St. James, Minnesota

St. James, Minnesota[ citation needed ]
City
The Watonwan County Courthouse in St. James
Location of St. James within Watonwan County and state of Minnesota
Coordinates: 43°59′00″N94°37′30″W / 43.98333°N 94.62500°W / 43.98333; -94.62500
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Watonwan
Government
• Type	Mayor - Council
• Mayor	Jon Wilson [ citation needed ]
Area [1]
• Total	2.36 sq mi (6.10 km2)
• Land	2.33 sq mi (6.04 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2)
Elevation [2]	1,073 ft (327 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,793
• Density	2,054.44/sq mi (793.34/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Code	56081
FIPS code	27-57040 [3]
GNIS feature ID	2396493 [2]
Website	ci.stjames.mn.us

St. James or Saint James ^[2] is a city in and the county seat of Watonwan County, Minnesota, United States. ^[4] The population was 4,793 at the 2020 census. ^[5]

Minnesota State Highways 4, 30, and 60 are three of the main routes in the city.

History

In 1870, the directors of the St. Paul and Sioux City railroads chose the future townsite of St. James as the midpoint for a new railroad linking the two cities. Named for James Purington, an early settler, ^[6] the new city was incorporated in 1871. ^[7] It was the hometown of Minnesota Governor Winfield Scott Hammond, a Democrat who served in 1915. In the 1940s, Theodore S. Mondale, the father of future Vice President of the United States Walter Mondale, was the pastor at First Methodist Church of St. James. Tony Downs Foods Co. has been a major employer since 1947, processing poultry and frozen meals.

St. James has two properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Grand Opera House, completed in 1892, and the Watonwan County Courthouse, completed in 1896. ^[8]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 2.43 square miles (6.29 km²); 2.40 square miles (6.22 km²) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km²) is water. ^[9]

Climate

Climate data for St. James, Minnesota, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1958–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	64 (18)	67 (19)	84 (29)	93 (34)	102 (39)	104 (40)	105 (41)	101 (38)	98 (37)	92 (33)	82 (28)	68 (20)	105 (41)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	42.8 (6.0)	47.9 (8.8)	65.4 (18.6)	80.3 (26.8)	89.4 (31.9)	93.5 (34.2)	93.3 (34.1)	91.5 (33.1)	89.2 (31.8)	81.7 (27.6)	65.5 (18.6)	47.6 (8.7)	96.3 (35.7)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	23.5 (−4.7)	28.2 (−2.1)	40.4 (4.7)	56.2 (13.4)	69.3 (20.7)	79.5 (26.4)	82.8 (28.2)	80.4 (26.9)	74.2 (23.4)	60.0 (15.6)	43.1 (6.2)	29.0 (−1.7)	55.6 (13.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)	14.3 (−9.8)	19.1 (−7.2)	31.3 (−0.4)	45.4 (7.4)	58.4 (14.7)	68.9 (20.5)	72.4 (22.4)	69.7 (20.9)	62.4 (16.9)	48.6 (9.2)	33.9 (1.1)	20.5 (−6.4)	45.4 (7.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	5.2 (−14.9)	9.9 (−12.3)	22.2 (−5.4)	34.6 (1.4)	47.6 (8.7)	58.3 (14.6)	61.9 (16.6)	59.1 (15.1)	50.6 (10.3)	37.1 (2.8)	24.6 (−4.1)	12.0 (−11.1)	35.3 (1.8)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−15.2 (−26.2)	−9.9 (−23.3)	−0.7 (−18.2)	19.1 (−7.2)	33.5 (0.8)	46.4 (8.0)	51.1 (10.6)	48.2 (9.0)	35.2 (1.8)	21.6 (−5.8)	6.2 (−14.3)	−8.7 (−22.6)	−18.1 (−27.8)
Record low °F (°C)	−30 (−34)	−30 (−34)	−26 (−32)	6 (−14)	19 (−7)	36 (2)	40 (4)	36 (2)	25 (−4)	10 (−12)	−13 (−25)	−27 (−33)	−30 (−34)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.09 (28)	0.80 (20)	1.82 (46)	3.14 (80)	4.65 (118)	4.89 (124)	4.12 (105)	3.95 (100)	3.43 (87)	2.52 (64)	1.58 (40)	1.13 (29)	33.12 (841)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	10.8 (27)	11.0 (28)	8.2 (21)	3.5 (8.9)	0.1 (0.25)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.6 (1.5)	4.9 (12)	11.2 (28)	50.3 (126.65)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	5.8	3.9	5.7	10.3	13.1	12.1	9.6	9.5	8.0	8.4	5.1	7.2	98.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	5.4	4.6	3.1	1.1	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	2.7	5.6	22.9
Source 1: NOAA [10]
Source 2: National Weather Service [11]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	444		—
1890	939		111.5%
1900	2,607		177.6%
1910	2,102		−19.4%
1920	2,673		27.2%
1930	2,808		5.1%
1940	3,400		21.1%
1950	3,861		13.6%
1960	4,174		8.1%
1970	4,027		−3.5%
1980	4,346		7.9%
1990	4,364		0.4%
2000	4,695		7.6%
2010	4,605		−1.9%
2020	4,793		4.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [12] 2020 Census [5]

2010 census

As of the census ^[13] of 2010, there were 4,605 people, 1,839 households, and 1,145 families living in the city. The population density was 1,918.8 inhabitants per square mile (740.9/km²). There were 2,039 housing units at an average density of 849.6 units per square mile (328.0 units/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.8% White, 0.7% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 14.9% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 31.0% of the population.

There were 1,839 households, of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.7% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.17.

The median age in the city was 37.8 years. 27.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.3% were from 45 to 64; and 17.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,695 people, 1,845 households, and 1,186 families living in the city. The population density was 2,050.3 inhabitants per square mile (791.6/km²). There were 2,006 housing units at an average density of 876.0 units per square mile (338.2 units/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.24% White, 0.40% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 14.27% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.77% of the population.

There were 1,845 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 32.0% 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 2.50 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,196, and the median income for a family was $40,993. Males had a median income of $30,036 versus $19,391 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,336. About 9.0% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Presidential election results

Precinct General Election Results ^[14]

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
2020	50.7%924	47.6% 867	1.7% 32
2016	48.8%880	44.3% 799	6.9% 125
2012	42.1% 756	55.5%997	2.4% 44
2008	42.3% 801	54.8%1,039	2.9% 56
2004	49.1%982	48.9% 977	2.0% 41
2000	44.5% 795	48.8%872	6.7% 120
1996	32.3% 617	54.3%1,038	13.4% 255
1992	31.6% 635	41.4%831	27.0% 541
1988	51.2%980	48.8% 933	0.0% 0
1984	56.5%1,158	43.5% 893	0.0% 0
1980	49.7%1,139	42.8% 981	7.5% 171
1976	49.7%1,105	49.3% 1,097	1.0% 23
1968	51.4%1,062	45.0% 928	3.6% 75
1964	43.1% 877	56.8%1,154	0.1% 1
1960	65.1%1,341	34.6% 713	0.3% 5

Transport

The city owns and operates the St. James Municipal Airport. ^[15]

Notable people

• Moses K. Armstrong, businessman and legislator
• Becky Buller, bluegrass musician
• Peter Eckerstrom, Arizona Court of Appeals judge
• Henry Norman Graven, United States District Court judge, born in St. James
• Winfield Scott Hammond, 18th Minnesota governor, established his home and his law practice in St. James
• Mac Hegstrom, businessman and politician, born in St. James
• Carl L. Johnson, businessman and legislator
• Mike Kingery, professional baseball player, born in St. James
• Gary Mielke, professional baseball player, born in St. James
• Carl G. Olson, farmer and politician, born in St. James

Media

Television

Channel	Callsign	Affiliation	Branding	Subchannels		Owner
(Virtual)				Channel	Programming
2.1	K26CS-D (KTCA Translator)	PBS	TPT 2	2.2 2.4	Minnesota Channel PBS Kids	Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
2.3	K29IE-D (KTCI Translator)	PBS	TPT Life	2.5	TPT Now	Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
4.2	K35KI-D	Start TV				Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
5.1	K30FN-D (KSTP Translator)	ABC	5 Eyewitness News	5.7	Heroes & Icons	Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
5.2	K14KE-D (KSTC Translator)	Ind.	45 TV	5.3 5.4 5.6	Me-TV Antenna TV This TV	Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
7.1	KMNF-LD	NBC	KEYC	7.2	The CW+	Gray Television
9.2	K23MF-D (WFTC Translator)	Ind.	FOX 9 Plus	9.3 9.1	Movies! FOX	Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
9.9	K35KI-D (KMSP Translator)	FOX	FOX 9	9.4 9.5	Buzzr Light TV	Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
11.4	K32GX-D (KARE Translator)	NBC	KARE 11	11.5 11.6 11.7	Court TV True Crime Network Quest	Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
12.1	KEYC-TV	CBS	KEYC	12.2	Fox	Gray Television
16.1	K31KV-D	CTV		16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 23.5	Action Heartland AMG Biz Grit	Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
17.1	K17MW-D	Youtoo America				Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
18.1	K18NE-D					Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
19.1	K19LI-D	Laff				Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
23.1	K34JX-D (WUCW Translator)	CW	CW 23	23.2 23.3 23.4	Comet Charge! TBD	Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
23.6	K21DG-D	CTV 2				Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
24.1	K24JV-D	Retro TV				Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
28.1	K28OH-D					Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
41.1	K20LP-D (KPXM Translator)	ION	ION	41.2 41.3 41.4 41.5 41.6	Qubo Ion Plus ION Shop QVC HSN	Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
45.1	K22MQ-D	TBN		45.2 45.3 45.4 45.5	Hillsong Channel JUCE TV Smile Enlace	Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: St. James, Minnesota
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
5. "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 24, 2022.
6. Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 165.
7. Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 576.
8. "Minnesota National Register Properties Database". Minnesota Historical Society. 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
10. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: ST James WWTP, MN". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
11. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Minneapolis". National Weather Service. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
12. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 13, 2012.
14. "Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State - Election Results".
15. "St. James Municipal Airport" . Retrieved March 12, 2019.

External links

• Media related to St. James, Minnesota at Wikimedia Commons
• City Website
• St. James Public Schools
• St. James Chamber of Commerce
• St. James Plaindealer newspaper site