Editing Northome, Minnesota

{{short description|City in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Northome
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = Big Bear Country
|motto                    = 
<!-- Images --------------->
|image_skyline            = 
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = Koochiching_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Northome_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of the city of Northome<br />within Koochiching County, Minnesota
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
|pushpin_map              = USA
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
|pushpin_relief           = yes
<!-- Location ------------->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Minnesota]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Minnesota|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Koochiching County, Minnesota|Koochiching]]
<!-- Government ----------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         = 
<!-- Area ----------------->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_27.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 4.56
|area_land_km2            = 3.77
|area_water_km2           = 0.79
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.76
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.46
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.30
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|pop_est_footnotes        = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 155
|population_density_km2   = 41.06
|population_density_sq_mi = 106.38
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 439
|elevation_ft             = 1440
|coordinates              = {{coord|47|52|23|N|94|16|44|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 56661
|area_code                = [[Area code 218|218]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 27-47122<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0657633<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://ci.northome.mn.us/|ci.northome.mn.us}}
|footnotes                = 
}}
[[Image:NorthomeBearStatue.jpg|thumb|Carved wooden black bear statue at Northome]]

'''Northome''' is a city located in the southwestern corner of [[Koochiching County, Minnesota|Koochiching County]], [[Minnesota]], United States. The population was 155 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2747122 |work=American FactFinder |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 2, 2022}}</ref> The county seat is [[International Falls, Minnesota|International Falls]], about {{convert|70|mi|km}} away.

[[U.S. Route 71#Minnesota|U.S. Highway 71]] and State Highways [[Minnesota State Highway 1|1]] and [[Minnesota State Highway 46|46]] meet in Northome.

==Fair==
The Northome Fairgrounds hold the annual Koochiching County Fair on the second weekend of August. It celebrated its 100th anniversary in August 2006.

Fair events include
* Mudding
* Fireworks
* "Scenic Sinkhole Scramble" (since 1982) - runs of a sanctioned 5k race and a 'fun run' of {{convert|2|mi|km}} with a stroller category
* Animal and crafts judging and a related Bear Fest parade in the city of Northome.
* The fair grounds also has the "Harold Lowe Memorial Arena", a horse arena capable of hosting [[barrel racing]] and other equine activities

==History==
Northome was founded in 1903 and enjoyed a boom time early in the 20th century as a logging town.<ref>{{cite web|title=Northome History|url=http://www.lakesnwoods.com/NorthomeHistory.htm|accessdate=November 27, 2012}}</ref> It is possible that the name "Northome" is derived from the Norwegian place name "Norheim", which is found in four places in Norway. The name literally means north home.

By the 1930s the big white and red pines were gone and pine trees were essentially locally [[Local extinction|extirpated]] due to the unsustainable logging practices of the time,<ref name="Minnesota Historic Sites">{{cite web | url=http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/fhc/shortsupply.html | title=Short Supply—1900 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727091931/http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/fhc/shortsupply.html|archivedate=July 27, 2011|accessdate=March 11, 2011}}</ref> and farming gained importance. Many farmers relocated here from the [[Dust Bowl]] conditions in the Dakotas at that time.

The Burlington Northern Railroad had a depot in Northome until the 1980s, although passenger service discontinued in 1960.<ref>{{cite web|title=M&I Railroad History|url=http://www.r2parks.net/M&I.html|accessdate=November 27, 2012}}</ref> Today the abandoned railroad bed forms the ''Blue Ox'' section of a large network of snowmobile trails.<ref>{{cite web|title=Blue Ox Rail to Trail|url=http://www.traillink.com/trail/blue-ox-trail-(voyageur-trail).aspx|accessdate=November 27, 2012}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.90|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|1.51|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.39|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=November 13, 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archivedate=July 2, 2012}}</ref>

Northome is located at {{coord|47|52|19|N|94|16|48|W|type:city}} (47.871986, -94.280248).

There are named former townships around Northome (Bridgie, Englewood, Wildwood, etc.) but in Koochiching County all townships are unorganized.  Therefore, for Census and other government purposes, the city of Northome also lends its name to the surrounding [[Northome (unorganized territory), Minnesota|Unorganized Territory of Northome]] (approximately {{convert|300|sqmi|km2|sigfig=1}} of SW Koochiching County, excluding Northome and Mizpah, with 500 people in the 2000 census).

===Economy===
Important sources of employment in the area include the Northome School, independent resorts, logging and farming, and several stores in the town, including the Shining Light Cafe. The local newspaper was the ''Northome Record'', produced from 1905 to 2007. Shortly after the ''Northome Record'' ceased the ''Northome Area News'' was created by a local family.

The nearest stop light is 40 miles away in [[Bemidji, Minnesota|Bemidji]], the regional shopping hub.

===Wildlife===
The town is on the shores of Bartlett Lake; to the south is Island Lake, popular for fishing and swimming. The lake holds [[Northern Pike]], [[crappie]], [[perch]], and [[Ameiurus|bullhead]]. Other smaller lakes are in the area as well, together supporting a variety of fish including [[Walleyed Pike|walleye]] and northern pike.  Unlike most of the rest of the Lower 48 states, timber wolves (the [[grey wolf]]) were never eradicated from this area,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/natural_resources/animals/mammals/wolves/RangeExpansion.pdf | title=Wolf Range 1978-1998}}</ref> and wolves can still be heard at night, though rarely seen. [[Bald eagle]]s and [[American black bear|black bears]] are commonly sighted. There have also been occasional reports of [[cougar]] sightings. This area is in the southern part of the [[Taiga]], or boreal forest, with a mix of [[Populus tremuloides|quaking aspen]] (colloquially called ''popple''), [[Abies balsamea|balsam fir]], [[Thuja occidentalis|northern white cedar]] and others, including some remaining [[white pine]] and [[Norway pine]].

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location = Northome 3S, Minnesota, 1991–2020 normals: 1415ft (431m)
|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 52
|Feb record high F = 55
|Mar record high F = 67
|Apr record high F = 74
|May record high F = 87
|Jun record high F = 86
|Jul record high F = 92
|Aug record high F = 92
|Sep record high F = 85
|Oct record high F = 87
|Nov record high F = 75
|Dec record high F = 47
|year record high F =

|Jan avg record high F = 39.1
|Feb avg record high F = 43.3
|Mar avg record high F = 55.8
|Apr avg record high F = 67.3
|May avg record high F = 80.7
|Jun avg record high F = 83.1
|Jul avg record high F = 86.6
|Aug avg record high F = 86.7
|Sep avg record high F = 81.2
|Oct avg record high F = 72.6
|Nov avg record high F = 55.2
|Dec avg record high F = 41.3
|year avg record high F = 88.7

|Jan high F = 16.9
|Feb high F = 23.0
|Mar high F = 35.0
|Apr high F = 49.5
|May high F = 62.8
|Jun high F = 72.1
|Jul high F = 77.1
|Aug high F = 75.8
|Sep high F = 67.0
|Oct high F = 52.4
|Nov high F = 34.7
|Dec high F = 21.8
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 6.0
|Feb mean F = 10.3
|Mar mean F = 22.3
|Apr mean F = 37.8
|May mean F = 51.1
|Jun mean F = 61.6
|Jul mean F = 65.9
|Aug mean F = 64.1
|Sep mean F = 55.8
|Oct mean F = 43.3
|Nov mean F = 27.0
|Dec mean F = 12.8
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = -4.9
|Feb low F = -2.4
|Mar low F = 9.7
|Apr low F = 26.2
|May low F = 39.3
|Jun low F = 51.1
|Jul low F = 54.7
|Aug low F = 52.3
|Sep low F = 44.7
|Oct low F = 34.1
|Nov low F = 19.3
|Dec low F = 3.8
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -33.0
|Feb avg record low F = -28.7
|Mar avg record low F = -17.7
|Apr avg record low F = 10.5
|May avg record low F = 25.7
|Jun avg record low F = 36.8
|Jul avg record low F = 43.5
|Aug avg record low F = 41.5
|Sep avg record low F = 30.1
|Oct avg record low F = 20.5
|Nov avg record low F = -1.7
|Dec avg record low F = -21.8
|year avg record low F = -34.5

| Jan record low F = -45
| Feb record low F = -44
| Mar record low F = -33
| Apr record low F = -4
| May record low F = 20
| Jun record low F = 29
| Jul record low F = 38
| Aug record low F = 34
| Sep record low F = 24
| Oct record low F = 13
| Nov record low F = -20
| Dec record low F = -38
| year record low F =

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.77
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.64
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.20
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.82
|May precipitation inch = 3.01
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.23
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.84
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.20
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.10
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.68
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.36
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.03
|year precipitation inch =

|Jan snow inch = 9.8
|Feb snow inch = 9.1
|Mar snow inch = 6.9
|Apr snow inch = 8.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 2.6
|Nov snow inch = 6.1
|Dec snow inch = 13.5
|year snow inch =

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA1>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00215989&format=pdf
|title = Northome 3S, Minnesota 1991-2020 Monthly Normals 
|access-date = December 25, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = XMACIS (2008-2020 snowfall, temp records & monthly max/mins)<ref name = XMACIS>
{{cite web
|url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = xmACIS
|access-date = December 25, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 206
|1920= 270
|1930= 258
|1940= 343
|1950= 349
|1960= 291
|1970= 351
|1980= 312
|1990= 283
|2000= 230
|2010= 200
|2020= 155
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===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=November 13, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 200 people, 89 households, and 53 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|132.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 104 housing units at an average density of {{convert|68.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.0% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], and 2.0% from two or more races.

There were 89 households, of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.4% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.83.

The median age in the city was 49.7 years. 22% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16% were from 25 to 44; 32% were from 45 to 64; and 23.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 230 people, 87 households, and 46 families residing in the city.  The population density was {{convert|151.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 113 housing units at an average density of {{convert|74.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 96.96% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.74% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], and 1.30% from two or more races.

There were 87 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 2.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.1% were non-families. 42.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 32.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.6% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 30.4% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 71.6 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 61.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,417, and the median income for a family was $36,250. Males had a median income of $30,556 versus $20,375 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,758.  About 13.0% of families and 24.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.0% of those under the age of eighteen and 20.8% of those 65 or over.

==Outdoor activities==
Primary outdoor occupations in the area are logging timber, farming, and resorts/tourism.

Fall brings the deer hunters and in the winter snowmobiling is a growing activity, supporting a small industry with a network of trails leading to nearby communities, including across the [[Big Bog State Recreation Area]] to [[Waskish Township, Minnesota|Waskish Township]]. Fishing is available most of the year. In the winter cold temperatures occasionally dipping down to −40° (F or C) create ice that can support small snowplows to clear roads on the lakes for ice-fishing.

==Media==
===Television===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
!style="background:#ccccff;" |Channel
!style="background:#ccccff;" rowspan="2" |Callsign
!style="background:#ccccff;" rowspan="2" |Affiliation
!style="background:#ccccff;" rowspan="2" |Branding
!style="background:#ccccff;" colspan="2" |Subchannels
!style="background:#ccccff;" rowspan="2" |Owner
|-
!style="background:#ffcccc;" | (Virtual)
!style="background:#ffcccc;" | Channel
!style="background:#ffcccc" | Programming
|-
| 11.1
| [[KBJR-TV|K18JM-D]] <br><small>([[KBRJ-TV|KRII]] Translator)</small>
| [[NBC]]
| ''KBJR 6''
| 11.2<br />11.3
| style="text-align:left" | [[CBS]]<br />[[Heroes & Icons|H&I]]/[[MyNetworkTV]]
| style="text-align:left" | County Of Koochiching
|-
| 13.1
| [[WDIO-DT|K16JD-D]] <br><small>([[WDIO-DT|WIRT]] Translator)</small>
| [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| 
| 13.2<br />13.3
| style="text-align:left" | [[MeTV]]<br />[[Ion Television]] 
| style="text-align:left" | County Of Koochiching
|-
|}

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://ci.northome.mn.us/ City of Northome website - Link], community calendar, etc.
* [http://www.northome.k12.mn.us/ Northome School website - Link], District 363
* [http://www.lakesnwoods.com/Northome.htm LakesnWoods.com website -- Northome, Minn. Guide - Link], collection of Northome information

{{Koochiching County, Minnesota}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Koochiching County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]
[[Category:1903 establishments in Minnesota]]