" that broadcasts out of Detroit Lakes for the regional Arvig Communication Cable System.
In John Steinbeck's book Travels with Charley, depicting his 1960 road trip across the U.S. with his dog, Charley, Steinbeck passes through and stays the night near Detroit Lakes.
A postcard depicting the Fairyland Cottages in Detroit Lakes appears in the opening credits of the 1983 movie National Lampoon's Vacation. The cabins were destroyed in 2008 by the Detroit Lakes Fire Department, in a training exercise.[30] It is now home to a condominium complex.
A fictional version of Detroit Lakes's courthouse and rural countryside appears in Ali Selim's 2006 film Sweet Land, about a German immigrant's settlement in Becker County in the aftermath of World War I. The scene was filmed in Montevideo, Minnesota.
The popular YouTube channel CBOYSTV films is headquartered at Cormorant Lake, eight miles east of Detroit Lake. CBoysTV is a comedy and motorsports channel with over 1 million subscribers.[31]
Notable people
Tillie Anderson, prominent in bicycle racing in the 1890s, spent summers at a lakeside cabin, died there in 1965
Dick Beardsley, marathon runner, motivational speaker and author, third-fastest American-born male marathon runner, Grandma's Marathon record holder, Boston Marathon silver medalist (1982), founder of Dick Beardsley Running Company, formerly resided in Detroit Lakes
Jason Blake, retired NHL player, resides in Detroit Lakes
James Evans, Minnesota state legislator, resided in Detroit Lakes
↑ "Station: Detroit Lakes 1 NNE, MN". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
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