Editing Pelican Rapids, Minnesota

{{Short description|City in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Redirect|Pelican Rapids|the Canadian community|Pelican Rapids, Manitoba}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Pelican Rapids
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
<!-- Images --------------->
|image_skyline            = Pelican rapids mn.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Pelican Pete, world's largest pelican, is located downtown Pelican Rapids
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = Otter_Tail_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Pelican_Rapids_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Pelican Rapids<br>within Otter Tail County, 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        = [[Otter Tail County, Minnesota|Otter Tail]]
<!-- Government ----------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Brent E Frazier
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1872
|established_title1       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date1        = December 10, 1883
<!-- 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           = 6.96
|area_land_km2            = 6.64
|area_water_km2           = 0.32
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.69
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.56
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.13
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 2602
|pop_est_as_of            = 2022
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2022"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 2577
|population_density_km2   = 388.21
|population_density_sq_mi = 1005.46
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = −6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m              = 395
|elevation_ft             = 1296
|coordinates              = {{coord|46|34|12|N|96|05|10|W|region:US-MN|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 56572
|area_code                = [[Area code 218|218]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 27-50164
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2396173<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2396173}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://pelicanrapids.com/|pelicanrapids.com}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Pelican Rapids''' is a city in [[Otter Tail County, Minnesota|Otter Tail County]], [[Minnesota]], United States. The population was 2,577 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/Pelican_Rapids_city,_Minnesota?g=160XX00US2750164 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 1, 2024}}</ref>

==History==
Pelican Rapids was [[plat]]ted in 1872, and named for the rapids on the [[Pelican River (Otter Tail River)|Pelican River]].<ref name="Upham 397">{{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/n416 397]}}</ref> A post office has been in operation at Pelican Rapids since 1872.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=MN&county=Otter+Tail|title=Otter Tail County|publisher=Jim Forte Postal History|access-date=July 28, 2015}}</ref> Pelican Rapids was incorporated in 1882.<ref name="Upham 397"/>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.63|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|2.53|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.10|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/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=July 2, 2012}}</ref>

[[U.S. Route 59#Minnesota|U.S. Highway 59]] and [[Minnesota State Highway 108]] are two of the main routes in the city.

==Culture==
Local landmarks include "Pelican Pete", a sculpture constructed beside the river in 1957 that is claimed to be the world's largest statue of a pelican.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2006/05/25/pelrapidstour |title=A tour of Pelican Rapids |website=Minnesota Public Radio |first=Tom |last=Crann |access-date=March 13, 2023 |date=May 30, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Big bird: central coast plans world's largest pelican statue |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/04/australian-town-plans-worlds-biggest-pelican-statue-to-outdo-american-giant |website=The Guardian |date=September 4, 2019 |access-date=March 13, 2023 |first=Lisa |last=Martin}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/01/08/pelican-pete-takes-a-trip-to-make-way-for-dam-removal |title='Pelican Pete' takes a trip to make way for dam removal |website=Minnesota Public Radio |date=January 8, 2023 |access-date=March 13, 2023 |first=Kirsti |last=Marohn}}</ref> It stands {{convert|15.4|ft|m|adj=on}} tall and is constructed from concrete and plaster.<ref name="allen-99">{{cite book | author-first=Barbara | author-last=Allen | title=Pelican | publisher=Reaktion Books | location=London | year=2019 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aD96EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA99 | page=99| isbn=9781789141177 }}</ref> A survey of the state's architecture published by the [[University of Minnesota Press]] characterizes Pelican Pete as "An effective programmatic advertisement for the town, just eye-catching and outrageous enough to attract considerable attention."<ref>{{cite book | author-first=David | author-last=Gebhard | author2-first=Tom | author2-last=Martinson | title=A Guide to the Architecture of Minnesota | publisher=University of Minnesota Press | location=Minneapolis | year=1977 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v4TiwNUguhYC&q=pelican | page=227| isbn=9781452901015 }}</ref>

In 2007, for the fiftieth anniversary of Pelican Pete's installation, the town launched a [[painted statue public art]] project wherein about three dozen smaller, {{convert|4|ft|m|adj=on}} pelican sculptures were placed around town and decorated by local artists.<ref name="allen-99"/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.wahpetondailynews.com/news/a-tour-of-pelican-rapids/article_1366adf4-980c-11e8-8d8e-0f449a393523.html | title=A Tour of Pelican Rapids | author-first=Katie | author-last=Betz | newspaper=Wahpeton Daily News | date=August 5, 2018 | access-date=March 13, 2023}}</ref>

The [[O.A.E. Blyberg House]] is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 624
|1900= 1033
|1910= 1019
|1920= 1156
|1930= 1365
|1940= 1560
|1950= 1676
|1960= 1693
|1970= 1835
|1980= 1867
|1990= 1886
|2000= 2374
|2010= 2464
|2020= 2577
|estyear=2022
|estimate=2602
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=January 1, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=January 1, 2024}}</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|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 10, 2013}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 2,464 people, 904 households, and 569 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|973.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 984 housing units at an average density of {{convert|388.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 74.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 5.8% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.9% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.7% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 11.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 31.5% of the population.

There were 904 households, of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.1% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.42.

The median age in the city was 35.4 years. 28.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.9% were from 25 to 44; 21.1% were from 45 to 64; and 17.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.6% male and 50.4% female.

[[File:Rainbow at Faith Church.jpg|left|thumb|Rainbow at Faith Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids]]

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 2,374 people, 884 households, and 558 families living in the city.  The population density was {{convert|905.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 962 housing units at an average density of {{convert|367.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 60.43% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.72% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.93% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.58% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 6.76% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.54% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 23.59% of the population.

There were 884 households, out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,232, and the median income for a family was $36,970. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $20,645 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,699.  About 9.5% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 18.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==
{{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=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=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=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=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=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=2000 PRECINCT RESULTS SPREADSHEET}}</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/Democratic}}|'''[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|47.8% ''437''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''50.2%''' ''459''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.0% ''19''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|44.8% ''366''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''48.3%''' ''395''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|6.9% ''56''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|42.7% ''346''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''54.9%''' ''445''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.4% ''19''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|41.8% ''362''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''54.6%''' ''472''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.6% ''31''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''60.5%''' ''531''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.2% ''335''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.3% ''12''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.5%''' ''463''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.4% ''326''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|7.1% ''60''
|}
{{Hidden end}}

==Notable people==
* [[Roy Emery Dunn]] - American businessman and politician
* [[Dave Goltz]] - Retired Major League Baseball pitcher
* [[Roger L. Hanson]] - American businessman and politician
* [[Tucker Hibbert]] - Professional snowmobile racer for Team [[Monster Energy]]/[[Arctic Cat]]
* [[Painting with Paulson|Buck Paulson]] - American painter with a show on [[PBS]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.pelicanrapids.com/ City Website]
*[http://www.pelicanrapidschamber.com Pelican Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce]

{{Otter Tail County, Minnesota}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Otter Tail County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1872]]
[[Category:1872 establishments in Minnesota]]