Editing Lester Prairie, Minnesota

{{short description|City in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Lester Prairie, Minnesota
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = {{multiple image
| align                   = right
|border                   = infobox
|total_width              = 300
|image_style              = border:1;
|caption_align            = center
|perrow                   = 1/2
| header_background       =
| header_align            = center
| header                  = 
|image1                   = Lester Prairie, Minnesota 05-Businesses.jpg
|caption1                 = 
|image2                   = Lester Prairie, Minnesota 04-Welcome sign and gazebo.jpg
|caption2                 = 
|image3                   = Lester Prairie, Minnesota 01-Water tower.jpg
|caption3                 = 
}}
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_flag               =
|motto                    =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = McLeod_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Lester_Prairie_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location in McLeod County and the state of Minnesota
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates              = {{coord|44|53|01|N|94|02|14|W|region:US-MN|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Minnesota|County]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Minnesota]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[McLeod County, Minnesota|McLeod]]

<!-- Government -->
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web |title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Minnesota |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_27.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=January 11, 2024}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 2.32
|area_land_km2            = 2.32
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.00
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.00
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
|population_total         = 1894
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=1600000US2736728&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Lester Prairie city, Minnesota: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=January 11, 2024}}</ref>
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|population_est           = 
|population_density_km2   = 817.36
|population_density_sq_mi = 2116.20

<!-- General information -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 981
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 55354
|area_code                = [[Area code 320|320]]
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 27-36728<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2395687<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395687}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|www.lesterprairiemn.us}}
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Lester Prairie''' is a city in [[McLeod County, Minnesota|McLeod County]], [[Minnesota]], United States, along the South Fork of the [[Crow River (Minnesota)|Crow River]]. The population was 1,894 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="Census 2020"/>  

==History==
[[File:German gravestone in Lester Prairie, MN.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Gravestone carved in [[German language|German]], from days when there was a large German population in Lester Prairie]]
Lester Prairie was [[plat]]ted in 1886 and named for John N. Lester, an original owner of the town site.<ref name="Upham 318">{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog | title=Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance | publisher=Minnesota Historical Society | last=Upham | first=Warren | year=1920 | page=[https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog/page/n337 318]}}</ref> A post office has been in operation at Lester Prairie since 1888.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=MN&county=McLeod | title=McLeod County | publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | accessdate=19 July 2015}}</ref> Lester Prairie was incorporated in 1888.<ref name="Upham 318" />

==Geography==
The city is in eastern McLeod County. [[Minnesota State Highway 7]] passes {{convert|1|mi}} north of the city, leading west {{convert|16|mi}} to [[Hutchinson, Minnesota|Hutchinson]] and east {{convert|42|mi}} to [[Minneapolis]]. [[Glencoe, Minnesota|Glencoe]], the McLeod [[county seat]], is {{convert|13|mi}} to the southwest. McLeod County Roads 1, 9, and 23 are the main local routes in the community. A bike trail running east–west through the middle of town, the [[Dakota Rail Regional Trail]], connects Lester Prairie to the [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul|Twin Cities]].

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], Lester Prairie has a total area of {{convert|1.00|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|0.001|sqmi|3}}, or 0.1%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/>  The South Fork of the Crow River, a tributary of the [[Mississippi River]], flows past the southeast corner of the city.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 189
|1900= 418
|1910= 420
|1920= 434
|1930= 442
|1940= 423
|1950= 663
|1960= 966
|1970= 1162
|1980= 1229
|1990= 1180
|2000= 1377
|2010= 1730
|2020= 1894
|align-fn=center
|footnote=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060208103743/http://www.census.gov:80/prod/www/abs/decennial/ U.S. Decennial Census]
}}
[[File:Veterans memorial Lester Prairie MN.jpg|thumb|Veterans memorial in city park]]

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2012-11-13}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,730 people, 654 households, and 463 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2011.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 704 housing units at an average density of {{convert|818.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 93.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 3.8% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.9% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 9.3% of the population.

There were 654 households, of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.2% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the city was 33.8 years. 28% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.5% were from 45 to 64; and 11.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,377 people, 516 households, and 379 families living in the city.  The population density was {{convert|1,910.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 531 housing units at an average density of {{convert|736.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 97.68% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.07% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.07% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.89% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.29% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.94% of the population.

There were 516 households, out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.9% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,271, and the median income for a family was $52,417. Males had a median income of $35,463 versus $25,313 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,223.  About 2.9% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==
[[File:Lester Prairie city hall.jpg|thumb|City Hall]]
{{Hidden begin|titlestyle=background:#ccccff|title=Presidential election results}}
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
|+ 2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2020/2020-general-election-results/2020-precinct-results-spreadsheet/|title=Minnesota Secretary of State - 2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet }}</ref>
|+ '''2016 Precinct Results Spreadsheet'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2016/2016-general-election-results/2016-precinct-results-spreadsheet/|title=Minnesota Secretary of State - 2016 Precinct Results Spreadsheet }}</ref>
|+ '''2012 Precinct Results Spreadsheet'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2012/2012-general-election-results/2012-precinct-results-spreadsheet/|title=Minnesota Secretary of State - 2012 Precinct Results Spreadsheet }}</ref>
|+ '''2008 Precinct Results Spreadsheet'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2008/2008-general-election-results/2008-precinct-results-spreadsheet/|title=Minnesota Secretary of State - 2008 Precinct Results Spreadsheet }}</ref>
|+ '''2004 Precinct Results Spreadsheet'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2004/2004-general-election-results/2004-precinct-results-spreadsheet/|title=Minnesota Secretary of State - 2004 Precinct Results Spreadsheet }}</ref>
|+ '''2000 Precinct Results Spreadsheet'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2000/2000-general-election-results/2000-precinct-results-spreadsheet/|title=Minnesota Secretary of State - 2000 Precinct Results Spreadsheet }}</ref>
|+ '''1996 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1996-11-05-g-sec.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024257/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1996-11-05-g-sec.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1992 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1992-11-03-g-sec.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024257/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1992-11-03-g-sec.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1988 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1988-11-08-g-sec.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024254/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1988-11-08-g-sec.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1984 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1984-11-06-g-sec.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024254/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1984-11-06-g-sec.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1980 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1980-11-04-g-sec.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024250/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1980-11-04-g-sec.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1976 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1976-11-02-g-sec.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024300/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1976-11-02-g-sec.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|+ '''1968 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1968-11-05-g-man.pdf}}</ref>
|+ '''1964 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1964-11-03-g-man.pdf}}</ref>
|+ '''1960 Precinct Results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1960-11-08-g-man.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410024250/https://www.lrl.mn.gov/archive/sessions/electionresults/1960-11-08-g-man.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-10 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Third Party (United States)|Third parties]]
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''72.7%''' ''719''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|26.1% ''258''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.2% ''12''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''69.8%''' ''615''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|22.6% ''199''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|7.6% ''67''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''63.0%''' ''539''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.5% ''295''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.5% ''22''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''59.8%''' ''515''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.9% ''318''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.3% ''28''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''68.8%''' ''529''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|29.8% ''229''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.4% ''11''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.6%''' ''360''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|31.3% ''192''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|10.1% ''62''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|38.4% ''222''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''43.4%''' ''251''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|18.2% ''105''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''39.1%''' ''245''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|30.4% ''190''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|30.5% ''191''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''61.4%''' ''344''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.6% ''216''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''70.5%''' ''404''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|29.5% ''169''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''61.8%''' ''375''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|30.0% ''176''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|9.2% ''56''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''53.2%''' ''268''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|44.2% ''223''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.6% ''13''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''68.3%''' ''319''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|29.1% ''136''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.6% ''12''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''62.6%''' ''278''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.4% ''166''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|-
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]'''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''82.8%''' ''362''
|  style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|16.9% ''74''
|  style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.3% ''1''
|}
{{Hidden end}}

== Lester Prairie Schools ==
Lester Prairie is home to ISD #424 Lester Prairie Schools. The school is a K-12 school with both elementary and high school located in one building. There are approximately 400 students enrolled. Dr. Melissa Radeke is the district's superintendent. Mike Lee is the K-12 principal.

==Notable people==
*[[Rene Clausen]], noted composer and conductor of [[The Concordia Choir]]; raised in Lester Prairie

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official|www.lesterprairiemn.us}}

{{McLeod County, Minnesota}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Cities in McLeod County, Minnesota]]