Pelican Rapids, Minnesota

Pelican Rapids is a city in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,577 at the 2020 census.<ref name="2020 Census (City)">Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Pelican Rapids was platted in 1872, and named for the rapids on the Pelican River.<ref name="Upham 397">Template:Cite book</ref> A post office has been in operation at Pelican Rapids since 1872.<ref>Template:Cite web</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 Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</ref>

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>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It stands Template:Convert tall and is constructed from concrete and plaster.<ref name="allen-99">Template:Cite book</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>Template:Cite book</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, Template:Convert pelican sculptures were placed around town and decorated by local artists.<ref name="allen-99"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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

Demographics

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 Template:Convert. There were 984 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 74.1% White, 5.8% African American, 0.9% Native American, 3.2% Asian, 0.7% Pacific Islander, 11.6% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or 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 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

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 Template:Convert. There were 962 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 60.43% White, 0.72% African American, 1.93% Native American, 1.58% Asian, 1.04% Pacific Islander, 6.76% from other races, and 4.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or 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 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

2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2016 Precinct Results Spreadsheet<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2012 Precinct Results Spreadsheet<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2008 Precinct Results Spreadsheet<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2004 Precinct Results Spreadsheet<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2000 Precinct Results Spreadsheet<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third parties
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2020	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|47.8% 437	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|50.2% 459	2.0% 19
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2016	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|44.8% 366	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|48.3% 395	6.9% 56
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2012	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|42.7% 346	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|54.9% 445	2.4% 19
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2008	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|41.8% 362	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|54.6% 472	3.6% 31
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2004	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|60.5% 531	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|38.2% 335	1.3% 12
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2000	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|54.5% 463	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|38.4% 326	7.1% 60

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
• Buck Paulson - American painter with a show on PBS

External links

• City Website
• Pelican Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce