Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
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. 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 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. 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.
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, of which is land and is water. See also Detroit Lake.Climate
Demographics
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.The top five reported ancestries were Scandinavian, Spanish, Indo-European, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Other.
The median age in the city was 41.5 years.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 9,869 people, 4,462 households, and 2,400 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 5,205 housing units at an average density of. 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. 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. There were 4,535 housing units at an average density of. 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. There were 3,782 housing units at an average density of. 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.
Government
Detroit Lakes is the county seat of Becker County and has the county courthouse and law enforcement center. District headquarters for the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota State Patrol are also in the city.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.
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.
Detroit Lakes is in Minnesota's 7th congressional district, represented by Michelle Fischbach. It is in Minnesota Senate District 4, represented by Rob Kupec, and Minnesota House District 4B, represented by Jim Joy.
Education
Higher education
The Detroit Lakes campus of the Minnesota State Community and Technical College system is one of four campus locations. 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.K–12
- Rossman Elementary School
- Roosevelt Elementary School
- Detroit Lakes Middle School
- Detroit Lakes High School
- Lakes Area Learning Center Alternative High School
- Holy Rosary Catholic School '
- Faith Christian School '
- Adventist Christian School ''''
Carnegie Library