Editing Owatonna, Minnesota

{{Short description|City in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Owatonna
|nickname                 = O-Town
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|named_for                = [[Straight River (southern Minnesota)|Straight River]]
|motto                    = 
<!-- Images --------------->
|image_skyline            = Owatonna, Minnesota 5.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Downtown Owatonna
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = Steele_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Owatonna_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Owatonna<br/>within [[Steele County, Minnesota|Steele County]] and state of [[Minnesota]]
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
<!-- 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        = [[Steele County, Minnesota|Steele]]
<!-- Government ----------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = Representative council
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Matt Jessop
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = Settled
|established_date         = 1854
|established_title1       = Platted
|established_date1        = September 1855
|established_title2       = Incorporated (town)
|established_date2        = August 9, 1858
|established_title3       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated (city)]]
|established_date3        = February 23, 1865
<!-- 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           = 39.36
|area_land_km2            = 39.14
|area_water_km2           = 0.22
|area_total_sq_mi         = 15.20
|area_land_sq_mi          = 15.11
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.09
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 26470
|pop_est_as_of            = 2022
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2022"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 26420
|population_density_km2   = 674.98
|population_density_sq_mi = 1748.16
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|Central]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 1132
|coordinates              = {{coord|44|05|28|N|93|13|52|W|region:US-MN|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 55060
|area_code                = [[Area code 507|507]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 27-49300
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2396114<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2396114}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.owatonna.gov/|owatonna.gov}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Owatonna''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|oʊ|w|ə|ˈ|t|ɒ|n|ə}} {{respell|OH|wə|TON|ə}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ap.org/minnesota/prono.html |title=Minnesota Pronunciation Guide |website=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=July 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722194213/http://www.ap.org/minnesota/prono.html |archive-date=July 22, 2011 }}</ref> is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Steele County, Minnesota]], United States. The population was 26,420 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Owatonna_city,_Minnesota?g=160XX00US2749300 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 1, 2023}}</ref> Owatonna is home to the Steele County Fairgrounds, which hosts the [[Steele County Free Fair]] in August.

[[Interstate 35 in Minnesota|Interstate 35]] and U.S. Highways [[U.S. Route 14 in Minnesota|14]] and [[U.S. Route 218#Minnesota|218]] are three of the main routes in the city.

==History==
[[File:Legendowatonna2.JPG|thumb|Mineral Springs Park, Owatonna, MN]]
European Americans settled in the Owatonna area in 1853 around the [[Straight River (southern Minnesota)|Straight River]]. The community was named after the Straight River,<ref name="Upham">Upham, Warren (reprint, 2001). [http://mnplaces.mnhs.org/upham/OtherLanguage.cfm?PlaceNameID=2312&OPNameID=686&County=74&SendingPage=Results.cfm Minnesota Place Names: A Geographical Encyclopedia]</ref> which in the [[Dakota language]] is ''Wakpá Owóthaŋna''. A popular, but apocryphal, story is that the town is named after "Princess Owatonna", the daughter of local Native American Chief Wabena who was supposedly healed by a nearby spring's magic waters,<ref>[https://visitowatonna.org/the-legend-of-princess-owatonna/ ''The Legend of Princess Owatonna''], Visit Owatonna</ref> which were said to be rich in iron and sulfur.<ref name=WPA>{{cite book |author=<!--The Federal Writer's Project--> |orig-date=1938|date=1985 |title=WPA Guide to Minnesota |url= |publisher=[[Minnesota Historical Society]]|location=[[Saint Paul, Minnesota]] |pages=399 |isbn=0873517121}}</ref> The earliest the Owatonna area was settled was in 1854. It was platted in September 1855, incorporated as a town on August 9, 1858, and as a city on February 23, 1865.<ref name="Upham"/>

In 1856, Josef Karel Kaplan emigrated from the village of [[Dlouhá Třebová]], southeast of Prague, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), and selected a quarter section [{{convert|160|acre|ha}}] of land near the town of Owatonna. Kaplan described Owatonna as having just 50 small homes, but predicted 100 within a year, along with a railroad. With just four stores and a pharmacy, Owatonna quickly prospered and grew to 1,500 inhabitants in five years. Kaplan wrote about the Owatonna area in letters donated to the Minnesota Historical Society. In them, he described often seeing the indigenous people with "tough constitutions...brown skin and good dispositions", adding: "When you read about battles between whites and Indians, it is the whites who are to blame." In 1866, Kaplan helped organize the Catholic cemetery, and a year later, the Bohemian National Cemetery of Owatonna.<ref>[http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/43/v43i04p136-141.pdf ''Letters to Bohemia:  A Czech Settler Writes from Owatonna, 1856—1858'']</ref>

Kaplan's Woods is part of the land originally owned by Josef Kaplan, and later Victor and Anna Kaplan. The State of Minnesota created Kaplan's Wood State Park, which was later transferred to the City of Owatonna.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ci.owatonna.mn.us/parksrecreation/parkstrailsfacilities/trails/trail-information/ |title=Trail Information &#124; City of Owatonna |access-date=September 1, 2012 |archive-date=June 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622162749/http://ci.owatonna.mn.us/parksrecreation/parkstrailsfacilities/trails/trail-information |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Kaplan's Woods Parkway contains over {{convert|6|mi|km|0}} of hiking and cross country skiing trails, and nearly {{convert|2|mi|km|0}} of hard-surfaced, handicapped-accessible trail. The parkway includes Lake Kohlmier, a {{convert|35|acre|ha|adj=on}} lake.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.visitowatonna.org/places-to-play/parks-trails.php |title=Owatonna Chamber of Commerce - Tourism Bureau |access-date=September 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826045533/http://www.visitowatonna.org/places-to-play/parks-trails.php |archive-date=August 26, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children]] was built in 1886. The school took in orphans from around the state and taught them "the value of drill, discipline, and labor." The children who died in the institution were interred in the Children's Cemetery behind the school. In 1945, the orphanage closed and in 1947 the State Public School was officially abolished and all its lands, buildings, property, and funds were transferred to the newly established Owatonna State School,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asylumprojects.org/index.php?title=Owatonna_State_School|title=Owatonna State School - Asylum Projects}}</ref> which provided academic and vocational training for the developmentally disabled. The Owatonna State School was closed June 30, 1970.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Interim report of department of public welfare | url=http://mn.gov/mnddc/past/pdf/60s/69/69-COS-AMW.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208041237/http://mn.gov/mnddc/past/pdf/60s/69/69-COS-AMW.pdf | archive-date=2016-02-08}}</ref> In 1974, the City purchased the compound for its office space. Renamed "West Hills," it continues to serve as the City's administration complex and home to many nonprofit civic organizations including a senior activity center, the Owatonna Arts Center, two nonprofit daycare centers, a chemical dependency halfway house, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, among others.{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}}

In July 2008, a [[Raytheon]] [[Hawker 800]] corporate jet crashed near Owatonna, resulting in eight deaths.<ref>[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gig1LIOGzGlClbdDV7HYLd3muEwAD9295O2O0 (AP via Google News)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819211858/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gig1LIOGzGlClbdDV7HYLd3muEwAD9295O2O0 |date=August 19, 2008}}</ref>

On November 3, 2015, the Owatonna Public School District passed a bond referendum to fund school facilities improvements focusing on deferred maintenance, safety, and Elementary school crowding. As a result, the school district received $77.9 million to repair all buildings, replace out-of-date equipment, update security in all seven public school buildings, switch the use for two school buildings, and reconfigure grades from K-5, 6, 7-8, 9-12 to K-5, 6-8, 9-12. All facility changes and projects were completed by September 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.owatonna.k12.mn.us/page/2776 |title=Referendum - Owatonna Public Schools ISD761 |access-date=November 5, 2015 |archive-date=November 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121110136/http://www.owatonna.k12.mn.us/page/2776 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On November 5, 2019, Owatonna voters approved a referendum, allowing the school district 104 million dollars in bond authority to build a new [[Owatonna High School]]. A smaller bond was also approved for the redevelopment of the old OHS site.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.southernminn.com/owatonna_peoples_press/news/yes-x2-voters-approve-both-bonding-questions-for-owatonna-schools/article_9d7317ad-ac16-5a42-8c6b-6e5f9063a63b.html |title=‘YES’ x2: Voters approve both bonding questions for Owatonna schools|website=[[Owatonna People's Press]] }}</ref> The new high school, a 317,000 square foot building, located in south eastern Owatonna, broke ground on May 6, 2021,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.southernminn.com/owatonna_peoples_press/news/owatonna-community-breaks-ground-on-new-high-school/article_73b99d66-6b25-565a-bca8-a20bc6d91ba1.html|title=Owatonna community breaks ground on new high school|website=[[Owatonna People's Press]]}}</ref> and opened to students on September 5, 2023. A public grand opening ceremony was held on September 23, 2023.

The [https://www.steelehistorymuseum.org/ Steele County Historical Society] "preserves Steele County's past, shares the county's stories, and connects people with history in meaningful ways, for today and for tomorrow." Established in 1949 to preserve the history of Steele County, it has become one of the largest and most prestigious historical societies in the state. In 1962, the Society permanently leased part of the southeast section of the fairgrounds to begin a pioneer village, the [https://www.steelehistorymuseum.org/village-of-yesteryear Village of Yesteryear], which has grown in the years since through the additional move of historic structures, as well as museum buildings built on site.

==Geography==
[[File:Owatonna, Minnesota.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|[[U.S. Route 218|US-218]] going through Owatonna]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|14.62|sqmi|sqkm|2}}; {{convert|14.53|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.09|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]]|access-date=November 13, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=January 25, 2012}}</ref>  The oldest part of the city (including the downtown area) is on a low-lying area on the eastern bank of the [[Straight River (southern Minnesota)|Straight River]], extending towards the south from [[Maple Creek (Minnesota)|Maple Creek]]. The city has grown in all directions, and now lies on both sides of the river, as well as above the ridge north of Maple Creek. Significant growth in recent years has occurred to the northeast, where homes have been built along the ravine of Maple Creek as well as alongside Brooktree Golf Course, to the north, and to the southeast. Geographical landmarks of note include Kaplan's Woods, a hardwood nature preserve on the southern border of the city; Cinder Hill, a steep 60-foot hill on Linn Avenue overlooking downtown that local athletes use for training; the [[Straight River (southern Minnesota)|Straight River]] dam, originally used to power a mill and now reconstructed to include a fish ladder; and the Forest Hill Cemetery, an old wooded cemetery on the ridge north of Maple Creek that marks the boundary between the oldest parts of the city and more recent developments.

Record rainfall events from September 22 to 24, 2010, caused flooding of the Straight River and Maple Creek in and near Owatonna, with developments in the floodplains of both streams completely inundated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2011/5045/pdf/sir2011-5045.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630092406/http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2011/5045/pdf/sir2011-5045.pdf |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |url-status=live |title=Floods of September 2010 in Southern Minnesota |website=US Geological Survey Scientific Investigations}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/climate/journal/ff100924.html |title=Heavy Rainfall - September 22-23, 2010 |website=MN Department of Natural Resources}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/mpx/20100922-24_MN_Flood_Event |title=Summary of September 22-24, 2010 Extreme Southern MN Flooding |website=National Weather Service}}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box   <!-- Infobox begins -->
| single line = Y
| location    = Owatonna, Minnesota, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1961&ndash;present

|Jan record high F = 58
|Feb record high F = 65
|Mar record high F = 81
|Apr record high F = 92
|May record high F = 98
|Jun record high F = 102
|Jul record high F = 102
|Aug record high F = 102
|Sep record high F = 98
|Oct record high F = 93
|Nov record high F = 78
|Dec record high F = 67

|Jan avg record high F = 41.5
|Feb avg record high F = 46.3
|Mar avg record high F = 64.0
|Apr avg record high F = 79.2
|May avg record high F = 88.1
|Jun avg record high F = 92.5
|Jul avg record high F = 92.5
|Aug avg record high F = 90.6
|Sep avg record high F = 88.1
|Oct avg record high F = 81.5
|Nov avg record high F = 63.8
|Dec avg record high F = 46.8
|year avg record high F = 95.2

<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =22.2
| Feb high F  =26.8
| Mar high F  =39.6
| Apr high F  =55.3
| May high F  =67.7
| Jun high F  =78.3
| Jul high F  =81.7
| Aug high F  =79.4
| Sep high F  =72.8
| Oct high F  =58.7
| Nov high F  =41.6
| Dec high F  =27.9
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =13.7
| Feb mean F  =18.0
| Mar mean F  =30.7
| Apr mean F  =44.8
| May mean F  =57.1
| Jun mean F  =68.1
| Jul mean F  =71.8
| Aug mean F  =69.5
| Sep mean F  =62.1
| Oct mean F  =48.3
| Nov mean F  =33.3
| Dec mean F  =20.3
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =5.1
| Feb low F  =9.2
| Mar low F  =21.8
| Apr low F  =34.2
| May low F  =46.6
| Jun low F  =58.0
| Jul low F  =62.0
| Aug low F  =59.6
| Sep low F  =51.4
| Oct low F  =37.9
| Nov low F  =25.1
| Dec low F  =12.7

|Jan avg record low F = -17.7
|Feb avg record low F = -12.0
|Mar avg record low F = -1.5
|Apr avg record low F = 18.6
|May avg record low F = 31.2
|Jun avg record low F = 44.2
|Jul avg record low F = 51.0
|Aug avg record low F = 48.9
|Sep avg record low F = 35.4
|Oct avg record low F = 23.0
|Nov avg record low F = 7.2
|Dec avg record low F = -10.2
|year avg record low F = -20.8

|Jan record low F = -35
|Feb record low F = -34
|Mar record low F = -32
|Apr record low F = 0
|May record low F = 12
|Jun record low F = 33
|Jul record low F = 42
|Aug record low F = 36
|Sep record low F = 23
|Oct record low F = 13
|Nov record low F = -15
|Dec record low F = -32

<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =0.87
| Feb precipitation inch  =0.89
| Mar precipitation inch  =1.99
| Apr precipitation inch  =3.18
| May precipitation inch  =4.61
| Jun precipitation inch  =5.28
| Jul precipitation inch  =4.79
| Aug precipitation inch  =4.84
| Sep precipitation inch  =3.80
| Oct precipitation inch  =2.48
| Nov precipitation inch  =1.65
| Dec precipitation inch  =1.08

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 6.9
|Feb precipitation days = 5.6
|Mar precipitation days = 7.7
|Apr precipitation days = 10.6
|May precipitation days = 12.4
|Jun precipitation days = 11.9
|Jul precipitation days = 9.6
|Aug precipitation days = 9.7
|Sep precipitation days = 8.6
|Oct precipitation days = 8.9
|Nov precipitation days = 6.1
|Dec precipitation days = 7.1

<!-- Snowfall -->
| Jan snow inch  =9.5
| Feb snow inch  =10.2
| Mar snow inch  =6.8
| Apr snow inch  =2.6
| May snow inch  =0.5
| Jun snow inch  =0.0
| Jul snow inch  =0.0
| Aug snow inch  =0.0
| Sep snow inch  =0.0
| Oct snow inch  =0.3
| Nov snow inch  =3.1
| Dec snow inch  =11.2

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 4.9
|Feb snow days = 3.9
|Mar snow days = 2.5
|Apr snow days = 0.8
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.3
|Nov snow days = 1.8
|Dec snow days = 4.6

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00216287&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Owatonna, MN
|access-date = May 12, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=mpx
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Minneapolis
|access-date = May 12, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 609
|1870= 2070
|1880= 3161
|1890= 3849
|1900= 5561
|1910= 5658
|1920= 7252
|1930= 7654
|1940= 8694
|1950= 10191
|1960= 13409
|1970= 15341
|1980= 18632
|1990= 19386
|2000= 22434
|2010= 25599
|2020= 26420
|estyear=2022
|estimate=26470
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=June 25, 2023|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 25, 2023}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 11, 2013}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 25,599 people, 10,068 households, and 6,737 families resided in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1761.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 10,724 housing units at an average density of {{convert|738.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 91.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.8% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.9% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.2% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 7.3% of the population.

There were 10,068 households, of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.05.

The median age in the city was 37.2 years. 26.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 25.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, 22,434 people, 8,704 households, and 5,936 families resided in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,779.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 8,940 housing units at an average density of {{convert|709.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.09% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.56% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.13% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.99% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.92% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.27% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.31% of the population.

There were 8,704 households, of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,660, and the median income for a family was $54,883. Males had a median income of $37,691 versus $25,511 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,513. About 4.3% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.9% of those under 18 and 6.9% of those 65 or over.

==Economy==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Renovated Owatonna Power Plant OPU HQ.jpg|thumb|The Owatonna Power Plant is a city landmark.<ref>http://media.designerpages.com/otto/2015/10/leo-a-daly-reimagines-a-power-plant-as-an-inspiring-office-space/ {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>]]  -->Owatonna is an economic center of Southern Minnesota, with diverse industries. [[Federated Mutual Insurance Company|Federated Insurance]] is the largest employer, with 1,521 employees, followed by an expanding Viracon, which has 1,434 employees.<ref>http://www.owatonna.org/prosper/profile/employers.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819105024/http://www.owatonna.org/prosper/profile/employers.php |date=August 19, 2007}} Owatonna employer profile</ref> Both have their corporate headquarters in Owatonna. Other large employers in the community are [[Robert Bosch GmbH|Bosch]], [[Jostens]], Gopher Sport, [[Brunswick Corporation]] ([[Cybex International]]), [[Daikin Industries]], Climate by Design (CDI), AmesburyTruth, ISD 761, Wenger Corporation,<ref>https://www.wengercorp.com/ Wenger Corporation</ref> Owatonna Clinic - [[Mayo Health System]], and [[Owatonna Hospital]] - [[Allina Hospitals & Clinics]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}}

==Arts and culture==
In 1974, the City of Owatonna purchased the campus of the former [[Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children]], which had been in operation from 1886 until 1945. The site was renamed West Hills, and now serves as an administrative center for the City of Owatonna, as well as housing several nonprofit organizations in the various historic buildings, including the Owatonna Arts Center. Little Theatre of Owatonna has called Merrill Hall in the West hills their home since 1966 <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.owatonnaartscenter.org/ |title=Owatonna Arts Center |access-date=March 20, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060221031837/http://www.owatonnaartscenter.org/ |archive-date=February 21, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The ongoing practical joke [[Pesky Pants]] took place in Owatonna between 1965 and 1989

===Sites of interest===
====National Farmers Bank====
[[File:OwatonnaBank.JPG|thumb|Owatonna's classic bank]]
In the middle of Owatonna's downtown is the [[National Farmer's Bank of Owatonna|National Farmer's Bank]], widely recognized as one of the premier examples of the [[Prairie School]] of [[architecture]] in America. Designed by [[Louis Sullivan]], the building was finished in 1908 and features gold leaf arches, [[stained-glass]] windows, and nouveau [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] art designs, all still in pristine condition. It is a national landmark on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] and functions as a branch of [[Wells Fargo]] Bank.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-a-minnesota-bank-building-ranks-among-the-nations-most-significant-architecture "Why a Minnesota bank building ranks among the nation’s most significant architecture"], ''[[PBS NewsHour]]'', June 15, 2022.</ref><ref name=WPA/><ref name=Sullivan>{{cite book |last1=Morrison|first1=Hugh |orig-date=June 1, 1962 |title=Louis Sullivan Prophet of Modern Architecture  |year=1962 |url= |publisher=[[W. W. Norton & Company]]|location=[[New York City]] |pages= |isbn=0393001164}}</ref>

====State School Museum====
The State School Museum<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://orphanagemuseum.com/museum.php/ |title=MINNESOTA STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL FOR DEPENDENT AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN: Museum |access-date=March 20, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060329031826/http://orphanagemuseum.com/museum.php |archive-date=March 29, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> is at West Hills on the grounds of the former [[Minnesota State School for Dependent and Neglected Children]].

==Sports==
The Steele County Blades is a [[junior hockey]] team that plays at Four Seasons Center and is a member of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League. Although having a similar name and logo, this team is unrelated to the former [[Southern Minnesota Express]], which relocated to Michigan to become the [[Motor City Machine]]. The Express began play in the 2008-2009 season,<ref>[http://www.nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=496 NAHL.com], 15 May 2008</ref> and completed its final season in March 2011.

==Government==
Owatonna is governed by a mayor and city council. [https://www.owatonna.gov/564/Mayor-City-Council City Council of Owatonna, MN]

* Mayor: Matt Jessop
City council
* Council member at large: Doug Voss
* Council member at large: Daniel Boeke
* First Ward: Nathan Dotson
* Second Ward: Greg Schultz
* Third Ward: Dave Burbank
* Fourth Ward: Kevin P. Raney
* Fifth Ward: Brent Svenby

The city is in Minnesota's 24th Senate District, represented by [[John Jasinski (politician)|John Jasinski]], a Republican. District 24 includes portions of Steele, Rice and Waseca and Dodge counties in the southeastern part of the state. Owatonna is in House District 24A, represented by State Representative [[John Petersburg]], a Republican, since 2012.

Owatonna is in [[Minnesota's 1st congressional district]], represented by [[Brad Finstad]], a Republican.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3598486-republican-rep-brad-finstad-sworn-in-to-finish-hagedorns-house-term/ |title=Republican Rep. Brad Finstad sworn in to finish Hagedorn's House term | date=August 12, 2022}}</ref>

==Education==

===Public schools===
Public education is provided by Independent School District No. 761

====Elementary schools====
* Lincoln Elementary, grades K-5<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.owatonna.k12.mn.us/schools/lincoln/ |title=Lincoln Elementary |access-date=December 13, 2010 |archive-date=October 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022220213/http://www.owatonna.k12.mn.us/schools/lincoln/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* McKinley Elementary, grades K-5<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.owatonna.k12.mn.us/schools/mckinley/ |title=McKinley Elementary |access-date=December 13, 2010 |archive-date=January 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122034333/http://www.owatonna.k12.mn.us/schools/mckinley/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Washington Elementary, grades K-5<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.owatonna.k12.mn.us/schools/washington/ |title=Washington Elementary |access-date=December 13, 2010 |archive-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227024442/http://www.owatonna.k12.mn.us/schools/washington/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Wilson Elementary, grades K-5<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.owatonna.k12.mn.us/schools/wilson/ |title=Wilson Elementary |access-date=December 13, 2010 |archive-date=January 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124225258/http://www.owatonna.k12.mn.us/schools/wilson/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Middle school====
* Owatonna Middle School, grades 6-8 [https://web.archive.org/web/20150619001534/http://www.rschooltoday.com/se3bin/clientschool.cgi?schoolname=school689]

====High school====
* [[Owatonna Senior High School]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20150509020330/http://www.rschooltoday.com/se3bin/clientschool.cgi], grades 9-12
* Owatonna Alternative Learning Center (ALC), grades 7-12

===Private schools===
* [http://www.owatonnachristianschool.org/ Owatonna Christian School], grades K-12
* [http://www.stmarys-owatonna.org/ St. Marys Catholic School], grades K-8
* Marian Catholic High School, 1958-1975
* [[Pillsbury Baptist Bible College]], 1886-2008

===Higher education===
* [[Riverland Community College]]

===Past schools===
* "Old" Lincoln Elementary School, 1885-1951
* Roosevelt Elementary School, 1919-1980
* Jefferson Elementary School, early 1900s-1970
* First Owatonna High School, 1871-1882
* Second Owatonna High School, 1883-1921
* Third Owatonna High School, 1921-2023
* [[Minnesota State School for Dependent and Neglected Children]], 1887-1945
* Owatonna State School, 1947-1970
* Willow Creek Intermediate School, 1990-2017
* Owatonna Junior High school 1965-2017

===Owatonna Art Education Project===
In Owatonna was the [[Owatonna Art Education Project]].{{when|date=June 2020}}

==Media==
===AM radio===
{| class="wikitable"
!align="center" colspan="5"|'''[[AM radio]] stations'''
|-
!Frequency
!Call sign
!Name
!Format
!Owner
|-
|920||[[KDHL]]||The Mighty 920||[[Classic Country]]||[[Townsquare Media]]
|-
|1170||[[KFOW]]|| ||[[Sports radio]]||[[Linder Radio Group]]
|-
|1390||[[KRFO (AM)|KRFO]]|| ||[[Oldies]]||[[Townsquare Media]]
|-
|}

===FM Radio===
{| class="wikitable"
!align="center" colspan="5"|'''[[FM radio]] stations'''
|-
!Frequency
!Call sign
!Name
!Format
!Owner
|-
|92.1||[[KRUE]]||KRUE Country 92.1||[[Country music|Country]]||[[Linder Radio Group]]
|-
|93.5||[[KJLY|K228DR]]<br /><small>([[KJLY]] Translator)</small>|| ||[[Christian radio|Christian]]||Minn-Iowa Christian Broadcasting
|-
|100.9||[[KOWZ (FM)|KOWZ]]|| ||[[Adult Contemporary]]||[[Linder Radio Group]]
|-
|103.9||[[KNGA|K280EC]]<br /><small>([[KNGA]] Translator)</small>||MPR News||[[NPR]]||[[Minnesota Public Radio]]
|-
|104.9||[[KRFO-FM|KRFO]]|| ||[[Country music|Country]]||[[Townsquare Media]]
|-
|105.7||[[KGAC|K289AE]]<br /><small>([[KGAC]] Translator)</small>||Classical MPR||[[Classical music|Classical]]||[[Minnesota Public Radio]]
|-
|106.3||[[KFOW|K292GU]]<br /><small>([[KFOW]] Translator)</small>|| ||[[Sports radio]]||[[Linder Radio Group]]
|-
|107.5||[[KBGY]]<br /><small>([[KLCI]] Simulcast)</small>||BOB-FM||[[Classic country]]||Milestone Radio II, LLC
|}

===Film location===
Parts of the 1995 movie ''[[Angus (film)|Angus]]'' were filmed in and around Owatonna, including [[Owatonna Senior High School]], its football team, and marching band.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112368/locations IMDB, Angus]</ref>

Much of the 2014 silent film ''The Root of Evil'' was shot on location in Owatonna, most notably at the [[Owatonna Senior High School]] and the Gainey Center. Produced by a cast and crew of over 60 Owatonna High School students, the film has received 10 awards at over eight film festivals on the international circuit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.southernminn.com/owatonna_peoples_press/news/article_1058762f-ac5c-5dab-a4dd-bf231f1572bc.html?TNNoMobile|title = Owatonna graduates' black-and-white film receives national recognitions}}</ref> Memorabilia from the film is set{{when|date=June 2020}} to be on display in the high school museum.

==Transportation==
Local bus service in Owatonna is provided by [[Southern Minnesota Area Rural Transit|SMART]]. SMART operates one deviated fixed route and paratransit service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://smartbusmn.org/files/2022/09/All_Counties_-_PDF_File_2022.pdf|title=SMART Service|access-date=September 3, 2023}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Ken Christianson]], artist and musician, graduate of Owatonna Senior High
* [[Masanori Mark Christianson]], art director and musician, graduate of Owatonna Senior High
* [[Lillian Colton]], crop artist
* [[Casey Driessen]], fiddler
* [[Elijah Easton]], farmer and member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]]
* [[Arthur Fry]], co-creator of the [[Post-it Note]], born in Owatonna
* [[Theodore Marcus Hansen]], Lutheran pastor and educator, pastor in Owatonna from 1948 to 1952
* [[Road Warrior Hawk|Mike Hegstrand]], professional wrestler, Hawk born in Owatonna
* [[Noel Jenke]], [[NFL]] player
* [[Felix Kaplan]], member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]]
* [[William R. Kinyon]] early member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] 
* [[Don Laughlin]], founder of the resort town of [[Laughlin, Nevada|Laughlin]], [[Nevada]]
* [[Drew C. MacEwen]], state representative in [[Washington (state)|Washington state]]
* [[Charles Edward Magoon]], politician, lawyer, judge, and diplomat
* [[E.G. Marshall]], actor known for ''[[12 Angry Men (1957 film)|12 Angry Men]]''
* [[Craig Minowa]], lead singer of [[Cloud Cult]]
* [[Tom Moore (American football coach, born 1938)|Tom Moore]], [[NFL]] coach
* [[Harold S. Nelson]], Minnesota state senator and lawyer<ref>[https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=14121 Minnesota Legislators Past & Present-Harold S. Nelson]</ref>
* [[Fred L. Peterson]], mayor of [[Portland, Oregon]], from 1953 to 1956
* [[Connie Ruth]], Minnesota state representative
* [[Tom J. Shea]], Minnesota state legislator and businessman<ref>[https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=10609 Minnesota Legislators: Past & Present-Tom j. Shea]</ref>
* [[John Malcolm Smith]], fighter pilot in World War 2
* [[Clifford C. Sommer]], Minnesota state senator and businessman<ref>[https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=14878 Minnesota Legislators: Past & Present-Clifford C. Sommer]</ref>
* [[Amy Tanner]], psychologist who wrote ''Studies in Spiritism'', born in Owatonna
* [[Sean Tillman]] a.k.a. [[Har Mar Superstar]], raised in Owatonna
* [[Evan S. Tyler]], [[North Dakota]] state representative
* [[Harry Williams (songwriter)|Harry Williams]], songwriter, director for [[Mack Sennett]]
* [[Travis Wiuff]], a.k.a. "Diesel", MMA fighter, UFC
* [[Owl City|Adam Young, a.k.a. Owl City]], co-founder of [[Windsor Airlift]]
* [[William C. Zamboni]], Minnesota state senator and mayor of Owatonna<ref>[https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=10820 Minnesota Legislators: Past & Present-William C. Zamboni]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Owatonna, Minnesota}}
* [https://www.owatonna.gov/ City of Owatonna Website]
* [http://www.owatonna.org/ Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism]

{{Steele County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Minnesota placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Cities in Steele County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:County seats in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Dakota toponyms]]